2008 Woodie Awards
Independent Film Takes a Trip Underground
By: Jon Harris
Issue date: 2/20/08 Section: News
Jon Harris
Staff Writer
Award winning film producer Cassandra Hollis stopped at North Greenville University Feb. 12 and 13. The campus had the opportunity to screen part three of her short-film trilogy, Mattie, Johnny, and the Smooth White Stones.
Hollis also participated in the university's celebration of black history month.
"It gives us an important way of celebrating black history month by focusing on the religious element that was involved in the struggle with slavery and other ways," said Dr. Steve Crouse, campus minister. "There is a religious, Christian heritage there. I think that is important for us to affirm and be aware of."
Hollis held a screening for part three of Mattie, Johnny, and the Smooth White Stones during a bonus chapel on Feb. 12.
Slave narratives that Hollis researched as part of a presentation she made to her church inspired the film. Hollis said the film is a composite of slave narratives that she studied.
The three-part film series follows the story of an enslaved couple who flee for their freedom on the Underground Railroad.
In part three, Mattie, played by Hollis, and her husband continue to avoid capture as they head north for Canada.
Hollis wrote, directed, produced and acted in each installment.
The National Park Service's Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program gave an award to Hollis for Mattie, Johnny, and the Smooth White Stones. The film was also an official selection in the Newark Black Film Festival and the Gloria International Film Festival.
While Hollis' career has had success, she did not graduate college planning to start a production company.
Hollis graduated from Georgia State University with an M.A. in Communications and began her career working in the broadcast industry.
"I was on a track for the television career. After getting my master's degree, I was working at a Christian station in Atlanta," said Hollis.
Staff Writer
Award winning film producer Cassandra Hollis stopped at North Greenville University Feb. 12 and 13. The campus had the opportunity to screen part three of her short-film trilogy, Mattie, Johnny, and the Smooth White Stones.
Hollis also participated in the university's celebration of black history month.
"It gives us an important way of celebrating black history month by focusing on the religious element that was involved in the struggle with slavery and other ways," said Dr. Steve Crouse, campus minister. "There is a religious, Christian heritage there. I think that is important for us to affirm and be aware of."
Hollis held a screening for part three of Mattie, Johnny, and the Smooth White Stones during a bonus chapel on Feb. 12.
Slave narratives that Hollis researched as part of a presentation she made to her church inspired the film. Hollis said the film is a composite of slave narratives that she studied.
The three-part film series follows the story of an enslaved couple who flee for their freedom on the Underground Railroad.
In part three, Mattie, played by Hollis, and her husband continue to avoid capture as they head north for Canada.
Hollis wrote, directed, produced and acted in each installment.
The National Park Service's Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program gave an award to Hollis for Mattie, Johnny, and the Smooth White Stones. The film was also an official selection in the Newark Black Film Festival and the Gloria International Film Festival.
While Hollis' career has had success, she did not graduate college planning to start a production company.
Hollis graduated from Georgia State University with an M.A. in Communications and began her career working in the broadcast industry.
"I was on a track for the television career. After getting my master's degree, I was working at a Christian station in Atlanta," said Hollis.
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