The Documentary is Part of the "American Masters" Series on PBS
Carol Maillard and Stanley Nelson
Founding Member of "Sweet Honey in the Rock" and Filmmaker
Thursday, June 30, 2005
12:00 PM
The Grammy Award-winning ensemble "Sweet Honey in the Rock" is featured in the PBS documentary "Sweet Honey in the Rock: Raise Your Voice," part of the American Masters series. The film airs on Wednesday, June 29, at 9 p.m. ET (check local listings).
Performing a cappella, the group celebrates and integrates spirituals, hymns and gospel, blues, jazz, rap and traditional West African songs. Founder Bernice Johnson Reagon sang as a child in her father's rural Baptist church, studied Italian aria and German lieder in college and was an original member of the SNCC Freedom Singers in the 1960s. Beyond sharing the music, the film is also a story about heritage, values, commitment and passion.
Carol Maillard, a founding member of "Sweet Honey in the Rock" who rejoined the group full time in 1992, and filmmaker Stanley Nelson were online Thursday, June 30, at Noon ET to discuss the ensemble, its music and the PBS film "Sweet Honey in the Rock: Raise Your Voice."
Today, "Sweet Honey in the Rock" produces music born of spirituals, slavery and the Civil Rights movement. "Sweet Honey is unique. It's the color of that voice, the passion," says music historian Horace Clarence Boyer in the American Masters film. "And then you pick up those words and you say 'my, my, this is something I need to pay attention to.'"
The songs in Sweet Honey's repertoire speak to war and peace, to the experiences of ancestors and to the efforts of world leaders. There are tributes to Civil Rights leaders Harry Moore and Ella Baker, odes to home and community and songs tackling addiction and taxation without representation.
Having worked extensively as a singer, vocal coach and songwriter, Maillard's voice is featured on Horace Silver's Blue Note recording of Music of the Spheres, Betty Buckley's Live at Carnegie Hall on Sterling Records, and Sounds of Light for the SYDA Foundation. Motherless Child, her arrangement for "Sweet Honey In The Rock" can be heard in the feature film and soundtrack recording, "The Visit," and in the documentary on Dorothy Height, "We Are Not Vanishing." She has also worked both on and off-Broadway and in television and film. Born in Philadelphia, Penn., Maillard attended college in Washington, D.C., at the Catholic University of America.
Nelson, a 2002 MacArthur "genius" Fellow, is executive producer of Firelight Media, a not-for-profit documentary production company. He has had four films in competition at Sundance in six years and multiple industry awards to his credit. Nelson's 2003 film, "The Murder of Emmett Till," was broadcast nationally on PBS's American Experience. It won the Primetime Emmy for Best Directing, nonfiction, the Special Jury Prize at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival, an award from the International Documentary Association and the George Foster Peabody Award, among others. The filmmaker holds a B.F.A. in film from the City College of New York.
The transcript follows.
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Stanley Nelson: Thank you so much for watching. I'd be glad to answer your questions.
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Philadelphia, Pa.: Why did you leave the group, and what made you decide to rejoin the group?
Carol Maillard: Hey Philly
My training is as an actress/performer. I worked in this arena for over 20 years including my time with Sweet Honey while in DC. Acting is what I know very deeply. I used singing to help me get work as in background singing, musicals and things like that. I love it. Coming back for me became an obvious choice because of the timing of the offer, where I was in my life at the time.
peace
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Arlington, Va.: Mr. Nelson, Why did you decide to make this film?
Stanley Nelson: Well I had been a long time fan of SWIR. I first saw them in concert 25 years ago. I had been a big fan of Sweet Honey. And on the other hand, I had always wanted to make a film about music, I had always used music in the films I had made. I received a call from Sweet Honey, they were looking around for a director to help them document their 30th year. In talking to SH, we both agreed that it could be something much bigger than documenting that 30th year and that we should go for making a real film about SH.
And that's how it started! I had never done a music film. Any film I had made, The Murder of EMmit Till, The Black Press, Soldiers Without Swords, back to my film, Two Dollars and A Dream, I had always used a lot of music. I had used music to help carry the story forward. So although I had never made a music film, I had always wanted to. This was my chance.
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Washington, D.C.: What was the filmmaking process? How long did it take to make, and how did you decide what to focus on in the film?
Stanley Nelson: The film, from our first conversation with SH, the film took about four years to make. We really concentrated on the music and tried to let the music be our guide and let the songs take us where they wanted to. The spine of the film are two concerts that we filmed with SH. Early on, the idea was that the film would be 50/50 concert footage from SH, and the other 50 percent would be behind the scenes with SH, and that's pretty much how it worked out. But the songs are the spine of the film and take us from one piece of non-concert footage to the next.
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Washington, D.C.: As one of Bernice Johnson Reagon's former students, I can certainly attest to her deep spiritual affinity with and personal expression through music. We students were often treated to impromptu performances during class, and the power of her voice did much to keep lectures lively.
My question revolves around the audience reactions you observed while taping the film. Sweet Honey's music has a strong social justice component, and the film captured some of Bernice's comments on the Iraq war during one of the performances. Those comments may have been expected and/or welcomed here in D.C., but perhaps not in Lawrence, Kan. I'm curious how the audiences (particularly in red states) reacted to some of these messages, as your interviews showed that not everyone attending knew Sweet Honey's background and history.
Carol Maillard: I try not to think of the United States as red or blue. It kind of negates the word United...there are lots of different kinds of people in many places...
there were people in Lawrence that agreed with us. Sometimes we just voice what people are feeling and have no place to express it for many reasons. We'll go to as many places are we can at least once. We offer what we have from our hearts and hope that someone in uplifted, challenged, inspired and
that they learn something they didn't already know. We realize we're not in the public the way many groups are but we love reaching new people and will continue to work at that
peace.
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Arlington, Va.: Mr. Nelson, what was your favorite part of making this film? Any stories/details that were left out of the film that you could tell us about here? Thank you!;
Stanley Nelson: My favorite part was just being present for all those incredible musical moments in the film, being there with SH, that's probably the thing I liked the best. The hardest thing to do was to figure out which songs to leave in and which to take out. We shot two concerts, each about 2 hours long, that's four hours of concert material, and we knew we could only use about 45 minutes of it. So we had to cut a lot of songs. That was hard.
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Birmingham, Ala.: Sweet Honey in the Rock is undoubtedly a BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE. Birmingham was blessed by your presence last year. But I want to know when Birmingham (or any nearby southern city) will be graced by another performance?
Carol Maillard: Thanks for your kindness.
If you want to keep up with our schedule please go to our Web site at www.sweethoney .com
You;ll find lots of info about who we are, what we're up to as a group and how to access our music.
peace
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Philadelphia, Pa.: Mr. Nelson. This is indeed an honor to speak to you today. I've enjoyed your films -- Beyond Brown and Emmitt Till -- both films dealing with interesting and tough topics to watch and I would assume to make. This film seems to be a departure from the "heavier" films you've made. With this experience are there other subjects you'd like to take on? What are you presently working on?
Stanley Nelson: There are a lot of things I'd love to work on. One of the great things about being a documentary filmmaker is that you can work on different subjects and different kinds of films. I've been really lucky in the past 2 years or so, to work on not only SH, but also Beyond Brown, which is a mostly contemporary look at the public school system in the U.S. And to work on a Place of our Own, which is a very personal film, and to work on Emmitt Till which is a historical film. I've been very lucky to have been able to work on different types of projects.
I am currently working on a film on People's Temple, Jim Jones and Jonetown for the American Experience on PBS.
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Arlington, Tex.: Who wrote the song (Women Should Be) A Priority and what was the driving force behind that song? It is my favorite Sweet Honey song and I don't seem to hear it much anymore. Congratulations on 30 great years, I wish Sweet Honey 30 More.
Carol Maillard: Great question!
WE haven't performed it very much lately but hope to bring it back into the repertoire very soon.
It was written by nitanju and aisha. I don't know what really inspired them to write it other than the obvious desire to raise the respect for women and young girls in this world as well as this country.
peace
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Plano, Tex.: Mr. Nelson, Congratulations on this wonderful film. Do you have any other projects in the works?
Stanley Nelson: Thank you so much. You can read the previous answer.
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Baltimore, Md.: When will the documentary be re-aired?
Thanks.
Carol Maillard: check your local stations to see how PBS will re air.
Thank you for watching it. Let PBS know you liked it.
Peace
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Chicago, Ill.: Where can I purchase a DVD of the PBS show?
Stanley Nelson: You can go to Firelightmedia.org which is our website, and it will give you information on this film and other films we have produced.
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Ames, Iowa: Hello Everyone,
My question is in regards to how the group may be contacted for further information about performing at specific events?
Carol Maillard: Hello
please go to our Web site
www.sweethoney.com
thanks so much...
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washingtonpost.com: Firelightmedia.org
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washingtonpost.com: Check your local listings
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washingtonpost.com: Official Web Site: Sweet Honey In The Rock
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Lake George, N.Y.: Carol -- what genre of music is your favorite to perform? What is the most difficult? Do you have any advice for an aspiring blues/gospel singer?
Carol Maillard: Hi there
I love Broadway musical music and performance. Even tho you do it everyday there is always something new to find in your character, your cast mates, the audience. I love that experience. I also love funk and eclectic styles of music, music that incorporates influences from other cultures in a funky, soulful and inspired way. I love Indian chants and ragas, West African vocal music, and anything by chaka Khan, Ella, dinah, Areatha, Stevie, Earth Wind and Fire...i could go on but you get the picture.
Take good care of your voice and your body. Love yourself and the gift God has given you. Sing true from your heart and don't be afraid to try new things. Study your craft and honor it. sing with Love in your heart.
peace
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San Pablo, Calif.: I watched and listen in amazement to these ladies last night on PBS. Could you please, please tell me they are still touring and where I could catch one of their concerts.
They are great!!!
Carol Maillard: hi
go to our Web site
www.sweethoneycom
thanks for watching. Hope you get to see us where you are.
peace
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Arlington, Va.: Mr. Nelson, what kinds of films do you generally produce? Was this film a departure for you, or ... ? Thank you.
Stanley Nelson: I've made a number of historical films. I've also made a number of films on contemporary issues. I think we've talked about what some of those are in the previous questions. This was the first music film that I've made. It was a great joy to do. In a lot of ways it was very different. The concerts that we shot we very elaborate shoots, six cameras, gib arms, a steady cam, and all those bells and whistles, a 16 track mixer with a truck. It's just a different scene. A lot of times when I film it will be a three person crew. When we filmed the concerts at one point we had about 35 people. So it was a very different scale for the concerts.
Dealing with the audio was much more elaborate. We had to remix all the music. WE did that in collaboration with SH. We had to premix all the music. It was much more detailed and complex sound mixing than other films. It was 16 tracks to work with. While we were working with those 16 tracks, somebody would be interviewing and talking over those 16 tracks, so now you were dealing with 17 tracks. So it was much more complex. And when you are doing music, if you are focused on one of the singers, say Carole, then her track will get slightly raised to give the audience kind of her point of view. Those kind of subtleties go into mixing music on film and gave us more to work with, a different king of experience. Usually in a documentary you are working with one mike. And in the audio mix you are just trying to clean up the track, take out the noise. With this film, we were able to manipulate the music and the tracks. That was fun, it was exciting. There is a song in the film Fulani Chant, where we separate each singer's part, and you are able to hear what each singer is singing, and then we blend them back in together as they talk about what their parts are and how it blends. And that was really exciting to do, and for the viewer pretty instructive. I think it's one of the great moments of the film. We got to deconstruct how Sweet Honey puts together their sound.
There is a soundtrack CD available as well as the DVD. You should address yourself to Sweet Honey about the concert CD.
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Anonymous: Mr. Nelson, how long have you followed "Sweet Honey" for? Did you become friends with the group, or is that not the role of a filmmaker? Or does that not matter one way or another from a professional standpoint? Thanks for your insight into a behind the scenes look of the film.
Stanley Nelson: I had been a fan of SH and known of their music for maybe 25 years before we started the process of the film. I became friends with SH while we were making the film. And we were able to keep that friendship going even after the film was completed. I think as a filmmaker you'd want to be on good terms with your subject, but I don't think it matters in the final analysis if you are. I think you could make a great film and be totally at odds with your subject or make a terrible film and be the best of friends. I think the role of the filmmaker is to make the best film possible. And if you can do that and remain friends then great.
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Fort Washington, Md.: I first heard (and fell in love with) Sweet Honey's sound about 10 years ago when I moved to Maryland from S.C. You have a wonderful gift, and I'm grateful that the group lives on. I've always enjoyed your concerts ... but I've never witnessed someone walking out of one because they were offended by the content.
I know that sometimes it's difficult to speak truth to power ... I was wondering, as a group, what goes through your minds when faced with folk that get angry with the messages you deliver through your music?
Carol Maillard: thanks for your question
You do the best you can to maintain perspective on the question, where it comes from and answer them. sometimes people are just out there with comments so you take them with a grain of salt. We don't work with the attitude of making the audience love us. we certainly love when they do, but our focus is getting the messages out there to massage to mind of those who hear the music. There is something for everyone at a Sweet honey Concert if folk are willing to listen.
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Boston, Mass.: I saw Sweet Honey play live when I was an intern at the Library of Congress a few years ago. My dad has several CDs, so it was a treat to watch you in person. I recently got "I Got Shoes" for my toddler to listen to, and he loves it! I like it too -- it's music for kids, but not "kiddie music" -- so we're both happy.
Carol Maillard: Thank you very much for sharing us with your child. We get lots of people who say they were raised on our music and were passing it on to their child. I think it helps keep a bond between families.
Blessings to you both...
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Roanoke, Va.: American Masters is a terrific series and I commend them for an excellent selection of "masters" this season. Who do you think should be on the list for inclusion in the American Masters series? Thank you.
Stanley Nelson: Interesting question. There are a lot of people that come to mind. I would put in Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, George Clinton, that would be music. Maybe Berry Gordy from Motown. Those would be people I'd love to see off the top of my head. I'm sure there are a zillion others. In art, Romare Beardon, Jacob Lawrence. Without a doubt. I'm sure there are tons of others. August Wilson, Toni Morrison.
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New Orleans, La.: Will you guys do a concert in New Orleans any time soon?
Carol Maillard: Not that I know of
We love it whenever we get a chance to visit there.
Our Road Person lives there.
Have a great day today
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Arlington, Va.: What was the most challenging part of making this film? The best part? Thanks.
Stanley Nelson: I guess challenging was we had over 300 hours of footage, to try and cut that down. And to try to make the film have a story, and to make it have a dramatic thrust, a dramatic arc. To make you feel that as a viewer you had gone on a journey, so that it wasn't just a collection of songs. I think we've succeeded very well and it was fairly hard to do.
The best part was working with music, and the music itself. I believe in Sweet Honey and I believe in what their music does. And I believe in the things that they stand for. So to be able to make a music film, which I'd always wanted to do, and to be able to make a film about important music, was just beautiful.
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Alexandria, Va.: I don't hear songs like yours on the radio: even when they're not specific to any one party or cause, songs passionate about change (unless they only emphasize "more love") seem to get little airtime. It was thus a breath of fresh air to hear you all, to watch the footage of the Freedom Singers at the March on Washington, with that huge crowd and many clapping along. I am so disillusioned right now about political activism, my friends. Since the 2004 election, I no longer care nearly as much about fighting for justice. The losses in the '04 election hardened me. When I hear music like yours, I feel strength and clarity renewed. So, here's the question: what online radio stations, music venues, and other artists do you guys recommend for music similar to yours, inspirational gospel/r and b/rap/blues with a message? What have you seen out there that deserves a look?
P.S. Mr. Nelson, I am an aspiring documentarian who has worked on civil rights docs, and if there's ever any opportunity to work on projects like those you have done, I would consider it an honor.
Carol Maillard: That's a big question
Hope springs eternal...the moment people become so disillusioned that they lose hope, then you know something is wrong. Life is beautiful, living is challenging. This is a very delicate time we're in and the wheel can turn either way.
If you want to hear our music, you have to write places and let them know you want to hear us. We are on College stations, Public radio and satellite radio.
Keep on Raising Your voice...seriously...we will
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New Orleans, La.: I don't know if you got the last question since I was not registered, but I remember the first time I saw you guys on Reading Rainbow and was just taken aback. Will you be in the New Orleans area any time soon?
Carol Maillard: We aren't scheduled to come to New Orleans. WE;d love to come there. Keep checking with our Web site for updates on our schedule...www.sweethoney.com
peace
and thank you
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St. Louis, Mo.: I watched sweethoney in the rock -- I'm 30 years of age, I enjoyed their voices so much I cried If they were to ever come to St. Louis and I had the money I would go see them. I was sad to see the lead singer leave the group. Her voice was like a refreshing drink of lemonade. God bless.
Carol Maillard: Keep up with our schedule by going to our Web site
www.sweethoney.com
Thank you very much for your kind words.
God bless and keep you and yours...
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Washington, D.C.: For this longtime fan one of the best parts of the film was the shots of the audience. I know I spotted several acquaintances there.
And thanks for spotlighting some of the amazing outfits, and for showing beloved former members in some of those black and white shots. I hope and pray that all are well in their current endeavors. Do you follow them?
Stanley Nelson: One of the things that was very important to SH from our very first discussion about making a film was that we include the audience, and that the audience be somehow part of the film. So I am really gratified when people say to me that they are glad that we included the audience because that was something we really set out to do. So I'm glad that for some people we accomplished that goal.
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Stanley Nelson: Thank you so much for your questions. This was a really exciting and fun film for me to make and work on. It was really a great honor to work with Sweet Honey. I was really lucky! And I am so glad that other people enjoyed it.
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Chicago, Ill.: Please give a brief biography of the various members Of the group. I saw the program tonight, and thought it was outstanding, and would like to know some things about the members of the group -- i.e. educational background, musical training, when they joined the group, is singing with the group a full-time or part-time occupation for them, etc. Thanks
Carol Maillard: You can go to our web site to get more info. Ysaye is from New York and studied music from the time she was very young.
Nitanju and Aisha are from Buffalo new York and studied music and dance. Nitanju also spent 5 years living workng/performing and studying in Senegal. It's all too much to put into one answer...LOL
I studied acting and work in NY as an actress, not as much as I used to...but I keep up with it. Bernice has a link on our web site that will take you to her site for more recent info on her activities, Louise is also an accomplished actress who's been on broadway too. Arnae is from Chicago and has been singing since she was very young.
Take care
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Washington, D.C.: Carol, you have written and/or arranged many of the songs the group performs -- can you tell us a little about the composition process you experience?
Carol Maillard: oh no not many songs
just a few actually.
I know I can write a song but how I get to it is very different from time to time. I get influence from different sources, like I'll hear a melody over and over or a rhythm or some words to the chorus. I'm working on something now that is wearing me out in terms of the lyrics...
thanks for asking..
peace
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Alexandria, Va.: Ms. Carol: I know this is going to sound kind of shallow, but ...
One of the things I love about your group is the wonderful outfits worn during your concerts. Does the group have a designer? Is that person local?
Carol Maillard: thank you,
we go to several people.
We're working with a new designer who you saw in the film. Her name is Brenda Brunson Bey and she has a store/line called Tribal Truths. She's based in Brooklyn and does incredible work. We've also worked with Cindy williams (DC
We have usd Brends Winstead/Damali fashions(DC), Januwah Umoja (DC), Dana Easter (Chicago), Pahti (NYC), Sehar (DC) and Cassandra Shepherd (SanDiego)
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New Orleans, La.: Hello and thanks for an uplifing and fascinating program last night. It's just the kind of thing that makes me turn to PBS again and again.
You are both in a position to use your craft, your "voice" if you will, to keep valuable institutions like public broadcasting alive and vital. In light of recent threats, is that something you would consider?
Stanley Nelson: Yes I would! Of course! I think that PBS, for most of us it's been a part of our lives for a very, very long time. It is the one channel that is not under the sway of market forces. And that is really unique and that is really important. So although I don't watch PBS 24 hours a day, I don't watch HBO or ABC or any other channel 24 hours a day. But I'll always go to the guide when I turn on my TV and see what's on PBS. Where I don't even ever look at what's on network television.
Carol Maillard: We are aware that many organizations that promote freedom of speech and uses it's influence to help those with worthy causes and no commercial interest be heard.
We'll continue to do what we do to bring attention to issues we feel are relevant. We don't quite feel we have a 'voice" that's big enough to do what I think you're suggesting.
thank so much for your kind thoughts for us...
Peace
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Washington, D.C.: This is primarily a question for Carol Maillard, but I am also interested in Stanley Nelson's response as an African American film maker: Sweet Honey has toured around the world bringing up social justice issues here and connecting with global questions of violence against women, economic justice, racism and oppression. Could you talk about how you and the group see your responsibility as artists to make these international connections and speak to communities outside of the United States as well?
Stanley Nelson: As a film maker, it's a little harder sometimes to speak to international audiences. As a film maker even though some of the films I've made have been about international subjects, they've been funded by entities within the U.S. and their primary audience is within the US. We seek to have the films distributed internationally, and we are looking for an international distributor for this film. But then the film is really in the hands of the distributor. We have to trust the distributor to get the film to a worldwide audience.
Carol Maillard: If we could get to the place we long to visit and perform in we'd be thrilled. it's not easy to get overseas for many reasons but when we do we find our messages and struggles are very well understood. We do the best we can and stay open to opportunities to visit and share.
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Carol Maillard: Thanks to everyone who shared this time with us. Please be sure to let PBS know how much you enjoyed the film. They do like to hear that they;ve done good :=))
The Soundtrack CD of the music in the film will be on sale July 12th. It's called Sweet Honey In The rock: Raise Your Voice! and is on Earthbeat Records. It can be ordered in advance from www.goldenrod.com or go to our web site...www.sweethoney.com for more info.
God Bless You all.
Mai
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washingtonpost.com: Next week's American Masters , "Satchmo: The Life of Louis Armstrong," airs on Wednesday, July 6, at 9 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings ). A Live Online discussion will follow on Thursday, July 7, at Noon ET. During the discussion, Phoebe Jacobs, executive vice president of the Louis Armstrong Foundation and close friend of the Armstrong family, and Stanley Crouch, writer and critic who is immersed in the jazz world, will discuss the American Masters documentary and the life and career of Louis Armstrong.
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Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.