Longleaf Studios Wins Fourth Emmy
07/14/2023
by Buffy Lockette
Congratulations are in order once again for JSU’s Longleaf Studios. The program has won its fourth Emmy Award, bringing home a golden statue for “The Forgotten Creeks,” a documentary that aired on Alabama Public Television (APT) in November.
“Producing this film was a rewarding experience..."
More than two years in the making, “The Forgotten Creeks” tells the story of Alabama’s Poarch Band of Creek Indians – tracing the tribe’s evolution from an impoverished, isolated community to the independent, self-sufficient Indian nation it is today.
The documentary won a 2023 Southeast Emmy Award in the Program Promotion category, specifically for its trailer. It was also nominated in the Historical Documentary category.
“Producing this film was a rewarding experience,” said Seth Johnson, distinguished professor of graphic design and associate dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences. “Our students were able to work alongside an accomplished film studio in the production of the film and gained valuable industry experience in doing so. We owe a significant thank you to the Poarch Creek tribal members that gave us their trust, welcomed us into their homes and allowed us to tell their story.”
"We owe a significant thank you to the Poarch Creek tribal members that gave us their trust, welcomed us into their homes and allowed us to tell their story." -Seth Johnson
Longleaf Studios partnered with Nashville-based film company, Illuminate Films, to help produce the documentary and provide experiential learning opportunities for JSU students.
The film featured JSU professors Tamara Levi and Harry Holstein as content experts, with JSU film students Peyton Beckwith, Jonah Lancaster, Ethan Wright and Tucker Barnett serving in various roles on the film crew. Graphic design students Jacob Anderson, Kayla Bigbee, Shankar Dayal Dayalan, Kayla Harris, Alba Conjero Gutierrez, Adela Johnson and Zachery Stanley assisted in the creation of the film’s motion design elements.
“The Forgotten Creeks” is the sixth documentary Longleaf Studios has produced for Alabama Public Television. Additional film credits include:
- “Building Birmingham: The Sloss Story,” 2022, Emmy nominee
- “Servant Leader: The Tom Bevill Story,” 2022
- “Lagarde: Making Natural History,” 2021
- “The Fire in Anniston: A Freedom Rider's Story,” 2021, winner of three Emmys
- “Forever Wild: The James. D. Martin Story,” 2020
All previously aired programs are available for free on the APT website, including “The Forgotten Creeks” .
Up next, Longleaf Studios is currently working on documentaries on the Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum and the life of civil rights attorney Arthur Shores of Birmingham.