Clemson students make films of historic Appalachian community

Clemson students will showcase their original video productions on Saturday of a small Appalachian community in PickensCounty known as Liberia—founded by freed salves after the Civil War and which remains occupied by their descendants nearly two centuries later.  The films were shot during the October 2013 SoapstoneBaptistChurch fish fry, a monthly fundraising event. “The church is the core of a community that was created by freed slaves who were given or bought land in what was probably a not-so-valuable part of the OolenoyRiverValley,” said Clemson anthropology professor John “Mike” Coggeshall. “It’s a tiny little church of people who have struggled to maintain ownership of this land for over 150 years….”  Seven Clemson students filmed, edited and produced three short videos about the fish fry.  That process allowed the students to examine a close-knit Appalachian community while learning the methods and ethics of creating documentary films and the techniques and artistry of editing raw film into a comprehensive final product.