A SEPARATE CINEMA

    Shot on location in the historic Douglass Theater in Macon, Georgia, this project promoted Turner Classic Movies' celebration of early black filmmakers. Completed by African-American entrepreneur Charles H. Douglass in 1921. The Douglas Theater could not have been a more appropriate location for this project. Modeled after Macon's Grand Opera House, the Douglass was the premiere movie theater and vaudeville hall open to African-American citizens, showcasing early African-American films and entertainers such as Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Little Richard, Otis Redding, and James Brown.
    Discovered during the location scout, Douglass Theater projectionist Chuck Phillips became the face and voice of the piece, which is fitting since his family had worked in the theater beginning back in the silent film era.