Documentary series delves into local history
Chris Charles Scott, executive producer, writer and director of “The Shape of Shreveport,” became deeply entrenched in the story of Shreveport during his research for a documentary.
“It started out as promotional type videos, but then when I got down here and started digging through the history, connecting with historians, going to bars and listening to the stories – we realized the history was so interesting that it could speak for itself and show that the city is awesome,” Scott said.
The Historic Strand Theatre is set to host the premiere of “The Shape of Shreveport,” a documentary series that is the brain child of creators and executive producers Will and Jim Broyles.
The June 4 premiere includes the first four, 15-minute installations of the series; doors will open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20, and all proceeds go to support the Strand Theatre.
“The Shape of Shreveport” brings the history of the Shreveport-Bossier City area to life through entertaining stories designed to bring pride to area residents.
“Each episode is uniquely different in how we tell the story, but the thread is the same,” Scott said. “This is about a common story that Shreveporters can get behind. Everyone’s story gets told and we are very deliberate about doing that as well.”
Scott said he has been gathering history of the area through interviews and research, but is also using the strongest resources in the area for information.
“We are working with some cool people – Dr. Cheryl White and Dr. Gary Joiner are both our consulting historians,” Scott said.
Creator, executive producer and Shreveport native Jim Broyles said he is proud to have the respected historians as a part of the series. “It’s important to highlight the local historians – they are doing a lot of the work. They are this treasure trove of information. As much as we love to hunt stuff down, to keep the facts straight you have to have that.
You have to parcel out through what’s entertaining and what’s true,” he said.
Broyles feels “The Shape of Shreveport” truly connects locals from all walks of life on common ground. “We can all point back in this series to what and who we are.
When someone asks you what Shreveport is known for, what do you say? Casinos, it’s on the river? Well, the casinos only got here in the ’90s, yes, it’s on a river, it’s on the way to Dallas,” Broyles said. “As Chris is turning over these stones, there’s a lot of great stories of local and regional significance. In our first four episodes there’s one that’s really of national significance. Very quickly we can tie the Louisiana Hayride introducing Elvis to two years later he has five of the Top 15 on the Billboard. That same episode, Martin Luther King Jr. came years before he won the Nobel Peace Prize, years before the Birmingham bombing and the march from Booker T. Washington down Milam, he came here and spoke at Galilee Baptist Church and Dr. [C.O.] Simpkins grabbed his tape recorder thinking this would be significant – and he recorded it.
It’s the first fully recorded speech by Martin Luther King Jr., and the refrains you heard throughout the years are there,” Broyles said.
The first four episodes hit on Henry Shreve, the Yellow Fever epidemic, Elvis, Martin Luther King Jr., and the Wallace Lake crash.
“The Shape of Shreveport” is a fully local venture. “We have been dealing with the local talent. Chris Lyon is the editor and has done production and has his field crew, [as well as] Rob Senska and Mindy Bledsoe,” Broyles said. “Clyde Hargrove did a lot of the scoring on these episodes and played any instrument that was needed. Like anything from the organ to the banjo and everything in between – he’s a talented guy. He’s in the band Hydrogen Child, and they recorded our theme song.” In addition to taking advantage of the area experts, the series is also helping a local landmark. “We are taking this as an opportunity to help support groups like The Strand, which is an obvious fit for what we are doing.
The ticket proceeds go to them to their cause to continue to operate as a beautiful theater building downtown,” Broyles said.
Scott summed up the documentary series. “We evolved as creatures to enjoy good stories – and that’s what this is,” he said. “We want people to see how cool their city is.”.
–Mandy Byrd
Learn more:
For more information or to purchase tickets to the event, go to www.shapeofshreveport.com.
