The last few months have truly been very special for me and my company, Reelin’ In The Years Productions. In March I attended the premiere at South By Southwest of the documentary film I was an Executive Producer on, The Makings Of Curtis Mayfield, produced by Peter Afterman and directed by OSCAR and GRAMMY award-winning artist, H.E.R. (Gabriella Wilson). Then, a few weeks ago I was in New York to attend the launch of the six part documentary series David Frost Vs.
I was honored to serve as associate producer on this unique series produced by White Horse Pictures and Sir David Frost’s son, Wilfred who like his late father, is a respected journalist, Wilfred invited me to join him at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to ring in the opening bell and celebrate the US premiere of this series on MSNBC. This may very well be the first time in history that a documentary film was honored on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.
As if this wasn’t amazing in so many ways, today we found out that STAX: Soulsville U.S.A., the 4 part documentary series for which I served as one of the Co-Executive producers, won (yes, won!) the prestigious Peabody Award!!!!!
From The Peabody Awards website. “Respected for its integrity and revered for its standards of excellence, the Peabody is an honor like no other for television, podcast/radio, and streaming media. Chosen each year by a diverse Board of Jurors through unanimous vote, Peabody Awards are given in the categories of entertainment, documentary, news, podcast/radio, arts, children’s and youth, and public service programming. The annual Peabody winners are a collection of stories that powerfully reflect the pressing social issues and the vibrant emerging voices of our day. From major productions to local journalism, the Peabody Awards shine a light on the Stories That Matter and are a testament to the power of art and reportage in the push for truth, social justice, and equity. The Peabody Awards elevate stories that defend the public interest, encourage empathy with others, and teach us to expand our understanding of the world around us.”
I’d like to offer MAJOR Congratulations to Jamila Wignot who directed this important film, Producer Caroline Waterlow, series producer Kara Elverson and Ines Farag who handled the intense task of footage & photo research on this 4 part series. Also I’d like offer huge congrats to Sophia Dilley and Michele Smith for Concord Originals who have been such champions for this music and the artists who made it.
Of course I would not be involved in STAX: Soulsville U.S.A were it not for my dear friends and colleagues Nigel Sinclair, Nicholas Ferrall, Jeanne Elfant Festa and Cassidy Hartmann of White Horse Pictures, who have brought me into their world of incredible filmmaking, not just with this series, but so many other critically acclaimed and award-winning documentaries. I’m excited to continue my relationship with them on many other special films currently in production.
STAX: Soulsville U.S.A was also just nominated for the FOCAL Award in the category of Best Use Of Footage In A Music Production. Of the archive used in this series, at least 60% of the footage was licensed from Reelin’ In The Years Productions!
Congratulations to everyone involved in the making of this series film and I truly am proud to be associated with such an amazing group of talented people.
David Peck
Reelin’ In The Years Productions