A sampling of the top accomplishments and collaborations of the Norman Studios over the years:
- Secured a place on the National Register of Historic Places and made the pitch to become a National Historic Landmark. We expect to announce our official Landmark designation late 2016.
- Assisted author Barbara Tepa Lupack with research for Richard E. Norman and Race Filmmaking, the first full biography on silent filmmaker Richard Norman.
- Currently working with descendants of Bill Pickett, legendary rodeo performer and star of The Bull Dogger, to produce a documentary on his life, focusing on his work in Norman films.
- Hosted and interviewed with host Mark Wahlberg and producers of PBS’s Antiques Road Show for an upcoming episode featuring the search for surviving copies of Richard Norman’s The Wrecker.
- Exhibited at Jacksonville’s Cult Fiction Drive-In where we interviewed actor and former NFL football player Fred Willamson for an upcoming documentary on African American cowboy legend Bill Pickett.
- Screened The Flying Ace at the Lincoln Center in New York as part of a conference and film series titled Faded Glory: Oscar Micheaux and Pre-War Black Cinema; at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival; and at the University of Miami Communications Week with live musical accompaniment by students from UM’s Frost School of Music.
- Granted producers permission to use a poster of The Bull Dogger in the production of Treme, an HBO dramatic series that followed several musicians struggling with life in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
- Assisted with production of Hollywood East: Florida’s Silent Film Legacy, a half-hour documentary by Nadia Ramoutar and Steph Borklund with students of the Art Institute of Jacksonville. The film since has screened at the Jacksonville Film Festival, Sarasota Film Festival and Amelia Island Film Festival. It also aired on PBS stations in Florida and was honored with a Jacksonville Historic Preservation Award.
- Richard Norman honored with the Film Florida Legends Award, celebrating the men and women who played significant roles in establishing the state as an entertainment center.
- Assisted Stage Aurora Theatrical Co. with production of Richard and Oscar: Filmmaking in Black and White, a stage play about the life of Richard Norman and his friendship with Oscar Micheaux.
Join us as we…
- Implement a major capital campaign for the purchase of the final Norman Studios building, currently owned by Circle of Faith Ministries.
- Continue our successful Silent Sundays series and develop new film and presentation series.
- Plan production of multiple documentary film productions on Richard Norman, Gloria Norman, Bill Pickett, etc.
- Plan exciting fundraising and friendraising events including a new annual gala and events that showcase local musicians and artists.
- Develop and finalize plans for the full restoration and ultimate reopening of the Norman Studios property as a film and history learning center and tourist destination You can play a starring role in the Norman Studios’ big comeback.