8A the university daily kansan
news
thursday, february 26, 2004
Emmy-winning filmmaker teaches two film classes
By Samia Khan
skhan@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Madison Davis Lacy changed his major because he wanted to be the best of the best.
In his junior year of college he knew he didn't want to continue being a music major after seeing Lee Morgan play with the Dizzie Gillespie Big Band.
"He was stunning, and I knew I'd never be that good." Lacy said:
Instead, he took a film and broadcast class on a friend's dare and later switched to a communications major. More than 35 years later, he has won four Emmys.
Lacy is this semester's Langston Hughes visiting professor at the University of Kansas. He is teaching two documentary film classes this spring—his first formal teaching experience. He has served as a PBS station manager and executive producer at WGBH in Boston.
He received his degree in communications from Washington State University in 1968. He was in the selective service during wartime, making him an unattractive job candidate for employers. Three months after graduating, he was called to service.
While stationed in North Dakota he ran the base newspaper. With the right stories and an emphasis on photos, the paper shot to the top of the Air Force rankings.
"People adored it because pictures are easy to read and people like to see themselves," he said.
Lacy emphasized the small stories about the lower ranking servicemen. He said the paper told stories of colonels trying to get promotions instead of the men
The stories and pictures he used to make the base newspaper a hit are the same type of stories he tries to convey through film.
repairing equipment who never had a camera in their face.
"Good films are meant to be felt as well as understood," he said. "I like stories that enable me to make them powerful."
After leaving the Air Force, Lacy began his career path in broadcast. In the 1980s, he began making short films and eventually was commissioned to work on the Emmy-winning documentary Eyes on the Prize II. He said he realized how much he missed making films and he knew he wanted to go back.
Lacy saw the opportunity to make films that helped express humanity and race relations.
"Films are a weapon, and I like films that help advance the cause,"
he said. "At this point in my life, I don't have time to waste on films that don't make a difference."
Lacy said he had practical lessons to pass to others even though he hasn't been in the film business as long as some of his peers. His teaching position at the University is an honor, he said.
"Somebody looked at my work and appreciated that I'd have something to pass on," he said.
Barry St. John, Wichita senior, is taking both of Lacy's film classes and said Lacy treated his students like professional colleges and friends.
"If he's helping you on a shoot and you're the director, then he'll tell you, "Treat me like the crew and make me move your lights," St. John said.
— Edited by Ashley Arnold
Annie Bernethy/Kansan
Madison Davis Lacy, four-time Emmy winner for documentary film, taught his class yesterday afternoon at Oldfather Studios, 1621 W. Ninth St. Lacy is teaching film this semester as the Langston Hughes visiting professor.