We’re off to Kansas! Or… Ben is. He’s flying back to to Lawrence, Kansas, to interview one of his professors from his days at the University of Kansas — Academy Award-winning filmmaker and KU professor Kevin Willmott. Known for co-writing BLACKKKLANSMAN with Spike Lee, Wilmott shares personal stories of his journey from a young creative in Kansas to an Oscar award-winning filmmaker. This one is jam-packed with a wide-ranging discussion covering the power of cinema, activism, the impact of Black history, and the challenges of making films outside Hollywood — and the role of the teacher. Ben is filled-up with admiration and respect for Kevin Willmott and before the end of this one, you will be too!
00:00 Introduction and Overview
01:01 Meeting Kevin Willmott
03:08 Kevin's Early Life and Influences
05:23 The Journey to Filmmaking
12:28 Activism and Filmmaking
20:27 CSA: Confederate States of America
29:46 Collaboration with Spike Lee
34:05 The Importance of Having a Follow-Up Project
35:11 Pitching 'Gotta Give It Up' to Hollywood
36:35 Collaborations and Career Milestones
40:22 The Impact of Black History on Filmmaking
44:08 Teaching and Building a Film Community
46:45 Challenges and Rewards of Independent Filmmaking
53:57 Facing Racism and Its Influence on Storytelling
59:43 Reflections on Activism and Filmmaking
01:05:39 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts
