A student-led documentary received a nomination for a Southeast Student Production Award in the Non-Fiction Short category, giving these students a chance to have their names etched in Piedmont University history. 

Students Nahomi Itzel Solorzano Centeno, Kate Nye, Carlie Crane and Chris Belin took on the task of creating a short-form documentary, titled “The Fighting Lady,”  about Helen Dortch Longstreet and the multiple battles she tackled throughout her lifetime.

“It follows the tumultuous events that led her to fight against Georgia Power Company building a dam at Tallulah Falls in Rabun County, Georgia in the early 1900’s,” says Associate Professor of Mass Communications Melissa Jackson, the instructor for the documentary production course and overall advisor for the project. 

“Not only was she one of the first environmental activists, but she also became a crusader for many causes ranging from women’s rights and civil rights, to restoring her former Confederate husband’s reputation,” says Jackson in connection to Longstreet’s aforementioned battles. 

Nahomi Itzel Solorzano Centeno, a senior mass communications student, has gained valuable professional experience from this project. 

“As the team was small, we saw each other every day so we became close with this project, but with getting close we had to learn the time to be friends and the time to be professional. I also gained a lot of experience as a director on this documentary as I had to be the main leader of the project.”

In collaboration with organizations such as the Longstreet Society and the Rabun County Historical Society, the four students undertook roles such as director, editor, and historical researcher, and they all took part in interviews and filming. 

Junior film student Chris Belin was the main historical researcher and, like Solorzano Centeno, he gained insightful experience from this project as well. 

“It helped me grow because this was my first documentary, so I gained a better understanding of that style of storytelling. I grew in terms of work ethic and research required to complete a major project like this.” 

Despite the serious nature of the production, the team enjoyed what they were doing and will have lasting memories of this project. 

“My favorite part of working on this project was probably the fact we got to go to Tallulah Falls and hike around to get B-Roll for the documentary. I remember great memories when Kate, Chris and I went to Tallulah, and we were both being productive and having fun,” says Solorzano Centeno. 

“I just loved working with our group on this project and was thankful for the advice Professor Jackson would give us along the way.”

Belin also enjoyed the teamwork aspect of the project, but acknowledged that challenges of the project made it that much more beneficial.

“My favorite part of working with the rest of my team was the collaboration, seeing how others approach the task, and getting to rely on them to help out when needed. The hardest part was dealing with last minute setbacks and the most satisfying part was just seeing it all come together and realizing all the hard work paid off.”

Despite this project initially being assigned for a class, the students are exploring the option of pursuing this topic further and turning it into a longer production. 

The awards ceremony is on Saturday, March 22, at Savannah College of Art and Design in downtown Atlanta.

If you are interested in learning more about or viewing “The Fighting Lady,” visit https://piedmontroar.com/12786/sliderposts/the-fighting-lady/

If you are interested in learning more about the award ceremony and results, visit https://southeastemmy.com/students/