Help us complete THE JEFFERSON STREET POET film

HELP UNCOVER THE UNTOLD STORY OF

NASHVILLE’S JEFFERSON STREET POET

Few things uplift and inspire as much as a genuine underdog who, in spite of being all but counted out, struggles to overcome adversity and rise to victory…. James C. Floyd is truly such an inspiration, having risen from the ashes of alcoholism, addiction, crime, and punishment to being lauded as the unofficial “Black Poet Laureate of Tennessee.”

Known as the “Jefferson Street Poet” because of his deep roots in the North Nashville community where Jefferson Street remains the artery, James Floyd has touched the hearts and minds of many through his introspective wordplay. This feature length documentary film recounts the unique story of his life, imploring future generations to explore and delve into the reason behind the rhymes….

James grew up on Jefferson Street in a community that once rivaled Bourbon Street in New Orleans and Beale Street in Memphis. With its rich mixture of arts, culture, and entertainment born from the Southern Black experience, he could see James Brown and Jackie Wilson perform live for a few dollars in a place every bit as vibrant and progressive as Harlem in New York. But, unlike these other communities that were protected, the construction of Interstate-40 cutting right through the heart of the Jefferson Street community extinguished the spark that illuminated this once bustling center of Black enterprise. It decimated the lives of generations of Nashville residents who have grown up in neighborhoods plagued with drugs, crime, violence, and mass incarceration.

How it all started

I am Mark McEvoy, a documentary photographer and filmmaker from the UK. I've been making fundraising and promotional films for charities, schools and businesses for over 15 years. I met James through my brother Mike, a professional musician who lived in Nashville for several years during the 90s. We had both wanted to make a film together so when Mike told me about James, we both agreed to contact him in Nashville, to see if he would be interested in collaborating. In 2009 Mike and I planned a visit and we started to film James talking about his life and community. As the stories unfolded, the potential to make a fascinating film grew. Nearly 15 years later, after several visits and a wonderful shared journey with James and his wider community, a rough-cut of The Jefferson Street Poet is ready for its post-production finishing touches.

Why support us

This is a story that deserves to be told…about the redemptive power of art and a community with a rich history that could tragically be forgotten. With potential to impact and enlighten so many, it’s important that we craft a finished film that documents this story in the right way. This requires polished post-production to ensure the film's power and strength. THAT’S WHY WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO HELP US BRING THIS INSPIRING STORY TO LIFE.

Below are some comments from people after watching a rough cut of the film in Nashville, June 2023.

As well as collaborating on the film, James and I have also worked together on a book "Random Impulses" (his words paired with my photographs) and a CD "The Feather" (his readings to my music). These, and many more delights will be offered as incentives in exchange for any donations. See the detailed list below.

The £38,500 campaign target will be spent as follows:

Post-production To cover our production team’s post-production services to complete the film: £34,500

£10000 Archive material, music licensing and clearance

£5000 Animation

£5000 Final editing

£7000 Music and sound

£5000 Colour Grading

£2500 Motion graphics (labels, maps and diagrams)

Distribution and Marketing: £4,000 to cover costs relating to film festivals, screenings, distribution, events and marketing materials:

£1000 Website and maintenance (2 years)

£1000 Film festivals entries

£500 Social Media and promotion (Facebook, Instagram)

£1500 Branding/design/flyers/posters

We’d love for you to join us on this last leg of our journey and we really appreciate your support.

Peace and love,

The Jefferson Street Poet Team

For more information visit: thejeffersonstreetpoet.com

_________________________

INCENTIVES:

£5000+ ($6120+)

Executive Producer Credit • Private Poetry Reading from James (Nashville or Zoom only) • Zoom conversation with James C Floyd, Mark McEvoy (Director) and Michael McEvoy (Composer) • 4 original signed photographs by Mark McEvoy • 1 hour zoom private photography lesson/presentation with Mark McEvoy • “Poets Are Crazy” Hand Written/Signed (1 Available) or ‘How Abraham Learned to Walk the Rail’ signed novel manuscript by James C Floyd (1 Available) • CD of ‘The Feather’ Musical collaboration between James and Mark • 4 ‘Random Impulses’ Books (one signed by Mark and James) • Access to documentary out-takes and poems recited/filmed in 2011 • Set of Postcards

£2500 ($3060)

Producer Credit • Private Poetry Reading from James (Zoom only) • Zoom conversation with James C Floyd, Mark McEvoy (Director) and Michael McEvoy (Composer) • 2 original signed photos by Mark McEvoy • 1 hour zoom private photography lesson/presentation with Mark McEvoy • Signed short poem or Haiku by James C Floyd (9 available) • CD of ‘The Feather’ (musical collaboration between James and Mark) • 2 ‘Random Impulses’ Books (one signed by James and Mark) • Access to documentary out-takes and poems recited/filmed in 2011 • Set of Postcards

£1000 ($1225)

Special thanks in film credits • Zoom conversation with James C Floyd and Mark McEvoy (Director) • 1 signed poem from the collection ‘A Stone For My Father’ by James C Floyd (featured in the film) • 1 original signed photograph by Mark McEvoy (A3) • 1 hour zoom private photography lesson/presentation with Mark McEvoy • 2 ‘Random Impulses’ Books • Access to documentary out-takes and poems recited/filmed in 2011 • 10 Postcards

£500 ($612)

Special thanks in the film credits • 1 signed poem from the collection ‘A Stone For My Father’ by James C Floyd (featured in the film) • 1 original signed photograph by Mark McEvoy (A4) • 2 ‘Random Impulses’ Books • CD of ‘The Feather’ (musical collaboration between James and Mark) • Access to documentary out-takes and poems recited/filmed in 2011 • 10 Postcards

£250 ($306)

Special thanks in the film credits • 1 original signed photograph by Mark McEvoy (A4) • 2 ‘Random Impulses’ Books • CD of ‘The Feather’ (musical collaboration between James and Mark) • Access to documentary out-takes and poems recited/filmed in 2011 • 10 Postcards

£100 ($122)

Thanks (for Crowdfunding support) in the film credits • 1 ‘Random Impulses’ Book • Access to documentary out-takes and poems recited/filmed in 2011 • Printed copy of 'Poets Are Crazy' poem • 5 Postcards

£50 ($61)

Thanks (for Crowdfunding support) in the film credits • Access to documentary out-takes and poems recited/filmed in 2011 • Printed copy of 'Poets Are Crazy' • 5 Postcards

£20 ($25)

Thanks (for Crowdfunding support) in the film credits • Printed copy of 'Poets Are Crazy' poem • 5 Postcards

£10 ($12)

Thanks (for Crowdfunding support) in the film credits