Episode 86 | Examining the Profiling of Black Men w/ Tiffany Rhynard and Trent D. Williams

Knowbox dance
Jul 20, 2021
2 min read

Updated: Aug 3, 2021

On this episode, Dance Behind the Screen podcast co-host Azaria interviews filmmakers Tiffany Rhynard and Trent D. Williams Jr. about their dance film “Black Stains.” This film was awarded the #NBFFVisionary by the kNOwBOX dance Film Festival 2020 Jury Panel and was voted as the #NBFFAttentionGrabber at the 2020 Dallas Premier. Trent and Tiffany go into detail about the importance of creating a film about the profiling of Black Men, how to negotiate film directorship, and using art to spark conversation and change. Enjoy this important conversation on creating a better and more equal world. (50:26)

This week on DANCE BEHIND THE SCREEN PODCAST…

[0:59] The Team says welcome back and introduces Tiffany Rhynard, Trent D. Williams Jr., and their film “Black Stains”.

QUESTIONS WITH THE TEAM

[3:56] Topic: Collaboration and Discussion Around Directorship

[3:10] Azaria asks: “What was the collaboration and relationship like and how did y’all come together to make Black Stains?”
[10:52] Azaria asks: “What are your thoughts on titling co-director or choreographer. Does it feel as equal?”

[14:58] Topic: Storytelling the Black Male Experience

[14:58] Azaria asks: “Can you talk a little bit more, and tell our audience who maybe has not seen ‘Black Stains’, why ‘Black Stains’ the title and why the subject matter?”
[17:41] Azaria asks: “Were the interviews a part of the original choreography piece or was that a part of the film documentation process? How did you come about that?”
[20:55] Azaria asks: “Tiffany, can you tell us a little bit about your production company?”
[23:23] Azaria asks: “How was that process for working on this particular project, Black Stains, knowing that you are working on the subject matter that is really devoted to Black men? As a white woman, how was that process for you?”
[25:18] Azaria asks: “Were there any tactics that you used in Black Stains to maybe create that similar feeling, so that we could empathize and humanize these Black men on film, where we are often conditioned to see them as a threat?”
[26:50] Azaria asks: “How was it for the dancers and having the space to discuss this?”
[31:31] Azaria asks: “What was that process like [for your non Black dancers]? Do you think it was a learning experience? What do you think the impact of ‘Black Stains’ is or what do you want it to be for non Black people?”
[34:07] Azaria asks: “What kind of information unfolded and how did that affect the choreography?”