Project Overview
As PR and Marketing Coordinator for Oak Hill & The Martha Berry Museum, I served as the primary liaison and production coordinator for "Faithfully Yours - A Martha Berry Film," a documentary produced by BrandRed Studios. This film chronicles Martha Berry's life, legacy, and her pioneering work in creating the Berry Schools, which became Berry College.
My role bridged the museum's historical expertise with the creative vision of professional filmmakers, ensuring authentic storytelling while managing the complex logistics of filming in a historic space.
My Role & Responsibilities
Production Coordination
- Liaison Between Museum and Production Team: Served as primary contact between Oak Hill Museum staff and BrandRed Studios throughout the entire production process
- Filming Schedule Coordination: Managed complex filming schedules across multiple museum locations during Summer 2024
- Location Access Management: Coordinated museum access for production crew, equipment, and talent while maintaining normal museum operations
- Historic Space Management: Ensured proper handling of historic Oak Hill mansion spaces, artifacts, and collections during filming
- Logistics Coordination: Managed parking, equipment loading/unloading, crew meals, and facility needs throughout production
Creative Collaboration
- Worked with Brandred Studios Team: Collaborated directly with producers, director, cinematographer, and creative team on daily basis
- Historical Accuracy Consultation: Provided historical context about Martha Berry's life, the founding of Berry Schools, and period-accurate details
- Actor Coordination: Assisted with historical portrayals, period costume accuracy, and authentic representation of Martha Berry's era
- Scene Creation & Development: Contributed to scene planning that captured the museum's atmosphere and Martha Berry's story authentically
- Storyboard Participation: Provided input on visual planning for key historical moments and museum settings
- Location Scouting Support: Identified optimal filming locations throughout Oak Hill mansion and grounds that best represented different eras
Scene Timing & Flow
- Pacing Consultation: Advised on scene timing to maintain historical authenticity and narrative flow
- Shot List Review: Provided feedback on planned shots to ensure they captured essential historical elements
- Continuity Support: Helped maintain historical continuity across multiple shooting days and locations
- Museum Integration Planning: Planned how documentary would be integrated into permanent museum programming
Documentary Subject Matter
"Faithfully Yours - A Martha Berry Film" tells the inspiring story of Martha Berry (1866-1942), who founded the Berry Schools in 1902 with just five students in a small cabin. Her innovative approach to education—combining academics with practical work experience—revolutionized rural education in the South. The documentary explores her determination to provide educational opportunities to underserved communities, her fundraising prowess that attracted support from industrialists like Henry Ford and Andrew Carnegie, and her lasting legacy that continues through Berry College today.
Production Challenges & Solutions
- Filming in Active Museum: Coordinated production schedule around museum hours and visitor traffic to minimize disruption
- Historic Preservation: Ensured all filming equipment, lighting, and crew activities protected irreplaceable historic interiors and artifacts
- Weather Contingencies: Developed backup indoor filming plans for exterior shoots affected by weather
- Multiple Stakeholder Coordination: Balanced needs of museum staff, production team, Berry College administration, and historical consultants
Skills Demonstrated
Behind the Scenes
Documentation of the production process
