Charlestonians are an integral source for many of the images and anecdotal stories important in making this documentary an award-winning film. This is how you can participate:

Individuals and Families

We are interested in Charlestonians and their families who played a high profile or behind-the scene role in some part of the city’s history. Were you involved in the preservation movement? Civil Rights? Revitalization of downtown? A former downtown merchant? Ship Builder? Politician? The studio would love to hear from you. Send us an email telling us in short form the who, what, were and when.

Historic Properties Residential and Commercial

A host of interviews are filmed with historians and we would love to consider your property for this as well as general architectural filming. Let’s us know about the property and if available send a photograph or two if available.

Family Photographs, Film, Portraits

The Studio is interested in images from private collections. If a decision is made to use your images in the documentary we will provide a master copy of the images to you on DVD along with a return of the originals. We will also submit a second master copy to a local archival service of your choice. As a gift we will provide a DVD package of the film and screen credits upon the film’s release in April 2011. To have your materials considered please contact us. The images we are most interested are as follows:

• Journals/Diaries
• Photographs
• 16 millimeter film footage
• Downtown Businesses
• Celebrations, Fairs and memorable events
• Street Scenes of Downtown
• Popular attractions existing or no longer operating
• Movie Theaters
• Civil War, World War I and II -
• Soldiers
• Ships
• Forts
• Airplanes
• Charleston Ship Yard
• The Building/demolition of Any Landmark structures or Buildings
• Individuals
• Families of historic significance
• Images Related to Rice Fields, Cotton, Shipping and Indigo
• World Trade Expo - Charleston Harbor
• Iron Works (the Building/Installation Process)

Note: For images such as portraits that you prefer not be brought to our studio it would be appreciated if you would allow us to film at your home.

The rising influence of Congressman Rivers on the House Armed Forces Committee and the outbreak of the Korean conflict were beginning to affect the economy of the Charleston area profoundly.  The Naval Shipyard became a submarine repair yard and also assumed a major role in modernizing World War II surface craft.  After an expenditure of $20 million, the Charleston Air Force Base in the north area was reactivated.  Dedicated in November 1953, it became a vital link in the Military Air Transport Service, home base to thirty C-5 transports, the world’s largest aircraft.  The following January the U.S. Navy acquired a 5,219-acre tract for expansion of the Naval Ammunition Depot.

A Sailor Ain't A Sailor, Tom Lewis