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Reference Number:

TE2/1973/132

Jim White Writers in Schools Discussion 1973 (part 2)

An American, James White taught as a poet in the schools on the Navajo Indian Reservation and in Minnesota public schools as part of a pilot program by COMPAS (Community Programs in the Arts & Sciences). In this panel discussion he talks about the value of writers placements in schools and the Minnesota project in particular. Molly LaBerge, writer and Project Director of the Minneapolis Poets in Schools scheme also describes the origins of the idea, assessing both its successes and failures.

Date Recorded: 1973

Length: 29 min, 48 sec

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Additional Information

Discussion. Begins with tracking lines across a black screen. At the 11 sec mark, sound cuts in, an American woman speaking, "…to get that to happen…". At the 15 sec mark, the image fades in to reveal a blonde woman with a suit jacket and necklace as the person who is speaking. This film is a cut and continuation of 'James White (1)' (TE2/1973/102). An L-shaped stage platform with 3 persons seated at its front. Also in front of the stage are a small, round white table, 3 chairs and a microphone. The film is being shot by a stationary camera positioned at front centre. The room (Blythswood Square) is white-washed with square-shaped wooden panelling along its ceiling perimeter. The camera zooms and pans out at the 35 sec mark to reveal an American man in eyeglasses and lapels speaking. He appears to be feeding a discussion with members of the audience. As the discussion progresses, the camera pans and zooms to follow the gestures and actions of the persons speaking. The film experiences light tracking issues throughout the first minute. Later on in the film, some photo camera-like flashes occur on zoom-ins that contain heavy contrast of white balance. Ends with a zoom and pan out as the discussion ends, the third figure, a dark-haired English man in a striped tie. He is seated centre on the crook of the L-shaped stage and makes a remark about drinks. At the 29 min, 26 sec mark, the tape cuts to static, no sound, until the footage ends.