You're Never Too Young To Be A Hero

TV show filmed in Mystic touches on early life of slave-abolitionist Frederick Douglass

By Rick Koster,
Day Arts Writer
Published on 5/9/2008

Kendall Jones, 12, of Hamden, center, who has the role of Frederick Douglass as a boy, takes direction from the camera crew for a scene shot Thursday at the Denison Homestead Museum in Mystic."Frederick Douglass, Pathway From Slavery to Freedom" is a half-hour documentary that will be the pilot episode of a new series called"Young American Heroes." As produced by Palace Digital Studios in Norwalk, the program will debut in 2008 on Connecticut Public Broadcasting.

Kendall Jones, a 12-year-old from Hamden, is utterly still as a makeup technician applies a drop of glycerin just below his left eye. The effect, as the liquid rolls slowly down his cheek, is to give impression that the young man is crying.

A close up of his facial expressions, though, as seen through a video monitor, is what's really chilling. With a simple twitch of his cheekbones and a quick pinball-roll of his unfocused pupils, Jones instantly and simultaneously conveys fear, horror and hopelessness - the sort of stark emotions no 12-year-old should experience.

It's only a movie, and Jones is only an actor - but it's memorable because he's been cast in the role of the young Frederick Douglass, the renowned slave, abolitionist and educator who did experience such emotions. In fact, this specific scene depicts Douglass sneaking a glimpse through a crack in a wall as his aunt is flogged by a slave owner.

It's all taking place at the historic Denison Homestead Museum in Mystic as part of"Frederick Douglass, Pathway From Slavery to Freedom." In addition to Jones, Jamie Hector, star of the HBO series"The Wire," portrays the adult Douglass.

The half-hour documentary will be the pilot episode of a new series called Young American Heroes. As produced by Palace Digital Studios in Norwalk, the program will debut in 2008 on Connecticut Public Broadcasting and is also an integral part of a larger Connecticut educational program incorporating a Web site (www.youngamericanheroes.com) that is directly interactive with teachers and students across the state.

Young American Heroes was conceived by two Connecticut film producers, Tim Smith and Chris Campbell, the latter of whom is directing"Douglass." Plans are for four more programs and eventually 52 episodes. The multiplatform content elements include, besides the documentary, classroom and retail DVDs, a student Web site with games and links to historical archives, a teacher Web site and a graphic novel.

"The idea is a perfect fit to teach history to middle school students," says Deb Weingrad, the editorial director for Palace Digital."It's unique in many ways. Not only will all the scripts directly use the words of the heroes - this one is taken from 'Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass' - but students and teachers directly help us shape the Web site content and provide input on the documentaries themselves."

"To play someone this important is very cool," Jones says."Plus, this is a cool new way to learn. Usually, kids watching educational films aren't that excited about it, but this could be really different and interesting."

After Jones nails his take, the crew efficiently shifts gear and focus to the next shot. The size of the company and the amount of high-tech equipment provides stark contrast to the tiny, antiquated confines of the Denison House. One room has been transformed into a laptop-happy command center, while another, liberally festooned with plastic water bottles and coffee cups, serves as a sort of waiting room where actors sit patiently on folding chairs. Outside, in a spatter of rain, is a Winnebago where costume and makeup duties take place.

While much of Douglass' story took place in Maryland and New Bedford, Mass., the authenticity of the Denison House in the context of the historical period makes it ideal.

"We've been very fortunate to work in this area," says Scott Bryce, one of the documentary's producers who was in charge of casting."Not only are the people cooperative and amazing, but (the Denison House) and Mystic Seaport and the Essex Train and the Mystic Whaler, where we shot extensively, are just remarkably authentic."

"To use this house for this film is absolutely beneficial to the purpose of the Denison Historical Society," says Denison Hatch, a trustee of the group who is also a direct descendant of Capt. George Denison, the original builder and resident of the home."I think (the film group) enjoyed the fact that this is the original house and much of the original furniture is authentic. It certainly adds realism."

The poignancy and historical importance of the Douglass story resonates heavily with the cast, particularly in a year when a person of color is closing in on the Democratic nomination for president of the United States.

"I was excited to even audition because this is a story that needs to be told," says New York actress Chandra Caldwell, who plays Douglass' mother."In the context of what's happening politically, it's important to remember that, in Douglass' time, it was against the law for slaves to read."

Mystic's Kanani Kinnaman, 15, and her mother, Lynn, showed up at the Denison house during late-morning shooting with the hopes of taking photographs that will be incorporated into the Young American Heroes Web site.

"This is a good idea," Kanani says."It would be fun to have my pictures on there."

r.koster@theday.com

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