Opelika Pictures Records Initial Inventory (#20290)

Manuscripts Department Library of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Contact Information:

Manuscripts Department

CB#3926, Wilson Library

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC 27514-8890

Phone: 919/962-1345

Fax: 919/962-3594

Email: mss@email.unc.edu

URL: http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/

Processed by:

Teresa Church

Date Completed:

October 1998

Encoded by:

Teresa Church

Descriptive Summary Including Abstract

Title

Opelika Pictures Records (#20290) 1843-1961, 1986-1997; bulk 1986-1997

Creator

Opelika Pictures.

Extent

About 1,200 items (29.0 linear feet).

Repository

Southern Folklife Collection

Abstract

Opelika Pictures is a film company founded by New York-based filmmaker Macky Alston (Wallace McPherson Alston III). Alston directed the documentary film, Family Name, which examines the links between himself and the descendants of former slaves in North Carolina who share the Alston name. The collection is comprised of research and genealogy notes, audio and video tapes, film, record albums, publications, photographs, business and personal correspondence, and clippings associated with the making of Family Name. Included are photographs of the work of artist Charles Henry Alston and interviews with his sisters and others who knew him. There are also photographs and taped interviews with Macky Alston and members of his family.

Administrative Information

Access

No restrictions. Use of audiovisual materials may require production of listening or viewing copies. Use of some boxes may require staff assistance.

Usage Restrictions

Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Provenance

Received from Opelika Pictures of New York, N.Y., in April 1998 (Acc. 98094) and October 1998 (Acc. 98203).

Online Catalog Terms

Afro-American families--North Carolina--History.

Alston family.

Alston family--Genealogy.

Alston, Charles Henry, 1907-1977.

Alston, Macky.

Documentary films--Production and direction--United States.

Documentary films--United States.

Family name (Motion picture).

Family--North Carolina--Social life and customs.

Independent filmmakers--United States.

North Carolina--Race relations--History.

Opelika Pictures.

Historical Note

Opelika Pictures is a film company founded by New York-based filmmaker Macky Alston (Wallace McPherson Alston III). Alston directed the documentary film, Family Name, which examines the links that early North Carolina history forged between himself and the descendants of former slaves who share the Alston family name.

Collection Overview

The collection is comprised of research and genealogy notes, audio and video tapes, film, record albums, publications, photographs, business and personal correspondence, and clippings associated with the making of the documentary film, Family Name. Included are numerous photographs of the work of artist Charles Henry Alston and interviews with his sisters and others who knew him. There are also photographs and taped interviews with Macky Alston and members of his family. The bulk of materials are dated 1986 to 1997, but there is a small number of items dated 1843-1961.

Container List