The Making of Louisiana Diary (with Richard O. Moore)

An interview with director Richard O. Moore about the making of KQED's Louisiana Diary (1963). This documentary film follows the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) from July to August 1963, as they undertake an African American voter registration drive in the town of Plaquemine, Louisiana (Iberville Parish). Our conversation with Richard took place on February 24th 2012 at The Redwoods senior community in Mill Valley, CA. Moore talks about: the film's title and subject matter; shooting on location in Louisiana for 2.5 months; local reactions to them filming; generational changes in historical perspective; filming during a police attack on a peaceful march; avoiding police arrest (by hiding in a mortuary); relations with the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE); comparisons between this film and Take this Hammer, which he also made in 1963 and what happened to the church featured in the film one week after KQED left Plaquemine. The interview was conducted by Caroline Dijckmeester-Bins, with Mark David on sound and camera. This film was produced and edited by Alex Cherian. Note that Louisiana Diary may be viewed in DIVA. Opening graphic designed by Carrie Hawks.