The Black Film Center/Archive
Jessie Maple Collection
Biographical Note
Jessie Maple was a pioneer for African American women in the film industry. Following her education at NET Channel 13 Training School and Third World Cinema in New York, she became the first African American woman to become a member of the union of International Photographers of Motion Picture & Television (IATSE) in New York in 1975. Maple compiled her experiences of breaking into the union and profession in a book entitled How to Become a Union Camerawoman, Film-Videotape, published in 1977, to serve as a “means of guidance towards helping others get into the union much more easily … I encountered many experiences -- often difficult and of an abusive nature. But I don’t feel these experiences had to be.”
Prior to her acceptance into the union, Jessie Maple served as apprentice film editor for two MGM motion pictures: Shaft’s Big Score (1972) and The Super Cops (1974). As a member of the union, during the latter half of the 1970s and into the 1980s, Jessie Maple worked as an assistant cameraperson, cameraperson, and assistant film editor for several television stations in New York, including WABC, WCBS, and WNBC.
Jessie Maple and her husband, Leroy Patton, founded LJ Film Productions, Inc. in 1974 and began producing short documentaries. Their first film, Methadone: Evil Spirit or Wonder Drug (1975-76), explored the effects of distributing methadone to heroin addicts in order to curb their addiction. Following several short documentaries, Maple produced Will (1981), the first feature-length independent film produced by an African-American woman. Will won an award at the Athens International Film Festival and was used as an educational film at many New York drug rehabilitation centers.
In 1982, Maple founded 20 West, Home of Black Cinema in Harlem as a showplace for independent black films. This theater served as an outlet for independent filmmakers to show their films to the public throughout the 1980s before its closing in 1992. The motto of 20 West was: “It makes sense to have a choice”.
Jessie Maple directed her second feature film, Twice as Nice, in 1988.
Scope and Content Note
The Jessie Maple Collection is arranged into 13 series: Films, 1975-1988; Training and Qualifications, 1971-1991; General Correspondence, 1971-1987; Writings, 1969-1977; Script Drafts, n.d.; Film Publicity, 1977-1988; Directing Workshop for Women, 1980-1982; 20 West, 1983-1991; General Clippings, 1975-1991; Photographs, n.d.; Grant Files and Proposals, 1977-1992; Sex Discrimination Lawsuit[s], 1975-1985; and Miscellaneous.
Date of Deposit
8 June 2005
Inventory List:
Series: Films, 1975-1988
| Film Number | Description |
| JM001 | “Methadone: Evil Spirit Or Wonder Drug” Documentary,
1975-1976, VHS, color, 15 min. Filmed on location in Harlem, New York. This film investigates the effects of the drug methadone on patients and whether clinics are complying with the drug abuse control laws and regulations. This was her first independent project and produced by L.J. film
production, her first film company. |
| JM002 | “Black Economic Power: Reality or Fantasy?” Documentary, 1977, VHS, color, 58 min. In 1977, even though Blacks had investments in various enterprises with profits well into the millions of dollars, they still did not share this country’s economic security or the power that comes with it. This documentary explores these contradictions by focusing on Black entrepreneurs and their areas of expertise. Our Motto: “As filmmakers we feel it is our responsibility
to work at keeping the consciousness of our people alive on issues
that effect and change our lives. |
| JM003 | “Will” Drama, 1981, VHS, color, 70 min. Will, a drug addict, develops a close relationship with a 12-year-old street orphan. When the boy comes to live with Will and his wife, Will gains the courage to overcome his addiction. Starring Loretta Devine (in her first feature film), Will won the Special Merit Award at the Athens International Film Festival in 1981. Filmed on location in Harlem, NY. When Jessie Maple finished this film, she became the first Black
woman to produce an independent feature film. |
| JM004 | “Escape Artists” Drama, 1982, VHS, color, 30 min. This dramatic video tape deals with efforts of two Black women, one married and one single, as they attempt to come to grips with their disillusioned lives. Produced as part of “The Directing Workshop for Women”
at the American Film Institute in Hollywood, CA. |
| JM005 | “In Search of Me” 1983, ¾” U-Matic, color, 30 min. The Children film. This group of boys and girls were supposed to
be the worth in this community center. We train the young boys and
girls how to use the film equipment. They wrote and produced this
film in six weeks. |
| JM006 | “Swish” - Cheryl Miller
1984, ¾” U-Matic, color, 3 min. This is a short profile of Cheryl, her first year at USC. It shows
her at home with her family and what she does when she is not playing
basketball. Cheryl was on the 1984 United States Olympic basketball
team. |
| JM007 | “Twice as Nice” 1988, VHS, color, 70 min. Twin basketball stars of a women’s college team spend their last year in school challenged by life’s decisions. Caren and Camille Parker give up dualism, which has dominated their lives, and make their first efforts to pursue individual desires. Featured are USC basketball stars Pam and Paula McGhee (twins)
and Cynthia Cooper. Filmed on location in New York City and Long
Island, New York, college campus. |
| JM008 | “Twice as Nice” - DIA Track A |
| JM009 | “Twice as Nice” - DIA Track B |
| JM010 | “Twice as Nice” - DIA Track C |
| JM011 | “Twice as Nice” - Music Track A |
| JM012 | “Twice as Nice” - Music Track B |
| JM013 | “Twice as Nice” - FX Track A (R-1) |
| JM014 | “Twice as Nice” - FX Track B (R-1) |
| JM015 | “Twice as Nice” - FX Track C (R-1) |
| JM016 | “Twice as Nice” - FX Track D (R-1) |
| JM017 | “Twice as Nice” - Cut Pix (R-1) |
| JM018 | “Twice as Nice” - Party outtakes 1 |
| JM019 | “Twice as Nice” - Party outtakes 2 |
| JM020 | “Twice as Nice” - Party outtakes 3 |
| JM021 | “Twice as Nice” - Party outtakes 4 |
| JM022 | “Twice as Nice” - Party outtakes 5 |
| JM023 | “Twice as Nice” - Party outtakes 6 |
| JM024 | “Twice as Nice” - Party outtakes 7 |
| JM025 | “Twice as Nice” - Loops |
| JM026 | “Twice as Nice” - Reel 1 - Loops |
| JM027 | “Will” – 1981, 16mm print, color, 2 reels. |
Box 1
Series: Training and Qualifications, 1971-1991
Biographical Information and Resumes
Peggy Pinn and NET Television Training School, 1971, n.d.
Early Film Training, 1972-1973
IATSE Union Materials, 1973-1974
Employment Inquiry Correspondence, 1977
Fellowships and Honors, 1985-1991
Series: General Correspondence, 1971-1987
1971-1987
Series: Writings, 1969-1977
“’We Care’ and Harlem Youth Get the Message”
- The New York Courier, 27 Dec 1969
“Jessie’s Grape Vine” - The New York Courier, 21 Feb
- 26 Dec 1970
“Jessie’s Grape Vine” - The New York Courier, 2 Jan
- 6 Nov 1971
“Novella Nelson Sings, Acts, Directs” - New York Amsterdam
News, 27 Nov 1971
How to Become a Union Camerawoman: Film-Videotape - monograph, New York:
L.J. Film Productions, Co., 1977 (6 copies)
Series: Script Drafts, n.d.
“Higher Ground” (aka “Will”) First Draft, n.d.
“Twice as Nice” Shooting Script for Party Scene, n.d.
Series: Film Publicity, 1977-1988
Programme: Third Annual New York Black Film Festival, 1977
Athens International Film Festival, 1981
Will (1981)
Twice as Nice (1988)
Box 2
Series: Directing Workshop for Women, 1980-1982
Correspondence, Sep 1980 - Mar 1982
Cast/Crew lists
Production and Shooting Schedule, February 1982
Record of Insurance
Press Release: “Escape Artists”, 1982
Programs: “Escape Artists”, 1982
Series: 20 West, 1983-1991
Correspondence to 20 West, 1985
Correspondence to 20 West, 1986-1987
Correspondence to 20 West, 1988-1989
Correspondence to 20 West, 1990-1991
Correspondence to 20 West, n.d.
Correspondence from 20 West, 1983-1984
Correspondence from 20 West, 1985
Correspondence from 20 West, 1986
Correspondence from 20 West, 1987-1988
Correspondence from 20 West, 1989-1990
Correspondence from 20 West, n.d.
Screening Contracts, May 1985-September 1990
Publicity, 1983-1991, n.d.
Clippings, 1983-1989, n.d.
Calendars, September 1985-May 1990
Rerecording Log: Twice is Nice* [located in box 4]
Series: General Clippings, 1975-1991 (* oversized clippings in box 4)
“IATSE Professional Women” by Barbara Robinson - Official
Bulletin of the IATSE, Spring 1975
“First Black Woman as Camera-Person” - Back Stage, 4 July
1975
“New York has its First Black Camerawoman” - NY Amsterdam
News, 16 July 1975
“Dawn Spotlight: New Face Behind Camera”* - Dawn Magazine,
8 November 1975
“People in the News” - Encore, 24 November 1975
“A Lady Behind the Lens: Jesse Maple Cracks Tough Cinematographers
Union in New York”* - Ebony, February 1976
“Lights, Action, Camera, Women!” by Jean Perry - Daily News,
9 March 1976
“All Women Crew” - Official Bulletin of the IATSE, Summer
1976
“Women and Work” - Unique New York, March 1977
“First Black Camerawoman Writes How-To Book” - Big Red, 18
December 1977
“Camerawoman Writes Book” - St. Louis Argus, 29 December 1977
“Jessie Maple Patton: Pioneer Behind the Camera” by Essie
Baker - Now, March 1978
“Essence Women: Jessie Maple” by Audrey Edwards - Essence,
June 1978
“First Black Camerawoman” - Women Today, November 1978
Chamba Notes: A Film Newsletter, Summer 1979
“A New Breed of ‘Cameraman’” by James Manilla
- Industrial Photography, July 1980
Chamba Notes: A Film Newsletter, Summer 1979
“Profile: In Dialogue with Jessie Maple” by Jan Worthington,
- Chamba Notes: A Film Newsletter review issue, Summer 1980
“First for L.J. Film Productions” - Big Red, 14 February 1981
“Women and Economy Impact Third World Film Fest” by Angela
Brown Terrell - Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 30 January 1983
“Most Don’t Win Oscars, but Films about Third World Have a
Following”* - The National Leader, 31 March 1983
“‘Burning an Illusion,’ is Cruel Racial Awakening”
by Sandy Carpenter –New York Amsterdam News December 10, 1983
“Work Style: Working Together, Loving Together” by Betty De
Ramus - Essence, February 1984
“Harlem’s 20 West Theatre Premieres Barnett’s ‘Sky
Captain’” by Barbara Lewis – New York Amsterdam News,
April 20, 1985
“‘Bless Their Little Hearts’: Disturbing Black Drama”
by Barbara Lewis - New York Amsterdam News, May 25, 1985
“The Other Side of Image Making”* by Martin Johnson, The City
Sun, 19-25 June 1985
“The 20 West Theatre” by Gloria Carroll – The Conection,
January 24, 1986
“Manhattan Profile / Jessie Maple”* - New York Newsday, 25
August 1987
“A Home for Black Cinema”* by Martin Johnson, New York Newsday,
27 September 1987
Advertisement for screening of Twice As Nice - The Carolina Times, 16
February 1991
“A Dream Come True for Leroy Patton and Jessie Maple” - Kodak
Professional Forum Vol. III, No. 1, n.d.
“Book Review: How to Become a Union Camerawoman Film-Videotape”
by Carroll Parrott Blue - Soul, n.d.
“Mosaic in Black: Films by African American Women Directors”
by Yvonne Welbon - The Film Center Gazette, n.d.
Advertisement for How to Become a Union Camerawoman Film-Videotape - n.d.
Box 3
Series: Photographs, n.d.
Jessie Maple; 8 x 10, b/w, print, n.d.
Jessie Maple & Richard Heimann; 8 x 10, b/w, print, n.d.
Jessie Maple on set of “Twice as Nice”; 8 x 10, b/w, print,
n.d.
Jessie Maple with Leroy Patton, 8 x 10, b/w, print, n.d.
Jessie Maple posing with three people in front of theatre, 8 x 10, b/w,
print, n.d.
Jessie Maple with film camera, 8 x 10, b/w, print, n.d.
Jessie Maple walking with unidentified woman, 8 x 10, b/w, print, n.d.
Jessie Maple holding Carl B. Stokes album, 3 x 5, b/w, print, n.d.
Series: Grant Files and Proposals, 1977-1992
“Behind the Camera” Book Proposal, 1977[?]
CETA Media Works Grant Materials, 1977
Grant Proposal Materials for “Black Economic Power,” 1978
Media Arts Program Grant Proposal for “Twice as Nice,” 1986-1987
Unspecified Documentary Proposal, n.d.
Guggenheim Grant Application, n.d.
New York State Council on the Arts Grants, 1986
New York State Council on the Arts Grants, 1987
New York State Council on the Arts Grants, 1988
New York State Council on the Arts Grants, 1989
New York State Council on the Arts Grants, 1990
New York State Council on the Arts Grants, 1991
New York State Council on the Arts Grants, 1992
City of New York Department of Cultural Affairs Grants, 1984
City of New York Department of Cultural Affairs Grants, 1985
City of New York Department of Cultural Affairs Grants, 1986
City of New York Department of Cultural Affairs Grants, 1987
City of New York Department of Cultural Affairs Grants, 1988
City of New York Department of Cultural Affairs Grants, 1989
Series: Sex Discrimination Lawsuit[s], 1975-1985
Lawsuit Documents, 1975
Lawsuit Documents, 1976
Lawsuit Documents, 1977
Lawsuit Documents, 1978
Lawsuit Documents, 1979
Lawsuit Documents, 1980-1985
Series: Miscellaneous
Calendar: Harlem Winners, 1985* [located in box 3]
Copyright Form, “Twice as Nice,” 1985
Essay: “Black Economic Power: Reality or Fantasy?” by Leroy
Patton, n.d.
List: “African American Women’s Feature Films, 1900-2000”,
n.d.
Name and Address Lists, n.d.
