| In
the Spring of 1992, G. B. Tennyson of U.C.L.A. was asked by the Fetzer
Institute in Kalamazoo, Michigan about the possibility of making a
film about Owen Barfield. Fetzer indicated its willingness to fund such
an endeavor.
Prof. Tennyson
approached David Lavery, then at Memphis State University, about the project.
It so happened that David would be in London that summer teaching a course
on British film. After some preliminary inquiries, it was learned that
Ben Levin of the University of North Texas, a well-known and experienced
documentary filmmaker would also be in London at the same time, and Ben
was asked to direct the film. He agreed and sought the participation of
the London-based videographer/filmmaker Wayne Derrick. The decision was
made to use Betacam to tape an extensive interview with Barfield and do
some location shooting in and around London.
In July 1992
we all assembled at the Walhatch in Forest Row, East Sussex to interview
Owen Barfield over a three day period. Students in David's British film class served
as crew for the shooting. Professor Tennyson served as the interviewer.
Over the next
two years, Ben, Georg, and David met at the University
of North Texas to edit the film. Again, the Fetzer Institute generously
funded our work on the project.
The end result
was a 45 minute videotape we call
Owen Barfield Man and Meaning.
It
can be ordered here, or contact tennyson@humnet.ucla.edu
or dlavery@mtsu.edu. |