Unveiling History: Collaborative Filmmaking and Baltimore's Cinematic Legacy with Joe Tropea
Tune in as host Rob Lee welcomes Joe Tropea to the Truth In This Art Podcast. A multifaceted public historian, filmmaker, and curator at the Maryland Center for History and Culture, Joe Tropea's compelling journey unfolds. With a longstanding role as Curator of Films and Photographs since 2012, Joe pioneers exhibitions and videos lends his literary voice to the organization's underbelly blog (co-founded in 2012) and orchestrates the Maryland Center for History and Culture's digital projects. Commencing his odyssey at the center in 2005, Joe's path meandered through the Special Collections department, culminating in an MA in Public History from UMBC. A fervent advocate for preserving historical narratives, he co-founded the transformative Preserve the Baltimore Uprising Archive in 2015, immortalizing the aftermath of Freddie Gray's tragic death in Baltimore City. As a filmmaker, Joe's accolades include the co-direction of the award-winning 2013 documentary Hit & Stay and the helm of 2018's impactful Sickies Making Films. Rooted in a profound passion for storytelling and bolstered by a rich background in music and filmmaking, Joe's affinity for public history emerges as a collaborative and captivating medium for presenting history to diverse audiences. Also, discover Joe's active involvement as a collective member and owner of the Baltimore-based not-for-profit video store, Beyond Video, in an episode that promises an exploration of history, filmmaking, curation, and community-driven initiatives.
In this installment, we reveal:
- The art of collaborative history presentation with Joe Tropea, as he shares his magnetic attraction to public history's potential for engaging storytelling, inviting listeners to explore the dynamic interplay between history and audience.
- Peel back the layers of creativity with Joe Tropea, as he delves into the essence of collaboration as a cornerstone of his artistic process, shedding light on how it shapes his own endeavors and empowers fellow storytellers to weave compelling narratives.
- Embark on a journey through Baltimore's burgeoning film landscape with Joe, tracing the evolution of the city's film community, its magnetic pull for TV and film productions, and the instrumental support offered by institutions like MICA and the Maryland Film Festival in nurturing local filmmakers.
- Engage in the riveting tale of Joe's upcoming documentary, which unravels the enigmatic legacy of Lewis Mackenzie Turnerβa captivating figure from Baltimore's history intertwined with an audacious archive theft and a curious world of counterfeit book covers, promising an enthralling exploration of intrigue and deception.
Don't miss this incredible episode as Joe discusses his journey into public history and filmmaking. He shares how he got interested in history and the collaborative nature of public history. Joe also talks about his creative process, the importance of collaboration, and his experience working in the film community in Baltimore. He highlights the Flickering Treasures exhibition, which explores the history of movie theaters in Baltimore, and shares his own upcoming documentary project about a fascinating character from Baltimore's past.
Mentioned in this episode
Joe's IMdB
Maryland Center for History and Culture
π§π Don't forget to rate and review this episode to support the best in podcasting! ππ§
This program is supported (in part) by a grant from the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.
If you have a story about art, culture, or community, share it with us at rob@thetruthinthisart.com for a chance to be featured on 'The Truth In This Art' podcast.
Follow The Truth In This Art on Twitter, Threads, IG, and Facebook @truthinthisart
Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.
Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.
About "The Truth In This Art"
If you have a story about art, culture, or community, share it with us at rob@thetruthinthisart.com for a chance to be featured on 'The Truth In This Art' podcast.
Follow The Truth In This Art on Twitter, Threads, IG, and Facebook @truthinthisart
Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.
Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.
About "The Truth In This Art"
"The Truth In This Art," hosted by Rob Lee, is a podcast that explores the essence of creativity and its community impact, amplifying artists' voices and their profound stories.
Connect with me:
Support the show:
Creators and Guests
Host
Rob Lee
The Truth In This Art is an interview series featuring artists, entrepreneurs and tastemakers in & around Baltimore.
Guest
Joe Tropea
Joe Tropea is a multifaceted public historian, filmmaker, and curator at the Maryland Center for History and Culture.