W Stinson McClendon - Producer and Director
Stinson McClendon fell in love with movies at an early age when he saw the power that films have to make us laugh, and make us cry – to alter our emotions.
His goal is to make films that discover little known facts about our common American experiences.
After completing his Bachelors of Fine Arts degree at Central Missouri State University (CMSU), he decided to enter CMSU’s Graduate Film Studies program. The Dean of the program asked how could he possibly admit him with no undergraduate work in film. McClendon told him that he had plenty of training and experience as a fine artist with proper framing and composition, the use of perspective, developing a center of attention, and the rule-of-the-thirds. “Now, I only need to make my images move," said McClendon. He was accepted on provisional basis and went on earn his Masters Degree while working on the CMSU film production crew.
McClendon began shooting his own short films in 8mm film and later started working as a camera operator at KCPT-19, the local PBS station in Kansas City. He gained valuable experience in television and film production working on documentaries produced by the station and soon was promoted to producer director.
McClendon has a deep affinity and keen knack for combining the discipline of accurate, in-depth research with compelling visuals, which give viewers a holistic story. His film credits include:
• Confessin’ The Blues - A documentary on jazz singer and musician Jay “Hootie” McShann.
• Fiddler’s Dream - A documentary on legendary jazz violinist Claude “Fiddler” Williams.
• Tom Bass…Equestrian - A documentary on the father of American classical riding.
• The Garrett Morgan Story - A documentary on the inventor of the first tri-functional traffic signal.
• Through The Eyes Of A Child - A documentary focusing on four historically black communities in the St. Louis area. The film won 2nd place at the Hollywood Black Film Festival.
McClendon was the co-producer of A Conversation In Dance, a documentary on Kansas City’s legendary Two Step a dance that traces its lineage to the Big Band era. He recently finished his short film, A Room With An Ear, which placed 2nd at the Bare Bones Film Festival. Still Jammin’, a film he co-produced and directed, recently aired on KCPT-19 the local PBS station in Kansas City, MO. Still Jammin’ also was selected for screenings at several major film festivals around the country and won the “Legacy Keepers Award” at the 2014 Bare Bones Film Festival. McClendon’s recently completed documentary, titled Bout It, delves into the social and political responsibilities of todays artists. He is working on a feature film titled Next Of Kin which he wrote and will direct.