About Clayton Rye

Clayton Rye is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, retired professor, author, and Vietnam veteran whose work has illuminated forgotten chapters of American history. His journey has taken him from the battlefields of Vietnam to the classrooms of Ferris State University, and into the editing rooms where powerful stories of civil rights and social justice have come to life.

As a Vietnam veteran, Clayton served his country with honor during one of America's most turbulent periods. His military service instilled in him a deep appreciation for sacrifice, duty, and the importance of bearing witness to history—values that would later define his filmmaking career.

After returning from Vietnam, Clayton pursued his passion for visual storytelling. He earned a BA from Michigan State University in Advertising and an MFA in Cinema at the University of Southern California, laying the foundation for a distinguished career in filmmaking and education.

Clayton worked in the film industry in Los Angeles briefly before becoming a Public TV producer and director in Idaho for eight years, followed by three years as a video supervisor at a medical center in Phoenix. These diverse experiences shaped his approach to documentary filmmaking and gave him a deep understanding of visual storytelling across different contexts.

In 1988, Clayton joined the faculty at Ferris State University, where he would spend the next 23 years teaching film production, television, and digital media production. Originally hired to teach film production, he adapted to the evolving media landscape, helping students master both traditional filmmaking techniques and emerging digital technologies.

Clayton's teaching philosophy centered on the belief that media creators have a responsibility to tell truthful, meaningful stories. He mentored countless students, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in film, television, and digital media. His colleagues remember him as a dedicated educator who brought real-world experience and artistic vision to the classroom.

Upon retiring from Ferris State in 2011, Clayton continued his creative work, focusing on personal writing projects, including his book "Peckerwood," and developing new screenplays. He remains committed to storytelling as a tool for education, empathy, and social change.

Throughout his 23 years at Ferris State University, Clayton Rye believed that filmmaking was more than a technical craft—it was a moral responsibility. He taught his students that every frame, every edit, and every story choice carried weight.

"Documentary filmmaking is about giving dignity to people whose stories have been ignored or forgotten."

Clayton's classroom was a place where students learned not just how to operate cameras and edit footage, but how to listen, how to research, and how to approach subjects with respect and empathy. He encouraged students to tackle difficult subjects, to ask hard questions, and to never shy away from uncomfortable truths.

His legacy lives on in the work of his former students, many of whom credit Clayton with teaching them that media can be a force for good in the world.