Documentary Filmmaking
Preserving History, Amplifying Voices
Clayton Rye's filmmaking career spans five decades of documentary work, narrative features, and educational content. His films preserve important stories about civil rights, social justice, and American history, giving voice to those whose experiences might otherwise be forgotten.
With over twenty state, regional, national, and international awards, Clayton's work demonstrates a commitment to excellence in storytelling and a deep respect for his subjects. From award-winning documentaries like Ten Vietnam Vets and the Detroit Civil Rights Trilogy to narrative features like Drawing Flies, his body of work showcases remarkable versatility and artistic vision.
First Place, Documentary Feature - Made-in-Michigan Film Festival, 2010
Detroit Civil Rights Trilogy
2010
The Detroit Civil Rights Trilogy is a richly produced documentary that brings to light three pivotal stories from Michigan's civil rights history. Through meticulous research, intimate interviews, and powerful archival footage, the trilogy honors the courage of ordinary people who stood up against injustice.
Three Powerful Stories
Last Survivor of the Ford Hunger March
Dave Moore's Story
In 1932, during the depths of the Great Depression, thousands of unemployed workers marched on Ford Motor Company's River Rouge plant. Dave Moore was the last living survivor of this tragic event where police opened fire, killing five workers.
Rosa Parks of the Boblo Boat
Sara Elizabeth Haskell
In 1945—a full decade before Rosa Parks—Sara Elizabeth Haskell challenged segregation in Detroit. When denied access to the dance floor on the Boblo Island ferry, she fought back, taking her case to the Michigan Supreme Court.
Mr. Interlocutor of Mount Clemens
Duane Gerlach
This segment explores the painful history of blackface minstrel shows through Duane Gerlach's story. The film examines how these racist performances shaped American culture and the long road toward understanding.
Jim Crow's Museum
2004 • In collaboration with Dr. David Pilgrim
The Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia at Ferris State University houses one of the world's largest collections of racist artifacts. But this is not a museum that celebrates hatred—it's a museum that confronts it.
Clayton Rye's documentary explores Dr. David Pilgrim's mission to use objects of oppression as teaching tools. Through interviews and archival footage, the film examines how racist imagery shaped American culture and why it's crucial to preserve these painful artifacts for educational purposes.
Complete Filmography
Browse all 10 major works from Clayton Rye's five-decade filmmaking career, organized chronologically. Filter by category to explore documentaries, creative works, educational content, and more.
BOOM
1976 • Animated Short
Short animated allegorical helicopter tragedy created during Clayton's time at USC.
Distribution: Catalogued in Library of Congress 1978 films collection
Production: Produced in Los Angeles during USC MFA period
Ten Vietnam Vets
1980s • Full-Length Documentary
Powerful documentary featuring firsthand accounts from ten Vietnam War veterans. Shot, edited, produced, and directed by Clayton Rye, this film preserves important testimonies from those who served.
Awards & Recognition:
- 🏆 1st Place, Northwest Film Studies Center Festival
- 🏆 Special Jury Award, San Francisco International Film Festival
- 🏆 Honorable Mention, American Film Festival (New York)
- 🏆 Honorable Mention, Corporation for Public Broadcasting Local Program Awards
- 🏆 Idaho State Broadcasters Association Award for Best Public Affairs Program
Distribution: Selected for permanent preservation in the Texas Tech University and LaSalle University Vietnam Archives
Production: Produced during Idaho Public Television period
F.N.G.
1980s • Drama
Stark black & white combat drama depicting a baptism by fire. A powerful exploration of Vietnam War experiences.
Production: Produced during Idaho Public Television period
Hurt on the Job
1980s • Documentary
Documentary chronicling victims of work injuries, highlighting labor safety issues and worker experiences.
Production: Produced during Idaho Public Television period
As it Happens
1980s • News Report
News report on the culling of rabbits in Idaho, demonstrating documentary journalism approach.
Production: Produced during Idaho Public Television period
Frontiers
1990s • 16mm Music Video
Music video for Béla Fleck and the Flecktones featuring stunning time-lapse cinematography. A collaboration between Clayton's filmmaking expertise and one of the world's premier jazz ensembles.
Awards & Recognition:
- 🏆 Broadcast Education Association Award
Production: Partially funded by Center for New TV in Chicago and Ferris State University
Yard Sale: A How To Video
1990s • Instructional Video
Practical instructional video for organizing and running successful yard sales, distributed to libraries and home rental market.
Distribution: Distributed by Chip Taylor Communications, selling in small numbers nationwide
Drawing Flies
2002 • Feature-Length Drama
Feature-length drama written, produced, shot, and edited by Clayton Rye. Edited during sabbatical leave from Ferris State University.
Awards & Recognition:
- 🏆 Broadcast Education Association Award in Narrative Category
Distribution: Partly funded by ArtServe Michigan
Production: Edited during sabbatical from Ferris State University
Jim Crow's Museum
2004 • Documentary
Explores the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia at Ferris State University, founded by Dr. David Pilgrim. The film examines how objects of intolerance can be used to teach tolerance and promote social justice. Directed, shot, and edited by Clayton Rye in collaboration with Dr. Pilgrim.
Awards & Recognition:
- 🏆 Best Documentary Award, Flint Film Festival
- 🏆 Audience Choice Award, Stoney Brook Digital Video Festival
- 🏆 Best Documentary, Grand Rapids Arts Festival
- 🏆 Golden Cassette Award, MCA-I, Detroit Chapter
Distribution: Broadcast on PBS stations nationwide; DVD sold by Jim Crow Museum at Ferris State University
Production: Produced in collaboration with Dr. David Pilgrim
Detroit Civil Rights Trilogy
2010 • Three-Part Documentary Series
Richly produced documentary bringing to light three pivotal stories from Michigan's civil rights history: the last survivor of the Ford Hunger March, the Rosa Parks of the Boblo Boat, and the story of blackface minstrel shows in Mount Clemens.
Awards & Recognition:
- 🏆 First Place, Documentary Feature, Made-in-Michigan Film Festival, 2010
Production: Three-part series with individual segments and trailer
Three Segments:
Last Survivor of the Ford Hunger March
Dave Moore's firsthand account of the 1932 Ford Hunger March at River Rouge plant, where police opened fire on over 3,000 unemployed workers, killing five.
Rosa Parks of the Boblo Boat
Sara Elizabeth Haskell's 1945 challenge to segregation in Detroit, ten years before Rosa Parks' famous bus protest.
Mr. Interlocutor of Mount Clemens
Duane Gerlach's story of performing in blackface minstrel shows and his journey from participant to advocate. Includes historical footage from 1959.
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Browse Video Archive →Awards & Recognition
First Place, Documentary Feature
Made-in-Michigan Film Festival, 2010
Detroit Civil Rights Trilogy
Ten Vietnam Vets
• 1st Place, Northwest Film Studies Center Festival
• Special Jury Award, San Francisco International Film Festival
• Honorable Mention, American Film Festival, New York
• Honorable Mention, Corporation for Public Broadcasting Local Program Awards
• Idaho State Broadcasters Association Award for Best Public Affairs Program
Jim Crow's Museum
• Best Documentary Award, Flint Film Festival
• Audience Choice Award, Stoney Brook Digital Video Festival
• Best Documentary, Grand Rapids Arts Festival
• Golden Cassette Award, MCA-I, Detroit Chapter
Broadcast on PBS stations nationwide
Additional Recognition
• Drawing Flies: Broadcast Education Association Award in Narrative Category (2002)
• Frontiers: Broadcast Education Association Award
Clayton's work has earned over twenty state, regional, national, and international awards throughout his distinguished career.