Local Film Producer Premieres New Documentary Film
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Water Valley-based film producer Robbie Fisher is pictured with the canine performer who portrayed Meriwether Lewis’ dog in the film “Mysterious Circumstance: The Death of Meriwether Lewis.” Fisher was one of the producers for the Meriwether film and other films including “WZZO the Movie.”
WATER VALLEY – Five years ago, Water Valley-based film producer Robbie Fisher received a call from Jackson filmmaker Ann Ford who had an interesting story idea for a documentary and was committed to telling it. Later this month on May 20 at 8 p.m., the culmination of Ford’s, Fisher’s and Director of Photography Don Warren’s work can be seen when the feature film “WZZQ the Movie” airs on Mississippi Public Broadcasting.
“Ann called me initially to ask some for some crew recommendations as she prepared to move forward on her idea to tell the story of WZZQ” Fisher recounted. WZZQ was an iconic rock music station which was broadcast throughout central Mississippi from Jackson.
The station, which garnered a loyal and zealous fanbase, signed off the air at midnight on July 2, 1981, after more than a decade of innovative and groundbreaking programming, and much to the chagrin of its listeners. Ford was committed to telling the WZZQ story as a tribute to all who were a part of that station and to allow fans to remember the station in a nostalgic and enjoyable way.
As Ford moved forward on the film production, Fisher often spoke with Ford to offer advice, and eventually the working collaboration became more formal as director and producer, with Fisher moving into a role of advising Ford on business and legal matters for the film. Fisher is a licensed Mississippi attorney in addition to having experience as a producer. “I was just captivated by the subject matter and so impressed with
Ann’s personal drive and investment in making the film, so I eagerly came on board to help with some of the things filmmakers need to consider and do when making a film.” Fisher said. Fisher has helped Ford obtain releases, rights, consider liability, copyright and distribution issues, as well as being a sounding board for Ford in creating the documentary.
The WZZQ “Magic Bus”
– Photo by Bill Ellison
In this one hour film, WZZQ the Movie tells the story of a radio station which emerged from its predecessor easy listening music station into an edgy, radical rock station which offered its listeners many things in addition to rock-n-roll. It made and aired witty commercials, read local personal ads, hosted concerts and even had a basketball team that traveled the state to play at local high school fundraisers. “WZZQ truly was a cultural phenomenon” Ford said, adding “to this day, if you mention WZZQ to people of a certain age, they will instantly light up and start telling their own stories about the station. Even now, 43 years after it ended, it still connects people. It was, and is, that important and I couldn’t bear the thought of it slipping away.”
WZZQ the Movie may be seen on Mississippi Public Broadcasting on Monday, May 20 at 8 p.m. Repeat airings follow on May 24, 25, 26 and 30. Check mpbonline.org for time listings and details. More about Fisher’s work may be found at fisherproductionsllc.net.
