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S. Torriano Berry Collection, 1982-2008

A Guide to his records at the Black Film Center/Archive

Finding aid prepared by Mary Huelsbeck/Hannah Caproon/Gabriel Gardner

Summary Information

Repository
Black Film Center/Archive
1320 East Tenth Street
Herman B Wells Library, Room 044
Bloomington, IN 47405-7000
Phone: 812-855-6041
Fax: 812-856-5832
Email: bfca@indiana.edu
http://www.libraries.iub.edu/~bfca

Creator
S. Torriano Berry

Title
S. Torriano Berry Collection, 1982-2008

Collection No.
Special Collection STB

Extent
34 items

Extent
Materials are in 16mm, Betacam, and VHS format. Collection also includes one book.

Language
Materials are in English

Abstract
Films and books created or written by Steven Torriano Berry.

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research.

Biographical Note

Named after the character played by Jack Palance in Arrowhead (1953), Steven Torriano Berry was born on January 3, 1958 in Kansas City, KS.

An accomplished scholar and an award-winning filmmaker, Berry graduated with an M.F.A. from UCLA film school in 1985 and currently is an associate professor at Howard University's Department of Radio, Television and Film. He has directed a number of film and video shorts, including Monologue (1984), Deathly Realities (1985), Money'll Eat You Up (1992), and Euphrates Sun (1993). Berry's first feature-length film, Embalmer (1996), which he also edited as a short film, was a finalist in Showtime's Black Filmmaker's Showcase. Berry created and executive produced the Black Independent Showcase, a television series that featured independent and student film projects; The Black Beyond , an anthology series of horror shorts; Black Visions Silver Screen , a showcase for Howard University student filmmakers; Noh Matta Wat!, the first dramatic television series of Belize; and the half hour television movies The Light and When It's Your Turn.

Black Visions Silver Screen is produced for WHUT - TV 32, in Washington, D.C., Howard University’s licensed Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) television station. This series served as a showcase for the students of Howard University’s Department of Radio, Television, and Film. Individual episodes all run approximately one hour and have various hosts; short films are grouped into episodes by genre.

Noh Matta Wat! was the first dramatic television series of Belize, first airing in 2005. Berry was extensively involved with the series, serving as director and videographer of the first three seasons, a total of 22 episodes.

Berry is co-author of the cinema book The 50 Most Influential Black Films: A Celebration of African American Talent (2001), and he has written two novels, Tears (1991) and The Honeyman's Son (2002).

Scope and Content Note

The collection is arranged into two series: Films and Books. The Films series contains films made by S. Torriano Berry in 16mm, Betacam, VHS, and DVD format. The Books series contains one book co-written by Mr. Berry with his sister, Venise T. Berry.

RT = Running Time; TRT = Total Running Time.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information
The collection was donated on June 06, 2005.
Usage Restrictions
No copies of films may be made without written permission from S. Torriano Berry.
Preferred Citation
[item], S. Torriano Berry Collection, Special Collection STB, Black Film Center/Archive, Indiana University, Bloomington.
Processing Information
Processed by BFC/A staff and Gabriel Gardner.

  • Indexing Terms

  • The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection. Materials about related topics, persons or places can be found by searching the catalog using these terms.

    • Names
    • Berry, Torriano.
    • Berry, Venise T.
    • Dixon, Ivan, 1931-2008.
    • Simone, Nina, 1933-2003.
    • Topics
    • African American actors.
    • Howard University. Department of Radio, Television and Film.
    • Motion pictures--United States.

Collection Inventory

Series: Films
Rich - 16mm, b/w, 1982 , RT 20:00

Film Number
STB01-SMDR1982.9

Film & Video Works of S. Torriano Berry - BetacamSP, TRT 1:12:00

1. "Euphrates Awakening”, RT 2:00
2. “Euphrates Sun”, RT 4:30
3. “Can’t Let Love” Music Video, RT 5:00
4. “Money’ll Eat You Up”, RT 23:40
5. “Know Cologne”, RT :30
6. “Day of the Crow’s Call”, RT 5:00
7. “Cab Calloway [?]”, RT :50
8. “Africa in the Holy Land”, RT 28:20
9. “The Proverbial Angel”, RT 7:00
10. “Sucre Amer”, RT 4:00
11. “I’m Sorry” AIDS Public Service Announcement, RT :30
12. “Bugged Trailer”, RT 1:30
13. “Embalmer Trailer”, RT 5:00

Film Number
STB02-BTVA19ND.1

The Black Beyond Trilogy - BetacamSP, TRT 1:12:55

1. “Deathly Realities”
2. “The Coming of the Saturnites”
3. “The Connection”
4. “Money’ll Eat You Up!!!”

Film Number
STB03-BTVA19ND.2

Selected Film & Video Works of S. Torriano Berry - BetacamSP, TRT 1:01:45

1. “Africa in the Holy Land”, RT 25:00
2. “The Light”, RT 22:45
3. “Day of the Crow’s Call”, RT 5:00
4. “Sucre Amer” (editor), RT 4:00
5. “Embalmer Promo”, RT 5:00

Film Number
STB04-BTVA19ND.3

Four Women of Genesis - BetacamSP, b/w, RT 5:00

A music video by S. Torriano Berry. This is a visual interpretation inspired by the Nina Simone song “Four Women.” Dance, B/W still photography, and dramatic reenactments reconstruct contemporary versions of four women from the Book of Genesis in the Bible.

Film Number
STB05-BTMV19ND.1

This Is My Beloved: A photo essay on man’s inhumanity to man - BetacamSP, RT 2:45

Film Number
STB06-BTDY2003.1

The Light (b/w dub) - BetacamSP, b/w, RT 24:30

Film Number
STB07-BTDR1988.1

James and Eloyce Gist’s “Hellbound Train!” (Resurrected) - VHS, RT: 50:00 / Edit & original music by S. Torriano Berry.

Film Number
STB08-VHDR2002.1

This is My Beloved: A photo essay on man’s inhumanity to man - VHS, RT 2:45

Also includes: Triangulations, RT: 6:10;
4 Women of Genesis, RT: 5:00 (TRT 14:00).

Film Number
STB09-VHVA19ND.1

Women, Weight, & Wellness: Challenging the Myths - VHS, RT 30:00

A presentation based on “All of Me: A Voluptuous Tale,” a novel by Venise Berry.

Film Number
STB10-VHMS2000.1

Berger & Fry’s - VHS, RT 29:30

Sit-com pilot; re-cut master, 1/31/90; producer/director: S. Torriano Berry; Torriano Film Productions.

Film Number
STB11-VHTS1989.2

Embalmer (short version) - VHS, RT 29:30

Film Number
STB12-VHHR1996.1

Embalmer - VHS, RT 87:30

Film Number
STB13-VHHR1996.2

Black Independent Showcase (Show #6) - VHS, RT 29:00
Includes: “Rich”, RT 20:00, “Day of the Crow’s Call”, RT 5:00

Film Number
STB14-VHTS1991.1

Black Visions / Silver Screen: HU Student Film Showcase: Show #1 Relationships – DVD, TRT 58:30

1.“Raw Intensity”, RT 7:30
2.“Inner Conflict”, RT 4:00
3.“School Daze”, RT 5:00
4.“Sibling Rivalry”, RT 8:00
5.“Starting Over”, RT 2:00
6.“On the Pillow”, RT 10:00
7.“Tumbling Down”, RT 10:00
8.“On the Beach”, RT 2:00

Film Number
STB15-DVDRNDND.1

Black Visions / Silver Screen: HU Student Film Showcase: Show #2 The MFA’s – DVD, TRT 58:30

1.“A Boxer’s Blues”, RT 7:00
2.“Woman & Man”, RT 11:00
3.“There’s No Place Like Home”, RT 15:00
4.“Mm-Meg!”, RT 23:00

Film Number
STB16-DVVA19ND.1

Black Visions / Silver Screen: HU Student Film Showcase: Show #3 Music Videos – DVD, TRT 59:30

1.“Capers”, RT 4:00
2.“Waterdance”, RT 5:00
3.“Boodie Wop”, RT 4:00
4.“When We Get Together”, RT 4:00
5.“Sucre Amer”, RT 4:00
6.“I Know That’s Right”, RT 5:00
7.“Can’t Let Love”, RT 5:00
8.“Brainchild”, RT 5:00
9.“Broad-A-Broad Video Magazine”, RT 8:00
10.“Let’s Unwind”, RT 4:00
11.“This Is My Beloved”, RT 2:45

Film Number
STB17-DVMV19ND.1

Black Visions / Silver Screen: HU Student Film Showcase: Show #4 Avant-garde – DVD, TRT 59:30

1.“Bhava Tanha”, RT 3:00
2.“Stages of Life”, RT 6:30
3.“In the Flesh”, RT 14:00
4.“In Remembrance of Me”, RT 12:00
5.“BaDreaM”, RT 5:30
6.“Sabrina”, RT 13:00

Film Number
STB18-DVVA19ND.2

Black Visions / Silver Screen: HU Student Film Showcase: Show #5 A Woman’s Touch – DVD, TRT 59:30

1.“Flush”, RT 6:30
2.“What Beauty Beholds”, RT 12:00
3.“Their Eyes Were Watching God”, RT 11:30
4.“Thirst”, RT 10:00
5.“Premonition”, RT 16:00

Film Number
STB19-DVDRNDND.2

Black Visions / Silver Screen: HU Student Film Showcase: Show #6 Sci-Fi/Horror – DVD, TRT 59:30

1.“The Collector”, RT 5:00
2.“Apple Crumb Panic”, RT 23:30
3.“Deathly Realities”, RT 24:30
4.“The Connection”, RT 7:00
5.“Embalmer Promo”, RT 2:00
6.“Bugged Promo’, RT 1:30

Film Number
STB20-DVHR19ND.1

Black Visions / Silver Screen: HU Student Film Showcase: Show #7 Documentaries – DVD, TRT 57:30

1.“Nappy”, RT 20:00
2.“Videoscan: J. Berry”, RT 7:30
3.“Africa In The Holyland”, RT 25:30

Film Number
STB21-DVDY19ND.1

Black Visions / Silver Screen: HU Student Film Showcase: Show #8 B&W – DVD, b/w, TRT 59:30

1.“Mourning Alex”, RT 8:30
2.“BADDY”, RT 10:00
3.“In Remembrance of Me”, RT 12:00
4.“My Dear Frederick”, RT 5:00
5.“Euphrates Awakening”, RT 4:00
6.“Inside/Out Trailer”, RT 4:00
7.“Inner Conflict”, RT 4:00
8.“Stages of Life”, RT 6:30

Film Number
STB22-DVDRNDND.3

Black Visions / Silver Screen: HU Student Film Showcase: Show #9 Kids – DVD, TRT 59:30

1.“Ghana Folktale Jamm”, RT 10:00
2.“There’s No Place Like Home”, RT 15:00
3.“Proverbial Angel”, RT 7:00
4.“Ruby’s Legacy”, RT 23:00

Film Number
STB23-DVCH19ND.1

Black Visions / Silver Screen: HU Student Film Showcase: Show #10 Smorgasbord – DVD, TRT 59:30

1.“The Mechanic”, RT 3:30
2.“Blackline”, RT 4:00
3.“Conscious”, RT 5:00
4.“The Eulogy of Butterbean”, RT 10:00
5.“Adonise Four”, RT 5:00
6.“Knight Shadow”, RT 9:00
7.“My Dear Frederick”, RT 5:00
8.“Masks”, RT 12:00

Film Number
STB24-DVVA19ND.3

Black Captains of the Chesapeake – DVD, RT 56:30
Documentary on a group of African American boat captains sailing out of Kent Narrows, Maryland that have been taking anglers fishing on the Chesapeake Bay for the past 40 years.

Film Number
STB25-DVDY20ND.1

Retrospective: Lincoln Academy - 1948 to 1950 – DVD, 51:00
Documentary and testimonials by former students of a black boarding school in North Carolina that was also attended by actor Ivan Dixon.

Film Number
STB26 - DVDY2006.24

Loose Change Meets Zeitgist / 9/11 HAS NO CLOTHES – DVD, RT 56:00
Questions and controversies surrounding the tragic events and aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001.

Film Number
STB27-DVD2007.20

Iowa Black Historymaker's Salute 2007 – DVD, RT 28:35
Video testimonials of four history making women who have made a difference in Iowa.

Film Number
STB28-DVDY2007.21

Inside the Core: With YRNEH – DVD, RT 24:45
Interview with sculptor Chukes, based in California. Hosted by Yrneh Gabon Brown.

Film Number
STB29-DVDY2008.14

Financial AIDS – DVD, RT 19:30
Short drama.

Film Number
STB30-DVDR2007.8

Noh Matta Wat!: Season 1 – DVD, RT 3:00:00
Season one of the first dramatic television series of Belize. Follows the wants, dreams, conflicts, and desires of the Diego family as they live, learn, grow and survive through both the good and the rough times.

Film Number
STB31-DVTS2005.4

Noh Matta Wat!: Season 2 – DVD, RT 4:00:00
Season two of the first dramatic television series of Belize.

Film Number
STB32-DVTS2006.3

Noh Matta Wat!: Season 3 – DVD, RT 4:00:00
Season three of the first dramatic television series of Belize.

Film Number
STB33-DVTS20ND.1

Series: Books
The 50 Most Influential Black Films: A Celebration of African-American Talent, Determination, and Creativity - by S. Torriano Berry with Venise T. Berry. New York: Citadel Press, 2001.
Signed by both authors.
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