As a filmmaker, please introduce yourself.
I’m from Jacksonville, Florida. Graduated from William M. Raines High School.
When I graduated from FSU with a B.S. in Chemical Science and a minor in Theater, I found out I didn’t have the stomach to handle autopsies, so I took a job at the Jacksonville Electric Authority as a chemical assistance tech while I waited for my fiancé to graduate from FSU in 6 months. I then got a job as a Chemist in Los Angeles at Liquid Carbonic Compressed Gas Company. I went to Los Angeles because of my interest in motion picture production.
My brother, Donald Eugene Barringer aka “Donnie Bee” was a very popular disc jockey (DJ), singer and announcer. He had been performing on tv and live since we were kids. He was truly talented. He had been in Louisiana with me when I was in the Air Force and hosted a large nightclub, called the Afro Scene, as the DJ. He had also been a DJ on the radio in Tallahassee at WANM and was extremely popular. He had also come to California with me. Our mother pleaded with me not to do public affairs programming, but to do entertainment with my little brother…so I did. I produced videos for my little brother and we cofounded the Afro American Film Institute to produce motion pictures that have positive African American images. We also created our own production company called MacBarringer Communications.
Why you became a filmmaker as a director and producer?
I became a filmmaker as a director and producer because there was not a lot of opportunity to consistently work in film and television in 1980. If I wanted a project done, I was going to have to do it myself. I didn’t have access to motive studios, producers and directors. I would eventually wear all hats: Actor, Producer, Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Screen Writer and film cast & crew member! The show must go on.

I went to Law School at the University of West Los Angeles School of Law.
What are the films or people that had impacts on you and deeply inspired you to become a filmmaker?
Francisco Day, director and close associate of Cecil B. DeMille, did a seminar for the Afro American Film Institute (AAFI) where he explained Production Management: How to produce a movie from a script as a blueprint to make production schedule, script breakdown, budget, location scouting reports, releases, camera report, shot plots and a production report. I learned a lot from that seminar and used it to start producing movies. Professor Joseph Dacusso from Los Angeles Valley College taught me about all aspects of film and inspired me to be an independent producer, because he showed me how I could achieve production without a major studio’s backing.
You have made your wonderful film "American History of Slavery" which got an official selection and awarded at the
“American Golden Picture International Film Festival.”
Why did you decide to make it?
I wanted to present the American History of Slavery from a different point of view and demonstrate that African Americans were more than just slaves in America…they were and continue to be patriotic citizens.
What challenges did you face in making this specific film?
Let us know more about your experience in this film?
My biggest challenge was trying to make every reported fact correct and honest as I could. I learned many historical things making this film and ended up intwining my own personal history into the documentary, which was not my original intention. I happened to have done an intense studio of my family history and when it occurred to me that I could identify on of my ancestors back to before the Revolutionary War…I did.
The Narration and Editing added to your film. What was it like to work with your team?
This time it was just me, but in all of my previous productions it has always been a great and rewarding experience working with friends and AAFI interns.
What was the biggest lesson you had to learn after making this film?
I learned, for some reason and I still don’t understand, that audiences prefer this documentary without music.
What keeps you inspired to continue filmmaking?
Because it has never been an income resource, I’ve done it and continue to do it as my art and my way of expressing how I see things to the world. I love it. It certainly wasn’t my family complaining about…”old lord…here he comes with that damn camera!”
What are your filmmaking goals?
I would like to participate in one of my movies that is produced and distributed by a major studio.
What is your next project?
My next project is called, “The Bracelet”. The cast is being assembled and we have a table read scheduled next week. It is an experimental animation. Animated because I wrote in back in the 90’s as a live action idea, but it takes place in Africa and I can’t afford to film in Africa of make sets here or finance finding suitable locations, so I’ll animate it with a new experimental idea.

C. Mack’s Links:
YouTube Page:
CharleyMack10
FACEBOOK:
C. Edward Mack