Tennessee Voices, Episode 244: Tyler Stallings, documentary filmmaker, 'Carlos: Being of Light'
Documentary film directors tend to make their movies either with themselves at the center of the narrative or, conversely, with a particular subject as the focus.
Either invites the viewer to gain new insight and feel a sense of empathy.
Empathy is an important word to Ed Carlos, an artist and former professor at University of the South, also known as, Sewanee, in southeastern middle Tennessee.
Tyler Stallings took painting classes with Carlos at Sewanee in the mid-1980s and about 40 years later, the former student reconnected with his teacher to make the film "Carlos: Being of Light."
Carlos, runs the Iona Art Sanctuary near Sewanee, says his art is based upon his experiences with extraterrestrials who manifest themselves as beings of light.
The artist does not describe his experiences as abductions but as encounters that have led him through a spiritual journey.
"Lots of artist have visionary experiences, or think they do," Carlos said in the film. "So, I think I do."
Stallings and I talked about how he became a filmmaker and why his work with Carlos was so important.
We also discussed how earlier this year, the Department of Defense released an official report about unidentified flying objects and how many UFOs are still a mystery.
Hear more Tennessee Voices: Get the weekly opinion newsletter for insightful and thought provoking columns.
Sign up for Latino Tennessee Voices newsletter: Read compelling stories for and with the Latino community in Tennessee.
Sign up for Black Tennessee Voices newsletter: Read compelling columns by Black writers from across Tennessee.
Your state. Your stories. Support more reporting like this.
A subscription gives you unlimited access to stories across Tennessee that make a difference in your life and the lives of those around you. Click here to become a subscriber.
About Tennessee Voices
The Tennessee Voices videocast is a 20-minute program, which started in March 2020 and invites leaders, thinkers and innovators who have written guest columns for a USA TODAY Network Tennessee publication to share their insights and wisdom with me and our viewers.
Please email your ideas for future guests to me at dplazas@tennessean.com. Thank you for watching.
Finally, our journalists are working hard during this pandemic to bring you accurate, verified and solid information. Please consider subscribing and supporting local journalism.
Watch past episodes: Tennessee Voices videocast
David Plazas is the director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee and an editorial board member of The Tennessean. Tweet to him at @davidplazas.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Extraterrestrial encounters and artist Ed Carlos with Tyler Stallings
