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Rogers, too, was able to speak his character's own words from Patterson's story, portraying Parker from his bed, where he was dying from kidney disease. "Every single line I say in the film came directly from Judge Parker," he says. "Jennica is the perfect Ada Patterson, and playing opposite her made the scene come alive. It was like Ada and the judge were just having a conversation, and I believe that added to the realism of the film." "Knowing that we were going to frame the story around that 1896 newspaper interview meant that hiring the perfect Judge Parker and Ada Patterson would be critical," Foley says. "Bill Rogers is perfect as Parker. He grew a white beard for the role and nailed his lines to the point where you begin to think this is the real Judge Parker on camera. Jennica Schwartzman delivers a wonderful performance as Ada, both on camera and in her perfectly toned narration." While Parker and Patterson are the film's pivotal characters, they are just part of the story. Foley also talks with modern-day spokesmen for the other constituents of his title, among them UA law professor Stacy Leeds, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation; historians Charles Robinson and Elliott West of the UA; and Tom Wing and Daniel Maher of the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. He was also assisted by Dale Carpenter, his filmmaking partner of more than 40 years, as the film's editor; Hayot Tuychiev, who worked with Foley on films like "The Art of Crystal Bridges" and "Up Among the Hills," as director of photography; and Ed Eaves, who spent three decades as editor at NBC and ABC News, as associate producer and director of reenactments. Music was provided by Harrison Americana group National Park Radio. "And there are so many more who helped us along the way, as voices, production assistants, photographers and animators," Foley says. "Having T.J. Holmes of ABC's 'Good Morning America' — my former student — introduce the film gives it credibility as a true story, based on actual accounts." Then came the hitch in the project — the coronavirus. "We had hoped to release the film in May, but the pandemic shut everything down. Finally, over the summer, I just decided, let's figure out how to get this thing out there," Foley says. "That's when we came up with the idea to have a small, scaled-down premiere in Fort Smith, invitation only, with everyone wearing masks, and stream the event on Facebook. I've not done an event like this before, but it's been exciting to break new ground, showcasing the documentary to a wider audience. "We hope to announce a broadcast distribution/streaming plan later this year." 10 WHAT'S UP! SEPTEMBER 6-12, 2020 COVER STORY Foley Continued From Page 9 Filmmaker Larry Foley directs Jennica Schwartzman in a scene from "Indians, Outlaws, Marshals and the Hangin' Judge" shot in Fayetteville. Listen to a podcast with Foley at nwadg.com/podcasts. (Courtesy Photo/James Brewer) Bill Rogers and Jennica Schwartzman (above) work on a scene from "Indians, Outlaws, Marshals and the Hangin' Judge" as filmmaker Larry Foley (standing left) and Hayot Tuychiev, director of photography, capture the moment. Rogers (right) uses Judge Isaac Parker's own words in this scene from the film. (Courtesy Photos/James Brewer) Hayot Tuychiev was director of photography for "Indians, Outlaws, Marshals and the Hangin' Judge." (Courtesy Photo/James Brewer)