I still find it fascinating on how the documentarian of the ONE documentary I chose to watch this summer is coming to Lafayette. Is this a coincidence? I don’t know but I think I’ll be in shock until I hear from Kirsten Johnson tomorrow. After reading her director’s statement, what mostly stood out to me was , ” I fail to see or follow stories the director I work for hope I will follow.” This statement is honest and shows how KJ has her own opinion and thoughts. By writing this statement, she also shows how she’s entitled to perceiving situations and stories differently. She won’t completely agree with the director she’s working for because something that does make sense or seem right to the director might not align with KJ’s thoughts. KJ seems to be aware that there will discussions and decisions to be made when thoughts don’t align. From her one sentence, I can tell that she is in terms with her opinions and isn’t afraid to express these differences to her peers.
Another honest statement is, “I ask for trust, cooperation, and permission without knowing where the filming experience will lead the subject.” In other words, she tells us how that maybe while filming she might not have a fully established idea of the direction the piece will go in. But in post-production, there might be a story that will be formed.
I’m excited to watch Cameraperson for the second time tomorrow. I’m curious to see how I’ll feel towards it after this second round.