Shelley Jordon
US videomaker
Interview: 10 Questions
1. Tell me something about your life and the educational background
I am a painter and film-maker, born and raised in Brooklyn, NY., now based in Portland, OR and I am a Professor of Art at Oregon State University.
2. When, how and why started you filming?
I began hand-painting animations three years ago when my husband had a serious health problem and I was searching for a new visual language that would adequately communicate my angst.
3. What kind of subjects have your films?
Most of my films explore issues of everday life. I often interweave personal dreams memories and fantasies with broader or more universal issues.
4. How do you develop your films, do you follow certain principles, styles etc?
Usually I have a theme in mind to begin with, and then give myself the freedom to free-associate.
5. Tell me something about the technical equipment you use.
I use basic stop-motion techniques, drawing and painting on paper and photographing with a cannon rebel camera.
6. The field of “art and moving images†(one may call it videoart or also differently) is is manifesting itself as an important position in contemporary art. Tell me more about your personal position and how you see the future of this field ( your personal future and the future of “art and moving imagesâ€)
In regards to animation, I think the pendulum is swinging away from high tech computer generated animation and returning to the early craft of artists like Winsor McKay and Emile Cohl.
7. How do you finance your films?
Grants.
8. Do you work individually as a video artist/film maker or do you work in a team?
Mostly individually but I have had the opportunity to collaborate with some wonderful composers and editors.
if you have experience in both, what is the difference, what do you prefer?
When I am in the studio I need to be alone creating the images, but during editing it is great to have another “eyeâ€.
9. Who or what has a lasting influence on your film/video making?
Nobody
10. What are your plans or dreams as a film/video maker?
To have more time and funding to explore more ambitious projects and to be able to continue to experiment and grow as an artist.
Can works of yours viewed online besides on CologneOFF or VideoChannel? Where?
List some links & resources
http://shelleyjordon.com/animation/