Jon Gitelson Interview

For my collaborative production class, my group was assigned to create a short documentary on a randomly selected artist. My group was paired with Jonathan Gitelson, a professor at Keene State and an artist whose work focuses on ideas and thought-provoking concepts rather than traditional forms like painting or pottery.

Visiting his studio was an experience in itself. The space was chalk-filled with creative pieces, and filming there taught me a lot about professionalism, interviewing, and working respectfully in someone else’s environment. It was also the first time I naturally stepped into a leadership role on a film set as the director.

I directed the project, coordinated with Gitelson, planned interview questions, and guided my crew through the shoot. This included framing the interview to audio to which artworks to feature. I also took the lead on editing, pairing visuals with important moments from the interview and collaborating with another editor to meet our deadline.

One of the best parts? Gitelson loved the final piece so much that he featured it on his website. It was a great introduction to directing, teamwork, and shaping a documentary voice of my own. https://www.jonathangitelson.com/

Jon Gitelson in his art studio