For Butterflys: A Film About Becoming
In the fall of 2022 I conducted an Oral History interview on Justin Sisson as a part of an ongoing series, titled The Transplant Project. In the clips present, Justin reflects and talks about not feeling appreciated when he was living in Arizona, growing up Black, and building community since moving to New York and making his home in Brooklyn as a photographer
I studied documentary film and relationships. Our final project was to create a film ranging from 5-10 minutes long and it could be either audio of video driven.
After a semester of learning about documentary filmmaking material. Watching films and meeting different kind of filmmakers.
We held our own Sundance on Wednesday to show the films we each made. I’m very much sitting in the I made a “film” part of it.
I collaborated with a classmate to further build on themes I’ve been working with for sometime, like Finding home and place and self. these are some of the things I’m always interrogating and investigating in my work.
My brother @justin_sisson was the focus of the project and my brother & collaborator @suedejury gave it its breath. You a genius.
This was a fun practice in making something. Digging into the archive, exploring how material is used to make films. Sound and imagery and feeling and narrative. Poetry and movement.
Documentary is a form of inquiry.
———
Credits:
Shot, written & directed by Jeary Payne and Ambar Johnson
Editor, Graphic designer, Colorist — Jonathan Fouabi
Editor — Jeary Payne
Justin Sisson as Himself
Brooklyn, New York 2023
#shotoniphone
The Call
Making movies with my mans and translating ideas in real time. Inspired by watching a screening of #HighFlyingBird that was shot entirely on iPhone. Filmed in 2019
Creativity can be liberating and frightening. But none more frightening than doing nothing with it.
Written, Directed & Edited by @suedejury + @jearysylves
Scored by @suedejury
#shotoniphone
While You Were Listening
"While You Were Listening" is a mini-documentary project created in collaboration with my good friend William Eliot. Eliot, followed me around over the course of four or so months in the fall of 2012. The footage is a collection of various performances, interviews and intimate moments. WYWL is in essence the beginning stages of my growth and development as an artist and details those transitioning periods. I was able to view an early edit of the documentary and looking at me then doesn't feel so much like me now. I was left feeling inspired and longed to return to that former self full of passion and vibrant life. I'm happy to share this joy with you.