Filmed over a decade, beginning in 2000, Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters provides an unparalleled view of the moment of creation of his images. It also reveals the life-story behind the work—through frank reflections on his life and career, including the formative influences of his psychologist father and his childhood fascination with the work of Diane Arbus.

A film by Ben Shapiro.

more: http://www.gregorycrewdsonmovie.com

thx, Steve Skoll

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25 Comments

  1. it is incredible to see how much work is behind each shot and how many people are invloved!

  3. “it is incredible to see how much work is behind each shot and how many people are involved!”

    Looks just like a small movie/TV production/ ad shoot set : gaffers, grips, best boy, special effects department, casting, wardrobe, hair and make up stylists, security, director’s assistant, camera operator, producer, production assistant catering and craft services too.

    The only difference is that the Director is also the DP and screenwriter.

    • Actually the difference is that Mr Crewdson is an artist.

      • So is everyone who writes and directs. Whether they make art you or I enjoy or can connect with is is a different question, and whether the art any artist makes make has real lasting value is another.

        Whether you see the end product of a set of creative labors as being art is a matter for each of us to resolve internally.

        I’m not knocking Crewdson’s photographs. I rather enjoy lookign at them them and also enjoy the idea that someone is able to dream up, finance, produce and stage these massive productions. I don’t think what he does (to roughly paraphrase a woman in the film’s trailer) is “redefining what photography is” is objectively true but hey a little art world hype never hurts anyone.

        • Actually most writers and directors are either craftsmen or tradesmen, very few are artists. Same with photographers.

          The difference is the intent.

          Go ask a few and see how many call themselves artists.

          • I know very few writers , directors or photographers – including myself – who call themselves “artist.” Same with the painters, musicians, dancers, composers and sculptors I know. And all of the above say that it is the work that counts, not what you call yourself.

            Those I’ve met that do call themselves “artists” I generally don’t want to know.

            But we all like being thought of as artists by others as long as the word isn’t being hurled as a pejorative epithet.

            • Most won’t call themselves artists because they know the original intent behind their work.

              (You’ve clearly demonstrated a secondary reason: many are afraid of derision. Was it their work or their personalities that made you “not want to know them?”)

              There are many highly skilled photographers who are not artists. That’s not a bad thing.

    • Actually he has a DP. Nothing wrong with that – just giving credit where its due…..the DP was even interviewed in PDN a while back. And check the credits here:
      http://www.aperture.org/crewdson/

  5. Very cool. I’ve always admired Gregory’s work, and am now looking forward to seeing this.

  6. I thought it was interesting. Not quite my genre of films to watch though.

    • Ed,

      You don’t like documentaries, or documentaries about artists?

      • I love documentaries, just not about artists. I think He is a great guy but watching a documentary about him might be as interesting as one about me. at least that is my opine. I thing the film could be interesting to others though and hope it is well received.

        • That makes sense.

          Crewdson’s work was an instant connect with me but funnily Jeff Wall’s was not, and it could be argued that Crewdson’s is an extension of Wall’s ouevre.

          • I don’t think so. While Wall did make a few works that could be described as cinematic,, it is hardly the bulk of his work. Also, if Crewdson’s work were the extension of Wall’s, it would be the superficial, oversexualized Hollywood version of it.
            Don’t get me wrong, I like Crewdson’s work but it’s just not on the same level as Wall’s and I don’t think the two have much in common once you get a bit deeper into it.

  7. No it isn’t.

    Calling oneself an artist is silly. Being called an artist is golden.

    • Blowing smoke is easy. Being an artist is hard.

  8. I think i’ve seen this Monty Pyrhon skit before. Have a nice life. :-)

  9. I remember being in the library and on my way to study for an economics exam. Passing through the shelves of magazines, I grabbed an issue of PDN and that was probably one of the first encounters I had with Crewdson’s work.

    His imagery resonates with me today as it did… not too long ago. In my mind, he’s one of the few art photographers that creates images that say something about himself personally rather than as an artist.

    Anyway, always looking forward to your next post!

  10. just an amazing artist

  11. Crewdson’s lighting is beautiful and full of mystery. I’ll have to get one of his books.

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