Sandra Jacobi

1. How did you come up with the idea for the film?

The video about Martha's weaving came about because I found both her tapestries and her dedication to her work moving and wanted to record her story.

2. How long did the production process take?

I taped once or twice a week over a three-month period. The editing took several weeks, in part because I was learning to use some aspects of Media 100 and After Effects.

3. What challenges did you experience in the creation of the film?

As this was my first work with my own camera, there were challenges galore: learning how to shoot sequences (later kicking myself for not getting shots from different angles), learning about lighting and audio. Editing presented a whole new set of time consuming challenges: learning how to maneuver around Media 100 (those short cuts save time!) and learning how to move across or up and down images in After Effects.

4. What is your favorite memory from creating the film?

Getting to know Martha was a treat.

5. When someone has finished watching the film, what do you hope they take away from the experience?

I hope anyone watching Martha Heine Tapestry Weaver will appreciate Martha's love of weaving, how she makes artistic choices, and the actual weaving process.

6. What type of reaction has your film received from viewers?

This video was screened at the 2001 DoubleTake Documentary Film Festival and will be shown at the 2001 One Reel Festival in Seattle. People who have seen it have been positive about Martha's weaving and dedication to her art, and sad to learn that she has since died from cancer.

7. What advice would you give to aspiring young filmmakers?

It is worth taking classes and asking advice from people who work in the field. I have found teachers and professionals generous with their time and expertise if they know you want to learn about any aspect of film or video production. Be open to constructive suggestions and criticism from other filmmakers, but balance that with trusting your instincts about your own vision of a work.

8. Please tell us about the next film you plan to work on?

I am now editing a documentary about a family in Union Mills, North Carolina. They raise sorghum cane from which they make molasses that they sell in the family's store on Highway 64.

9. What are your thoughts on the film industry in NC?

The recent growth in the film industry in North Carolina means there are greater opportunities for people who are interested in the field to find work and there are more related courses being offered across the state.