SARAH ANNE PIERPONT CLASSIFICATION: CAMERA OPERATOR/WESTERN REGION YEARS IN GUILD: 3 HOME BASE: LOS ANGELES FILM: JULIET GEAR: ARRI ALEXA, PANAVISION PRIMO LENSES
“I’ve only been a member of Local 600 for a few years, and, for me, being an ICG member offers a chance to support my community within the industry and to actively participate in moving the industry forward. To be acknowledged as a cinematographer, above and beyond my camera operator classification, makes me feel so supported.”
In JULIET we see a young trans woman decide to audition for the female lead in the school play, ultimately testing how far tolerance and progressive attitudes will extend. We watch as the characters come into their own and learn that – at any stage in life – the only approval you truly need is your own. Consider the first time Serena and James interact one on one. “Two people separated by physical objects, who see one another reflected and distorted until they finally occupy the same space and share a kiss, each showing a version of themselves emotionally that may or may not be authentic,” recounts Western Region Camera Operator Sarah Anne Pierpont. “The visual design of this scene – shot size, proximity, and eye line – was a delightful counterpart to the actors’ performances and a joy to create. It also leaves a lot of room for the performances to shine. The camera is not showy or spectacular, it’s just the right visual support system for this moment.” The film, produced as part of Pierpont’s AFI Thesis Program, was subject to the typical indie constraints of budget and time, as well as COVID-19 restrictions. “The wonderful thing about working in the context of the AFI Thesis Program is that it really fostered an obstacle-is-the-way mentality and approach,” notes Pierpont, who grew up in Princeton, NJ. “A shared desire to tell this story the best way possible from the core team was entirely responsible for the film carrying through to the finish line. It felt as though every problem was actually a nudge towards a more efficient or narratively appropriate direction.”
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SEPTEMBER 2023