Clarity Miller,
T.V. Casualty
January 30, 2017
How did you find out about Joanie 4 Jackie and how old were you at the time?
I was/am a huge fan of Miranda July, had seen a lot of her performance art when I was in high school and college. So I jumped at the opportunity to be part of one of her projects and to be among like minded women filmmakers. I was 20 at the time my chain letter came out.
At the time you participated in Joanie 4 Jackie did you consider yourself a filmmaker? What was your relationship to making movies?
I considered myself a filmmaker and had been making movies since age 15. I took a number of film and photography classes at the Evergreen State College and graduated in 2000.
Do you have any specific anecdotes or memories associated with your movie?
We dumped a broken t.v. into a lake while filming, and then had to fish it out so we weren’t littering. However, it had filled with water and was incredibly heavy. We eventually got it out, but it was a pretty hilarious process.
What did you think/feel about the Joanie 4 Jackie at the time? And now, in retrospect?
I think J4J was revolutionary and ahead of its time. I hope the chain letters and screenings encouraged other women and girls to go home and pick up video cameras.
If you attended a screening, can you tell us where and when it was and anything else you remember about it?
I attended a screening in Portland but my memory of it is fairly fuzzy.
What institutions, groups, people, publications and movements were inspiring you at the time of your participation in J4J?
I was inspired by music videos, magazines like Dazed and Confused, Sadie Benning, Spike Jonze, Ladyfest, Yo Yo a Go Go, and the Olympia Film Festival. And probably a thousand more.
What do you do now – professionally and otherwise? Are you still involved in filmmaking?
I am still an artist but am not making films at this time. I’m raising two kids and living on an island in western Washington, where I’m from. I own a 100 year old house that I’m fixing up. My job is an Etsy shop: friendsofsocktopus.etsy.com. I also make embroidered fine art pieces.