Lauren Cooke,
Co-Head, Joanie 4 Jackie Film Club, Bard College, 2017
May 4, 2017
How did you find out about J4J? How old were you?
I was eighteen when I found out about Joanie 4 Jackie. I am a current student at Bard College and actually found out about the project during club day on campus through the Joanie 4 Jackie club on campus. I am now 20 years old, finishing my third year at Bard and am one of the co-heads for the club!
Were you involved in J4J? What exactly did you do?
I am involved with J4J through the club at Bard College. I help plan events for the club as well as invite female filmmakers who have been a part of the J4J project to come speak on campus.
Did you attend any screenings? If so, where and when was the screening you attended?
I attend the screenings we have on campus regularly.
What do you remember about it?
I remember being amazed at all the types of female filmmakers out there; whether age, race, skill level and genre.
What did you think/feel about the Joanie 4 Jackie at the time? And now, in retrospect?
I think Joanie 4 Jackie is a great place for female filmmakers as well as people who feel like they are on the outskirts of the arena of film, whether seeing themselves on screen or behind the camera. I also feel as a club in this specific politic era and constant change in how we understand gender and feminism, there is some room to grow but an already great platform to grow from.
What did you do then – academically, professionally and otherwise? Were you a filmmaker? And now?
I am a current film student and human rights major at Bard College, due to graduate in Spring 2018. I am a filmmaker, but more with a focus on screenwriting and editing.
What institutions, groups, people, publications and movements were inspiring you at this time in your life?
#1 would be Joanie 4 Jackie. One of my friends who is a student like myself just started a program for marginalized film makers called The Light Leaks that is phenomenal. I would also say Lady Participate which J4J club head alumna, Paris McGary, recently began.