Do Not Bend: The Photographic Life of Bill Jay
A DOCUMENTARY FILM
We were also able to speak with and film innovator, educator, author, advisor and entrepreneur in the field of photography MV Swanson ‘Swanny’ Monday in New York. She was not only one of Bill’s first students at Arizona State she was also a close friend and supporter of Bill’s. We’d like to thank her for her support for the film and in helping us connect with other people in Bill’s life.
A big thank you to Magnum photographer Alex Webb who made himself available to be filmed in Prospect Park, Brooklyn on Monday by Jake Chessum. Alex shared his memories of Bill and spoke about his impact on his work and fellow photographers.
It was great to be able to spend a day with Paul Hill talking about his memories of working with and for Bill. Paul founded The Photographers Place – the UK’s first residential photography workshop – at his Peak District home where we filmed him outside the building known as the ‘Scout Hut’ where the workshops were held including one in which Bill was involved with. Paul has written two books, Approaching Photography and Dialogue with Photography and has had two monographs White Peak Dark Peak and Corridor of Uncertainty published. He has exhibited regularly since 1970 in the British Isles and internationally. Paul was the first art photographer to receive an MBE for services to photography and the first professor of photographic practice within a British university. Suffice to say his memories of Bill and his thoughts on Bill’s career will provide important insight to the film.
Every time we speak with someone about their memories of Bill we glean an insight into Bill’s relationship with photography and his life however small that may sometimes be. That was certainly the case after our conversation with Patrick Ward this morning, the twenty second interview we have conducted as part of our ongoing research.
We spent a wonderful morning with Daniel Meadows discussing the influence of Bill Jay on his work and career. Daniel was in the same class as Martin Parr at Manchester Polytechnic where Bill gave a talk in 1971 that influenced Daniel and Martin in the ways in which they viewed photography. Another great interview for the film, thanks Daniel!
We will be filming Daniel Meadows next Monday reflecting on Bill’s evangelical lecturing approach to photography that so inspired Daniel as a student in 1971 when Bill presented the work of photographers Benjamin Stone, Art Kane and Tony Ray Jones amongst others . Daniel was in the same lecture as Martin Parr and fellow Manchester Polytechnic student Brian Griffin.
A big thanks to Martin Parr (left) who let us into his home yesterday and allowed us to film him talking about the influence Bill Jay had on the early development of his work. Our conversation centered around a particular talk Bill gave at Manchester Polytechnic that Martin attended in the Autumn of 1971, whilst still a student and where Bill introduced Martin and his fellow students to the work of Tony Ray Jones.
Martin was supportive of our film and even made some suggestions as to where and how it might be first screened. Watch this space for more details concerning this!
A big thanks this week to Homer Sykes, Paddy Summerfield, Andrew Lanyon and Carol McCusker for sharing their memories of Bill. The support for the film is incredible and we have many conversations still to have over the coming weeks.
However, if you knew Bill or know someone who did please let us know, we are always open to more information and new leads.