The Red Dress Project Film
An adventure I never saw coming
It’s a fun day, people! I’m sharing a short film about my photography series, The Red Dress Project.
How did this all begin? At the pandemic’s beginning, I watched wildflowers push through rubble at the beach and was flooded with a mysterious and unshakeable urge to photograph a woman in a red dress amid the blooms. I couldn’t articulate it at the moment, but the red dress became a symbol of defiance against the despair of that time, a sign of life in the air thick with talk of death. In the last few years, I’ve photographed a variety of women in red dresses around the world.
How did it become a film? About a year ago, someone in a local Creative Collective read the post She Carries it All, a story about my friend grieving the loss of one of her twins, and messaged me about displaying the photographs in an art show.
Weeks later, Ben, a documentarian, asked if anyone had a poem that could be made into a short film for the show. Having no idea who he was, I said yes. In the next three weeks, we shot and debuted the film at the show—an ambitious endeavor, but sometimes deadlines are an artist’s best friend. Ben turned out to be a brilliant human who understood the project at first glance and proceeded to pull off incredible work in a minuscule amount of time. I never imagined this as a film, and yet, here we are.
(Setting up the show—huge thanks to
who coached me through.)
Without further ado…watch the film here!
FYI: The film is about 10 minutes long, and there is a discussion of pregnancy loss if that is a sensitive topic for you.
Reflections from the Making Process:
From Ben: “After sitting with it again, the world needs more stories of everyday people who face extraordinary hardship and wrestle for joy and grace against all odds. Grief can be a taboo topic. I am currently grieving the loss of one of my close friends. It’s tough to quietly hold that as so much else is happening in my life. Watching how you and Abby processed together reminds me that it’s worth having hard conversations about loss with the people you love. In doing so, we imprint their legacy upon us and affirm that love conquers the sting of the grave.
“I saw again how making art is healing. I was not personally affected by the loss in this film and yet I feel so much a part of it now, both the grief and the healing. I lament that many others will have to wear the red dress but I know that for those that do, they will find refuge. They will discover the deepest depths of love amongst the fire. And that is the most beautiful story I know.”
From Abby: Abby and I caught up this week and laughed about how this project evolved beyond what we imagined. She said, “It’s us, Jackie. This is who we are, and we have it on film now.” It’s not often you get an artifact of friendship. It is us—crying, making dumb jokes, traipsing out for a ridiculous adventure in the midst of grief, snapping photos to preserve the moment. We’re part of a group who’s loved each other for twenty years, and even though we don’t see each other often, these are the women who carry us home.
From Yours Truly: As we made the film, I realized I’d much rather be behind the camera, stalled during the interview, and then tried to make Ben edit me out of the finished version. He respectfully disagreed and instead asked thoughtful questions like, “How has this project changed your relationship to the color red?” and “How does photography help us process in a way words can’t?” Although it wasn’t comfortable, I’m thankful for the chance to articulate the heart behind this project.
What’s stirring in me—While we were making it, I realized again that I love film—the movement, the music, the storytelling. I come alive in very specific ways when I work on a film. I’m not sure what is next, but I hope that film is involved some way, somehow.
This project also reminded me that I love people’s stories. As I’ve begun doing counseling and spiritual direction more formally this year, I keep circling back to how beautiful it would be to document the internal movements unfolding in my clients’ lives. Is there a way to take portraits of where people have come from and how freedom and wholeness is seeping in, and gift them an artifact of healing? I’m starting to play with some ideas, so if this stirs something in you, I’d love to chat more.
Is the red dress (or suit) calling to you?
If you are interested in portraits to capture a movement or grief or the mere celebration of being alive, (whether or not the red dress is your vibe) please send me a message here:
Or connect with me on Instagram: jackieknapp_
Film needs? Find Ben the Brilliant here.
The poem:
You can read the post that started it all here.
Thanks for your interest in this project. We are thankful—Jackie, Abby, and Ben
Deeply touching! After hearing you talk about it, it was different than I expected. Beautiful on so many levels! So very proud of you 😘
Jackie, what a special project! I do have so much admiration for your willingness to raise your hand and volunteer. You have a special gift and an ability to share your heart! Love it!