Joiner Documentary
My Roles:
- Equipment planning & setup
- Interview filming & on-site direction
- Story development
- Video cutting, color grading and post-production
- Co-author of the research paper
- Poster
Tools:
- ProCreate
- Premiere Pro
- Audition
Project Type:
University Project
Project Year:
2024
Overview
After our shoemaker documentary, I knew I wanted to dive deeper into the world of traditional craftsmanship. So when we had the chance to explore a research topic of our choice in the following semester, it felt only natural to continue along this path.
This time, we focused on joiners in Austria and how their numbers are declining and why their work still matters. The project combined research, statistics and interviews with real craftspeople in the countryside. We wanted to give them a voice and spotlight their passion for working with wood.
Process
Research First
We started with a clear goal: investigate the decline of craftsmanship jobs in Austria, more specifically, joinery. Together with a colleague, we dug into stats, talked to local associations and collected some insights to build a solid foundation for our short paper and video.
Interviews & Storytelling
Next, we reached out to several joiners in rural Austria. Talking to them was one of the most rewarding parts of the process. Their insights were real, honest and quite moving.
We visited a workshop, filmed a interview on location and asked about their daily lives, their love for the craft and what they hope for the future.
Filming & Post-Production
As with the previous film, I took over the technical and creative side: filming, equipment handling, post-production and giving the video a visual tone that felt warm and authentic.
Final Thoughts
This project was a mix of research and human storytelling, which is a combination I really enjoy. It was fascinating to see how much heart these craftsmen put into their work and how strongly they believe in the value of their profession.
Talking to them gave me a whole new perspective on design, work and tradition. I’m really grateful I got to be part of this and help share their story.