Jessie Johnson | Barbell Stories

I am a video producer and filmmaker with a special interest in creative nonfiction and public history. My work as a media creator covers the entire production process, from idea generation to research and writing to filming, editing, and publishing. Though I am comfortable with solo work I particularly enjoy the collaborative aspect of a good production, in which colleagues and stakeholders elevate a project beyond the sum of its parts and contributors.

Prior to working in media full time I spent over a decade as an art historian, teaching at colleges and universities in New Jersey, Maine, and Wisconsin. My academic experience continues to inform my media practices, and I give great weight to both audience considerations and the research required for a topic.

In all of my work I never lose sight of the fact that a good story and historical accuracy are not mutually exclusive. As a lifelong learner, I know that any story or discovery is only the starting point of other stories and discoveries.

I’m a dog lover and currently live in Madison, WI, where I work as a Producer in the Education Department at PBS Wisconsin. For more on my professional experience please see my resume.