
Madeline Becker
Film is an intersection where image, movement, sound, and the depth of our human experience meet. It's a medium unlike any other that demands the maker to be fully present in the moment. Before I started working with film and video, I trained as a painter with a foundation in drawing and painting from life. My studio practice has recently evolved to working with needle, thread, light, found objects, and trash to create masquerade masks and free-hanging sculptures that imitate fences and walls. My art practice informs my work as a cinematographer.
The paradox of Seabrook Farms will be the third feature documentary I have worked on. I first learned about documentary from working as an assistant editor on Amy Scott's film Oyler: One School One Year from 2013-2015. Watching, organizing, and prepping the footage taught me not only about the post-production process, but also what shots are needed to make the editor's job easier. In 2016, I started filming my own documentary, Middleman. In 2017, I started Mad Queen Productions, a video production company, which partners with other companies with a goal of growing a strong and sustainable film community in Baltimore City.
I learned the ropes of the film industry by working as a production assistant in New York City and Baltimore. Productions ranged from features, such Benh Zeitlin’s upcoming film Wendy (2019 ), to Matthew Porterfield’s Sollers Point (2017), to commercials, PSAs, and music videos for artists such as Arcade Fire, Maggie Rogers, and Beach House. After years of working in production, in 2019 I joined the International Alliance of Theatre and Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 487. I work in the electric department on large sets for network television.
The paradox of Seabrook Farms film is the first time I have worked with Helga. Seabrook, New Jersey is a hidden gem. Our first week filming there was a surreal and deep experience. The stories of the Estonian refugees, immigrants from around the world, and the detained Japanese Americans are humbling and inspiring. The level of research and the depth of the relationships Helga has built to tell the story of Seabrook is astounding. Many of our interviews were with different generations of refugees, immigrants, and Japanese interns. It is important to capture these stories before our oldest generation passes. Helga is capturing time and history by piecing together the insight of ages. I am excited to continue working with Helga and follow where the winding path leads.