Film & Video
Here you can view samples of my film, television and Web video work via YouTube. Each video is presented with a brief explanation. While I have been paid as a writer, videographer, sound recordist, director and editor I don't actively seek work in the field. I attended New York University's film and television school where I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts with honors in 1991.
Because We Were Born Here . . . is an ethnographic project currently underway in northeastern Nepal. Initiated in 2000, this 30 year project seeks to document, in sound and images, the living history of one Himalayan village as it struggles to 'develop' itself and join the 'modern' world. With the full co-operation of the community, documentary video, photographs, interviews, diaries and other primary source material is being compiled every six years in an effort to promote cultural understanding and education. 8 minute preview.
Sufiyana Kalam is a documentary about the Islamic Sufi music and culture of the Indus River Valley in Pakistan. This short preview presents the sights and sounds of just one of the shrines and musicians featured in the film. Directed by Blain Auer. Videography by Jeffrey Watson Potter. 3 minute preview.
The Wisconservation Corps Experience. I wrote, shot, directed and edited this short promotional video in 2008 as part of my work as Director of Communications for the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin. Learn about the Foundation's professional AmeriCorps program, the Wisconservation Corps. Includes stories and testimonials from members and partners. 9 minutes complete.
Another short Web video I wrote, shot, directed and edited for the Natural Resources Foundation - part of a series of videos currently in post-production. Join field monitor Nick Anich as he searches for the federally endangered Kirtland's Warbler in Wisconsin. This short includes the first video ever shot of this rare bird in Wisconsin. 3 minutes complete.
Heaven Sent is the story of a multicultural gospel choir based in the Minneapolis/St. Paul community. This hour-long film touches on race, class, faith, courage and community. The film weaves together interviews with the all volunteer singers and performances - including their iconoclastic rendition of the National Anthem at a Twins baseball game in 1993 shown in this clip. The narrative includes extensive interviews and performances with the group's award-winning leader, Robert Robinson, who has been hailed as "the Pavoratti of Gospel." Written, Edited, Directed and Produced by Jeffrey Watson Potter. 10 minute clip.
One of my earliest films while a student at New York University's film school. Simplistic, yes, but I still enjoy seeing the mix of documentary footage and remember well the days and nights I spent walking and filming the streets of New York. Shot in 16mm black and white with a WWII era Arriflex, this is my homage to "Casablanca." Is it good? Not really, but it was fun to make. Note, this video includes some short clips of protected music - a practice common to undistributed/no-profit student films in the 1980's. 3 minutes complete.