Ben Shapiro

Ben Shapiro was born in Western Massachusetts, grew up in L.A, and today is a New York-based documentary director and cinematographer. His work has appeared on television (PBS, Sundance Channel, CBS, National Geographic), at major festivals, and museums including the Museum of Modern Art.

His projects have received support from the National Endowments for the Arts and for the Humanities, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Awards include the Peabody, DuPont, Emmy, and AFI First Prize. He is also a radio producer and regular contributor to NPR programs and RadioDiaries. 

Beginning in 2000, Ben Shapiro was given unprecedented access to capture the epic production of the movie-like images created by photographer and filmmaker, Gregory Crewdson; a mystery known only by his crews and Crewdson himself. 

Filmed over an enitre decade, we witness his work grow and deepen, garner worldwide acclaim, and reach a climax of creative change as Crewdson’s inspiration spirals in a radical new direction. The result is an intimate view of the creation of iconic works by one of the most renowned and influential artists of our time.

In addition to the process of making his photographs, Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters reveals the life-story behind the work - through Crewdson’s frank reflections on his life and career, including the formative influences of his psychologist father and his childhood fascination with the work of Diane Arbus.