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Lens Flares: Trauma in Journalism

Journalists are on the front lines when tragedy and disaster strike. They deal with trauma and drama on a regular basis. In newsrooms all across the country, Journalists, Photojournalists, Producers, Directors, Editors all deal with tragedy sometimes on a daily basis. The longer someone works in news, the more desensitized they can become. This project explores how Journalists should deal with the build up of trauma and what happens if they don’t.

  • Timothy Kiley
    Director
  • Timothy Kiley
    Executive Producer
    TV Virus
  • Craig Marks
    Producer
  • Timothy Kiley
    Cinematographer
    Bloodlines: A Medical Mission to Iloilo, Philippines
  • Timothy Kiley
    Editor
    Bloodlines: A Medical Mission to Iloilo, Philippines
  • Craig Marks
    Music
    Intervention, Iron Chef: America
  • Greg Lee
    Key Cast
  • Rob McMillan
    Key Cast
  • Cooper Rummell
    Key Cast
  • Alle Pierce
    Key Cast
  • Terry McSweeney
    Key Cast
  • Chris Tarpening
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 29 minutes 31 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 25, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    3,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • GRAND PRIZE WINNER: Best Documentary, Believe Psychology Film Festival

    May 20, 2021
  • WINNER: Diamond Award Best Documentary & Best Score SoCal Film Awards
  • WINNER: Audience Choice: Best Documentary, Spirit of Cinema Awards
  • WINNER: BEST EDITING & BEST MUSIC International Film Festival
  • AWARD OF MERIT: DOCUMENTARY FEATURE & ORIGINAL SCOREI mpact Docs Awards
  • WINNER: Honorable Mention: Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival APRIL 2021
  • WINNER: Honorable Mention: London International Monthly Film Festival APRIL 2021
  • SEMI FINALIST: Serbest International Film Festival
  • OFFICIAL SELECTION: Arrow International Film Festival
Director Biography - Timothy Kiley

Timothy is Assistant News Director for a group of TV stations in the Palms Springs area. He has worked as a Photojournalist, Assignment Manager and Assistant News Director.

Before working in news he worked as a film loader, camera assistant, location scout and has produced and shot several documentary and short projects.

One particular short film made it into a film festival in New York. It screened the week of September 11th, 2001.

The experience of being in New York on 9/11 changed his focus toward Journalism, and he has never looked back.

Timothy, his wife Ellen Eastwood and three daughters live in Southern California in the mountains above San Bernardino.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I am so proud to submit a documentary that is very important to me personally and that I think has a timely and urgent impact.

My Documentary “Lens Flares: Trauma in Journalism” highlights the need for Journalists to be aware of their own mental health and for the general public to understand what the media endures on a daily basis in a time when those in the news have been vilified.

Journalists are on the front lines when tragedy and disaster strike. They deal with trauma and drama on a regular basis. In newsrooms all across the country, Journalists, Photojournalists, Producers, Directors, Editors all deal with tragedy sometimes on a daily basis. The longer someone works in news, the more desensitized they can become.
This project explores how Journalists should deal with the build up of trauma and what happens if they don’t.

This is extremely personal for me. My journey into news started when I found myself in New York City on 9/11. I explore my own journey along with several intimate conversations with some that have left the business and others that continue to work in the news.

I believe this piece can spark many important conversations for those inside and outside the news business and I hope to have the opportunity to show it to as many people as possible.