Behind the Camera: An Interview with Jim Vanness
Written by Ruby Her
I walked into Collectivo Coffee anticipating a quick interview. Jim Vanness, however, had other plans.
When we first sat down after our run of ordering refreshments—a caramel matcha for me and a tea for him—, he slipped a tablet from his bag and pulled up a compilation of his work. “The best way is to show you,” he said. With the blink of an eye, I was watching dancers fold into each other, rolling and leaning in ways that feel effortless but are doing everything otherwise. Just as my eyes settled on the screen, a recent fashion show from The Vault pops up: a model walking, another enticing the audience with a dance in the center, and designs catching the light on small details you might otherwise miss.
By the time the video came to an end, I could not help but stare in awe. Who knew this interview was going to become a short film festival?! In the compilation of his work—decades of videos spanning dance, nature, and quiet human moments—it was easier to see why Jim kept coming back: he gets to witness people fully in their element, whether they are spinning across a studio floor or strifing down a makeshift runway.
Jim founded The Vault through student fashion shows, before the space even existed. He explained that over time, the pandemic shifted communities he had volunteered in, and The Vault and The Issue became his main connections. What’s most remarkable about Jim isn’t just the breadth of his work, but the way he cultivates presence. Whether he is behind the camera, on a bike trail, or in conversation, there’s an attentiveness he embodies that seems to slow the world down just enough to notice the little things: the subtle curl of a dancer’s hand, the shimmer of fabric in light, the quiet joy in someone discovering movement.
Over the years, Jim has captured countless moments that might have slipped by: a fleeting glance between performers, a whispered laugh backstage, the precise arc of motion in contact improvisation. In talking with him, it became clear that his dedication is rooted in genuine joy. He remembers the student-run fashion shows that first sparked The Vault, the thrill of seeing emerging designers take the stage and the quiet pride in watching participants push themselves beyond what they thought possible. Even through challenges like the pandemic, Jim found ways to stay connected to the community he helped build, shifting spaces and opportunities so that creativity could continue to thrive.
Outside of The Vault, Jim’s love of motion takes other forms. Cycling for up to 15 hours a week, he channels the same energy he brings to filming into physical practice. Pushing, exploring, and observing. His time studying psychology at UW-Madison during the ‘60s and ‘70s, combined with decades of experience as a dance videographer, has shaped a unique perspective: one that values patience, empathy, and the profound insight that comes from moving alongside others.
For anyone who’s wandered into The Vault or caught one of its student-run fashion shows, you already know: it’s a space that celebrates risk, creativity, and the joy of discovery. And for that, we have Jim to thank for his lens, his eye, and his presence, which have shaped a community that sees, moves, and feels together.
Stepping away from our interview, I found myself reflecting on just how rare it is to witness someone so fully engaged with life. Jim’s work reminds us that creativity isn’t just about the final product; it’s about the connections, the subtle gestures, and the moments that make us feel fully alive.
If you’re looking for a reminder of what it means to witness fully, or just want to get lost in a dance, a runway, or a fleeting human moment, the next time you step into The Vault, you might just catch a glimpse of Jim’s enduring influence—and leave a little more inspired than when you arrived.
Edited by Jordyn Salahiddine-Rose and Claudia Rothberg
