Behind the Lens: Interview with Karla Murthy, Director of The Gas Station Attendant

Director Karla Murthy has detailed the production and funding of the documentary The Gas Station Attendant in a recent interview with WKAR Public Media. The project received major funding from PBS and the John D. Rockefeller III Fund, according to WKAR.

Funding and Production of The Gas Station Attendant

The documentary was developed as part of the POV series, which focuses on independent documentaries. WKAR Public Media reported that the financial backing for the project came from the John D. Rockefeller III Fund and PBS. These contributions supported the filming and editorial processes required to bring the story to a public broadcast audience.

Murthy’s work on the film involved capturing the daily operations and personal narratives associated with gas station environments. The production sought to highlight the intersection of labor and personal identity within these specific commercial spaces.

POV Series and Public Media Distribution

By airing through POV and WKAR, the film utilizes a public media distribution model. This model relies on a combination of institutional grants and corporate sponsorships to fund content that may not fit traditional commercial broadcast requirements. According to WKAR, the partnership with PBS allows the documentary to reach a wider national audience while maintaining independent directorial control.

The project emphasizes the role of the gas station attendant not merely as a service provider, but as a witness to the movement and transit of people across different geographic and social strata. Murthy’s approach in the Behind the Lens segment focused on the technical and narrative choices made to represent these workers.