EXPERIMENTAL SEMINAR

During this week we have had the opportunity to meet our new tutor, Martine. In this session she worked through some varied examples of experimental film and as a result, my eyes were opened to a broader scope of what the word 'experimental' encompasses. So far, I have been researching pieces of early french surrealist cinema, and now I understand that experimental is much more than a difficult understanding of the work. 


Blue Monday Duvet Brothers 1984
This is another example of found-footage associational form (as I researched earlier with 'A Movie'). It is a music video for New Order's 'Blue Monday', remixed from the original video. It experiments with digital video editing and juxtaposes found-footage imagery. It has a highly political message, much like 'Koyaanisqatsi', which is a trademark of the decade.

Intervals Peter Greenaway 1969
Intervals is an experimental piece set in Venice. In the piece, the details of the location are revealed very slowly and it is not until the near-end that we understand where we are. This is much unlike traditional cinema, in which the location/setting is revealed first through establishing shots etc. The relationship between sound and visuals is beautiful and we see the changes in the places shown through careful editing.

Nostalgia Hollis Frampton 1971
Nostalgia is an autobiographical piece that is made on film. Throughout, we see a series of photos burned on a hot plate. The soundtrack is the filmmaker, reminiscing and describing the photos. The images and dialogue are on very different times. At one moment we can be hearing about the photo on screen, and then we are hearing about the future, or a photo we have already seen, or are about to see. This visual/aural juxtaposition is very interesting indeed.

Star Guitar (the Chemical Brothers) Music Video by Michel Gondry 2002
This music video is a fantastic example of cinematography and editing. It is a series of moving shots that pass many different landscapes on moving vehicles, cleverly put together so that we barely notice that the shot has ended and another has begun.

Fisticuffs Miranda Pennell 2003
This piece relocates the western London bar brawl to a working men's club. Six people throw each other around and make punches at each other, but their bodies are seemingly invulnerable, with no physical damage done (inspired by westerns). The piece is highly choreographed and the location and setting s tantamount to the exact timing of the 'dance'.
Link to 'Fisticuffs' 


Telling Lies Simon Ellis 2000
An example of how text and animation can make for a highly effective experimental film. The words on screen appear to tell what each character is thinking compared to what they are saying. I found this piece unusual because it was a comedy, and I had initially not associated experimental films with the comedy genre, and also hadn't thought to use text as a creative device.
Link to 'Telling Lies' 


An Optical Poem Oskar Fishchinger 1938
This was one of the most interesting pieces that I watched. It was an experiment in creating the mental visuals associated with music. The method of making the film was just as interesting, the images drawn or collaged onto film before being reprinted.