Working with Film
Working with film was a unique experience that I am not completely sure that I liked. It was very different from what I am used to which is digital work. I felt like the medium was more restricting but on further thought, restricting in a different way than digital. For example, you only get one try with film and have to be very careful with the way you shoot. You have to make sure your light is on par, measure distance well, and position your camera just right. Once you take your shot, that’s it, it's done forever.
Film does allow for some more flexibility with in-camera effects however, as you can do double exposures and amazing blur effects that in my opinion cannot be truly replicated. I liked the grain the film provided and in my opinion it is more authentic in appearance than digital. I think it’s perceived authenticity comes from the phantom-like appearance it has. I feel like film makes everything look like a ghost, almost as if traces real life were snatched away and preserved forever. I feel like the skeletons of reality appear on film, and I think it works well for that sort of effect.
Speaking of phantoms and ghosts, and also authenticity, Stan Brakhage's work embodies reality being snatched away in my opinion. From the works sampled in the presentation today, I felt like I was perceiving time and space on a different level of understanding. I love how Brakhage interprets reality and represents abstractions on film. His home videos are even better, and I've always admired the intimacy behind his work. It feels like Brakhage's soul is speaking to you through the medium, and even though I've watched his films such as Mothlight and Window Water Baby Moving many times, it always feels like I am perceiving a life for the first time. It's refreshing cinema.
George Kuchar was also refreshing in terms of his energy. He felt so child-like and I really enjoyed how much fun he obviously had in putting together his films. He's absolutely hilarious, and to be honest, I wish he was still here with us today so I could ask him a few questions about his films. Being taught by him must have been amazing. I can't imagine having a dull conversation with him. Overall, sampling his work reminded me that sometimes you have to remember to have lots of fun while making a film and you don't have to be absolutely serious all of the time. And secondly, parody can be just as much of an art form as other genres so don't be afraid to do them.
Film does allow for some more flexibility with in-camera effects however, as you can do double exposures and amazing blur effects that in my opinion cannot be truly replicated. I liked the grain the film provided and in my opinion it is more authentic in appearance than digital. I think it’s perceived authenticity comes from the phantom-like appearance it has. I feel like film makes everything look like a ghost, almost as if traces real life were snatched away and preserved forever. I feel like the skeletons of reality appear on film, and I think it works well for that sort of effect.
Speaking of phantoms and ghosts, and also authenticity, Stan Brakhage's work embodies reality being snatched away in my opinion. From the works sampled in the presentation today, I felt like I was perceiving time and space on a different level of understanding. I love how Brakhage interprets reality and represents abstractions on film. His home videos are even better, and I've always admired the intimacy behind his work. It feels like Brakhage's soul is speaking to you through the medium, and even though I've watched his films such as Mothlight and Window Water Baby Moving many times, it always feels like I am perceiving a life for the first time. It's refreshing cinema.
George Kuchar was also refreshing in terms of his energy. He felt so child-like and I really enjoyed how much fun he obviously had in putting together his films. He's absolutely hilarious, and to be honest, I wish he was still here with us today so I could ask him a few questions about his films. Being taught by him must have been amazing. I can't imagine having a dull conversation with him. Overall, sampling his work reminded me that sometimes you have to remember to have lots of fun while making a film and you don't have to be absolutely serious all of the time. And secondly, parody can be just as much of an art form as other genres so don't be afraid to do them.
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