If I were to create 6x1 part deux, it would involve a super project with all the assignments from 6x1 part one combined. One would have the option of letting the project be narrative-driven, music-driven, anything-driven, etc. I wouldn't mind meeting on a weekend again to film with the bolex, or show up earlier to work on stop-motion. I personally would have liked to film with the super 8 more. Also, for assignment one, going over new manipulation techniques for the super 8 that we didn't discuss in class would be cool.
Overall, if part deux is anything like part one it would be awesome. I really loved this class because it is not like any other film class I have taken. The assignments were extremely fun. I learned camerless filmmaking, got my hands dirty, worked with super 8, worked with 16mm, experimented with different mediums, became a mad scientist, messed with sound, lived through a 48 hour video race, jammed some culture, and managed to keep some of my sanity in the end. And I grew as a filmmaker in the process.
Stop motion = 1, because moving an object and then clicking a button to create a film is amazing. I brought stationary figures to life.
48 hour video race = 2, because it is such an adrenaline rush.
Bolex project = 3, because working with a bolex camera, and 16mm film is awesome, and you don't get to do that everyday. Plus creating sound for it was fun.
Elements project = 4, because I was able to get my hands dirty and create something without a camera.
Rhythmic edit = 5, I had more fun filming this than editing it. Editing was really tedious, but why am I complaining? It turned out awesome in the end.
Found Footage project = 6, I loved working on this project especially because I loved the subject, but its something I can do in intro to editing. BUT the culture jamming aspects that we learned from this project are crucial. They were only touched apon in my intro to editing.
Although I kind of slacked off toward the end of the semester, I enjoyed doing the blogs because they made me use my brain and really reflect on very interesting information directly related to our projects. It feels cool to be part of the blogosphere too.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
The Yes Men
I like watching documentaries especially politically charged ones, so watching The Yes Men was great. These guys really have some guts to do what they do, but when you’re passionate about something then it doesn’t really matter what everyone else thinks. I personally thought that all the anti-corporate shit that they did was really inspirational, not to mention hilarious. I can’t believe the people in the room actually clapped for the “pleasure” suit demonstration, which was later sheepishly lauded in a newspaper article. Wake up and smell the damn coffee people.
I’m not a big fan of useless international corporations that say they are for the benefit of poorer countries when in reality they have a systematic bias towards rich countries, so I am happy to see that there are people out there like the Yes men. Satiric infiltration, it’s a very creative form of activism. 007 activism. That has a nice ring to it. Anyways, these guys were cut down with time and had to infiltrate these events on the go, so in that respect, project numero cinco ties in with this documentary. Our last project ties in better I think. These guys culture jammed the hell out of WTO, and that’s what I did to a much lesser extent with the fanta found footage that I worked on.
Another thing I was thinking about: Have these guys been sued for this? As far as I know, no. Then again, I would be LMAO if the WTO actually brought these guys to court. It would be more embarrassing to the WTO then it would be to the Yes men because it would show that they can’t control their own conferences, and plus it would draw popular reactions for the Yes men. U.S. Law on parody is probably what is protecting them.
I’m not a big fan of useless international corporations that say they are for the benefit of poorer countries when in reality they have a systematic bias towards rich countries, so I am happy to see that there are people out there like the Yes men. Satiric infiltration, it’s a very creative form of activism. 007 activism. That has a nice ring to it. Anyways, these guys were cut down with time and had to infiltrate these events on the go, so in that respect, project numero cinco ties in with this documentary. Our last project ties in better I think. These guys culture jammed the hell out of WTO, and that’s what I did to a much lesser extent with the fanta found footage that I worked on.
Another thing I was thinking about: Have these guys been sued for this? As far as I know, no. Then again, I would be LMAO if the WTO actually brought these guys to court. It would be more embarrassing to the WTO then it would be to the Yes men because it would show that they can’t control their own conferences, and plus it would draw popular reactions for the Yes men. U.S. Law on parody is probably what is protecting them.
Teatro Duro (rough translation)
I thought "The Rough Theatre" by Peter Brooks was a very interesting article. Although it was probably written years ago, what it says still holds true today. What's "popular" these days was not necesaily "popular" when it first came out. I am talking about documentaries, experimental film, anything non-blockbuster hollywood-esque. These to me are my rough theater, which more than not are playing at a small communithy theater, a small venue located on the second floor of a library, or a simple art house theater, hence the name art house cinema. They are the types of films you see at Jengo's playhouse. Yet, after enough rave, one of these films could evn reach Mayfaire.
Okay, let me continue to talk about the actual movies. As I said before, I believe that low-budget movies, independent film in general, documentaries, experimental film, etc. are my rough theater because they usually don't depict the same cinematography, special effects, or general quality that Hollywood films do. But because of their nature audiences forgive that. In fact their "roughness" might even enhance their subjects or their very nature. A shaky camera in a documentary bolsters the realism of the film. The 16mm of an experimental film will enhance a classic look if that is what you are after.
Even if there are inconsistencies in a film, yet everything else is well done, I will forgive it for the sake of film, and because it in many ways might mirror the "roughness" of my life.
Okay, let me continue to talk about the actual movies. As I said before, I believe that low-budget movies, independent film in general, documentaries, experimental film, etc. are my rough theater because they usually don't depict the same cinematography, special effects, or general quality that Hollywood films do. But because of their nature audiences forgive that. In fact their "roughness" might even enhance their subjects or their very nature. A shaky camera in a documentary bolsters the realism of the film. The 16mm of an experimental film will enhance a classic look if that is what you are after.
Even if there are inconsistencies in a film, yet everything else is well done, I will forgive it for the sake of film, and because it in many ways might mirror the "roughness" of my life.
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