Experimental Film

Experimental film makers have definitely in my opinion been over shadowed by mainstream 'Hollywood' producers and their originality and unique blend of provoking a reaction as well as leaving the audience searching for a storyline has a selection of film fans hooked. The main purpose of experimental film is to challenge the mainstream, creating films which differ from the normal concepts of film in each genre. In some cases the film isn't given a genre, or doesn't suggest one. I find these particular experimental films contest mankind's existance often through creating new worlds and creatures. Sometimes, experimental film makers present their ideas and beliefs with a surrealist theme, Matthew Barney's 'The Cremaster Cycle' is a good example of a film maker producing very surreal and suggestions of symbolism through certain character representations. Here is a made up trailer for the entire Cremaster collection which spans over 8 years with 5 individual films;



As you can see from the trailer there are a number ideas suggested. I find that Barney has generated a metaphoric world to which he comments on human behaviours and mannerisms. There is also a strong element of sexual development as some of his characters represent human organs. For me Matthew Barneys work is quite refreshing as it's instantly bizarre scenery filled with mysterical creatures questions society's perception of artistic film.

Another experimental film artist I have looked at is Luther Price. Observing the opressive intensity and nature of Price's work he is fairly similar to the work of Matthew Barney. In many respects both experimental film artists invite the observers imagination into a uniquely pyschopathetic universe resulting in an isolated feeling of limbo as your mind is captured for the duration of the film.

Here are some snapshots of Luther Price's work.




As you can see from these pictures there is a strong horror element to which is the foundation for all of his films.



Despite looking at the work of Luther Price I believe it's aggressive and perculiar nature is too overwhelming to contemplate including into my work.

Initial ideas for my film

Having looked at the influences and inspirations for modern film makers. The sense that I could create an idea for an original short film seems daunting yet challenging.
I began by looking at scenes from films in which a reaction is provoked. The most accessible film I looked at with a graphic idea is in a scene from American History X where the lead role Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton) brutally kicks a mans face against a curb having shot him after the man was attempting to break into Vinyard's truck.



Obviously, the concept of this scene is very hard to recreate and is almost inhumane which makes it all the more shocking.

Films with scenes which test and challenge the audience's morality and nerve are in my opinion some of the most successful ever made. One film scene in particular which has stuck vividly in my mind since I first watched it is the 'Russian Roulette' scene from 'The Deer Hunter' 1978. I first heard about this film when my Dad recommended me watching it to draw me away from becoming to naive towards mainstream films. The film was one of the most exceptional pieces of film making I felt I'd ever seen and what I find most inspiring is how the characters communicate feelings onto the camera. To me, this is the height of film making, producing and directing a film which seems so natural and reflective of a different culture and people is to my mind one of the greatest achievements mankind has produced in modern day society.

With this I feel I am going to try and capture the audience's reaction to certain film scenes in an effort to distinguish what exactly the film is trying to do. This I find will justify what the director was hoping to achieve. Films I am considering using for this idea are;

- American History X (1998) : Edward Nortons brutally horrific actions in the 'curb stomping' scene. I hope to exploit the graphic and striking reality of neo-nazi extremism by making my mother view the entire scene.



- The Hurt locker (2008) : Kathryn Bigelow's account of the bomb disposal team in Iraq features an eye-opening emotive scene of desperation and the innocence of people involved in war.



- The Deer Hunter (1978) : Russian Roulette Scene which provokes panic and fear amongst the american soldiers.



- Pulp Fiction (1994) : Adrenaline to the heart scene to revive the overdosed Uma Thurman.



I have purchased a tape to film the reactions to these scenes and have borrowed a camera from college to use for filming. I am deabting using my sister as a subject to film as I am aware that she hasn't seen the films, which would act as an advantage for the reactions. I will post the success of these tests in a future post.

Mainstream Films 'Hollywood'

The Hollywood film industry is one of the most successful and popular brands of film across a wide range of genres and is the easiest to access by the general public. I think that the reason for this success is down to the fact that these producers are able to create a storyline, which in most circumstances, can be followed with interest and enthusiasm. Most mainstream films are adaptations of novels written either months or years in advance of any development or potential idea of making it into a film. One of the most famous and recognisable series of films which follows a storyline created by the author J.K Rowling is the life of 'Harry Potter'. Here is a trailer of the upcoming film 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'.



If you have followed the films from the very beginning, you may have noticed and therefore understand the progression and speed of technology which is now producing high quality special effects and creating an overall more enhanced cinematic experience.

Another famous Hollywood blockbuster is the 1975 Steven Spielberg film 'Jaws' which, as suggested from the title, features a seaside town called Amity being troubled by a great white shark.



The film is a good example of the power of Hollywood as the production has become a cult icon. I would even say it has made people more aware of swimming in the water.

A more recent film to hit the box office is Christopher Nolan's 2010 masterpiece 'Inception' which stars Leonardo Dicaprio amongst others as the protagonist Cobb. The main attraction and appeal of the film comes from the intense and complicated twists and turns of the storyline.



I found this film to be a huge success and almost the next step in how far directors and actors can take filming in the modern age.

As with development of technology, the film industry is now releasing blockbusters with the ability to watch in 3D. A significant increase in the entertainment value you will be recieving when watching the next big film. So at the moment, the domination of Hollywood is always increasing with popularity and coverage, reaching nearly every cinema screen worldwide.

History of Film

Film or a moving image was created from using a series of photographs to suggest that the subject matter was indeed moving. The first device to support this idea was called a Zoescope. Taken from this idea of using a series of still photographs, a zoescope was designed in a circle to allow for the photographs to spin within the circle at a certain speed to create this illusion. Here is a picture which demonstrates this idea with a man on a horse. This was also used as evidence to suggest that all of a horses legs are raised from the ground at one moment whilst the horse is running.



Early film makers such as the Lumiere Brothers were considered two of the first film makers to produce films and screen them to the public. The brothers produced a series of short film clips beginning with 'La Sortie de l'Usine Lumière à Lyon' which is interpreted into its English title of 'Workers Leaving the Lumiere Factory'.

I find that when you watch the film you can see the ambition and creativity is present to their style of work.



When we compare to the film quality being produced today, the concept of this film seems very simple yet its significance for inspiring many of the film producers and directors of the modern age enhances the impact of the film.

With most early films there was no storyline or narrative for the audience to follow which was resolved in 1905 by Cecil Hepworth who produced a short film featuring a man and a dog called 'Rescued by Rover'.



This film was also recognized for it's clever use of continuity editing which shows Rover exiting from one side of the screen and entering from the same side in the next shot. Also another important film as far as film techniques and development is concerned.

The introduction of comedy into early silent films was brought about, i certainly believe, to be by Buster Keaton. I find that his most genius and entertaining film was 'The Goat' 1921 which defined comedy from all other genres.



I have chosen to include this, because i find that Keaton has an exceptional way of presenting what the actor is thinking and illustrating the storyline without the use of sound. The simple style of slapstick comedy is clearly present and definitely makes the film look far more witty with a diverse range of practical jokes.