Tuesday, March 27 (3)

Last class we had Vladimir the storytelling clicker-viewer artist come in from Oregon. I will admit, I think that it is a bit ridiculous to tell a story through this method. But I also am intrigued by what Mr. Bogner touched on in terms of the idea that this story controls how we view the images and therefore we are bound, not able to control the destiny at all. I suppose that is the same for most narrative stories, but this way it seemed to control me, making me move the narrative when it wanted me to. The thing that I thought about all of these short stories (which I thought were beautifully crafted and interesting) is that they would be absolutely beautiful side stories in a feature length film, but would not work as a film on their own. I thought the stories worked well through the viewer as a short story, but I do not think they would stand alone as a film. I wonder why that is. I especially liked the story of the man and the machinery. I thought that it could really be a touching addition to another story, or stand alone, untouched in the format that it is currently in.

Tuesday, March 27 (2)

I did not know if I had to make a post when I was on break, but I wrote one down in my notebook just in case. We obviously had no class, so no specific art to reflect upon. However, as I was reviewing for a meeting with the film curator at the Walker Art Center (an acquantance of Mr. Bogner's), I thought very deeply about what my year at UW-Milwaukee's film school has done for me. I believe that I have mentioned before that narrative film was how I came to be in love with film. And it remains my passion. However, as I work through this class and my Basic I film project, I have become painfully aware, much to my chagrin, that experimental film has found a place in my heart. I still do not want to believe that I have come to learn from experimental film, as I began this class as a bit of a snob toward it. However, I find, especially in thinking about my Basic I film, that it provides such interesting opportunities that a narrative film cannot really delve into. I am not saying that either is better of course, that is a matter of opinion. But I have come to respect the differences and how they can connect a filmmaker to their audience in unique and beautiful ways.

Tuesday, March 27

I have a bit of a backlog of posts that I am going to put up tonight since I did not have access to a computer over Spring Break. The Wednesday before break, I visited the camera obscura that was set up close to downtown. I really did not think that it would be that intriguing, but it surprised me. There was such a beauty to have an outdoor scene projected onto a wall, a ceiling, etc. I really was not so impressed with what I saw set up, but that was made with pretty limited resources. I thought the beauty in the images from the Powerpoint presentation was incredible. That in itself reminded me of really amazing special effects like in Donnie Darko and other films. I really think that seeing a sky in a place where it does not belong is kind of magical. And capturing that as an artform is genius in its simplicity.

Monday, March 5

I feel like I owe this class, and Kerrie a bit of an apology. Since the beginning of this class, and even before so, I have had a certain bitterness toward some experimental film. I have thought it pedantic and pointless in many cases, with a touch of arrogance. The problem is that, many times, I still see it this way. But, really, I have too much respect for Carl Bogner and Kerrie to think that this mode of filmmaking is really only that. I believe there really is a reason that Experimental Film exists outside of a narrative. Although I prefer when experimental techniques are adopted into a narrative format, why should this be the only way that it is used? Through and through, my passion is narrative film. However, I believe this class has already begun to reshape how I can look at narrative. Viewing these pieces that convey unconventional methods of filmmaking, I believe, is going to make me a better filmmaker and able to reach a larger scope of people. I will be able to show what I wish to do through a more unconventional and creative manner, and I really am grateful to this class for that.