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Non-Narrative Experimental Film
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Experimental film, experimental cinema or avant-garde cinema is a mode of filmmaking that rigorously re-evaluates cinematic conventions and explores non-narrative forms and alternatives to traditional narratives or methods of working.[1] Many experimental films, particularly early ones, relate to arts in other disciplines: painting, dance, literature and poetry,[2] or arise from research and development of new technical resources.[3] |
What is it for? The aim of experimental filmmaking is usually to render the personal vision of an artist, or to promote interest in new technology rather than to entertain or to generate revenue, as is the case with commercial films.
FYI - The first half of this "crash course" give a really good overview of experimental film history. I've posted many of the full length versions of the films cited in the doc.
NOTE: Click through the films presented on this page and make notes as you see fit. Make a page on your class site dedicated to this project. This page is designed to help you acclimatize yourself to the ideas within the craft of experimental filmmaking. The assignment is below the examples.
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Beginner's Guide to Experimental Films
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Experimental Films of the 1940s
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Notable Experimental Films
The Man with the Movie Camera - 1929 directed by Dziga Vertov and edited by his wife Elizaveta Svilova.
Vertov's feature film, produced by the film studio VUFKU, presents urban life in the Soviet cities of Kiev, Kharkov, Moscow and Odessa.[2] It has no actors.[3] From dawn to dusk Soviet citizens are shown at work and at play, and interacting with the machinery of modern life. To the extent that it can be said to have "characters," they are the cameramen of the title, the film editor, and the modern Soviet Union they discover and present in the film.
Man with a Movie Camera is famous for the range of cinematic techniques Vertov invented, deployed or developed, such as double exposure, fast motion, slow motion, freeze frames, jump cuts, split screens, Dutch angles, extreme close-ups, tracking shots, reversed footage, stop motion animations and self-reflexive visuals (at one point it features a split-screen tracking shot; the sides have opposite Dutch angles).
Vertov's feature film, produced by the film studio VUFKU, presents urban life in the Soviet cities of Kiev, Kharkov, Moscow and Odessa.[2] It has no actors.[3] From dawn to dusk Soviet citizens are shown at work and at play, and interacting with the machinery of modern life. To the extent that it can be said to have "characters," they are the cameramen of the title, the film editor, and the modern Soviet Union they discover and present in the film.
Man with a Movie Camera is famous for the range of cinematic techniques Vertov invented, deployed or developed, such as double exposure, fast motion, slow motion, freeze frames, jump cuts, split screens, Dutch angles, extreme close-ups, tracking shots, reversed footage, stop motion animations and self-reflexive visuals (at one point it features a split-screen tracking shot; the sides have opposite Dutch angles).
Man With the Movie Camera
Man Ray by Mario Luna
Mothlight
The Untutored Eye
Assignment 2023
In this project we will explore the many skill sets needed to produce visuals and the sonics required to produce a short film. In phase one of his project we will work systemically and include elements of chance in our work
Students will work on three films as a collaboration.
Each one of the films will require one student to create the visuals one student to create the narrative/voice over track and another student to create the soundtrack.
Each segment will be 60 seconds in length and will be assembled without any further editing.
We will then rotate groups so each student gets a chance to create the visuals, the narrative, and the soundtrack.
The only pre-planning will be on theme. Group will decide on a mood or concept for the piece and then separate and create the elements.
In the second phase of the project we will do something similar but with more direct collaboration. The three person team you assemble will create one more short experimental film but will communicate throughout the process and can work synchronously on it.
The effectiveness of this project hinges on every student in class working from historical precedent. I will introduce several concepts during my presentation and your homework will be to view several video examples of experimental media works.
To make this work, please do not communicate your details to your teammates!
Students will work on three films as a collaboration.
Each one of the films will require one student to create the visuals one student to create the narrative/voice over track and another student to create the soundtrack.
Each segment will be 60 seconds in length and will be assembled without any further editing.
We will then rotate groups so each student gets a chance to create the visuals, the narrative, and the soundtrack.
The only pre-planning will be on theme. Group will decide on a mood or concept for the piece and then separate and create the elements.
In the second phase of the project we will do something similar but with more direct collaboration. The three person team you assemble will create one more short experimental film but will communicate throughout the process and can work synchronously on it.
The effectiveness of this project hinges on every student in class working from historical precedent. I will introduce several concepts during my presentation and your homework will be to view several video examples of experimental media works.
To make this work, please do not communicate your details to your teammates!
PHASE 1 - Due Sept 27
Visuals can be made by any artistic means you like but should also be driven conceptually by your theme. They can be of any duration that adds up to 60 seconds.
Atonal sound can be any non-musical expression driven by the theme word. This can be poetry, sound effects, AI generated sound etc. It should not have anything considered traditional music.
Tonal sound can be generated by any creative means desired as long as it's driven by the theme.
Try several different conceptual approaches to each element. Please reflect on the process and ry not to go with your first impulse... push the experimenting and don't be afraid to change your mind!
All files are due to my dropbox by (TBA)
sound files MUST be 60 seconds long exactly - export as 48k wav or AIFF
Video files must be 1920x1080 .mov or .m4v (Google it if you do not understand the exporting of your editing software)
Videos MUST BE 60 SECONDS LONG
Please upload all film bits here. DO NOT UPLOAD PREMIERE PROJECT FILES
https://www.dropbox.com/request/mBilhAsxNb8aBaBHzwfT
Visuals can be made by any artistic means you like but should also be driven conceptually by your theme. They can be of any duration that adds up to 60 seconds.
Atonal sound can be any non-musical expression driven by the theme word. This can be poetry, sound effects, AI generated sound etc. It should not have anything considered traditional music.
Tonal sound can be generated by any creative means desired as long as it's driven by the theme.
Try several different conceptual approaches to each element. Please reflect on the process and ry not to go with your first impulse... push the experimenting and don't be afraid to change your mind!
All files are due to my dropbox by (TBA)
sound files MUST be 60 seconds long exactly - export as 48k wav or AIFF
Video files must be 1920x1080 .mov or .m4v (Google it if you do not understand the exporting of your editing software)
Videos MUST BE 60 SECONDS LONG
Please upload all film bits here. DO NOT UPLOAD PREMIERE PROJECT FILES
https://www.dropbox.com/request/mBilhAsxNb8aBaBHzwfT
PHASE 2 - Assembly and Documentation - DUE Oct 4
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Experimental Films of the 1960's
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Intro to Kenneth Anger
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DISCONNECTED. An Award Winning Experimental Film
Student Works
Fall 2023
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Fall 2022
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