Miss Lippy is sick today.

Our substitute teacher brought up some great questions today. The one that caught my ear the most was why would some one be so angry from watching D'Est that he would make a comment like that to a professor? Im going to stop myself from thinking about that question. Mainly because I fear that it will affect my grade if I dont make some sort of effort to not tangent off about weird topics that can be loosely connected to class. Anyone can bull shit there way through these types of classes if they really want to. I want more from this class.
So the question I will go after is "What would be the best way to show D'Est?"

Im really letting this one go so give me some room here.

My concept for showing D'Est consist of a screen about 10 feet by 10 feet (the screen size should make the people in the film 1.5 scale, based on the street panning shots). This screen will be mounted on a circular track with a radius of about 15 feet. The viewers, only about 10 at a time will stand in the middle of the track in a group standing manner. As the film starts the screen will be made to run along the track only when the shot in the film is tracking or panning. When a scene is still, the screen will stand still. The screen will move at a pace that matches perfectly the pace of the pan. This movement will give the viewer a sense of seeing through a 10x10 square, out to a world where they have no control over the corse of sight. Almost a "Being John Malkovich" kind of view.
I think by using this way of viewing you can evoke a crowded feeling and also keep the attention of the viewer by involving their motor skills and what not. Though I think it may be advantageous to shortening the viewing times from the full two hours to about half an hour. Not really sure about that I guess. But this is my perfect idea and in that little world no one says peep about showing separate shorter clips of D'Est.

Day four, I met my first film major (expletive deleted) today!

I feel bad. I know I am supposed to be thinking about film things for this and thinking about D'Est. Every time I think of the scenes from D'Est I hear the words of Jello Biafra! Im really happy about that because I think they fit, its like a link in my brain that helps me remember both experiences. Maybe they will help me remember them both more completely? Or maybe Im going to fail out of class and fight the man? Who knows?

Oh my me, its day three.

Wow. What to say about D'Est. Lets get the bad out of the way first. The sound once again was either recorded to loud or the speakers in that room cant handle what they are asked to put out. That is basically my only complaint about the film.
Suffice to say, I really did like this film. The images were definitely strong enough to not constitute a narrative. I dont quite understand the "documentary bordering on fiction" idea though. I blame myself for this.
The main idea or feeling I got from D'Est was that the tempo of life is vastly different there than it is here. The film helps this feeling along not only by it imagery but by how long the images are shown and at what pace the camera is panned along. The pan shots were great, only being trumped by a couple "key" shots. These key shots for me include the ladies picking what to me appear to be potatoes, the men walking in the cold, the ladies trying to catch a ride and the man quietly destroying a plate of food. Kudos to the man for showing me how a man really eats. I have been emasculated at the diner table.
The ladies working was something I could only compare to the old guy at Wal-Mart who greets you (I know in Wausau they always have them). But these are people grandmother, I cant think of anyones Grandmother that I know who works in a field like that. Let alone sticking their thumbs out for a lift. The cultures clashed and I am humbled.
Oddly enough I had to walk to school this morning. This wouldnt have been a big deal to me had I not went skateboarding last night, stayed up to late doing home work (almost a lie) and not affording myself enough time for the walk this morning. It sucked, it wasnt cold, but my legs were killing me by the time I walked into the theater. Now that I think about it my legs still arent feeling so good. Any who, watching the men walk in the cold made me think about all of the people who will not go anywhere unless they can get a ride. Rubbish I say! I have a bunch of buddies back home who bike around all the time and see their cars as a burden thrust upon them only in the cold cold winter months. Myself, I have been known to walk a fare distance or just skate if I want to get somewhere. But these men dont have a choice I would presume. They do it and that is life to them.
I think this film could be used as a tool to help teach Americans to suck it up and stop being so prissy. I love that about it.



p.s. I posting this after mid night because I went a saw Jello Biafra speak on campus. Those who werent there missed out.

Day two of five!

Day two on this lonely island of a five day blog. The food has ran out, I used my last flare to light my last cigarette and the leaves I use are starting to make my butt itch. I fear I may not last the night let alone four more days. The good news is while I may die, this island has an internet connection. I havent been much able to think of film, though when I have I put it on my youtube account. Please, if and when I die, let it live on in my name. Enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Biesus