Tuesday, February 20, 2007
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?
Monday, February 19, 2007
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.
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.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
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
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Day one, and I feel fine.
O.k. Starting the 5 day journey a little late, but I can get this done. Since I missed class Monday Ill just go to talking about my most resent thoughts on school and class in general.
My friend, Josh Dirks (also a film major), and I went to see the "So You Want to be a Film Maker" presentation on thursday. I was shocked at how few people were in the room. Including Josh and I there were less than ten people in the room. How many film majors are in this school. Granted Im sure some people would not need the type of information that was spoken about in the lecture. And Im sure some people have heard it before. But that still, in my mind, doesn't add up to how few people attended. How serious are you? I don't want to evoke any "holier than tho" attitude here, but I just really expected more people in the room.
The good thing is after the second lecture I attended, on grant writing, I met up with my girlfriend in the main hall of the building and we listened to the orchestra for a good ten minutes. Thats when this feeling came over me of happiness. My own personal journey to get to this school was a hell of a lot bumpier than my experience enrolling for school up in Wausau at the UWMC. But Im here now, surrounded by like minded people just like I hoped to be. I see past it some times because Im human. The new feeling that came over me was the fact that not only am I surrounded by fellow film makers, but by people perusing a passion of music, painting, dance and a bunch of other forms of beauty. Im a big believer in a collective consciousness. With this energy (vibe or feeling) around me I feel I can be pushed to do things with more meaning and effort. Im just stoked.
My friend, Josh Dirks (also a film major), and I went to see the "So You Want to be a Film Maker" presentation on thursday. I was shocked at how few people were in the room. Including Josh and I there were less than ten people in the room. How many film majors are in this school. Granted Im sure some people would not need the type of information that was spoken about in the lecture. And Im sure some people have heard it before. But that still, in my mind, doesn't add up to how few people attended. How serious are you? I don't want to evoke any "holier than tho" attitude here, but I just really expected more people in the room.
The good thing is after the second lecture I attended, on grant writing, I met up with my girlfriend in the main hall of the building and we listened to the orchestra for a good ten minutes. Thats when this feeling came over me of happiness. My own personal journey to get to this school was a hell of a lot bumpier than my experience enrolling for school up in Wausau at the UWMC. But Im here now, surrounded by like minded people just like I hoped to be. I see past it some times because Im human. The new feeling that came over me was the fact that not only am I surrounded by fellow film makers, but by people perusing a passion of music, painting, dance and a bunch of other forms of beauty. Im a big believer in a collective consciousness. With this energy (vibe or feeling) around me I feel I can be pushed to do things with more meaning and effort. Im just stoked.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Lasse Gjertsen
I went and checked out the video dump (is that right?) web site that was brought up in class. Before I had a chance I thought, if something by Lasse Gjertsen is not on there, something is wrong. I ran across some of his work not so long ago and was blown away. All the lonely anime girl stuff is just not for me. High school ended a long time ago and I dont want to hear about it from some stranger. But Lasse Gjertsen's work makes up for all the crap (im sorry but it is) thats on youtube. Youtube has everything from fights filmed with cell phones to Japanese girls looking for tips on her golf swing. Gjertsen is what I go to look for. I have found a couple other good peoples work to (cant remember them right now). Maybe there should be a separate section for people who actually create art on the youtube site? I know Id be stoked on it. Also did anyone else see the preview for the show "The Lot"? Its a reality tv show about aspiring film makers. Im looking forward to that.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
If that question was a turkey sandwich I would eat it with mustard and mayo.
What if Bill Gates gave Vito Acconci a million dollars to do his next film?
(For starters Ill take the most realistic approach that I can think of.)
The notice that the world would take on Gates giving Acconci a million dollars would be in direct proportion to the notice of a million dollars missing from Gates's bank account. What does that guy have now, like enough money to buy the stock market? If Bush were smart he would ask Gates to fund his war instead of us. The guy is so rich he should clone himself and will himself his own fortune. If he doesnt will himself his own fortune it would take him from now until he died to make a will. This way he just says, "I will my Scrooge McDuck sized bank account to me." Done.
(Now a different view.)
I dont know what would be considered a big budget for an experimental film but Ill just assume that one million would be real big. Remember when Green Day signed the first big corporate deal for a "punk rock" band? Green Day got called sell outs and there was a big media hub bub about it. When you look back, it was a double pay off for the band. They got a bucket of money and more free advertisement than they could wish for. They would have to make an album of just farts to not sell 10 million records. I think the same thing would happen if Gates gave Acconci a million. He would be called a sell out, shunned by his peers, the media would have him on Entertainment Tonight and Oprah the next day, he would go make his movie and the public would buy in to whatever he did.
On a side note, I never liked Green Day and I dont see why the punk rock community even responded. I think they proved that they sold out so many years ago by the type of music they make today.
(and now, a completely different view)
Vito gets the million, starts a high definition streaming web sight thats free to the public and spends the rest of his life on a floor in front of a couch smoking cigarettes listening to great records begging for someone to be inside of him. A week after the sight goes up the world has its first live in HD streaming death because you cant live on cigarettes, begging and good tunes.
(For starters Ill take the most realistic approach that I can think of.)
The notice that the world would take on Gates giving Acconci a million dollars would be in direct proportion to the notice of a million dollars missing from Gates's bank account. What does that guy have now, like enough money to buy the stock market? If Bush were smart he would ask Gates to fund his war instead of us. The guy is so rich he should clone himself and will himself his own fortune. If he doesnt will himself his own fortune it would take him from now until he died to make a will. This way he just says, "I will my Scrooge McDuck sized bank account to me." Done.
(Now a different view.)
I dont know what would be considered a big budget for an experimental film but Ill just assume that one million would be real big. Remember when Green Day signed the first big corporate deal for a "punk rock" band? Green Day got called sell outs and there was a big media hub bub about it. When you look back, it was a double pay off for the band. They got a bucket of money and more free advertisement than they could wish for. They would have to make an album of just farts to not sell 10 million records. I think the same thing would happen if Gates gave Acconci a million. He would be called a sell out, shunned by his peers, the media would have him on Entertainment Tonight and Oprah the next day, he would go make his movie and the public would buy in to whatever he did.
On a side note, I never liked Green Day and I dont see why the punk rock community even responded. I think they proved that they sold out so many years ago by the type of music they make today.
(and now, a completely different view)
Vito gets the million, starts a high definition streaming web sight thats free to the public and spends the rest of his life on a floor in front of a couch smoking cigarettes listening to great records begging for someone to be inside of him. A week after the sight goes up the world has its first live in HD streaming death because you cant live on cigarettes, begging and good tunes.
Where was the split pea soup and head spinning
Beneath the Skin by Cecelia Condit
I may be the only one but the volume bothered me a little in this video. I seamed kind of loud. It took away from the video a little for me. I really liked the over lapping of projector over live action. I always have liked that affect. Ive seen it in a couple of movies that didnt have a huge budget or where before technology had a ton of influence and options. It works great and I hope people never stop using it. It served its purpose well here. The song also stuck in my mind, which isnt surprising because Im driven by audio. Or so im realizing every time I write one of these friggen blogs! The song just had such a nice flow. It changed almost randomly and kept me on edge. "Where is this song going next!" I said in my head, "G.I. Joe, Thats fucking great, whats next!" This one ran a little long for me but I assume its just preference. The OCD crowd should love it.
I may be the only one but the volume bothered me a little in this video. I seamed kind of loud. It took away from the video a little for me. I really liked the over lapping of projector over live action. I always have liked that affect. Ive seen it in a couple of movies that didnt have a huge budget or where before technology had a ton of influence and options. It works great and I hope people never stop using it. It served its purpose well here. The song also stuck in my mind, which isnt surprising because Im driven by audio. Or so im realizing every time I write one of these friggen blogs! The song just had such a nice flow. It changed almost randomly and kept me on edge. "Where is this song going next!" I said in my head, "G.I. Joe, Thats fucking great, whats next!" This one ran a little long for me but I assume its just preference. The OCD crowd should love it.
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