Showing posts with label About Me. Show all posts
Showing posts with label About Me. Show all posts
29.10.09
Introduc-shun
4:01 PM
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“…the experience of apprehending, the adventure of seeing, the ‘wondering’ vision.”
– Introduction to the Brakhage Scrapbook
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UPDATE 6/01/2014:
UPDATE 6/01/2014:
If,
while no doubt on your way to more worthwhile destinations, you happen
to have somehow stumbled on to this site within the past good while, you
were likely left with the impression that it had been abandoned. That
impression, though understandable, is not entirely accurate...
During
that time the majority of my focus was spent preparing and applying for
archival graduate programs, whilst staving off the nervous breakdown
always seemingly just around the corner. Alas, what little energy
usually left was all but obliterated by the train wreck of a platform
that is Blogger. Thankfully, that part of the process is coming to an
end, and enthusiasm for this endeavor has been renewed. I was very
fortunate to be able to consider several great programs, but in the end
decided the Preservation and Presentation of the Moving Image program at
the University of Amsterdam was the best fit for me...
Once
I've gotten settled in (having lived my entire life in Salt Lake City
I'm sure the cultural transition will be seamless), I'm hoping that I
will be able to use some of the same methodologies and areas of focus
and apply them to something a little more ambitious and expansive. If
that sounds overly nebulous at the moment it's because I'm not quite
sure what form it will take (except that it won't be on Blogger,
dammit). Up to this point I've been fairly limited in what I could get
my hands on, and as a result the focus has largely been on established,
well documented (American) filmmakers. I hope the relocation will bring
greater flexibility, which I would like to use to start exploring
lesser documented artists from a much wider range of nationalities...
This
site has been a great opportunity to come in to contact with many very
passionate individuals that I likely would not have met otherwise, and
for that I'm very grateful. I don't feel as though I've done a whole
lot to contribute to this community in the way I would like, especially
when it comes to newer artists working in younger formats, but by
pursuing this path I hoping I can work towards something more
substantial...
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UPDATE 1/23/13:
As the two or three people (a generous
figure I'm sure) who regularly follow this blog might have noticed,
I've slowly trended away from the creation of original content and
instead assumed a move towards something resembling an archive of
sorts. This is somewhat based on mild weariness of my own words, but
also on my increasing interest in the archival field as a potential
career path. Many of the various documents on this blog have served
as a lifeblood for me, and my primary motivation in uploading
them has been to allow others who are in similar situations away from
“cultural hubs” to have access and hopefully experience similar
revelations. On a related note, I would like to briefly mention a
word concerning a very valid criticism of this blog, namely that
there is a noted lack of materials on recent works. This should not
in any way be considered indicative of my interests, as I have no
doubt there is a wide range of enlightening work continually being
made. Rather this is purely a matter of access, much to my dismay
I'm lucky to see one or two new works each year. I'm hoping that in
the future this will change as I finish with my schooling and
transition to a place with more viewing opportunities. Until that
time, however, I will simply try to do the best with what I have. As
always if any filmmakers come across this site and are in need of any
help, no matter how trivial it may be, I urge you to let me know, as
I'm eager to be of assistance in whatever way I can...
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I am fervently determined to be involved in supporting this community one way or another , and currently that is manifesting itself as a desire (perhaps delusion) to eventually embark on my own critical examinations of experimental and avant-garde film (spurred on by Sitney's repeated mention of an increasing void in this sector amongst the youth). Until I am able to complete my general education and it is financially feasible to pursue a more specified area of study I am limited in my developmental possibilities, but I figure I have made considerable strides studying on my own, and to continue in that direction I should just start writing. The most practical option seems to be a blog, and despite the shallow nature often associated with such devices, I think it can be of some use, if only for myself. Having mainly stayed afloat on my own it will be likely that many times my thoughts veer (wildly) off-track or are downright misguided (I claim no authority whatsoever), so if anyone wiser than I stumbles upon this blog and would like correct my course I would very much appreciate it. (Occasionally, and partly for the sake of variety, I will PIVOT into other areas that are of great value and interest to me, mainly the mysteries and splendors of light itself, sequence or long-form poems, which have provided much inspiration for many of the greatest film artists and thus will be a very suitable topic to explore, and blues or free-jazz music).
As it relates specifically to works made on celluloid, from the outset I want to make it clear that I have damn near literally pursued almost every method available to me to get a chance to these works ON FILM. I have absolute reverence for the medium and its possibilities, but as a student it is a constant struggle to have access to the finances needed to rent from [invaluable] institutions like Canyon Cinema or the Co-op (though I do make a concerted effort, and do save up enough to make personal rentals as frequently as I'm able to). I have filed for grants, put on presentations to local sponsors and have pleaded with the local film society, but so far I have been largely met with the same polite disregard each time. As such I find myself occasionally having to pursue other inferior forms for opportunities to see the work of artists I so admire, and as such the majority of the examinations I attempt here will be largely based on those formats (I fully recognize that in such situations I have not truly seen the film).
I would also like to aid my examinations with visual cues, but unfortunately certain artists can be rather difficult to get a hold of. It is my hope that these artists or those affiliated with the artists will understand that my use of the visual cues are being done so with the utmost respect for the material, and are not being employed exploitatively. In any case if any such artists are offended by my use of their material I post here, please let me know AND I WILL REMOVE IT IMMEDIATELY.
If any artists come across this blog and feel generous enough to give me the opportunity to examine their films I would be IMMENSELY grateful, or if any institutions have access to sixteen millimeter films and would potentially be willing to work out some sort of loan agreement I would do whatever work was necessary. I would also like to use this blog as a way to announce events or releases, so please contact me if you would like me to do so.
(credit for the title goes fully to James Broughton, whose work of the same name occupies a space that whatever I do will never be worthy of)
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