Reading Response # 3

For this response, I chose Scott MacDonald's "Introduction to Avant-Garde Film". This article particularly appealed to me because I have been studying the Avant-Garde movement this semester in my Film History course. It was familiar subject matter, yet informed me about a few other developments I didn't learn in class.

MacDonald often speaks of Avant-Garde film arising as a way for filmmakers to communicate outside of the Hollywood structure. All countries at one point in early 1900s had to compete with the large Hollywood machine and many directors ended up working for it at the end of their careers. The differences between surrealist movies and abstract movies are also discussed; both of these film genres had a common goal however: to make human's internalizations external. MacDonald jumps backwards at this point to talk about Muybridge's extraordinary work in the movement of film with a grid system and the Lumiere Brothers' single-shot films focusing on every day events in our world. Though this is clearly an excerpt from a much larger book, MacDonald does a great job of introducing us to what we're encounter further.

The Avant-Garde movement has always interested me as a filmmaker and as a writer. It was an amazing time in the film world: a time which I fear can never be repeated. I've always wanted to make abstract films, though the soundwalks were useful for recording more dynamic, independent material. Perhaps at some point I will rethink the footage I've collected and apply a more surrealist approach to it. But for now I am happy with my work.

Video Hardware & Software Response

1. How was your experience with the Olympus digital camera? How did it compare with other still or video cameras you have previously used? Were you able to successfully implement your Image Capturing Strategies using the features of this camera? In an ideal world, how would your still/video camera of choice function?

The Olympus camera was very easy to use and much like the digital camera I already own. Though it was limiting in some respects, it was an interesting experience to create a movie within these confines. I was able to effectively use the Image Capturing Strategies with just the camera’s most basic modes. My main problem with the Olympus was its inability to zoom while recording; it was tricky to always edit shots to achieve this effect.

2. Discuss your choice of video-editing software and describe your history with this software. If you used this software for the first time, explain why you chose this particular application and how you think it helped you to accomplish your creative goals (or proved detrimental). Will you use this software again for future projects?

I used Quicktime Pro and it was my first time using it. I’m still not familiar with everything about the program and would like to learn more in the remaining duration of the class. I own a PC and was obviously limited with what software choices were available. I do plan on using Quicktime Pro for more assignments once I truly understand all its functions.