Wells Reading Response

Wells' reading was pretty interesting along with his theories and ideas about animation. The whole orthodox vs non orthodox thing was a very new idea to me and probably something I never would have thought about if it wasn't for this reading. The elements that are applied to to experimental and orthodox animation is shocking. I have rarely found connections between say a Disney film and a Harry Smith adventure, but Well's created and pointed out the similarities quite well. They only subject that I had past knowledge of was the difference in production ideas between orthodox and non. The massive Hollywood companies insisted on hiding the talent of the major directors and animators and compiling them all under the Disney name and giving them all the credit. While other directors in live action films most of which who have a larger name for them selves, show their own creativity and are praised for it by the companies. A main fear of mine in working with films is that my creativity will be blanketed by a huge company. Idols of steering away from this bandwagon is Spike Lee and Tarantino. The reading gave a lil more indepth look into the what some would say the brain of animation production.

Cameraless Filmmaking

I am enjoying this cameraless filmmaking project so far as it is my first. Im excited about embarking on finishing my 100 frame animation and doing the rest of work in class on monday. The darkroom was exciting as this was my first time participating in a dark room exercise. I had a slight idea about the process of the dark room but had never done it hand on. It is a little hard to see in such dark room and it was hard to tell where to place items. You also only have the "one shot" in order to make a good strip. I found I did stuff I liked on the first strip but then couldn't recreate it on the second strip. But thats the excitement about experimental cameraless filmmaking, its a creative. The freedom while creating a cameraless film is amazing and endless. Im excited about having a full class period to work on my film strip. I've always enjoyed abstract art and looking at things from an alternative point of view. This class gives the artist that exact capability to do as he pleases from any artistic angle. Im excited to add the earth wind fire water aspect towards the scratching.

Scratch Film Junkies

I was impressed by the short To The Beat, by the Scratch Film Junkies. It was a slow intro but I could feel where the tempo was headed. It is called the introduction for for a reason, it slowly builds up to the main tempo for the overall film. I enjoy watching cameraless filmmaking because it is constantly different and the Scratch Film Junkies proved it. Their scratching techniques are very pleasant to watch and were executed with precision. The extreme colors of paint on top of people is beautiful and adds a unique touch to the almost always black and white films. The soundtrack was helpful with the tone that the film seemed to be going for. I would think it was constructed after the film and was thought to the enhance the overall tone. The visuals are intense and the patterns keep the viewer's attention. Having Shannon's experimental class under my belt helped me pay attention and have a greater appreciation for the film rather than a first time viewer. It made me anticipate working on our own film strips and the possibilities that are available to manipulate the strip. Overall it was an impressive short by the junkies and since I've watched a few more on youtube.