Brakhage

The reading by Brakhage provides great detail of some of the process of creating experimental films. I like the way he starts from the very beginning of the process by explaining the different types of film and suggesting we get some to learn with. Scratch it, paint it, etc., I love the hands on approach. He gives good instructions on loading the projector and it effect on movement. I have not had the chance to load the projector yet, but when I do it will probably be clearer to me. Like I said I like the hands on approach. The section on splicing different types of film was a little confusing, because I do not have any experience in this area other than the loop we made in the first class. Like the projector though with a little experience it will all become easier to understand. I would like to use the splicing tape glue and heat to make the crystal explosions Brakhage said he experienced with the process. In my opinion the section on light is the most interesting. Realizing that I could sit in a dark room and expose film with tiny, clear objects and a flashlight gave me a number of ideas of things I would like to try. I am looking forward to trying it in the next class. Is explanation of the different effects of daylight and tungsten films is helpful as is the information about f-stops. All in all the reading introduced me to a few things I was not familiar with and reiterated a few things I am familiar with. He sometimes seems to go off in a strange direction here and there and his instructions are a bit convoluted by this aspect of his writing, but the information he provides is worth reading through these areas.

I really enjoyed using tape and magazines to transfer images to film. This is another process I did not know about previously. I am now wondering what other types of paper and ink will work for this. It will be so great to see everybody’s work put together. I am looking forward to the next class and I am gathering up the tiny, shiny, clear objects to work with.