Responses To the Readings

Hans Richter's 'Film As An Original Art Form' -- I disagree with this guy. I think that narrative film is in no way less real and valid because it "records" images. When I watch an experimental film, I am completely aware of the person making these images. I do not feel it is a pure artform free of "cliches." I have gotten completely lost in movies and believed in them all the way to the last frame and even outside the movie theater. This guy is an idiot.

Scott MacDonald's 'Introduction to Avant-Garde Film' -- I have seen many experimental films and thought that it was interesting for "what it was," but I can't say that it has ever spoken to my soul. Again, I don't believe that mainstream audiences have been "programmed" to enjoy only one type of film. Personally, narrative is more true to life because I personally "could" see a car crashing and exploding, maybe; however, I have never seen light that looks like crumbled paper along with the most horrid sound of screeching balloons and audio pops! Nor have I seen my vision changed as if someone took film and cut it up and then pasted it all together! Is this making sense? Look, I know I'm being extremely symplistic, but I still feel that I have more spiritual and even religious experiences when watching narrative than I do experimental. I try thinking, when watching an experimental film, what's there? The answer is really nothing. With a narrative, I know. Maybe I like the comfort, but I feel it's more true to life.

Fred Camper's 'Naming, and Defining, Avant-Garde' -- How could you possibly define what an experimental movie is? Doesn't that destroy the point. Isn't it suppose to break away from mainstream media and specific genres, when now this a-hole is trying to categorize it. Oh, and if someone doesn't fit all, you still get a cookie, because you only need about 4 or more! This guy is an idiot. Giving criteria, makes it a specific genre, defeating the purpose. I took this test, for a movie I want to write. It is completely narrative, a bit more independent than mainstream, but guess, it passed this stupid test! I didn't think it was an experimental film, but maybe after reading this genius, I should reconsider my whole life. Bottom Line: YOu can't define experimental, it's in the definition! Whoa, that's a paradox!