Sally Cloninger

I am reading and evaluating an undisclosed number of film proposals for an undisclosed regional grant right now. It is all too confidential I know but I wanted to comment that it has been interesting to study these proposals in light of the Media Artist Studio program. And to seriously compare some of your work against a slew of others (who cannot be students). I will report more about this in person when I can. But for now just wanted you all to know that I am thinking of you, of my “wonderful students” as described by Jan Krawitz.

By the way Jan gave me a critique too. She really does have extraordinary skill and sensitivity and can deliver hard lessons in the most accessible and effective way. I was glad to read that many of you really appreciated the one-on-one sessions with her. That was an experiment and from most accounts a successful one. Jan, if you are reading this, June 9th! Come back for the screening.

In 1961 Jean Rouch made a film called Chronique dún été (trans. Chronicle of  a Summer).  This is a particularly important film in the history of cinéma vérité and also, a very early example of reflexivity.  In the film Rouch and sociologist, Edgar Morrin follow the lives of a number of characters living in Paris who are asked a simple question, “are you happy?”  Aside from the revolutionary first use of hand held sync sound equipment, the film used a self-reflexive technique of filmming the participants watching the rushes and critiqueing the film.  I write about this because Llyn DeDanaan and I are working on a project for the Visual History Archive that reconsiders this technique.  Except in this instance we filmmed the participants of a wild water raft trip involving women facutly and staff watching a film of their adventure 30 years ago. And interviewed some of these women for this new project that will combine the original 20 minute film (shot on Super 8 with stills, soundtrack is appropriated music and field interviews) with new footage from the reunion in October 2008.  Some of these women had not seen each other for decades.  Llyn and I began the editing of the reflexive frame for the piece on Thursday.  The final edit will be about 30 minutes and available on line.  I put aside my personal film for now and am enjoying this opportunity to finish this piece in the next few weeks.  The project was selected because the Wild Water Women trip represented a genuine instance of collaboration between faculty and staff, a practice or value that informed early years at Evergreen.  We believe that these kinds of collaborations are reasons why Evergreen has been sustainable against very problematic odds.

Well, it is the absolute end of Week 1 so this comes in under the wire. I am focusing on the Visual History Archive at present and spent a bit of time logging and capturing some rushes (about 65 minutes) for the final project that I am co-editing with Llyn DeDanaan. Wild Water Women Redux. We are making a push to generate more content and then forge ahead on a web presence for the archive. Truthfully, I cannot do two projects at the same time. Living in the Medium is on hold although I did some soundtrack culling over the break and have organized some rushes from the Philippines (had the Beta SP transfer done locally). In my last post I was set to bundle up all kinds of film and overnight it to Boston for a film transfer but decided to halt that activity. I have scratch versions of the footage and really, can be more selective when I do the transfer. I am starting to plan the Ready Camera One!-program for next year and that is taking a bit of time as well. I stepped into the CCAM on Friday; I really cannot wait to teach in that big control room. I will post some visual bits from the archive project soon and maybe a bit of sound or pic from LITM.

Well, on second thought here’s a little sound motif.  I could not upload an audio file (any one out there have any luck with that) so I uploaded this riff at as QT movie.  Called Glancing Loops and no, it was not made in Garage Band.

glancingloops

I must say that I am glad all winter quarter work is behind me. I made some good progress on my film today. After quite a bit of deliberation and a phone call to the east coast (to Brodsky & Treadway), I decided that a lovingly transferred 45 minutes with scene by scene correction is a lot better than a one-light transfer (unsupervised) at Flying Spot AKA Lightpress. Big bucks I’m afraid no matter how you slice it…but I decided to trust Bob and Toni to do the job with my rather ancient Super 8 material shot in Bangladesh and Turkey in the late 1980s. So I will pack it all up in a day or so and Fed Ex everything to Boston to be ready for a slot that they are holding for me in the first week of April. I also have begun to transfer some very interesting audio. I spent hours on that today. I am going back to field recordings made on cassette (!). I know, it sounds completely mad. Time is…

On another note: the MAS screening notice is on the OFS email that went to membership today. Audrey changed the name of our screening but never mind…it is good to see the word out so early.

Here is what Jana and I sent to Audrey (Mckaya and Sean P had a look/listen too) for the OFS quarterly newsletter. We also sent two stills in B and W: one from FSU and one from Lightcrafter. Thanks all.

Media Artist Studio Presents

One Night Only!!

7:00-11:00 Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Come enjoy an evening of innovation and delight within the realm of the moving image. This mini-festival showcases works by students involved in the advanced upper division media program at The Evergreen State College. 17 students working with faculty, Sally Cloninger initiated projects of their own creation that have been influenced by guest artists such as Lynda Barry and Devon Damante, workshops with Peter Randlette and Linas Phillips and inspiration from the wider experimental media community. These short pieces span many genres from live action narrative to experimental nonfiction, from stop motion animation to multi-media installation and performance, from autobiography to character animation. This once in a lifetime opportunity is sure to include something to entertain, engage, and stimulate audiences of all tastes. The first act of the screening is suitable for families and children. Come show your support for this collection of media artists emerging from our own Olympia community. The event is free but we invite donations in support of OFS.