There is no "story" in the word "experiment"
by Dave Johnson
by Dave Johnson
Experimental film/filmmaking/cinema, not to sound glib, is just that...an experiment with film/cinema. This experimentation is to explore the meaning of filmmaking/cinema through light, time and space. It is the unfortunate curse of mainstream cinephiles who need to be spoon- fed a story, therefore consider experimental cinema “shit”, “pretentious” , or “a waste of time”( during the premiere screening of Michael l Snow’s film “Wavelength” the audience members threw their chairs at the screen!). I’m not trying to sound elitist, I too enjoy watching mainstream cinema...even cinema which would turn some people green, blue and purple... I’m CRAZY about the television series River Monsters! ... But I digress.
The point I’m trying to make is that experimental cinema is a work of art in which a story doesn’t need to be told. The more “successful” experimental films are those which convey an idea, or take the viewer to a sense of enlightenment in a new or different way. The way in which this is achieved, in my opinion, is through timing and rhythm. In academia, film/cinema has been referred to as a form of poetry (this can contain either visual or include both image and sound). If one refers to this idea, not all poetry tells a story, but expresses a thought or idea rhythmically...think iambic pentameter...haiku...etc.
Stan Brakhage, one of the most important figures of experimental cinema, taught and inspired two filmmakers who went on to create one of television’s most successful and crass television series...we all know who they are...Matt Stone and Trey Parker of South Park fame....or David Fincher (of Fight Club and Seven fame), where Brakhage was a family friend. One of my most memorable introductions to Brakhage’s films was his silent film Mothlight. This is a film where he collected blades of grass, flower petals, and moth wings, glued them to Mylar tape and re-photographed it to the timing of a Bach Fugue. The result is literally a visual poem created through light, time and space....and it doesn’t tell a story! In conclusion, experimental cinema should be just as it quite literally states...an experiment with film. It is then up to the filmmaker to be responsible for determining the “story”, “message”, “rhythm”, etc.
