Let the Undead Speak (about Monday's guests)

Hi film fans!

Ok, a little rif off Van's comment that the blog was not dead but not alive either:).

I was impressed with the presentations on Monday (luckily, since I planned the class for you). I wish Heather had been there to hear Scott Carrier's take on 1/2 Revolution, which I thought was astute. In a way, Scott seemed to be arguing against a narrative blunting the power of the images and their ability to inform us without the need for structure. In a way, I agreed with his assessment (and I think Van did too) of Finding North (and for that matter, perhaps Chasing Ice as well) as too neat. The difference for me, I guess, what that the people in Finding North were sympathetic, whereas I wasn't as interested in Balog.

I also though the people in Jason Metcalf's film were intriguing. I think with a bit of structure (maybe I'm more of a formalist than I realized) those interviews might really be astounding. Jason talked after class about different ways to group the responses, but again, the people themselves, so articulate about their experiences and knowledge of occupation, were worth spending time to watch and hear.

I wonder what you think of Rikki's discussion of the arm-chair activism of documentary film. Part of the reason I am devoted to having the Sundance class be focused on documentary is, despite my own obsession, if you will, with Hollywood, I think documentary film is where things are really happening, socially and cinematically. These films seek to instigate social activism, of a distinctly inactive sort. So we are justifiably wary about the possible benefits of the call to action. Or is the epistephilia the point of the films we saw--the desire to know more than the desire to act?

You should post a blog entry (should have, by yesterday) on any of Monday's guests, on what I've talked about here, on any of the presentation blog entries, really on any aspect of the class that interests you.

In addition, I'll post another entry reminding you about your presentations next week. I've spoken with a few you of you about the presentation on the Sundance film. Start working towards a thesis, one you will explore or argue in your final paper. Present the film, your thoughts on it, and how you think your final paper will explore the documentary. Consider Nichols, Barnouw, and Aufderheide, along with whatever other sources you find useful. Categorize your film relative to the models, modes, voice, and ethical considerations Nichols outlines.