Module 3

 Absolute Film

If I understand the definition of Absolute Film correctly, it’s a film that doesn’t necessarily tell a story like a narrative film or explore a topic like a documentary film. Instead, it’s essentially an artistic medium for moving images. I had no idea that this genre had been around as long as it has, but it worth noting that even though the techniques have evolved ie. sound, computer graphics, etc., many of the original artistic approaches, such as painting directly on film, are still being used today. Furthermore, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that most “experimental/Avant-Garde/Pure Cinema/Integral" filmmakers started out as painters or musicians. In fact, it almost seems to be a prerequisite. They simply transferred their artistry into motion pictures.   

 

 

Light Observation 1

I’m sitting on the couch in my living room. There are four light sources. The largest is the fluorescent kitchen light coming from my right side. The next is coming from the hall ceiling at my front right side. The two smaller light sources are the television which plays a Seinfeld rerun and my laptop screen. These four lights create light and shadows on the walls, furniture, and on my body. Looking down at my hands as they type this, I notice that the right side is well-lit while the left is very dark. When I look at the objects on the left side of my living room, they cast crisp shadows against the wall. Down the hall, the light from above leaves an angular shadow at the top corner, like an upside down V.

 

Light Observation 2

It’s early afternoon, and I’m sitting at a window table in Zola Coffee Shop. The sky is finally bright after the snow-filled haze of the morning hours. Looking out the window, I can see a sharp line where the roof of the house divides shadow and light on the ground in front of the shop. The blurry silhouette of treetops are also cast on the gravel and grass. A puddle across the street reflects trees, their trunks and leaves visible against a hint of blue sky. The rims of a big white truck sparkle as they roll slowly forward gaining speed after the traffic light turns green. Another crisp shadow shimmers on the ground, its owner a stop sign that is being shaken by the wind. At about a 45º angle from that shadow is a mysterious ray of light on the ground. A car sits at the stop sign now, so this mystery reflection bounces off of its passenger door.