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FILM DIARY - AN EXPERIMENTAL JOURNEY

By Peter de Niverville

According to Sergei Eisenstein in his essay, "A Dialectic Approach to Film Form" (1929), "Montage has been established...as the nerve of cinema..." 

Indeed, montage is a unique feature of film and video. The constant flow of images allow the viewer to experience an ever changing stream of relationships. 

Up to now, montage has been viewed mainly as a series of images laid one on top of the other and presented to the audience on a flat screen.   However, with the introduction of digital film editing, the filmmaker now as access to  a third dimension.  Commonly known as the 'Z' axis, it may be imagined as the space behind the screen which gives a sense of depth.  

By the placement  of individual shots and elements into this space and showing them simultaneously, you can create a film or video that is information dense and rich in relationships.

Ideally the effect on the viewer is that they are traveling through a darkened room, encountering bits and pieces of reality.  Like a surrealistic dream, the viewer is carried on a stream of images.  And although, it may not follow a traditional story structure, the film can still resonate with  significance. 

I think a good comparison would be the difference between poetry and prose.  With prose, the narrative is set out in a fairly straight forward manner with a beginning, middle and end.  However,  with poetry it is the juxtaposing  of images that determines the flow of ideas and meaning.

My first full experiment with this technique was "Handscape" which premiered at the Silver Wave Film Festival in Fredericton in 2017.  Based on a series of walks along Riverfront Park in Moncton, it centered on a pair of hands imitating the shape of the trees set against the background of a Spring sky.

This one central image was repeated multiple times so that the viewer would get an expanded sense of the meaning of this simple action.

I was nervous about presenting "Handscape" at Silver Wave.  I wasn't sure how it would be received.  I was pleasantly surprised when it was nominated for Best Experimental Short.

In 2018, my next project, "Boy in the Garden", also premiered at Silver Wave.  This project was a further exploration of the "Z" axis with the added feature of  several animated elements.

The theme of "Boy in the Garden" is the fleeting nature of childhood as represented by meaningful objects from the boy's past.  A kite stuck in a tree, a runaway model balloon and a toy soldier all played a prominent role.  I was very happy it won the Best Experimental Short award.

Presently, I'm in the final stages of completing a year long project that was generously funded by artsnb.   With the working title of "The Photograph", it explores the nature of memory.

A middle aged man reflects upon his relationship with a young woman many years ago.  Again, using significant objects and images, the viewer is presented with a visual depiction of the man's interior thoughts and feelings.

If all goes well and the film is accepted, "The Photograph" will premiere later this year at the 2019 Silver Wave Film Festival.

Link to Handscape (https://vimeo.com/228257961)

Link to Boy in the Garden- Trailer (https://vimeo.com/294196489)

UPDATE YOUR CAST AND CREW PROFILE TODAY!

So you've joined the NB Film Co-op. You've taken a bunch of workshops. You've gone to networking events. But you're still unsure how to actually get involved with a film shoot.

One way to get your name out there is to register for the NB Film Co-op Cast and Crew Profile. It's a database where filmmakers can see a list of members who are able to fill in various cast and crew positions. It's simple to fill out and in no time your name will be made available to all filmmakers who are looking for cast and crew for their upcoming projects. It has recently been modified to allow new members with little or no experience create a profile, and it also allows members to fill in a more complete resume if they wish.

It's also beneficial for our more experienced members too. It is a place where commercial filmmakers can go to search for people to hire for paid shoots, and it gives members a platform to self promote themselves and their work.

So please, take a few minutes to fill out your profile and help the Co-op promote you!

This benefit is for Film Co-op members in good standing with their dues paid up. Email info@nbfilmcoop.com to find out more info.

Note: If you want to get calls from outside production companies and local production companies looking for creative crew, please ask Cat to be put on her film job short list. She can't refer you if you don't let her know.

NBFC PROJECT SUPPORT LINKS

ONGOING! - Member Production Support Programme: http://nbfilmcoop.com/programs/member-production-support-program

UPCOMING! - imagineNATIVE/NBFC Incubator Program: February 2, 2019 - http://nbfilmcoop.com/programs/imaginenative-mentorship

UPCOMING! - Telefilm Talent To Watch Program EXTENDED DEADLINE!: NOW - February 12, 2019 - http://nbfilmcoop.com/content/talent-watch-program

UPCOMING! - Bolex Film Scholarship: April 13, 2019 - http://nbfilmcoop.com/content/bolex-film-scholarship

UPCOMING! - Errol Williams Filmmaker Award: April 13, 2019 - http://nbfilmcoop.com/programs/errol-williams-filmmaker-award

PAYPAL LINKS ARE UP FOR NBFC MEMBERSHIP AND RENEWALS FOR 2019 

Membership renewals are due in Jan/Feb annually. The paypal links for memberships for 2019 are up on the co-op website for renewing members - http://nbfilmcoop.com/content/renew

Welcome back to the following members who have renewed for 2019 so far: Caitlin Campbell (Fredericton), Pauline Cronin (Saint John), Ian Estey (Saint John), Thomas Ross (Fredericton), Larry Collicott (Fredericton), Greg Hemmings (Saint John), Sam Hawkes (Fredericton), Brigitte Noel (Cambridge Narrows), Jennifer Mawhinney (Fredericton), Claudia MacLean (Moncton), Hope Maston (Fredericton), Ryan O'Toole (Fredericton), Ken McLaggan (Fredericton)

Our member list is on our website: http://nbfilmcoop.com/members/listing

 NB Film Co-op ED and SWFF Organizer Tony Merzetti with Fellow SWFF Organizer Chris Campbell and comedian James Mullinger at SWFF 2017, helping to clean up.