Posted by Specs on 09/27/05 20:14

"Moving Vision" <mv@movingvision.co.uk> wrote in message
news:wb13CZN3pYODFwga@movingvision.demon.co.uk...
> In article <43397b1c$0$73605$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader03.plus.net>, Specs
> <No.Spam@Thanks.com> writes
> >
> >
> >> >
> >> > The trouble is that if things aren't spelt out for some even the most
> >> > obvious visual grammar can pass unhindered over their heads.
> >>
> >> What part of, "it's a creative affectation that gets in the way of the
> >> show" went over your head?
> >
> >Clearly your lack of media literacy limits your response.
> >
> >
> >> Another thing that is blatantly obvious is why some people like to post
> >> to usenet.
> >>
> >
> >Yep, there are people who post to the use net who create themselves whole
> >new identities who think that if they can put up a website and then
> >pontificate about their chosen subject.
> >
> >My advice to that sort of person would be when using a tripod have the
> >decency to make sure its level when shooting and learn how to edit
> >especially if you intend to advise others!
> >
> >
>
>
> How the heck did this strand get so out of kilter? Just for the record,
> Bill Farnsworth is a straight up sort of guy with enough solid
> professional gravitas to be regarded with respect, regardless of the
> differing aesthetics upon which one might base artistic judgements.
> Personally I'm no fan of these pretentious techniques either. Seems
> every media studies college leaver wants to make a pop video inter cut
> with 8mm in the hope of proving to their peers that they are artists!
> The really irritating college leaver technique that has no redeeming
> features at all is the one where some other 'artist' is being
> interviewed about the meaning of their new book/song/film etc sat at a
> table with the interviewer in shot, whilst being shot by one tripod
> mounted conventionally (correctly) set up camera and inter cut with
> some deliberately badly hand held camera in monochrome! Now what's that
> all about? Utter bollocks as far as I'm concerned.
> --
> John Lubran

That's all very well and true but, that's not how the "film" footage is
being used in Globetrekker. The film sequences . All hard facts are given
in "video" while the "film" sequences are being used as thinking space while
the crew "travels" the next location which punctuates the programme.

Using an alternative visual aesthetic is no different to using audio clues
to illicit different responses from the audience. I have produced
documentaries in the past that use an on screen presenter to deliver hard
facts while employing a very well known English actor with a wonderful
resonant voice to provide the back story and quotations. The audience knows
what sort of information to accept from the two voices. Similarly visual
clues can be used as you well know.

So, I am in favour of mixed media usage providing there is motivation for it
or it is to get a response from the audience but not in a contrived way like
the B&W shakey-cam which, as you rightly point out, has no merit.

But for people to say the film sequences are used just for style is just
plain wrong.

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