Showing posts with label Mumblecore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mumblecore. Show all posts
Friday, March 14, 2008
My First SCMS
Several other folks have already described and analyzed this year's SCMS conference in detail, so I don't want to be repeat such analysis here. However, this year's conference in Philadelphia marked the first time my paper proposal was accepted (through open call, no less) and I found the experience both daunting and exhilarating at the same time. I say daunting as I was a bit overwhelmed to be surrounded by folks with light years more experience at this still-new-to-me academic game, profs with book deals and tenure and other 'flashy" credentials. My wallflower tendencies kicked in at inopportune times (I should have cornered Janet Staiger in the book room to remind her of the panel we were on together three years ago), so next time I hope I can be more of the extrovert that everyone insists I am (that's another story altogether).Still, it was exciting to attend panels on cinephilia, documentary, and Hollywood and the internet and hear some academic rock stars like Giuliana Bruno, Jane Gaines, and Julia Lesage speak. And I was also very happy and thankful to see my twitter/facebook/blogger pals Chuck and Mike at my American Independent Cinema panel, where I talked about Mumblecore (if you don't know what that is, go here) and Cinephilia. In general I experienced a kid-in-a-candy- store feeling, and I'm now inspired to continue work on my various independent cinema projects when I 'm not working on coursework requirements. Hopefully, this will include creating a post for In Media Res on the subject, as Mumblecore (or at least the filmmakers so defined) continues to produce interesting films, regardless of its dubious categorization as a Movement.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Thursday Night Procrastination Links
I’ve been driven to distraction lately, trying to pack and organize for a move to another part of the state. It’s frightening and exhilarating at the same time. I really shouldn’t be spending any time on the internet, but I wanted to check in and let folks know that I will try to keep this blog going, if it kills me, from my new western Massachusetts home of Northampton (also home to Sonic Youth!). A few things I wanted to mention:
-I’ve been following the Mumblecore movement, a series of films by filmmakers who highlight the inarticulateness of 20-somethings and their awkward navigations through relationships. Here’s the latest interview with Andrew Bujalski, who just wrapped his newest lo-fi project in Austin. Unfortunately, as of yet there's very little info about the new film, besides from it being similar to his other films. And Jo Swanberg’s earlier film, LOL, is released on DVD on August 28 by Benten Films, a new venture run by Filmbrain (Andrew Grant) and Aaron Hillis.
-Every day this summer I’ve said I’m going to become a vegetarian; it just hasn’t happened yet. Not sure when (or if) it will. But, I now pay more attention to where my food comes from, which is often quite disturbing. Check out this video about the fuel costs associated with getting "fresh" vegetables to your doorstep. Not a cinematic wonder, but filled with great factoids that make you think twice about the travel costs of our food.
-Turns out Boston is a the bloggiest….who knew? New York may be the city that never sleeps, but Boston is the city where no one ever turns off their laptop.
-I haven’t been very happy with the Boston Film Festival in recent years, but perhaps this year’s Fest will get a jumpstart from former Mass. Film Office Director Robin Dawson. Fest happens Sept 14-21. In other fest news, tomorrow is the deadline for entries to the Boston Irish Film Festival, happening November 8-11 at the Brattle and the Harvard Film Archive.
-This summer, many bloggers have obsessed over the validity of film lists, such as the AFI list and the Alliance of Women Film Journalists' list. Here’s a couple lists that further prove my point about the consumption of sex in American film. I am hoping to write more extensively about this obsession with lists and the "fragmenting" of sexuality in American cinema, but if you don’t care to think about sex scenes theoretically, well, as you wish:
-Gratuitous Male Nudity
-50 Greatest Sex Scenes in Cinema
-I’ve been following the Mumblecore movement, a series of films by filmmakers who highlight the inarticulateness of 20-somethings and their awkward navigations through relationships. Here’s the latest interview with Andrew Bujalski, who just wrapped his newest lo-fi project in Austin. Unfortunately, as of yet there's very little info about the new film, besides from it being similar to his other films. And Jo Swanberg’s earlier film, LOL, is released on DVD on August 28 by Benten Films, a new venture run by Filmbrain (Andrew Grant) and Aaron Hillis.
-Every day this summer I’ve said I’m going to become a vegetarian; it just hasn’t happened yet. Not sure when (or if) it will. But, I now pay more attention to where my food comes from, which is often quite disturbing. Check out this video about the fuel costs associated with getting "fresh" vegetables to your doorstep. Not a cinematic wonder, but filled with great factoids that make you think twice about the travel costs of our food.
-Turns out Boston is a the bloggiest….who knew? New York may be the city that never sleeps, but Boston is the city where no one ever turns off their laptop.
-I haven’t been very happy with the Boston Film Festival in recent years, but perhaps this year’s Fest will get a jumpstart from former Mass. Film Office Director Robin Dawson. Fest happens Sept 14-21. In other fest news, tomorrow is the deadline for entries to the Boston Irish Film Festival, happening November 8-11 at the Brattle and the Harvard Film Archive.
-This summer, many bloggers have obsessed over the validity of film lists, such as the AFI list and the Alliance of Women Film Journalists' list. Here’s a couple lists that further prove my point about the consumption of sex in American film. I am hoping to write more extensively about this obsession with lists and the "fragmenting" of sexuality in American cinema, but if you don’t care to think about sex scenes theoretically, well, as you wish:
-Gratuitous Male Nudity
-50 Greatest Sex Scenes in Cinema
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