Thursday, January 23rd

Hi all! Here are some notes I took during last week's Anth 409 class. We watched a number of films about art, First Nations and otherwise, as well as some films made by former students of the class. Viewing these films gave us an idea of what questions we should be asking Maynard, what types of shots we can use to create meaningful images, and how to effectively use music and narration. The notes are somewhat fragmentary, but I think there is some important information in there that we can use towards our project.

1. Man of Masks film:

• using different media (photos, articles, archives); secondary information that supports what the artist's work is about
• he is asking the questions in his work, the viewer is the one looking for the answers
• theme of "modern"; culture contact
• use of sounds (ex: deer bone rattle); pushes story along, but not necessarily narration
• shaky camera reflecting who he is as an artist (shaking things up)
• showing pieces in context
• using Maynard's shots of pieces in the process of creation
• how are we going to portray residential schools?

2. Expressions film:

• more about the process; none of this discussion with Lawrence Paul (Man of Masks)
• what is important? the process or the product?
• what can we do that captures the process?
• Maynard drawing freehand (no computer)
• does the process say something bigger about who they are as an artist?
• use of extreme close-ups vs. studio shots
• how do you let the image show the idea?
• close up of his head; says "now I'm thinking" (part of the process)
• close up of Maynard redrawing what he did while discussing the making of the piece?
• how does he try to connect with audience?
• who is the audience?
• what does he expect from them?
• over the shoulder shots (dynamic); artist's perspective? (importance of camera placement)

3. Charles Elliot (S'yewe pole) film:

• show raising of the pole, creations of the pole (with voice over)
• telling the story while going up the pole
• consistent head shots (intimacy; portrait of the artist)
• outside working with the log (history of the piece)
• no background music; simple
• portraits driven by images
• narration a negative; takes away from Charles
• be absent from the film
• foggy to focused shot

4. Rachel Whiteread film:

• titling the piece with date at bottom
• first art; then voice
• talking back through pieces, how the first ones came to be
• "what pieces do you want to talk about that speak to your process, what's important, that informs on the new piece?"
• discussing what she wants from the piece rather than from the audience
• "what were your goals of the piece?" vs. "what is the meaning of the piece?"
• be particular in what you're asking the artist
• playing with colours (Maynard's piece: blues, reds, blacks on cedar and glass)

5. Bill Reid film:

• dream-like images; "edge of the world"
• cross dissolve
• how you edit is part of the story
• ex: cross dissolve to show extensive career

6. Vagina Monologues film:

• images on campus of "vagina shapes"

7. "Going Postal" film:

• titles on letter
• intertitle questions

I think we came up with some pretty good ideas after watching these films. We've discussed using newspaper articles in a collage to help set the context of the residential school system, and what shots to use in order to achieve certain effects. I found the film about Charles Elliot to be quite interesting, because, like Maynard, Charles also installed a piece on the UVic campus, and his views about using modern tools and technology to create his art are similar to those expressed by Maynard.

I definitely think we have a pretty great group, and I can't wait to actually start filming!