#12 Experimental Media

This subject was really fun at it is something that was related to experimenting media. I love experimenting with media and films. This subject taught me 

Elements of a story: 

 

• Setting (Location & Time) 

• Character 

 

 Protagonist: Main focus, positive side. 

 Antagonist:  Opposite force, negative side. 

 

• Plot: The parts on which the movie story line lies. 

• Conflict 
• Mood 
• Theme 

• Point of view (1st person or 3rd person) 

 

Exposition: Introduction - Characters, settings etc are introduced. 

 

Rising action: Events that occur due to a central conflict - to build interest 

 

Climax: Highest & the most important part of the film. (ENDING) 

 

Falling action: Releases the tension, things start getting better after the rising action. 

 

Resolution: Bringing it towards the ending, fixing things, final verdict. 

It further stated 

Codes & conventions of experimental media- 

 

- Avant-garde 

- Non conformist/ non conventional 

- Not a specific target audience 

- Plot can be anything the director wants it to be because of the fact that the genre is so broad 

- Since the narrative is not followed, the ‘plot’ may be more challenging for the audience 

- Many movements maybe expressed through experimental films 

- Many early experimental films relate to different forms of art such as painting, literature, poetry etc. 

- Experimental films are not tied to any story structure, character arc or even common sense 

 

Forms of experimental films- 

 

- Abstract form

This form organizes the entire film around colors, shapes, sizes and movements of images

This form can seem completely random but is linked to different themes 

This form looks at concepts that maybe futuristic or not relatable because of it not having much realism to it 

- Self reflexive cinema 

This from may include character breaking the fourth wall 

Generally breaks the conventional cinema’s realistic illusion 

- Surrealism 

Surrealism lends itself to experimental films 

This form is characterized by an irrational, non-contextual arrangement of subjects 

This form portrays the workings of the subconscious mind as manifested in dreams for example 

- Associational form 

This is a type of organization in which the film’s parts are juxtaposed to suggest similarities, contrast, concepts, emotions and expressive qualities

Repeated motifs 

 

Audience response-

 

Responses with experimental films can vary a lot from person to person due to the films being so peculiar. The goal of the director isn’t to make them feel a particular way. 

 

Length/budget-

 

1 min to 8 hours

Many people are not willing to invest in experimental films. There is normally a minimal crew or a single person and they are either self financed or supported though small grants 

 

Composition/shots-

 

- Audio-visual elements are often manipulated in strange new ways 

- Experimental films are often characterized by the absence of linear narrative, the use of various abstracting techniques- out of focus, painting Orr scratching film, glitches, rapid editing

 

Mise-en-scene (varies widely)-

 

- Lighting- usually low-key lighting

- Props/makeup- often very eccentric props and makeup 

- Location/setting- usually location is not the focus of the film and the focus is directed more towards people and things rather than the setting 

- Vibe/overall look- very often the camera is still yet movement is present

 

Sound-

 

- Non-diegetic sound or very flat instrumental music to accompany the visuals 

- At times there can be an absence of any sound track 

- Most experimental films have zero dialogue 

- Many also have a voice over (protagonist’s thoughts)

- Sound is an important element since there is usually no dialogue but is not the focus o the film because it can overpower the visuals