The Bucknellian

By: Caitlin Falco

Contributing Writer

Experimental filmmaking is far from a novelty in the film and media industry, and these “independent” films compose a relatively large part of the market. But some filmmakers, in addition to experimenting with content, have begun to develop innovative ways to shoot and present a film. Roger Beebe, an experimental filmmaker, will be coming to the Campus Theatre on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. to present his most recent work, “Films for One to Eight Projectors.”

“My form of experimental filmmaking is at least partially about finding a way of making films that it’s easy to embrace as a maker. My filmmaking is based in a DIY culture that values those things that society has deemed worthless, like the 16-millimeter projectors that I buy for $10 apiece–or like the thrift store clothes, couches, etc. that are a big part of the rest of my life,” Beebe said.

Transforming the theater into a multimedia landscape, Beebe will utilize several projectors to completely alter how the film is viewed. What’s the inspiration for this multi-projector project? 

After being invited to do a show in a planetarium, “[I got] really got excited about the possibility of making giant compositions of different kinds of images interacting with each other,” Beebe said.

No longer bound by what he calls “the limitations of the frame,” Beebe believes that multiple projectors add tremendously to the presentation of the film.

“The quality of liveness is something we’re losing in society. Sure, you can stream lots of things through Netflix, but there’s a kind of indifference to that process that the multiple projections contests. It’s almost like watching a tightrope walker, complete with the thrills of the stumbles and near falls. But there’s also a rhythmic complexity that you can get with multiple projections that you can’t get with a single projector,” Beebe said.

Aside from experimenting with how his films are shown, he shares a unique perspective on how his films are made. While Hollywood and more mainstream filmmakers embrace the constant onslaught of new technology by releasing movies in 3D and Blu-ray, Beebe reinforces his belief of living modestly by shooting with more simple technology.

“Sure, everyone loves their iPhones or their new Canon 5Ds or whatever, but I shoot on a camera that was made in 1971, and other than an occasional repair, I basically don’t have to do anything to keep it looking great. With video or new media, the tools become outmoded incredibly quickly, so every few years you need new software, a new computer, a new camera, etc. You’ll blow thousands of dollars on these, and the old gear just goes in the landfill. So I’m standing there at the landfill trying to make treasure out of your trash. And it turns out that 16-millimeter especially is still a pretty incredible, and incredibly simple, technology.”

Although his newest film requires eight projectors, Beebe takes pride in the fact that everything he needs fits into the back of his Toyota Prius.

“I do like being able to transform almost any space into a microcinema. It makes me feel like cinema could happen anywhere, not just at the multiplex or arts house,” Beebe said.

By: Michelle Reed

Contributing Writer

In the commotion of midterms, homecoming football games and never-ending coursework, it can be easy for students to overlook an area of campus life that’s constantly growing and changing: the arts.

The University’s creative community is always quietly (and sometimes loudly) at work, looking for new ways to engage students and faculty in artistic experiences. Kathryn Maguet, executive director of the Weis Center for the Performing Arts, is always on the lookout for inspiration.

“I attend a lot of performances in New York and nearby, and even in international venues,” Maguet said. “I like to take my time to see how an artist is evolving, and how their work might resonate with the campus and the greater community. I want to present artists and performances with the most natural points of connection to Bucknell. ”

Performance art, Maguet said, is unique in its ability to offer a shared artistic experience. “What happens between artist and audience member is the magic; it’s the glue. It’s the beauty of experiencing something profound together.”

Rick Rinehart, director of the Samek Art Gallery, similarly emphasizes the transformative power of contemporary art.

“Art is that space in society that’s carved out for imagining,” Rinehart said. “I honestly, sincerely believe that every student should engage in the arts. That’s the kind of learning that will sustain them through the rest of their lives.”

Rinehart believes a vibrant artistic community is essential to a university setting.

“The arts create an alternate learning space to the formal classroom. A liberal arts college gives students the opportunity to experience the best of the world in a microcosm,” Rinehart said.

So, how can we immerse ourselves more fully in the arts? It’s as simple as venturing up to the third floor of the Elaine Langone Center and exploring the Samek Gallery’s current exhibit, spending an evening enjoying performance art at the Weis Center for the Performing Arts or discovering a new film at the Campus Theatre.

“At no other point in your life will you have opportunities to follow the arts that are as economical and as accessible as you will on a college campus,” Maguet said. “Take advantage of it. When you walk out of here and enter a different chapter of your life, it’s not going to be at your doorstep.”

By Caitlin Falco

Writer

The newly renovated Campus Theatre is “a unique learning environment for everybody who loves the films from yesterday and today,” said Diego Chiri ’12, a film/media studies major. It is a place “to appreciate film as an art form.” And with the presentation of over 20 films spanning several decades during The 70th Anniversary Film Festival, the Campus Theatre has certainly flourished in these ideals.  But the wide spectrum of movies is only one part of this festival’s undeniable appeal. Culminating with an impressive lineup of special events and guests, the festival marks its end with a weekend nothing short of extraordinary.

One such special guest is Nina Paley, animator and filmmaker, who will introduce her film, “Sita Sings the Blues,” tomorrow.  Demonstrating an innovative mixture of the 1920s jazz vocals of Annette Hanshaw as well as animated depictions of the Indian epic “The Ramayana,” “Sita Sings the Blues” was produced entirely on her home computer and has won over a dozen major film festival awards. Because no major commercial studio would distribute her film, Paley began to self-distribute, utilizing what Eric Faden, festival co-coordinator and associate professor of English and film/media studies, deems “a fan-centric method for publicizing her films.”

On Sunday, Oct. 23 at 3 p.m., the festival will showcase John Ford’s 1927 silent film, “Upstream.” Lost for decades, this film was just rediscovered in 2009 and was restored by The National Film Preservation Board; Hollywood composer Michael Mortilla and violinist Nicole Garcia will perform live music along with the show, allowing attendees the unique opportunity to “see—and hear—a silent film in its original context,” Faden says.

On Sunday, there will be a special 7 p.m. showing of “Hollywood Home Movies,” personal home movies of famous Hollywood stars and directors that have been stored in the Academy archive. Seeing legendary artists like Alfred Hitchcock, Joan Crawford and Cary Grant without the glare of Hollywood’s spotlight is an exceptional opportunity, made even more so by the fact that this collection will be presented by Randy Haberkamp from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

For Eric Faden, these special guests are fundamental to the festival experience. “What makes a festival special is not only seeing the films but also meeting the people behind the film’s creation, because understanding the context and the story of the production process allows you to understand and appreciate the film on a whole different level,” he said.

The 70th Anniversary Film Festival has marked the reopening of the Campus Theatre in a memorable way. With its promotion of film culture, appreciation of filmmaking and celebration of the simple film experience, the festival has become a powerful reminder of all the reasons people love movies in the first place.

For more information, please visit the festival’s website: www.bucknell.edu/filmfest.