It’s time to turn the lights off and experiment.
Experimental film and performance artist Alex MacKenzie is coming to the Winnipeg Film Group to introduce the Cinematheque screenings of Backbone, a curated presentation of early Vancouver experimental cinema, and to teach two workshops that promise to stretch the imagination of filmmakers.
Alex MacKenzie is a deeply respected experimental film artist working primarily with 16mm analog film equipment and hand processed imagery, creating works of expanded cinema, light projection installation, and projector performance. His work screens internationally at film festivals, galleries and alternative screening spaces
On October 24th at the Winnipeg Film Group?s Cinematheque Alex will introduce a two-part program which sets out to put some perspective on the early work of Vancouver?s cinema underground. The goal of the selection was to present a dynamic series of films that articulate this era and help define the development of film arts in Vancouver.
For more information about the screenings go to LINK.
His workshops will be taught over the course of the weekend, each focusing on different elements of experimental techniques. On Saturday, October 26th Alex will be teaching a Rayograms workshop. This workshop explores the potential of moving image rayograms, the technique whereby objects are placed on the surface of the film, exposed to light, and processed to negative. We will also briefly explore hand processing here so we can process, see and screen the results of our luminous efforts. The workshop will also incorporate contact printing into this technique, where images of pre-existing found footage are used as source material, manipulated on the surface of the raw film stock, and exposed to create stunning new images. 16mm film stock will be supplied and a group piece will be created by running lengths of film out and each working on an area of it under a safelight.
On the following day, Sunday, October 27th, Alex takes the participants into another realm of experimental experience. In this workshop, they take a closer look at the original engine of expanded cinema: the projector. Specifically, participants will explore how to work with 16mm projection devices to allow an expansion of their potential and a re-purposing of their function. Discussion and examination of the various elements of projection – light, lens, focal plane, film gate, speed, shutter, motor, bulb, and screen will all be explored with live examples and an up-close and hands-on approach.
For more information about the Rayograms workshop go to LINK?and the Expanded Cinema workshop go to LINK.
For both workshops there are two spots reserved for participants registered through the Winnipeg Film Group’s Workshop Access Bursary Fund. The fund is designed to assist aspiring and emerging Manitoba filmmakers from Aboriginal or diverse cultural backgrounds (of all ages) in furthering their knowledge of the art of filmmaking.
For more information about the Workshop Access Bursary Fund, go to LINK.