From: Steve Polta (email suppressed)
Date: Fri Oct 15 2010 - 05:43:11 PDT
It is my understanding that the advent of exp. film on DVD (e.g. Brakhage) has negatively impacted the film co-ops' circulation of work, presumably due to schools' use of DVD in the classroom as opposed to renting films. This not only diminishes the income paid to filmmakers by co-ops but also impacts the viability of the co-ops.
Speaking as a curator, I can say that online access to preview copies of artists' work (even in excerpt/sample form) greatly facilitates the curatorial process and has definitely led to me including new-to-me work/artists in programs I have curated for San Francisco Cinematheque. (For the record, these rentals have always been acquired from artists or distributors and have always been paid.)
Regarding Beverly O'Neill's reference to the distribution co-ops' participation in this process, it's notable that Video Data Bank (VDB) *does* provide public access to samples of artists' work. Again, speaking as a curator, I can say that this service has led directly to rentals and exhibition. Providing this access would be a wonderful service a distributor could provide its artists. I know it's easier said than done. I would encourage any artists in a position to effect a positive change in this area to organize and encourage this service from their distributors.
Steve Polta
--- On Thu, 10/14/10, Beverly O'Neill <email suppressed> wrote:
From: Beverly O'Neill <email suppressed>
Subject: Re: [Frameworks] UbuWeb...HACKED!
To: "Experimental Film Discussion List" <email suppressed>
Date: Thursday, October 14, 2010, 9:41 PM
Dear Frameworkers, UBU always sparks livelihood anxieties in me, not for my generation which has been around for 45 years of filmmaking, but for those who are beginning to make work or struggling with mid-career anxieties. The scarcity of venues, grants, awards, faculty positions, -- well, everyone here knows what goes on that list. UBU plays a very minor role, yeah/nay, in that equation. Just trying to think of ways to rekindle some of the spirit we all felt when Canyon and Anthology began. It would be wonderful if we could (Frameworkers, co-ops, Anthology whatever) if we could revive the Maya Deren lifetime achievement award and present it annually to several media makers. Suppose the co-op, I'm thinking of Canyon because I know them, set up a way to digitize work and took a % from the sales of DVDs. Could we broaden our focus and support for emerging exhibition groups by watching previews on-line (via Youtube/whatever) of new
pieces, and offer critical feedback. The diversity of experiences and knowledge represented on this list has the capacity to imagine and realize some viable options that would enrich the culture younger artists work in. Frameworks serves an invaluable role in this new era. Using new tools what else can we do. All props to this list.Beverly O'
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