Stan Brakhage, "Mothlight" (1963)

Traditional Filmakers such as Alfred Hitchcock and Stan Brakhage are quite influential in much of modern day experimental films.

Ideas such as the ‘Kuleshov Effect’ which Hitchcock demonstrates a lot in his films makes the viewer work for a meaning in the film. This idea can be integrated into an experimental film, especially films that have no context and are silent. The whole idea of experimental film for me is to spark off different meanings and perceptions of the film in every viewers mind. In a gallery for example, an aesthetically displeasing film could potentially cause a great reaction by the viewers, I could include different surfaces or images that provoke a reaction. The idea of objects grinding is less pleasing than the pouring of cream for example.

The ‘Kuleshov Effect’ could become apparent in displaying different images of objects out of context and placing them after each other, this would create an unnatural feeling that has a different impact on different people. Even a negative reaction could be as successful as a positive reaction depending on the intension.

Stan Brakhage is a traditional filmmaker, being successful in destroying the actual film he created. In the film ‘Mothlight’ – 1963

Brakhage scratches and marks to almost ‘ruin’ the film. Instead, Brakhage creates a weird, jumpy and flashy experimental film. I particularly like the black glitchy marks that appear all throughout the film these marks show that the film is old but also it looks quite effective.