Naming, and Defining, Avant-Garde or Experimental Film

No matter what, there will always be someone who doesn't understand experimental film. My mom for example! It's nearly impossible to define. Especially to someone who doesn't know much about film in the first place. I feel though if you have to explain it then part of the point is lost. A lot of times its up to someones own interpretation of what they are seeing and how they take it. This article is a lot of  "It's not this or that" but if you are giving yourself rules to follow then at what point is it no longer experimental and it becomes you just following a formula?

Amateur versus Professional

Freedom of ones self and ones imagination is the main point of this article. The beauty of making an experimental film is you don't have to report to anyone because it's your project. Your vision is whats being created so YOU are the most important element. Once again, it's about taking risks and changing the formula. Making an experimental film is the time to really express yourself and, for a lack of better words, let your weirdness show. Let your mind be free and bend and expand. Mistakes can and will happen but you just have to learn from them and keep going with what you love.

The Student 7

"once you’ve mastered the rules, you can change them." This line spoke the most to me. Experimental film making is about breaking ceilings, trying new things, and challenging the norms. If you aren't taking risks then what are you doing? Even if you made what everyone wanted, someone would hate it so why not make what you want. If you fail then who cares? Try again! It doesnt take much to make experimental film. You don't need top dollar equipment and sets. A good concept is ideal. You want it to at least interest someone. A strong crew is crucial too. On big movies sets some of the crew may never even speak because it's so many people. I like the heart and intimacy of a small crew working together.  But as long as you have a good concept and a camera, you should be set.

My name is Austin Crowder. I am from Fremont, NC which is a small town about an hour and half away from here. Film has always been a part of my life from my dad and I watching comedies together such as Austin Powers and Ace Ventura (hence the picture) to my friends and I making stupid Youtube videos. When I first graduated high school I immediately knew I wanted to work in film but at that time I thought I wanted to be an actor. It wasn't until right before I transferred to UNCW that I realized I'd rather be behind the camera. In the past year, I have slowly been finding a love for experimental film. Saying experimental film is the poetry of cinema hits the nail on the head for me and I hope this class really introduces me to a new experimental world.