Frames
Explore the boundaries of animation in OffLine's "Frames" episode.
Michael Shuman begins the episode with "Emergence," in which he
challenges the conventional "frames" of film media in an experimental
direct-on-film animation. Anne Farrell's "Swan's Painting," frames
the question: What is the relationship of cyberspace to the natural
word? "The Chain Circle," by Manfred Smollich's latest animation,
outlines the food chain and the cyclical aspects of of life. OffLine's
picture perfect interview for the "Frames" episode focuses on
animator Lewis Klahr, whose works integrate images and themes
from the artist's childhood. Adjoining this piece is "Corridor,"
a computer animation by Mary Hazelwood that contrasts images of
the human form against the mechanical shapes of the modern age.
Jeff Rappaport's "Boobs in Toyland," offers a twisted modern life
fairy tale told through the frame by frame process of claymation.
Michael Trainor brings us "Empty," a film born from "framed-in"
frustration and the process of creation. Also on the "Frames"
episode is "Hand Jive," an experimental computer animation with
original music by animator and musician Tom Ross. "Fences," by
George Elyjiw, concludes the "Frames" episode with an award-winning
experimental animation study of the motion of horses
Dates
This OffLine's episode is the perfect gift for the perfect date.
Lev;s "Liberty Beast, part 1" opens the "Dates" episode with a
chilling primer for adult life in America as told through the
use of cartoons, puppets, music, and performance. "Deadman's Cliff,"
by Fae Yamaguchi, describes the worst of dates, a lover's deadly
confrontation, also through the use of puppets. Robert Jaye's
"Part Two," from his "Art and Sex" series, looks with an artistic
eye at relationships and sex. In "The Michelson-Morley Experiment,"
video artist and musician Sam Rosenthal, delights us with more
of his classic art. Allan Heifetz's "Screen," is a humorous experimental
video about newscasters in an existential moment. "Sure Thing,"
by Andy Gose is a hilarious short that summarizes the best and
worst things to say on that awkward first date. "Anklebrace" by
Whose Family rounds out the show.
Drowning
Hold your breath and sink into video art in OffLine's "Drowning"
episode. Dreams (sub)merge with reality in John Yung's watery
computer animated story "Beneath the Surface." OffLine's special
interview feature for the "Drowning" episode is Seattle photographer
Pier DiCarlo. Come beneath the surface with us while she shares
her experiences and speaks about her underwater art photographs.
Also in this episode is "The Drowning Man," by Christopher Barbur,
an experimental film that mixes computer generated images and
live action effects with liquid textures. "Liberty Beast, part
2," by Lev continues the program by fathoming the darker aspects
of American adult life. Seattle's avant-pop group sends us into
a trip with their latest brew, "Trempen."
Cocktails
OffLine stirs it all together in the "Cocktails" episode beginning
with "William Shatner Lent Me His Hairpiece," by Ken Hegan. In
this comedy an obsessed fan battles William Shatner (actor Gary
Jones) for control of Shatner's alluring magical hairpiece. Robert
Jaye mixes it up with a stylized video short "Balloon." From Allan
Heifetz comes "I Am TV," a humorous faux music video modeled on
old TV record commercials that contrasts the purity of the woman
(as Shakespeare) with the male performer (as TV). Tip one to "Vampire
Condom," by Manasseh Productions, a hilarious and "scary" public
service announcement about using condoms! In "Smooch," by Jeff
Frederick, a boy gets a sip of romance in a city of eight million
people. Robert Jaye's "Martini," shows us that the essence of
the martini is stirred, not shaken. "Liberty Beast part 3," by
Lev continues his puppet portrait of America. "Mauro: About Love,"
by Laureen Clair/SOL concludes the "Cocktails" episode with a
music video by performer Mauro. With characters like the Pope,
Lincoln, Jesus and the devil, this underground video is 90 proof.
Cars
Rev your engines with "HIWAY 70," by Bill Alves, an animated culmination
of Alves' study with computer animation pioneer John Whitney.
Racing to the screen also is "The Trilogy," by Cheever/Phillips.
OffLine's feature interview for "Cars" is video art veteran Chip
Lord of Ant Farm. Hop in the back seat and listen as Chip Lord
chats with OffLine about his many projects, including his art
installation "Cadillac Ranch," in which a series of Cadillacs
were partially buried. "The Lost World," by Kenneth Thomas, offers
a bleak perception of how one can be driven to feel trapped in
a small town with no perceivable way out. John Yung's "Rolling
Blunder, is a wacky computer animated short featuring animals
in race cars.Shifting gears on the "Cars" episode is "Allergy
for Life," by Seattle super-8 film maven Reed O'Beirne.
At
The Movies
The silver screen ignites with OffLine's "At the Movies" episode.
Launching the program is "FBI Warning," by Lisa DeLillo, an experimental
parade of FBI warnings that you have never seen. From P. Milspaugh
and A. Margolis come "Don't Forget to Die on the Way Out, a darkly
humorous and cinematographic action movie trailer spoof. OffLine's
"At the Movies" feature interview is with Seattle filmmaker William
Azaroff. Also shown will be his film "Checkmating," the story
of a woman who tests her dates by playing games of chess with
them. The next attraction is a chilling new video from Whose Family
in which the viewer rests in the talons and beak of the black
winged beast, "Peck Peck". Allan Heifetz's "Facial Experiment,"
continues the "At the Movies" episode with its whimsical stop-action
experiments with food and faces. "Album," by Seattle's Serge Gregory,
offers a personal and experimental documentary about a thirteen
year old who enters the world of pre-revolutionary Russia through
a photo album and tells the story of how his grandparents met.This
wonderful film links past generations and becomes itself a preserved
memory. Concluding the "At the Movies" episode is "The Final Cut,"
by Dan Trezise, a melodic mixture of sound, live action, and computer
effects that explores the tough choices of a film editor.
Spirits
All holds are barred in OffLine's "Spirits" episode. "Free," by
Rich Sullivan, takes us on a documentarian look at exactly what
is free in life and includes Allen Ginsburg. Diane Gromala's "Dancing
with the Virtual Dervish," continues the program with an exploration
of the use of virtual reality to help aid in her physical therapy.
In OffLine's feature interview for the "Spirits" episode take
a walk on the spiritual side with the Fernando Llosa as he contemplates
the purpose of art. "Spirits" continues with "Illuminations Suite
II," by Don Slepian, an experimental excerpt of a musical performance.
Lisa DeLillo's "Sisyphus and the Scientists," takes a beneath
the skin peak at a humankind's perpetual yet frustrated quest
for cures, longevity, and immortality, and portrays it through
the reformulated Greek myths involving Sisyphus and Hades. Performed
live at Toronto's Rivoli Cafe, "Toilet," by Keith Cole, uses live
action, surveillance camera technique and late 1960's pornography
to create a most spirited and unusual performance.
Travel
Journey with OffLine in the "Travel" episode beginning with "Dom,"
Manfred Smollich's travel vignette that focuses on a church in
Germany and its steeple cages from which "witches" were hung in
the 1500's. "Tourist," by Rich Sullivan, chronicles the stories
and impressions of thirty first time European visitors to New
York City. "Landscape.001," also by Rich Sullivan, manipulates
experimental imagery shot from train windows in Europe and New
Jersey. In "Going Dutch," Michael Shuman screens his trip to the
Netherlands order to highlight the differences and similarities
between American and Dutch societies. Filmmaker Susan McNally's
"Japan Made Simple," humorously looks at tourist misunderstandings
of Japanese culture and language gone awry. Traveling onward we
arrive at "Temple Doors to Hong Kong," in which images of Hong
Kong mesh with music from the Seattle band, "Pretty Mary Sunshine."
Rozalinda Borcila's "Buni," is one part of a series by the artist
and her grandmother in which they search for different knowledge
and a representation of each other, while focusing on the activity
of looking rather than storytelling.
Experiments
Experimentation is the norm in OffLine's "Experiments" episode.
Leading off the cavalcade of envelope pushers is "Puppet," the
latest music video from Whose Family's CD of the same name. Fae
Yamaguchi's "The Horse Farm," recounts the lives of the several
individuals through creative use of media. "Dialogues of Early
Sound Film," by Terry Cuddy, combines the devices of documentary
techniques, animation, fiction, and soundscapes, to shed light
on the inventor of sound for film, Theodore Case. In Doug Lane's
"The Probe Tape," a scientific expedition goes amuck and probe
monster psychologically destroys a trio of technicians. The next
test is Sam Rosenthal's unique piece "The Floor Was Hard But Home."
Completing the "Experiments" episode is Dennis Summers with excerpts
from his performance/installation entitled "My Nature is to the
Ground".
