Readins Response 10

Ray Privett & James Kreul, “A Cinema of Possibilities: Brian Frye Interview”

--How does Frye relate his work (including his film programming) to the following movements / concepts / genres:

Performance (and performance art)
Minimalism
Fluxus

Frye really only delved into performance art when he was at art school in Chicago. Performance was popular there, but Frye himself didn't take performance art seriously. He made a film entitled "Brian Frye Fails to Masterbate" in which he was filmed doing nothing. His joke was that performance art is just an opportunity for people to go out and "masterbate" on screen. Some of his work, like "The most Important Part of My Life (infinite Set)" resemble a fluxus film in that this one features Frye slowly turning his head.

--How does Frye respond to the question about what he “adds” to films such as Anatomy of Melancholy?

Frye wants to "do what the films are trying to do." with Anatamoy of Melancholy, he saw the perfect film, in that the material invited him in and "did what he was trying to do for 5 years."


Scott MacDonald, “Maintenance”

--What are some of the reasons for rental income growth at Canyon Cinema between 1980 and 2003? How did Canyon distinguish itself from the Filmmakers Cooperative and the Museum of Modern Art?

The increasing interest for AG films since the 80s came mainly from educational institutions.

--What problems and controversies did video distribution cause for Canyon in the 1990s? To what degree were the sides of the debate related to the age of the filmmakers on each side? Based upon the interview with Dominic Angerame at the end of the chapter, what was his position on the video debate?

The biggest problem/conroversy was when the organization was about to vote on whether of not any "videomaker" could become a voting member of the organization. The older generations involved with Canyon favored film, and viewed video as a separate medium unworthy of the organization's attention. The younger generations viewed things differently. Ultimately, the organization voted against the measure, and retained its status of being solely a "film" distributor.

Another problem Canyon experienced was the proliferation of DVD and HD distribution, which hurt their rental business. They continue to survive partly from donations from noteworthy patrons, such as Lucasfilms.

--What were the advantages and disadvantages to funding from the National Endowment from the Arts? What controversies developed related to the publication of Canyon Cinema Catalog #5?

The obvious advantage of associating with NEA is the financial aspect of it. However, when someone pays you, they tend to have decision making clout. They were unhappy with the pictures of nude boys and other graphic images in their Catalog #5.