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THE MOVING IMAGE GENRE-FORM GUIDESublists: Experimental, Animation, AdvertisingContents | Introduction | Examples | Bibliography | Genres Appendices: Experimental | Animation | Advertising Experimental genre subdivisions:This appendix is based on an original document prepared for the National Moving Image Database by Linda Tadic, and adapted for use here with permission
AbsoluteWork where the image (usually abstract) and the music are in a symbiotic relationship. Used for Visual music. Examples: MOOD CONTRASTS; SAMAHDI; PERMUTATIONS Abstract live actionWork that fragments or otherwise present live objects so they appear to be abstract. See also Cubist. Examples: TEXT OF LIGHT; H2O; LEAVES OF GLASS ActivistWork that presents a specific political-social-economic agenda. Used for Guerilla television. Film examples: ONLY THE BEGINNING; THE NATIONAL HUNGER MARCH Video examples: STOP THE CHURCH; FOUR MORE YEARS; GULF CRISIS TV PROJECT AutobiographicalWork using the filmmaker as subject. Film examples: TESTAMENT (1974); FILM PORTRAIT; (NOSTALGIA) Video examples: WHY I GOT INTO TV AND OTHER STORIES; TRICK OR DRINK City symphonyWork that presents a city's landscapes and activities in an abstract or impressionistic manner. Film examples: BERLIN--DIE SYMPHONIE EINER GROSSTADT / BERLIN-- SYMPHONY OF A GREAT CITY; SAUSALITO CubistWork following the Cubist art movement aesthetic of fragmenting objects and the human figure so they appear at times as abstract images. Such work was made primarily in the 1920s. See also Abstract live action. Example: BALLET MECANIQUE DadaWork following the Dada art movement aesthetic of juxtaposing seemingly nonsensical or unrelated images and vignettes, giving the appearance of spontaneous thought without necessarily having a deep "meaning." Such work often uses trick photography. Example: ENTR'ACTE DiaryWork that uses footage of the filmmaker's daily existence with long un-edited or in- camera edited sections. Film examples: LOST, LOST, LOST; EUROPEAN DIARY '78; CHARMED PARTICLES Video example: WEATHER DIARY NO. 5 FeministWork that presents a feminist critique of social and/or political-economic structures. Film examples: SCHMEERGUNTZ; LIE BACK AND ENJOY IT Video examples: A MAN'S WOMAN; SEMIOTICS OF THE KITCHEN Gay/lesbianWorks made by gay or lesbian filmmakers in which the content reflects concerns associated with gay and/or lesbian life. Examples: AN INDIVIDUAL DESIRES SOLUTION; GENTLY DOWN THE STREAM Guerilla television see ActivistIntermittent animationWork where a discernible image within a frame appears intermittently between sections of black or white leader, creating a "flicker" effect. Examples: N:O:T:H:I:N:G; THE FLICKER LandscapeWork in which the subject is a landscape or specific non-urban location. Film examples: THE SKY ON LOCATION; FOGLINE; SEVEN DAYS Video example: SOMBRA A SOMBRA LoopWork composed of a long piece of film spliced end to end so it runs through a projector or other apparatus for a potentially infinite length of time. Examples: BRUSSELS LOOPS; INVOCATIONS OF CANYONS AND BOULDERS FOR STAN BRAKHAGE LyricalA term used by P. Adams Sitney to describe films that present the subjective eye of the filmmaker: the viewer sees what the filmmaker sees. There is a feeling of gestural motion created by the camera movements and also through the editing. Examples: VISUAL VARIATIONS ON NOGUCHI; ANTICIPATION OF THE NIGHT; VALENTIN DE LAS SIERRAS ParticipatoryWork based on an event that requires audience and/or technician participation, in which the viewer's behavior determines the image or sound content of the work. Film examples: LINE DESCRIBING A CONE; PROJECTION INSTRUCTIONS Video Examples: MEM; ST. ELMO'S FIRE PortraitWork that can be evocative of an individual, rather than strictly biographical. Examples: ALLISON; RED SHIFT; MUJER DE MILFUEGOS / WOMAN OF A THOUSAND FIRES ReflexiveWork that uses motion picture history for their subjects, or films that are films about themselves. Film examples: LUMIERE'S TRAIN (ARRIVING AT THE STATION); 24 FRAMES PER SECOND Video examples: GLOBAL GROOVE; TELEVISION DELIVERS PEOPLE Street"Street videos" or "street tapes" were born and thrived during the late 1960s to mid-1970s. The style consisted of hand-held camerawork (1/2 in. reel portapaks) using only available light. The content of "street" videos concentrated on spontaneous interviews with people from all walks of life, in streets, workplaces, and in the community. Video examples: LIFESTYLES: AN EXPERIMENT IN FEEDBACK StructuralWork that concentrates on form rather than content. The work may base its structure on an exaggerated aspect of motion picture technique (for example, a 40 minute slow zoom or an eight hour stationary shot of the Empire State Building), or on viewers' relationships with the cinematic apparatus. Note: Use Reflexive for work that uses the medium and technique as its subject. Examples: WAVELENGTH; SERENE VELOCITY; ARNULF RAINER SurrealistWork following the Surrealist art movement aesthetic of allowing the subconscious to make free associations with images and content. Surrealist work is similar to Dada in that at times both juxtapose seemingly nonsensical images and vignettes, giving the appearance of spontaneity. However, while Dada is rooted in visual and verbal "puns" used for the sake of their own enjoyment and absurdity, Surrealist work use this technique to explore social and political issues. Examples: THE SEASHELL AND THE CLERGYMAN; L'AGE D'OR / THE GOLDEN AGE TextWork whose primary images consist of text. Film example: SECONDARY CURRENTS Video example: TELEVISION DELIVERS PEOPLE TranceA term used by P. Adams Sitney in describing films that have a protagonist "who passes invisibly among people," archetypal images, and ends with the protagonist confronting their past. Film examples: AT LAND; BLOOD OF A POET Visual music see AbsoluteAnimation subdivisions
Abstract animationType of animation without narrative, concentrating on abstract visuals. Examples: DIAGONAL SYMPHONY; MOTION PAINTING NO. 5 (1947) Cameraless animationType of animation in which the images are drawn directly on the film stock, rather than photographed. Examples: BEGONE DULL CARE Cartoon use Animation (with the form Short)CGI see Computer animationClay animationType of animation which generally uses plasticine or clay, such as the "Claymation" work of Will Vinton or the Wallace and Gromit series. Examples: THE ADVENTURES OF MARK TWAIN (1985); CREATURE COMFORTS; THE WRONG TROUSERS Collage animation see Cutout animationCombination live action and animationType of animation which may combine live action and animated imagery, such as the "Out of the Inkwell" series. Examples: FLIES / KOKO SWATS 'EM; THE THREE CABALLEROS; VYNALEZ ZKAZY / AN INVENTION OF DESTRUCTION / THE FABULOUS WORLD OF JULES VERNE; WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT Computer animationType of animation in which the visuals are composed predominantly of computer- generated imagery. Used for CGI. Feature examples: TOY STORY; TRON Cutout animationType of animation using still photos and cut-outs to form a collage. Used for Collage animation. Examples: FRANK FILM; HEAVEN AND EARTH MAGIC; SOPHIE'S PLACE; FIRST ABSTRACT FILM EXERCISE (1949); UNE IDEE / L'IDEE / THE IDEA (1931) Intermittent animation see ExperimentalPinboard animation see Pinscreen animationPinscreen animationType of animation created with the use of an upright board containing closely placed protruding pins that create shadow designs. Examples: NIGHT ON BALD MOUNTAIN (1934) Pixillation animationType of animation which generally uses humans or other live subjects filmed incrementally in various fixed poses, creating an unnatural or surreal effect when played back at normal speed. Examples: NEIGHBORS (1952) Sand animation see Silhouette animationSilhouette animationType of animation using intricately cut-out paper figures silhouetted with backlighting. Variations of the technique use backlit sand or other materials. Used for Sand animation. Examples: DIE ABENTEUER DES PRINZEN ACHMED / THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCE ACHMED; THE CLOWN AND HIS DONKEY; THE GALLANT LITTLE TAILOR; SHAKA NO SHAGAI / THE LIFE OF BUDDHA Time-lapse animationType of animation filming live action one frame at a time at periodic intervals, then projecting the footage at the usual 24 frames per second. Advertising subdivisions:
Company promotionWork which promotes a company or industry, usually by detailing noteworthy accomplishments, but does not actually promote a product or service. Such work is typically commercial-length, from 10 seconds to 3 minutes. Note: Use Sponsored for works of greater length. Examples: ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND; GENERAL ELECTRIC InfomercialWork promoting a product or service that usually lasts at least 30 min. An infomercial uses elements of television shows such as a talk show or a panel so that it will resemble the format of a television show more than that of a commercial. Examples: VICTORIA JACKSON COSMETICS Political commercialWork which promotes certain candidates, political parties, or political views, varying in length from short commercials (a few minutes or less) to longer programs lasting an hour or more. Used for Political spot. Promotional announcementWork which promotes a network or promotes a particular television show. Public service announcementWork which promotes certain charitable causes or types of behavior, such as promoting contributions to the American Cancer Society, encouraging girls to join the Girl Scouts, urging people on the behalf of The U.S. Treasury Department to purchase savings bonds, or encouraging people on behalf of the American Dairy Association to drink milk. |
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