Albert G. Nigrin
Office: #018 Loree Building-Douglass Campus/Rutgers Film Co-op/NJMAC and
Program In Cinema Studies/Rutgers University
Telephone/Email: (848) 932-8482: [email protected]
Office Hours: T+Th 5PM in the American Studies Office in Ruth Adams Bldg. #024
by appointment
American Experimental Film & Video: A Private View
Instructor: Albert Nigrin
Course #: 01:175:265:01; Cross-listed with 01:050:265: Section 1
Dates: Fall 2013 Semester
Day/Time: Tuesday & Thursday 5:35-6:55 PM with some Thursday screenings going till
7:30PM. Plus two Sunday and one Friday evening screenings
Location: Ruth Adams #001, Douglass Campus, Rutgers University, New Brunswick,
NJ
Course Description: A survey course focusing on the history and development of the
various American experimental cinema movements from its beginnings to the present. Indepth analyses of the structure and content of films by Andy Warhol, Maya Deren, Stan
Brakhage, Sidney Peterson, Kenneth Anger, Bruce Baillie, Yoko Ono, and others.
Emphasis on the "mise-en-scene," editing, narrative form, sound, and special effects in
the films of these celebrated experimental filmmakers. Warning: some films may contain
nudity, sexual situations, violence, profanity, substance abuse, and disturbing images.
Required Reading: Lab Fee/Xerox Packet of Articles = $70 (includes $15 for the Xerox
Packet and a $55 Lab Fee for many in-class film/video rentals and licenses) from the
instructor between September 3-10, 2013 at the beginning and end of class.
Course Requirements and Grading: Attendance is mandatory. Three Exams [Short
Answer/Essay Questions]. Class Participation: 15%; Attendance: 10%; Exam #1: 25%;
Exam #2: 25%; Exam #3: 25%
Learning Goals:
By the end of this course students will have a better understanding of what experimental
films are and how they are made. Students will also have a better understanding of film
analysis and will be able to apply this understanding to other films they see by these and
other acclaimed filmmakers.
Attendance and Absences: I will overlook one absence from class; thus, take your
absences seriously. In addition, more than one absence will affect your attendance score
and I will be less flexible in considering your overall grade. The opposite also holds true:
if your attendance and class participation are consistently strong, you may enhance your
final grade. Students are expected to attend all classes; if you expect to miss more than
one classes, please use the University absence reporting website
https://sims.rutgers.edu/ssra to indicate the date and reason for your absence. An email is
automatically sent to me.
Nigrin/Experimental Film/page 2
Exams: You should take careful notes during class; both exams will be based directly on
the material we cover in class, the readings assigned, and the films viewed for class. The
first exam will cover the first third of the syllabus; the second exam will cover the second
third of the syllabus, etc. If you are caught cheating in this course the penalties are as
follows: an automatic “F” on that exam, a report to the dean, and other disciplinary
actions.
Required Screenings: All students must attend the New Jersey Film Festival film
screenings listed below.
Cost $9 and you must sign the attendance sheet at the door.
1- Su-9/6/13 beginning at 7 PM in Voorhees Hall #105-CAC.
2- Th-9/12/13 beginning at 6 PM in Ruth Adams #001-DSS.
3- Th-9/19/13 beginning at 6 PM in Ruth Adams #001-DSS.
4- Fr-9/27/13 beginning at 7 PM in Voorhees Hall #105-CAC.
5- Th-10/3/13 beginning at 6 PM in Ruth Adams #001-DSS.
6- Su-10/13/13 beginning at 7 PM in Voorhees Hall #105-CAC.
7- Th-10/17/13 beginning at 6 PM in Ruth Adams #001-DSS.
Syllabus:
9/3+5
Introduction
Precursors - Thomas Edison, Lumière Brothers,
Films: Edison shorts, Lumière Shorts
9/10+12+
17
George Méliès, Dada and Cubist Cinema - Man Ray, Marcel Duchamp,
Fernand Leger, Rene Clair
Films: A Trip to the Moon, Return To Reason, Starfish, Emak Bakia,
Ballet Mecanique, Entr’acte,
Surrealist Cinema - Luis Bunuel/Salvador Dali
Films: An Andalusian Dog
9/19
Surrealist Cinema - Film: Hans Richter’s Dreams That Money Can Buy
9/24
The Films of Maya Deren
Films: Meshes of the Afternoon, At Land,
9/26
The Films of Maya Deren
Films: Ritual In Transfigured Time, etc.
10/1
No Class
Nigrin/Experimental Film/page 3
10/3
Art in Cinema
Sidney Peterson, Marie Menken, Willard Maas, Shirley Clarke
Films: The Petrified Dog, Hurry Hurry, Glimpse of the Garden,
Geography of the Body, Cosmic Ray, etc.
10/8
Exam #1
10/10+15
Art in Cinema - Bruce Baillie, Storm de Hirsch. Shirley Clarke, Hollis
Frampton
Films: Mass For The Dakota Sioux, Peyote Queen, Bridges Go Round,
Zorns Lemma
10/17+22
Found Footage - Bruce Conner, Stan VanderBeek
Films: A Movie, Breakaway, Science Friction, etc.
10/24+29+
31
Counter Cultural Films #1- Kenneth Anger Films: Fireworks, Rabbit’s
Moon, Scorpio Rising
11/5
Exam #2
11/7+12
Counter Cultural Films #2 - Kenneth Anger
Films: Lucifer Rising, etc.
11/14+26
Structuralist Films
Stan Brakhage, Jordan Belson, and Chuck Hudina
Films: Mothlight, Window Water Baby Moving, Music of the Spheres,
Ikarus
11/19+21
Women’s Films - Yoko Ono and Gunvor Nelson, Carolee Schneemann
Films: Bottoms, Fly, Take Off, Fuses
Contemporary Films: A.G. Nigrin, Jem Cohen, etc.
Films: Mental Radio, etc.
11/26+28
No Class
12/3
Exam #3
12/5+10
No Class