Visiting Artist: Alix Pearlstein

Alix Pearlstein presented video clips with various actors performing specific interactions, often in an over-dramatic manner. The sets were not attempting to be realistic, many of them simple white backdrops with the actors shown walking into the space before performing. The sound usage was also recorded separately and added in post production intentionally out of sync and somewhat comical.
The most interesting films to me by far were the ones that presented multiple channels of video, shot simultaneously with separate cameras in single, long takes. The dual channel piece was very engaging to me, as i found myself constantly trying to situate the location of each camera in the room in relation to each other and the actors. The way the cameras started out on opposite sides and panned slowly across the room throughout the film created a very nice effect. The natural lighting in the room was also nice, as it created a blown-out effect in the window. For some reason I really enjoyed being able to see multiple simultaneous views of one room, seeing one camera in the other or at least being able to guess where each camera was. With this style of filming the entire room becomes the set. There's no backdrop or area hidden behind the camera where the director can stand, as the whole room gets in the take. The camera becomes its own entity, traveling about with a purpose that isn't always centered on the performance in front of it. This also gave the ability to see a particular actor close up and also from across the room. The acting in this film was also more intriguing to me. The relative silence and echoes throughout the room were used to great effect and the actions that played out such as the collapse of one of the actors sparked my curiosity more.
The final 4-channel film was also interesting, but what I really enjoyed about the 2-channel one was somewhat lacking here, as the four cameras were enshrouded by black sheets and the darkness of the room. The struggle presented here was engaging, but the limited lighting and presence of more camera angles left me somewhat confused as to where to look and specifically what angle's were presented to me.

http://www.alixpearlstein.com/