I wonder if words that are only defined by their opposites feel sad about that.

Hi i’m non-Louise, I’m essentially the opposite of what Louise is.

But who are you?

 

Non-narrative is much the same. It’s often defined by it’s opposition to narrative, thus we should start with: What is narrative?

“Typically a narrative begins with one situation; a series of changes occur according to a pattern of cause and effect; finally, a new situation arises that brings about the end of the narrative” (Bordwell & Thompson, 2010)

Non-Narrative is often utilised in experimental films, these films often rejects mainstream conventions and standards, often choosing to explore the medium itself instead. Such films sometimes test the limits of the medium,  by manipulating audiovisual elements in obscure and interesting ways such as Stan Brakhage’s Dog Star Man.

Stan Brakhage – Dog Star Man (1962)

 

Experimental films often utilise two main types of form:

Abstract: Filmmakers often utilise visual attributes such as colour, shape, size and movement within the images, to convey a perspective on a certain topic. Such abstract form can be utilised in other types of films, but the abstract imagery often becomes subordinate to the rhetoric purposes.

An example of abstract form in film: Stan Brakhage – Mothlight (1963)

 

Associational: Within associational form, material is juxtaposed to suggest concepts, expressive qualities, similarities, contrasts and emotional associations between the various imagery. Associational films often group images together in layered sets, using repeated motifs and/or content that encourages constant interpretations, such as Koyaanisqatsi’s Life Out of Balance.

An example of association form in film: Koyaanisqatsi – Life Out of Balance (1982)

Catch you later,

Louise Alice Wilson