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= INTRODUCTION = | = INTRODUCTION = | ||
CHAIN REACTIONS – A MACHINERY FOR NARRATIVE | |||
“Balance is most beautiful just at the point when it is about to collapse” | |||
Narrative is sometimes thought of as a sequence of cause and effect. But there are other ways of thinking about narrative that exploit how much it also relies on chance, risk and "tipping points". A popular modern genre is the “chain reaction”, consisting of a series of actions and reactions between objects linked in precarious and highly contrived ways. In this workshop we will explore how far we can use it as a general approach to narrative as an expression of creative uncertainty, balance and the "life of things". | |||
Some forms and sub-genres - | |||
* The Basic linear chain reaction - The Way Things Go | |||
* Built from one particular element – domino toppling | |||
* Rube Goldberg machines where chain performs a trivial task | |||
* Necro non-sequitur (“Final Destination”) | |||
* The Butterfly effect | |||
* Problem solving in computer games | |||
* Hierarchical – a pyramid scheme | |||
* Trickshots (the camera can make events out of sheer noise) | |||
Goal - to challenge assumptions about the Chain Reaction genre, that it is | |||
* linear | |||
* autonomous (self-propelled) | |||
* mechanical | |||
* meaningless (non-representational) | |||
= TIMETABLE = | = TIMETABLE = | ||
Revision as of 12:00, 5 April 2016
INTRODUCTION
CHAIN REACTIONS – A MACHINERY FOR NARRATIVE
“Balance is most beautiful just at the point when it is about to collapse”
Narrative is sometimes thought of as a sequence of cause and effect. But there are other ways of thinking about narrative that exploit how much it also relies on chance, risk and "tipping points". A popular modern genre is the “chain reaction”, consisting of a series of actions and reactions between objects linked in precarious and highly contrived ways. In this workshop we will explore how far we can use it as a general approach to narrative as an expression of creative uncertainty, balance and the "life of things".
Some forms and sub-genres -
- The Basic linear chain reaction - The Way Things Go
- Built from one particular element – domino toppling
- Rube Goldberg machines where chain performs a trivial task
- Necro non-sequitur (“Final Destination”)
- The Butterfly effect
- Problem solving in computer games
- Hierarchical – a pyramid scheme
- Trickshots (the camera can make events out of sheer noise)
Goal - to challenge assumptions about the Chain Reaction genre, that it is
- linear
- autonomous (self-propelled)
- mechanical
- meaningless (non-representational)
TIMETABLE
MONDAY : (First class)
10:00-11:30 Introduction
- etc
- etc
TUESDAY : (xxx)
10:00-11:30 Introduction
- etc
- etc
WEDNESDAY : (XXX)
10:00-11:30 Introduction
- etc
- etc
READING
"Tales of epiphany and entropy: paranarrative worlds on youtube", Thomas Elsaesser. (In: Warren Buckland (ed), "Film Theory and Contemporary Hollywood Movies", Routledge, 2009)