Thematic-Chain Reactions

From XPUB & Lens-Based wiki

INTRODUCTION

CHAIN REACTIONS – A MACHINERY FOR NARRATIVE

Balance is most beautiful just at the point when it is about to collapse, Fischli & Weiss

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)



Pre-reading (set text)


Please read this essay before the workshop begins. (Leslie has a pdf if you prefer).

Tales of epiphany and entropy: paranarrative worlds on youtube, Thomas Elsaesser. (In: Warren Buckland (ed), "Film Theory and Contemporary Hollywood Movies", Routledge, 2009)

https://mindthescreen.wordpress.com/2015/09/29/tales-of-epiphany-and-entropy-para-narrative-worlds-on-youtube/

TIMETABLE

MONDAY : (First class)

10:00-11:30 Introduction

  • etc
  • etc

17:00-17:30 Wrap

  • finish

18:30 - 20:30 Something extra

  • finish

TUESDAY : (xxx)

10:00-11:30 Introduction

  • etc
  • etc

WEDNESDAY : (xxx)

10:00-11:30 Introduction

  • etc
  • etc

18:00-19:00 Break
19:00-21:00 Presentations

  • prizes