post number six: frampton's formula

If I were to use frampton's formula to consider what Gunvor Nelson's "Natural Features" was about it would have to be "paint." The most prevalent aspect of this film in my option was the use of black paint or ink to muddy up the screen. Throughout the film we are introduced to many different images, sometimes it's a face or a figure and because so much of the frame appears to be dark and black it's hard to make out exactly what we are looking at but as soon as i was able to recognize the imagery, a paintbrush would enter the frame and color over it to fully engulf the frame in black.

This made me consider that possibly Gunvor wanted to hide as much from us as possible to appreciate the imagery that was actually being presented. I wouldn't say that this use of paint was helpful in understanding the film, but it definitely helped the film's movement. It was as if the director was presenting us with a blank slate every few seconds so that he could present whatever new information he had for us. Overall I think this use of paint as well as the imagery that he did provide gave a rather eery feeling. I can honestly say I was kind of creepy out in a few parts of the film. I don't think the use of paint had any big symbolism that to the overall theme of the film however. It was just something that complimented the overall mood as well as the imagery Gunvor presented to us. The soundtrack also contributed to this as we would hear random yells and dialogue entering the room from left and right side speakers.

The sound of the projection machine "breathing" behind me during "A Lecture" just brought some extra life to the presentation.  The sound of the narrator talking was a bit monotonous so seeing the presenter's hands entering the frame here and there as well as hearing the projection machine kept me attentive and interested.  Not that what was being said wasn't interesting, it's just that I really think you can only hear someone talking to you and analyzing a topic for so long before your mind starts to naturally wander.  The use of a projector also gives a feeling of nostalgia since that medium is becoming near extinct in our culture.