|
 |
Religious
Cycles
B.A.M.P
Video - Group D Studio Project,
19/02/1993
(1
x 10 mins) Bournemouth University / B.A. Media Production
The
story of Mankind's relationship with God, in three acts: birth, life
and death. Man is born out of a black void. He grows up and finds
himself with bills to pay and leather-clad harlots to shag. He fails
to notice signs that show him the true way of life, even though they
are helpfully blu-tacked to the wall in every room he enters.
Curiously, these pointers resemble road signs like "STOP!"
and "GIVE WAY". After death, Man finally meets God, who
casually informs him that life on Earth is all just a diversion.
Religious
Cycles was the third and final video project to be made by our video
group, conceived, written, produced and directed by Tracey Clarke. It
remains now exactly what it was then: terrible. The script is
nonsense. Scott is obviously embarrassed having to deliver it, for
his acting is stilted. It is possibly his worst performance ever. The
other turns are unintentionally hilarious. William Auld sounds bored
as God, while Simon Goddard sounds castrated.
Technically,
the sound is hissy and distant, and the addition of Gregorian
chanting in post-production does nothing to aid it. Studio lights
flash on and off erratically, almost of their own accord.
I
remember only one thing about making Religious Cycles. We were in
danger of being thrown out of the studio at 5pm with an incomplete
film, for the schedule had fallen behind. Suddenly, the camera
operators and I overheard a commotion in the gallery. Chris Crombie,
the VT operator, had been accused of "farting about" with
graphics and holding everyone up. "Don't f**king talk to me like
that!" he retorted. As soon as taping was over, he left the
building and never spoke to Tracey again.
During
our end of term screening, Religious Cycles was granted a tumultous
reception... of laughter. I well recall Alison Denvir giggling
uncontrollably in the back row, and chanting "religious cycles,
religious cycles..." like a mantra. Happily, Tracey's next film,
a wind-surfing documentary, was very well-received during the end of
year screening. One of her video effects, a wipe following the edge
of a sail, caused everyone to whoop with delight.
Cast:
Scott
Fairweather, Annabel East, William Auld, Alison Jenkins, Simon Goddard
Cameras:
Joseph Potts, Alison Vaughan, Gary Truman
Boom
Operator: Daniel Wilson
Sound:
Alison Jenkins
Lighting:
Orin Solomon
Floor
Manager: Simon Harries
Set
Design: Scott Fairweather
VTR:
Chris Crombie
Engineer:
Jo O'Reilly
Vision
Mixer: Eleanor Bateman
Production
Assistant: Paul Silver
Producer/Director:
Tracey Clarke |