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March 10, 2004
One
One year ago today I started blogging on Blogger (scroll down for the evidence), primarily inspired by George and Patrick, both of whom spoke enthusiastically about blogging.
This week I've been focused on a conference article and a publication, both of which I need to finish by the end of the month, hence the light blogging. For the conference paper, a few observations:
- For my paper on The Ring, I've been trying to work through the concept of the "mediated horror" film, which led me to rewatch The Blair Witch Project (IMDB). The creep factor is somewhat diminshed on a second viewing, of course, but it's still a fascinating film, especially in its video verite style.
- Because The Ring seems to be "about" the practice of watching horror films, specifically videotapes, I've been thinking about spectatorship issues recently. I think that one of my main observations is that many people who theorize horror spectatorship seem to emphasize watching the films with an audience. Obviously home video complicates that, and the intrusive presence of the TV is crucial to the power of the film. Of course, it's nearly impossible to reduce the diffuse practices of private audiences to a singular televisual audience, but even several decades after the introduction of TV, audiences are still portrayed as passive recipients of the harmful presence of television (often associated with dangerous magnetic rays).
- It's well-documented that the shots in The Ring of the Morgan ranch were inspired by Andrew Wyeth paintings. The shots in the killer videotape conatin allusions to several Surrealist films. Not quite sure how that information fits my argument, but I don't want to read those details as mere postmodern pastiche (and those details seem pretty important).
Posted by chuck at March 10, 2004 1:17 AM
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Comments
Congrats on reaching the one year mark!
Posted by: George at March 10, 2004 9:07 AM
Congrats Chuck!
Posted by: Jason at March 10, 2004 9:15 AM
Here's to many more blog entries at the Chutry Experiment!!
Posted by: Francois Lachance at March 10, 2004 11:19 AM
Congrats!
Posted by: Matt K. at March 10, 2004 11:34 AM
Thanks everyone!
Posted by: chuck at March 10, 2004 7:29 PM
Sorry for the slow posting but indeed, congrats!
Posted by: Patrick at March 16, 2004 12:15 PM