VARIANCE PROPAGATION, 4min., USA
Directed by Brian Alexander
“Variance Propagation” is an ongoing exploration in observation, meditation, and artistic research. Why do we stare and slowly decompress at the sight of light on water, a distant flock of birds or an empty bag hovering in an alley ? There is an apparent gray area of experience where cadence, familiarity and abstraction are in balance and serve to connect us in an elemental and unified manner. Ive sought to expand on these moments of “betweenness” and shift them towards the primary. The only physical subject is light and water. I

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

The ongoing pursuit of creating experiences which are immersive, meditative, and unifying.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

The original idea was actually a mistake which occurred during a low light studio session. I went on a tangent to reproduce the "mistake" which put me on a year and half journey resulting in the development of one off lens designs, machine based time control, and a good deal of patience.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Visual meditation

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Time. The process is a bit like wildlife photography - sometimes you set up your gear, you prepare the conditions, and you wait . . and wait . .. but the content doesn't manifest.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Fantastic ! It's a novel and truly valuable approach.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

Not certain the age but I was a child. My cousin (who we would visit once a year) had a super eight projector. I remember asking if I could pick it up while it was running and then if he had a longer cord. I aimed it into the bathroom sink full of water and later outside on the trees and buildings. I had always thought in pictures as people spoke but this experience clicked together an internal/innate behavior with an actionable tool.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Koyaanisqatsi

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

Connecting to forms of monetization.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Overall, it's a very good experience.
Just little hitches, eg; festivals which reject you keep advertising directly to you after the fact suggesting you enter. The updates or notices from a given festival don't necessarily sync up with the stats on FilmFreeway, etc.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Vindaloo

11. What is next for you? A new film?

More experimental works in progress ! The newest is a short, "Waking Field" which further refines the image acquisition process and offers greater diversity and depth in content.