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Bill Viola's 'Reverse Television'

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Abstract:: Bill Viola's 30-second portraits were about portraiture and the idea of a person staring at the viewer (as the viewer stares at the TV screen). This short excerpt shows a man seated on his couch, the only sounds heard being the load ticking of a clock, and the man's breathing.

Subject:: Arts, Humanities
Collection:: WGBH Open Vault

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Carmen

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Abstract:: 'A contemporary interpretation of the Bizet opera, this late twentieth century story of ill-fated romance set on New York's Lower East Side features Carmen as a rock-and-roll singer and Don Jose as a record producer. The drama is interrupted and examined through a series of audiovisual asides that serve as commentary, with images of fire and ice poetically illuminating the romantic and tragic elements. Carmen is played by New York musician Emily XYZ...." In this piece written, directed, and produced by Ann-Sargent Wooster, a man and a woman reflect on their roles in an obsessive relationship. The work assumes a mock documentary style, as the story unfolds through interviews and confessions juxtaposed with the events depicted. Music includes 'Cloud' and 'Fire and Water' by Brook Williams and Ann-Sargent Wooster, excerpts of Andrew Nadelman's 'Tapestry' and 'Rhapsody,' clarinet solo by Michael Isenberg, and opera singing by Janeal Sugars, Meth Genies, and Clay Steward. The work was broadcast as a segment of episode 612 (1990) of 'New Television.'

Subject:: Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences
Grade Level:: Secondary, Post-secondary
Collection:: WGBH Open Vault

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Collisions

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Abstract:: 'Collisions' was written by Jane Wagner and is an unusual comedy/drama. It stars Lily Tomlin and other well known performers, such as Dan Aykroyd and Gilda Radner. The work attempts to integrate short video works by Stephen Beck, Ed Emshwiller, Louis Falco, Ron Hays, Stan Vanderbeek, and William Wegman. 'Collisions' tells the story of Eartha, a creature from the planet of Zymus, who agrees to take a human form and to observe the planet earth. Eartha inhabits Beth Barber (Lily Tomlin), a news reporter. At one point, Beth visits her family in Kentucky, who are played by Tomlin's actual family. Meanwhile, a panel of experts on a television program on Zymus monitor Eartha's impressions and contemplate whether or not to blow up the earth. Eventually, Eartha, who has come to respect the humans' vulnerability and depth of feeling, has a falling out with the panel. The fate of earth remains uncertain. Produced by Fred Barzyk and David Loxton. A coproduction of the WNET Television Laboratory and the WGBH New Television Workshop. This work was considered a 'failure' by Fred Barzyk and was never broadcast.

Subject:: Arts, Humanities, Science and Technology
Collection:: WGBH Open Vault

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Going Away Party, The

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Abstract:: 'The Going Away Party,' by Dan Boord and Greg Durbin, is a dramatic work about corruption among Oklahoma county officials. It is based on the true stories of incidents of corruption amongst Oklahoma's elected county commissioners. This segment is from the dramatic 'reenactment,' showing friends and supporters of Burrows, a commissioner sentenced to serve a jail term, at a going-away party.

Subject:: Arts, Social Sciences
Collection:: WGBH Open Vault

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Mother's Little Network

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:: Billing itself as 'the only show on PBS with no English host,' this one-of special comic program presents several short skits. Many of these rely on visual gags. A tortilla falls onto a record turntable. Four hard-boiled detectives narrating a story from the wheel of a car turn out to be driving the same car. A flaming cheeseburger crashes into a miniature set. A lucky fisherman literally has fish flying out of the air at him. 'Bionic Bag Boy' runs through the aisles of the supermarket. In a Psycho-esque shower scene a woman is pelted with cream pies. A character reminiscent of 'Taxi Driver's' Travis Bickle gives a cab ride to a group of disgruntled stuffed animals in a skit entitled 'Taxi Dermist.' In a segment evocative of Mr. Rodgers neighborhood, 'Mr. Ernie' takes off his sweater and shoes, continuing to strip down to his boxer shorts. The Coasters provide musical entertainment in a guest spot. Their images are superimposed onto a set of coasters on a table laden with beer and popcorn. Produced by Fred Barzyk. Directed by Dick Bartlett. Based on earlier experiments created at the Workshop by several of the artists, this work was intended to function as a pilot. The 'Television Workshop' created several shows that were broadcast on WGBH without being a part of a series sponsored specifically by the Workshop. Additionally, they were commissioned to create shows showcasing video art for national broadcast and created several shows in collaboration with existing series at other stations, such as WNET''s 'American Playhouse.'

Browse: Keyword: Parodies

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Bill Viola's 'Reverse Television'

Carmen

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Going Away Party, The

Mother's Little Network

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Browse: Keyword: Parodies

You searched for:

Refine Your Search

Bill Viola's 'Reverse Television'

Carmen

Collisions

Going Away Party, The

Mother's Little Network

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Conditions of Use