1. The manifesto is provocative and useful, Some of this aspect comes from material that isn't really directly connected to the conditions of the original Lumiere films, but that's just fine, and the Lumiere "restrictions" continue to be useful as well. It has inspired some of the best work in the videoblogging world so far.
2. Making "Lumieres" as exercises, finished works or aesthetic statements is as old as the hills. I've given "Lumieres" as assignments to my students for many years. and I'm hardly alone in this. That said, Andreas and Brittany deserve huge amounts of credit for calling attention to the practice and its potential in an online context. 3. The manifesto/project does become problematic in some respects in that making a Lumiere is now, at least in the videoblogging world, seen as connected with the Andreas and Brittany's project, even though the maker may have their own reasons for working in a form that dates back to the dawn of cinema. Cheryl should be able to make Lumieres if she chooses without it being seen as an endorsement of a manifesto she doesn't agree with, and she should be able to CALL them Lumieres, as the use of the term to denote work that is inspired by and works within limitations similar to that of the of the original Lumiere Brothers films predates videoblogging. let alone the manifesto. This is not, however, the fault of Andreas and Brittany, nor of any videoblogger at all. 4. It's good that Andreas is making sure Brittany gets her due - it's the right thing to do. It's too bad the tone was so needlessly combative and dismissive - imo, the wrong thing to do, as it is obvious no ill will was intended on Roxanne's part - quite the contrary. 5. Anyone who has not seen the original Lumiere films- do it! They are remarkable and inspiring. But try to find versions that have been transferred at the correct speed, and for heaven's sake turn down the sound they are invariably destroyed with. Brook __________________________________________________ Brook Hinton film/video/audio art www.brookhinton.com studio vlog/blog: www.brookhinton.com/temporalab
