Hold the Line : Straight Ahead Animation

Hold the Line is a workshop designed to explore
the practice of straight-ahead animation as a
powerful conceptual tool. This class encourages
students to engage in prolonged improvisation,
embrace spontaneity, intuition, and a sense of
flow. Students will learn about, and experiment
with, different methods of straight ahead
animation, culminating in a final film. No
previous experience or prerequisites required.

Each module incorporates various readings,
in-class screening and workshops through which
students will examine the output of artists who
have engaged in durational and improvisational
practices. Some of the works that will be explored
include experimental film like Tehching Hsieh's
'One Year Performance (Time Clock Piece)', the
pencil animations of Bruce Bickford, the paintings
of Agnes Martin, the conceptual art of Lee Lozano,
and the piano improvisations of Keith Jarrett.

This course is ideal for students who are
interested in probing the intersection between
personal expression and experimental film. By
eliminating any narrative or structural
constraints, and placing an emphasis on duration
and experimentation, students will develop their
own unique visual language and symbolism to gain a
deeper understanding of their own filmmaking
practices.