Subvex Presents: The Exquisite Corpse Collaborative 8mm Film Experiment

Subvex is an international collective of directors, cinematographers, filmmakers and audio-visual artists operating a direct-to-cinema screening model and cinematheque program. Currently based in Paris, London and New York, Subvex advocates the occupation of new spaces for the projection of films that would otherwise struggle to receive distribution in a mainstream market, and emphasizes the development of ground-level cultures around new waves in contemporary filmmaking. The first collaborative and semi-public project we would like to introduce is (working title) the Subvexquisite Corpse Experiment:

This project starts with the distribution of 8mm film cameras to members of the Subvex team. All filmmakers shoot separate short films, which will eventually be stitched together to form a longer whole. This footage is shot on Super 8mm or regular 8mm film, developed, scanned and finally, edited by each filmmaker digitally. Each contributing filmmaker will shoot two (2) rolls of 8mm or Super 8mm film (depending on the type of camera they receive) - The producers will then determine the overall order of the separate shorts within the larger, whole piece- The financiers will all be given an equal vote on the order in which the films appear together as the whole. We will post descriptions of each short online for the financiers to consider and vote upon the concept or intent of the pieces.

We will also use the concept of "limiting" each filmmaker with different parameters they must adhere to while making their film. For example, one filmmaker may only be able to edit in-camera, another may not be able to use any dialog, etc. Regardless of what these parameters end up entailing, they will be suggested by the financiers and entered into a pool, from which each filmmaker will draw one obstacle out of before the start of filming. This will hopefully cause the filmmakers to reach outside their comfort zones a bit and be creative within a somehow unusually constricted framework, refusing the comforts of their normal working aesthetic which will hopefully lend towards forcing them to create something outside of their usual styles.

It is, as the temporary title suggests, a game of Exquisite Corpse; each autonomous piece is put into an order next to another completely autonomous piece, thus creating an otherwise absurd and implausible (for all intents and purposes) context and/or meaning to not only the original piece, but the piece touching up against it. The juxtaposition of disparate elements is the game itself, it is the concept; the disarming of meaning, the irrationality of intent, the incongruity of memory, the inconsistencies of consequence, the abstraction of composition... It is the collective consciousness being puppeteered by the people who help fund the project, they will each create and infuse the films with new meaning, new contexts and a unique, abstract narrative structure which plays with, and comments upon, the concepts of cinematic convention.

We will pull in funding both internally and externally for this project. The prospective costs involved will be for:

1. Film stock. Both regular rolls of 8mm film and cartridges of Super 8mm.

2. Development costs associated with said film (including scanning).

3.Shipping costs incurred by sending cameras and rolls of film around the world.

Otherwise, there is no actual production cost to shoot the films. It should be of considerable import to understand that this is a not-for-profit film. All the cameras used in the making of this film are the property of members of the Subvex team and all equipment used will be only what we already own. We will release this film for free online and none of the filmmakers are being monetarily compensated for their involvement. Every cent of money that comes in for this project simply funds the logistical counterparts of the project. We will stop accepting donations when we have garnered enough funds to cover the costs of producing this film.

In order to acquire the funds necessary for this venture we will start an Indiegogo project, a Kickstarter project and also have a regular Paypal donation account available as fund gathering options so that anyone can contribute in whichever way is most convenient for them.

So this is where you, the viewer, the fan, the lover and supporter of film-art becomes the most important part of this project. If you choose to donate to the production of this film we will allow you, as a producer of the film to take part creatively. The incentive program for producers is as follows (please note that each consecutive incentive contains all legacy benefits of the monetary threshold that came before, i.e., if you donate $50.00 you receive everything listed under the $10-$20 and $30-$40 benchmarks as well as what is listed under the $50 benchmark):

For anyone who donates

$10.00 - $40.00 (USD) – You will receive a “Special Thanks” listing in the film's credit sequence. You will receive an “Executive Producer” credit. You will be given the opportunity to submit a title for the film and a vote on the final selection of the film's title.

$50.00 - $80.00 (USD) – You will be able to make suggestions for and vote upon editing decisions regarding the order in which the separate short films will be connected together into the larger whole. You will be given the opportunity to propose an obstacle for the filmmakers and have it entered into the drawing process the filmmakers will go through to be issued their specific 'limitation'.

$90.00 or more (USD) – You will receive a hand-made, personalized and signed copy of the film on DVD, a “Producer” credit, offered a free pass to the theatrical screening premiere (more info to come at a later date) and a spot on a panel discussion/pod-cast with the filmmakers discussing the creation of and your impressions of the final film. You will also be entered into a drawing to win one of the cameras the film was shot with.

Also, worthy of note: This project continues to evolve and we have many interesting aspects that we have not yet revealed, but you should be aware that new perks and features will be added to increase the value of this project as it progresses for you, the producers. We are still in discussion with various other filmmakers about taking part in this project and will hopefully have some very intriguing names to add to the list of official directors on this project very soon.

The following members of Subvex are confirmed as filmmakers in the current group project:

Luis Alguera

Alex and Niko

Nico B.

J.P. Carpio

Lav Diaz

Jonathan Douglas Duran

Kevin J. Farrington

Dean Fernando

Ian Helliwell

Jonas Mekas

Nina Menkes

Tobe Morgan

Bill Morrison

Jeremy Moss

Jesse Richards

Nabil Shaban

Sam Spreckley

If you have any questions please direct them to us in the corresponding forum thread.

Thank you.

If you can not donate via Kickstarter we have left our Paypal donation account open as an alternative, but please consider Kickstarter to be the primary donation source.