Yes. Oakland and SF combined are less than half the size of Chicago and a
fraction of LA. San Francisco has well under a million people in a city
with very limited space of the type that normally fosters underground art
scenes. So on that level its not really a fair comparison.
And given that, you have to give major props to the people that do make it
happen, and especially those organizations that kept it going through the
first dotcom boom, which permanently changed the cultural landscape of this
city, completely wiped out a huge number of arts organizations and destroyed
much of the framework for any real underground to exist at all.
Brook
On Tue, Aug 30, 2011 at 10:42 PM, Adam Hyman <adam_at_lafilmforum.org> wrote:
> Both of them are much larger cities than San Francisco.
>
>
> On 8/30/11 11:59 AM, "Aaron F. Ross" <aaron_at_digitalartsguild.com> wrote:
>
> > Well said, Brook. I have had such high expectations of San Francisco
> > that it's probably my fault if I'm disappointed. However, I have
> > lived in other cities, and it's my experience that both LA and
> > Chicago have better art scenes than San Francisco.
> >
> > Aaron
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > At 8/30/2011, you wrote:
> >> Chris Kennedy's observations pretty much reflect my own experience here.
> >>
> >> There are varying degrees of open-ness to new ideas in San
> >> Francisco. ATA and Other Cinema are fantastic and accessible. SF
> >> Cinematheque is still going. Smaller venues are popping up or
> >> continuing and expanding which is good.
> >>
> >> But San Francisco won't hand you anything. And frankly, there is a
> >> ceiling here for any type of creative endeavor. In the end, this is
> >> a city of consumers more than a city of producers - but its such a
> >> small city that this doesn't always translate to great opportunities
> >> for producers of non-mainstream work. The primary audience for
> >> moving image art here is other moving image artists. Same with other
> >> underground or non-mainstream forms. It also helps to be somewhat
> >> extroverted and comfortable being part of a defined "scene" - those
> >> of us who stay and don't fit those models do keep working in our
> >> hermetic ways, but often focus outside of the city.
> >>
> >> The cost of living is high and it's a real challenge for any artist.
> >>
> >> You can create a scene here. You can have an influence on existing
> >> scenes. I hope you do if you come here! But it's neither Portland
> >> nor New York, to cite what to me to represent two vital poles of the
> >> creative opportunity spectrum in the US.
> >>
> >>
> >> Brook Hinton
> >>
> >>
> >> On Tue, Aug 30, 2011 at 5:08 AM, tooth hinckley jr
> >> <<mailto:blackholecinema_at_gmail.com>blackholecinema_at_gmail.com> wrote:
> >> "There is also a new venue in west Oakland called "Black Hole" which
> >> (I believe) promotes itself primarily via Facebook. Best just to go
> >> there (Facebook that is, assuming if you are part of the Facebook
> >> hive mind) and search for them"
> >>
> >> thanks for the mention, but i use facebook as tool, like any other,
> >> however i would hesitate to identify myself or the theatre with any
> >> "hive mind mentality" such as that. I always have said if you don't
> >> learn how to use a tool you become one. sorry if i seem defensive,
> >> these are my ramblings of a recovering "luddite" perhaps, and once
> >> again, honestly though, i'm assuming you meant no ill will and thanks
> >>
> >> our primary source of "promoting ourselves" would probably be
> >> through extensive word of mouth and flyering. which we did before
> >> our "web presence" and will continue to do throughout and in
> >> collaboration with various online pathways.
> >> we are indeed new, and just getting on our feet as a regular public
> venue.
> >> we also have a blog for announcements which is
> >> <http://blackholecinema.wordpress.com>blackholecinema.wordpress.com,
> >> I am also at work on a regular print publication as an extension of
> >> the microcinema as well.
> >>
> >> we have free tuesday screenings and project both digital and
> >> celluloid (usually 16mm). we are working on starting to have monthly
> >> group showings and are also beginning to host paying gigs for the
> >> work of touring films and filmmakers
> >>
> >> if you would like to get in touch or learn more about the place
> >> email me at <mailto:blackholecinema_at_gmail.com>blackholecinema_at_gmail.com
> >> or stop by the warehouse (or send a letter!) at 1038 24th street/
> >> Oakland, CA/94607
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> FrameWorks mailing list
> >> <mailto:FrameWorks_at_jonasmekasfilms.com>FrameWorks_at_jonasmekasfilms.com
> >> https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> ____________________________
> >> Brook Hinton
> >> Moving Image and Sound Maker
> >> <http://www.brookhinton.com>www.brookhinton.com
> >>
> >> Associate Professor / Assistant Chair
> >> Film Program at CCA
> >> California College of the Arts
> >> <http://www.cca.edu/film>www.cca.edu/film
> >> _______________________________________________ FrameWorks mailing
> >> list FrameWorks_at_jonasmekasfilms.com
> >> https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
> >
> > -------------------------------------------
> >
> > Aaron F. Ross
> > Digital Arts Guild
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > FrameWorks mailing list
> > FrameWorks_at_jonasmekasfilms.com
> > https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
> >
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> FrameWorks mailing list
> FrameWorks_at_jonasmekasfilms.com
> https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
>
--
____________________________
Brook Hinton
Moving Image and Sound Maker
www.brookhinton.com
Associate Professor / Assistant Chair
Film Program at CCA
California College of the Arts
www.cca.edu/film
_______________________________________________
FrameWorks mailing list
FrameWorks_at_jonasmekasfilms.com
https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
Received on Tue Aug 30 2011 - 23:17:47 CDT
