Deren and Brakhage Reflection

These readings came as a sort of relief to me. My entire life I've always thought of myself as a creative person, and yet I've always felt more comfortable with guidelines, a set of rules to be followed. However, both Maya Deren and Stan Brakhage made me realize that there are infinite possibilities in complete artistic freedom. Deren's article states that not only is being an amateur filmmaker acceptable, it is something to revel in. There's an intense, personal connection in films that are bred from low budgets and small crews. You can create films simply by utilizing the resources around you and amateur films are of no lesser value than the massive Hollywood blockbusters you see in theaters. There is artistry in imperfection. It's refreshing to realize that art, especially an art as structured as film, does not have to conform to anyone's expectations. Brakhage's article furthers this notion by encouraging filmmakers to create films by their own standards and wishes and not by anyone else's. Right and wrong do not exist in art and it makes no sense try and mimic the techniques and styles of others. Every filmmaker is unique and it is that variety that makes film interesting.