Filmmaker, The
Date Of Production
1969
Abstract
Documentary film made about Chicago independent filmmaker Tom Palazzolo for the United States Information Agency.
Description
Over footage from Tom Palazzolo's 1967 film O, voiceover narration explains, "Experimenting with collages of sounds, lights, colors, and expanded horizons of patterns and shapes, the experimental filmmakers of the New American Cinema evoke enormous emotional responses from a new generation of film audiences." Zina Bethune's voiceover proceeds to describe the funding models and production methods of contemporary American independent filmmakers, accompanied by footage of Palazzolo shooting a Bolex camera on a boat in Provincetown, MA, seated next to wife Marcia.
After a brief stop at frequent collaborator Bernie Beckman's studio, the camera then follows Palazzolo down a Chicago alleyway. He photographs various people around the city while describing his artistic motivations and filmmaking process over voiceover. We then see Palazzolo in his studio, painting an image based on one of his photographs. Palazzolo then introduces his film O before a screening at a community center, which is followed by an excerpt from the film. Palazzolo is then seen walking around a crowded downtown Chicago with his 16mm camera as the credits roll.
The year before The Filmmaker was made, the United States Information Agency had asked Palazzolo to serve as a representitive of American independent filmmaking abroad. During a three month tour of the Middle East, Ceylon, India, and Turkey, Palazzolo screened his 16mm films for local audiences. This film was made upon Palazzolo's return, and was then shown in the Middle East. The film was directed by Barbara Hussie, one of the first female writers, directors or producers at the USIA.
After a brief stop at frequent collaborator Bernie Beckman's studio, the camera then follows Palazzolo down a Chicago alleyway. He photographs various people around the city while describing his artistic motivations and filmmaking process over voiceover. We then see Palazzolo in his studio, painting an image based on one of his photographs. Palazzolo then introduces his film O before a screening at a community center, which is followed by an excerpt from the film. Palazzolo is then seen walking around a crowded downtown Chicago with his 16mm camera as the credits roll.
The year before The Filmmaker was made, the United States Information Agency had asked Palazzolo to serve as a representitive of American independent filmmaking abroad. During a three month tour of the Middle East, Ceylon, India, and Turkey, Palazzolo screened his 16mm films for local audiences. This film was made upon Palazzolo's return, and was then shown in the Middle East. The film was directed by Barbara Hussie, one of the first female writers, directors or producers at the USIA.
Run Time
17 min 56 sec
Format
16mm
Extent
650 feet
Color
Color
Sound
Optical
Reel/Tape Number
1/1
Has Been Digitized?
Yes
Language Of Materials
English
Element
Reversal Positive Print
Genre
Form
Subject
Related Collections
Related Places
Sponsor/client
Main Credits
Hussie, Barbara (is director)
Hussie, Barbara (is producer)
Additional Credits
Hussie, Barbara (is writer)
Spielvogel, Bert (is cinematographer)
Participants And Performers
Palazzolo, Tom (is participant)
Bethune, Zina (is narrator)
Beckman, Bernard (is participant)
Palazzolo, Marcia (is participant)
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