Ian Helliwell Presents: Experimental Amateurs

A programme of rarely seen shorts curated by Ian Helliwell, highlighting grass roots, self-funded and autonomous experiments with image and sound. Ranging from the 1950s to the 21st century, the selection includes a hand drawn soundtrack by Stuart Wynn Jones, a time lapse car journey from FC Judd, amateur electronic music by Ralph Broome from 1960, and direct animation film by students at Phoenix Brighton, on the Super 8 for Beginners workshops.

Drawn from 2 regional moving image archives and Helliwell’s own collection, the programme highlights the type of work with film, animation and electronic sound going on around the country for decades, by people you’ve probably never heard of. By no means amateurish, the output of these Experimental Amateurs reveals what can be done with limited budgets, no official support and a wealth of imagination.

The November issue of the Wire magazine features a substantial article on the subject, focussing on Stuart Wynn Jones and his work with direct animation, optophonic sound and musique concrete.

Alongside the film programme and a selection of shorts, will be a new electronic music performance piece by Ian Helliwell, featuring a large magnetic tape loop, and dance by Charlotte Froud.

Experimental Amateurs includes...

Ralph Broome: Atomic Madness (1960)
FC Judd: Mad Motors (1974)
George Harris: Time Lapse (1970s)
Unknown: A Stitch In Time (1960s)
Super 8 For Beginners Group: Direct 1,6,7,10 (2004-08)
Stuart Wynn Jones: The Spark (1963) & Short Spell (1956)