During the late 70’s and all through the 80’s, way before I got involved with my local community media center, Malden Access Television, I was spending most of my time at a place called, The Boston Film/Video Foundation or BFVF as it came to be known as. The non-profit organization was formed by local filmmakers and videographers who had graduated from college and had lost access to the equipment and editing facilities they had come to rely on as students.
In fact, what began as a small group of media artists who borrowed each others equipment evolved through various grants and public support, into a major facility that gave members access to equipment, funding resources and training in film and video production. I remember quite vividly that evening in 1976, as we sat around discussing how we could put together some kind of equipment co-op that would pool our resources and make something even bigger. You have to remember; this was the hippy era of communal living, fighting for causes and thinking anything was possible. And, it was definitely before cable companies were negotiating contracts with cities and towns to provide local cable access centers.
It was fellow founding members; Susan Woll and Jon Rubin who thought of the idea of writing grants that would become the beginning of making BFVF a reality and officially incorporated as a 501c non-profit entity. From there we formed a board of directors, created a membership base and hired a staff. We eventually found a building on Brighton Avenue in Allston that our volunteer members helped renovate and make into a studio facility. We hired our first executive director, Michelle Schofield (who now works as the communications director at Massachusetts College of Art) and the rest is history.
We even put together a newsletter called Visions that I worked on with local filmmaker, Randall Conrad, who was the first editor and I became the graphics editor. It was a wonderfully magic time where the energy was surging and creativity was encouraged. But the best thing about BFVF was the screening program that was held almost every week where both filmmakers and videographers would bring their work and share them with an audience. It was Steve Anker who had worked at Center Screen in Cambridge and became our very first curator of the screening series and brought in many well-known media artists to Boston.
What was great about the screenings was not only the diversity of programming but the chance to meet the filmmaker or videographer who created the work. Each artist was always present to discuss their film or video and take questions from the audience. In any given year one could see an experimental film by Stan Franzeen, a documentary by Fredrick Wiseman, or an art video by Bill Viola and be completely blown away by what you saw. Most of the time, what was screened was something you had never seen before and you became exposed to new formats and genres that both inspired and motivated you. BFVF became the place to see film and video and for the most part the screenings were free to members.
Unfortunately, after 25 years of serving the Boston community, BFVF closed their doors sometime in 2001. Ironically, it was because of the growth of community media centers that was a direct result of the growing influence of the cable access television movement. So many people got involved in their own local studios that the reason for BFVF became irrelevant. But what we lost was the terrific exchange of art in those weekly screenings.
Well, MATV, Malden’s Media Center is bringing them back. Last May, as part of MATV Week, Malden Access Television held their second successful “Video Shorts” program where 4 media artists from the greater Boston area screened their work before a very appreciative audience. It was so successful that we have decided to have more of them in the future. In fact, this Friday, on August 8th at 8pm (8-8-08), MATV will premiere, “SERVER” the new video by our own Patrick Gordon, who is the MATV Director of Programming and New Media. The event is free and like the old BFVF screenings, the video artist will be present to answer any questions the audience may have after watching this science fiction thriller.
The video which was written, directed, filmed and edited by Patrick using some very unique production techniques. It is composed entirely of still photos with some intriguing special effects created by a software program that features animation. This still-frame approach enhances the look of the project as it addresses the classic theme of man vs. machine in a future that seems post apocalyptic and very dark. Patrick had shown a clip of the work in progress video at our May screening and I can’t wait to see how it all ends.
So many people are looking for a cheap economical evening of entertainment and I’m thrilled to be able to suggest that you all come down to MATV at 145 Pleasant Street for a FREE night of movie making. You will not only get to see a very interesting film, a collections of his photos, and be entertained with refreshments, but you will get to meet the director and ask him why he did it the way he did. How cool is that?
This is just the beginning. Look for more productions and screenings having their premiere at MATV. For a delightful night at the movies at a price you can’t beat, come to the MATV studio and be entertained. See you at the movies.
