John Whitney Sr.

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The Film Art of John Whitney, Sr.
1
John Whitney, Sr. one of the early pioneers in films made by computer-driven cameras explains and demonstrates his work. Shot on location at Whitney's home in California, includes excerpts from his films "Matrix 3", "Catalog", "Permutations" and "Lapis." 1975. Making abstract motion in time, and impinging directly on the viewer's emotions as music does -- these were among Whitney's early goals. "Music organizes time in a special way, creates tension in us, then satisfies, gratifies. We can do the same for patterns-- something is going to happen, make it happen in a way you don't expect. Film permutations can be parallel to tones in harmonic sequence; dominant chord resolves into tonic chord." To do this, says Whitney, "we need new tools, and to learn how to control them. They're unlike musical instruments which we have been practicing on for 300 years. We have to start from scratch. " - Stephan Chodorov, Writer.
Documentary
Abstract Cinema
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Abstract Cinema

Jun 24, 1993
Several well-known and pioneering abstract filmmakers discuss the history of non-objective cinema, the works of those that came before them and their own experiments in the field of visionary filmmaking.
TV Movie
Mahzel
1

Mahzel

Jan 01, 1970
(ca.1949, 16mm, b/w, sound, 3min.)
Catalog
6.667

Catalog

Jan 01, 1961
Collection of Computer Graphic effects.
Animation
Permutations
6

Permutations

Dec 21, 1968
An experimental short film by John Whitney Sr. which combines animated shapes and colors; Computer graphics as dynamic, swirling art. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2014.
Documentary
Arabesque
8

Arabesque

Jan 01, 1975
John Whitney's pioneering work of computer animation, Arabesque, from 1975. This flowing, abstract short film is a wonder to behold, a work of art. Like many other computer graphics pioneers, this film suggests roots in psychedelics and spiritual quests as much as engineering and mathematics. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2007.
Animation
Five Film Exercises: Film 1
4.8
Begins with a three beat announcement drawn out in time which thereafter serves as a figure to divide the four sections. Each return of this figure is more condensed, and finally used in reverse to conclude the film. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2004.
Animation
Five Film Exercises: Film 4
4.6
The entire film is divided into four consecutive chosen approaches—the fourth section devoted to a reiteration and extension of the original material. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 1999.
Animation
Matrix III
7.3

Matrix III

Nov 01, 1972
An abstract computer-generated animation set to music by Terry Riley.
Animation
Matrix I
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Matrix I

May 18, 1971
A piece of abstract cinema by John Whitney. A series squares follow a 3-dimensional track, each one with a slight delay after the other.
Animation
Hex Demo
1

Hex Demo

May 01, 1973
A silent black and white computer graphic short film specially made to accompany John H. Whitney's Lecture on Digital Harmony at Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada, in 1973.
Osaka 1-2-3
1

Osaka 1-2-3

Jan 01, 1970
A silent black and white computer graphic short film specially made to accompany John H. Whitney's Lecture on Digital Harmony at Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada, in 1973.
Five Film Exercises: Film 5
1
Opens with a short canonical statement of a theme upon which the entire film is constructed. The canon is repeated in contrasting variations by means of color. A second section poses the same image in deep film space. The image unfolds itself repeatedly, leaving the receding image to continue on smaller and smaller. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2005.
Animation
Hot House
1

Hot House

Jan 02, 1952
Short film by John Whitney. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 1999.
Mozart Rondo
1

Mozart Rondo

Jan 02, 1953
Short film by John Whitney. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2005.
Moon Drum
1

Moon Drum

Jan 01, 1970
Moon Drum offers an impressionistic evocation of the mood, color and feel of native American art created by computer graphics.
Blues Pattern
1

Blues Pattern

Jan 01, 1956
A UPA/CBS cartoon film by Ernest Pintoff and John Whitney, music by Shorty Rogers.
Screening Room
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Screening Room

Oct 13, 1981
Independent filmmakers are given a chance to show and discuss their work on a commercial (ABC-TV) affiliate station.