What does 'Experimental Film' mean to me?

(Thinking through ideas post)

When I think of experimental film within my own practice, I think of narratives that are inspired by how stories are told in art. My filmmaking practice is informed by my academic interests as an Art Historian, primarily in how I construct narratives and mise en scene.

• films inspired by how paintings are read. Narrative told through symbols, allegory, metaphor, reference to mythology and classics.

• Un-conventional narrative films. A blend between experimental and narrative is important to me. I definitely want to take advantage of the fact that this course is encouraging students to be experimental, so I will lean into that as much as possible.

• I enjoy surrealist and symbolist ideas and strive to make these at the forefront of my practice. Blending surrealism with narrative is important, and the balance needs to be right so that it's doing what I need it to do.