Interview with 8 BIT's indie documentarian
by Christopher Grant 
{ Oct 10th 2006 at 11:55AM }
Justin Strawhand is the co-director, producer, and editor of 8 BIT, a new independant documentary about the burgeoning video game art and music scene. Our colleagues at sister-site DV Guru had a chance to talk with Strawhand about the project's inception, the production, and their plans to get the film shown.
The film premiered at New York's Museum of Modern Art last Saturday but, lucky for you, they're having another screening tomorrow night at MoMA that doesn't appear to be sold out yet, you just have to buy your tickets at the museum. Can't make it? Strawhand says, "We're getting many many requests to show in art museums / universities as well, so whatever happens, I think that our film will have some legs and hopefully the people who want to see it will be able to." Yeah, we're hoping so too.
If you have no chance of attending, but just want to get your hopes up, we've embedded the trailer after the break.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Vincent @ Oct 10th 2006 12:15PM
I haven't been to MoMA in years, anyone know how much it is to get in? I may have a friend buy some tickets tonight.
Patrick @ Oct 10th 2006 12:50PM
The only thing more boring then a documentary, is a documentary about video games. "How we use technology has to be interrogated" Are we going to sit it down in a room, and force it to talk? Come on, nothing to see here. If you want the history of video games just go over to wikipedia, don't waste your time watching a movie.
Elpea @ Oct 10th 2006 1:33PM
How we use technology has to be interrogated? Haha, such a "let's pull something out of our ass to sound like we know what we're talking about" comment.
C. Grant @ Oct 10th 2006 12:49PM
Patrick: I sort of think you missed the point. This isn't about video games, it's about the culture they've inspired. And how would a documentary on video games be a waste of time? Are documentaries on rock bands a waste of time ("just buy the cd!")?
sev4 pri1 @ Oct 10th 2006 1:48PM
they better make it out to Seattle. Or at least to our Scarecrow video. Sounds interesting, wouldn't mind chatting with them.
I've been trying to figure out the angle to a piece I want to start working on next year.
Russell Heimlich @ Oct 10th 2006 1:31PM
Digg it? http://www.dvguru.com/2006/10/09/interview-with-co-director-producer-of-video-game-documentary-8/
Russell Heimlich @ Oct 10th 2006 1:33PM
Oops! Meant to post the Digg link -> http://digg.com/gaming_news/Interview_with_Co_Director_of_Video_Game_Documentary
Sorry!
Jimy @ Oct 10th 2006 1:49PM
Video game culture has appeared in art works directly and indirectly for some time. Technology has been integrated in art long before this, and it's a natural progression that artists are influenced by their surroundings. There is nothing wrong with questioning values and implications and the aesthetics of the way we view our world. And it goes far beyond a "fine arts" point of view and application. If people aren't not open to new ideas, then they're wearing blinders. I for one have been very influenced by games, and still play today. I am a working artist who uses technology as a media. I think I will see if they have tickets..thanks joystiq