
Andy Warhol Screen Tests
The films were made between 1964 and 1966 at Warhol's Factory studio in New York City. Subjects were captured in stark relief by a strong key light, and filmed by Warhol with his stationary 16mm Bolex camera on silent, black and white, 100-foot rolls of film at 24 frames per second. The resulting two-and-a-half-minute film reels were then screened in 'slow motion' at 16 frames per second.
Insights
Plot Summary
The Andy Warhol Screen Tests are a series of short, silent, black-and-white experimental films created by Andy Warhol between 1963 and 1966. Each film typically features a single person, often a friend, associate, or celebrity from Warhol's social circle, sitting directly in front of the camera, usually without much direction. The 'performers' are encouraged to act naturally or to present a persona, resulting in intimate, often uncomfortably direct, portraits.
Critical Reception
The Screen Tests are considered seminal works in experimental cinema, celebrated for their minimalist aesthetic and their exploration of celebrity, identity, and the gaze. While not always broadly reviewed in traditional terms, they are highly regarded within art and film circles for their influence on avant-garde filmmaking and their unique documentation of Warhol's Factory scene.
What Reviewers Say
- Pioneering in their simplicity and directness.
- Intimate and often unsettling portraits of iconic figures.
- A key insight into Warhol's Factory era and his fascination with celebrity.
Google audience: As these are experimental shorts and not widely released to the general public, there is no specific summary of Google user reviews. However, their impact is acknowledged within art and film communities.
Awards & Accolades
None notable in terms of traditional awards, but highly significant in the history of avant-garde cinema.
Fun Fact
Many of the Screen Tests were filmed using a clockwork Bolex camera, which would run out of film after approximately three minutes, often dictating the length and rhythm of the performance.
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