Symbiopsychotaxiplasm [DVD video] : two takes

Symbiopsychotaxiplasm take one: There have been many films about their own making, but few that examine the creative process from so many perspectives as this one. Greaves uses the shooting of one scene to analyze film production, beginning with directorial fallibility, the inherently collaborative nature of film making, and the creative possibilities that emerge from hardship. In the end, this renders the line between documentary and fiction moot, as Greaves opts for a controlled chaos that transforms the film, into an artifact placed far beyond recognized cinematic norms.

Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: take 2 1/2: This film begins with two different actors (whose original footage was unused), playing the characters from "Take One, " meeting after a long time apart. Many of the characters and some of the original crew members return, and appear to be playing versions of themselves rather than themselves, adding layers of reflexivity to the film. With old and new versions juxtaposed, Greaves seems to be analyzing the first film with greater perspective, and re-analyzing the second, too.

General Note:

Title from disc surface.

Take one: aspect ratio 1.33:1 [full frame]; Take 2 1/2: widescreen, aspect ratio 1.78:1, enhanced for 16:9 televisions.

Symbiopsychotaxiplasm take one originally produced as a motion picture in 1968.

Symbiopsychotaxiplasm : take 2 1/2 originally produced as a motion picture in 2005.

Booklet includes essay "Still No Answers" by Amy Taubin and production notes for Take one by William Greaves.

Performers:

Symbiopsychotaxiplasm take one: Patricia Ree Gilbert, Don Fellows, Jonathan Gordon, Bob Rosen, William Greaves.

Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: take 2 1/2: Audrey Henningham, Shannon Baker, Jonathan Gordon, Marcia Karp, Steve Buscemi.

Contents:

Disc 1. Symbiopsychotaxiplasm take one: The couples/Opening credits ; Film this film being filmed ; "Over the cliff" ; Actor and director ; Secret meeting ; Bill, the director ; Freddie and Alice ; "I'd just like to act better" ; Bill, the actor ; Faggy fag, butch fag, or straight ; The actress breaks ; An experiment? ; Crew confronts Bill ; Singing the script ; "Who's moving whom?" ; Final couple/End credits ; Color bars (1971) (75 min.) -- Discovering William Greaves [featurette] (61 min.) -- Theatrical trailer (2 min.).

Disc 2. Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: take 2 1/2: Introductions/Credits ; Alice does her makeup ; "You have so many skins" ; Secret debates ; Role playing ; "From reality to reality of the scene" ; Seizing the medium ; Q&A ; The new and the old meet ; "Who's the cameraman?" ; "Stand by, roll it, action. . . cut" ; Thirty-five years later ; Blocking ; Director's agenda ; Old emotions and self-control ; "We're going to do psychodrama" ; "Are you Freddie now or what?" ; "This is bullshit!" ; Reconciliation ; Meeting Jamilla ; End credits ; Color bars (2003) (99 min.) -- Steve Bucemi interview [featurette] (13 min.).

Genre:

Documentary-style films.

Language:

English

Additional Language:

In English with optional subtitles in English.

Added Corporate Author:

Janus Films.