Ulf Kristiansen
videomaker from Norway
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Interview: 10 questions
1. Tell me something about your life and the educational background
Ulf Kristiansen (b. 1969-11-03, Norway) is a painter and video-artist. Ulf Kristiansen is currently living at Nesodden, a peninsula outside of Oslo, Norway. While starting out as a figurative painter, Ulf is now mainly focusing on 3d animation and machinima. His films have partaken in numerous international video festivals and exhibitions.
2. When, how and why did you started filming?
I had no immediate luck as a painter and the film/animation medium was a more effective way of expressing my ideas. I did not start making films before 2006. I did not have much interest in art film before I started to make them myself. I started out making machinima, but have later learned how to make animations in 3d.
3. What kind of subjects have your films?
My works are usually of a narrative nature.
4. How do you develop your films, do you follow certain principles, styles etc?
Machinima, 3ds max and flash + found footage. Whatever works and can be mixed together. I want my films to touch the viewer’s heart, soul or private parts and be somewhat entertaining doing so.
5. Tell me something about the technical equipment you use.
Machinima, 3ds max and flash + found footage.
6. What are the chances of new media for the genre film/video in general and you personally?
Many artists of all disciplines use the internet both for networking and for exposing their works to the public. New media art can be transferred electronically without losing anything of it potency. Video-art can easily be shown virtually everywhere. Curators can arrange video-screenings without much expense. While a painter can show his paintings online, a curator in a different country cannot exhibit it without huge costs and risk taking. A curator can get an exact presentation of video and new media-art within just minutes and receive a dvd of the work in a couple of days.
7. How do you finance your films?
It is not much money floating around in the art film racket so I make my movies on a very small budget and try to apply for different forms of grants.
8. Do you work individually as a video artist/film maker or do you work in a team? If you have experience in both, what is the difference, what do you prefer?
I like both. I have learned a lot through international collaborations. I find it fascinating to work on others video works as well as letting others play around with mine. I think it is liberating. A good way not to become too self-involved.
9. Who or what has a lasting influence on your film/video making?
My inspiration comes more from literature and different forms of pop culture rather than from art films.
10. What are your future plans or dreams as a film/video maker?
To make good video works.
*Can works of yours viewed online besides on Video Channel? Where?
List some links & resources
www.ulfkristiansen.com
http://vimeo.com/ulfkristiansen
http://www.artreview.com/profile/UlfKristiansen