David Anthony Sant
Australian filmmaker
Interview: 10 questions
1. Tell me something about your life and your educational background
I was born in 1968, Sydney, Australia. Since 1984 I have incessantly created art works during periods of study (Bachelors Degree in Art Education) and teaching. I am a visual artist who over the past sixteen years has achieved recognition for my work through solo exhibitions, commissions, sales, grants and participation in numerous group exhibitions.
2. When, how and why did you start filming?
Since migrating to the U.K. in December 2000 I chose to work entirely in digital video. After many years of creating two-dimensional imagery the rapid advances in affordable digital technology allowed me to experiment with the creation of moving imagery. The twenty-six videos I have directed and produced since December 2000 combine experimental visuals with experimental sound.
3. What kind of subjects do your films have?
A subject that re-occurs in many of my films is the experience of location and space. These films are often films about space and spaciousness as experienced within urban environments.
4. How do you develop your films, do you follow certain principles, styles etc?
Every film I create is an attempt to innovatively explore the visual language of the moving image. My approach to film making can best be described as Extemporaneous Film Making.
5. Tell me something about the technical equipment you use.
My films are shot with an inexpensive digital camera.
6. The field of “art and moving images†(one may call it videoart or also differently) is manifesting itself in an important position in contemporary art. Tell me more about your personal position and how you see the future of this field (your personal future and the future of “art and moving imagesâ€)
Ongoing advances in affordable technology will see more and more artists create moving imagery. Video art has a short but well documented history. Many students of video art have an understanding of how the art form has developed and are actively creating works that challenge pre-conceptions of what defines video art or experimental video. I consider myself to be a student who continues to learn and critically respond to visual influences.
7. How do you finance your films?
All my films have been self-financed.
8. Do you work individually as a video artist/film maker or do you work in a team?
I sometimes work individually but prefer to work in collaboration with other artists. I almost always work together with sound artists and occasionally collaborate with other filmmakers.
9. Who or what has a lasting influence on your film/video making?
My interest in researching the way other artists’ use moving imagery and an ability to recall that research is my greatest influence.
10. What are your plans or dreams as a film/video maker?
To create experimental films that challenge the visual conventions we have become accustomed to.
Links:
http://www.youtube.com/davidanthonysant
http://www.vimeo.com/davidanthonysant