Elective: ART • DV & 16mm archival • 30 min • 2023

Elective: ART is an art rock film that reflects on my twenty year journey as a high school art teacher. I combine original song writing and spoken word with performance art, archival footage and direct 16mm film elements to celebrate the freedom of imagination, autonomy in creativity and necessity of creative practices in our schools. The film depicts an art wizard unlocking a student's imagination sending them into a surreal world where a color wheel escapes the classroom. Aided by primary colors, a hero's journey ensues as the class clown is tasked with retrieving the wheel and freeing other students from the tedium of their school day.

Elective: ART is a celebration of youth and the freedom found in the creative process. It's also a reflection on schools. In particular, the lack of autonomy students' have in their education. The work is a voice for those who feel their learning has been hijacked. It's for students who find themselves dreaming outside a future in the STEM economy. It's for those who want to grow through discovery in subjects that interest them and in ways that make sense for them. Lastly, this work is dedicated to adults who have graduated, but continue to embrace learning and find freedom in absurd creative play.

Video, Music & Text: written, recorded, edited & performed by Tommy Becker • Vocals, Guitars, Synths & Drum programming by Tommy Becker • Bass guitar on "Into the Night", "Marks We Made" & “Find” by John-Paul McLean Video synth elements by Kit Young • Interlude sound by Tommy Becker & Lori Varga • Rhythm bed on Teenage Shaman by Stephen Becker • "Yes/No" - Written & Read by Richard Olsen • Shadow animations on, "Line, Shape, Hue” by Lydia Greer • Operatic vocals on, "Deer Children" by Caroline Joy Clarke • Marbled 16mm film by Lori Varga • Mask animation by Greedy Limb. Vocals recorded at Different Fur Studios • Songs mixed by Grace Coleman. Archival 16mm films sourced by Craig Baldwin. Other archival footage sourced from Prelinger Archive & POND5. A huge thank you to all my students for participating in this film and creative adventures over the years! Dedicated to teachers and artists of every age.