TBI Q&A: Auckland filmmaker Nova Paul

Auckland filmmaker Nova Paul has been working with technicolor for the past eight years. She used the technique forged in the golden age of Hollywood to reflect on the interior world of her Dunedin friend Forbes Williams.

Paul began The World of Interiors by filming Williams' house but was disappointed by the result as it failed to translate the chaos of a real world environment. Instead, she decided to create abstract images composed of strobes of light and shadows. Filmed in red, green and blue layers the filmic surface of The World of Interiors is composed of buzzing shards of colour.

"I find it really magical, when I first saw Len Lye or Arthur and Corinne Cantrill's work I loved how it turned the world upside down. It's a very direct filmic process and aesthetically I'm really into colour and light so it works for me on that level."

Nova Paul will introduce films from the Film Archive's collection on June 5 including works by the Cantrills, Lye and herself.How did you come to the idea of working with Technicolor film?
Through Arthur and Corinne Cantrill who made these amazing 'scientific' studies of the optical process, from there I thought I could push it around to explore issues that I was interested in, such as the poetics and politics of place.

During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
Inspiration can come at anytime, I guess the main thing is being receptive and open when it arrives or more importantly looking after whatever conditions are around you in order for it to occur or be maintained. I like working by myself in the morning and I find drinking lots of tea helps.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
Colourful and smudgy.

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
Because I never know what the film work is going to look like until it is printed up - the biggest thrill comes from seeing it projected for the first time, it's also a big relief.

How does your environment affect your work?
It does and it doesn't. I don't like getting cold... but environment and head space seem to go hand in hand for me so I just try and stay in a good frame of mind.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
That really depends on the project - I like both, it's the lens pull between macro and micro that I find the hardest, that's the long haul when you have to keep chugging along to get the work made.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
Most the time it's when people are involved; from talking to the technicians at the film lab to roping my friends in to wave bits of cardboard around. Another part of my research involves working on projects that deal with indigenous rights issues, that is very important to me and I don't think I could justify my film making if I didn't have that aspect to my practice.

Your current exhibition at the Film Archive in Wellington harks back to the pioneers of experimental film and our own Len Lye, what is it about the medium that inspires you?
I find it really magical, when I first saw Len Lye or Arthur and Corinne Cantrill's work I loved how it turned the world upside down. It's a very direct filmic process and aesthetically I'm really into colour and light so it works for me on that level.

How did you come to the idea of working with Technicolor film?
Through Arthur and Corinne Cantrill who made these amazing 'scientific' studies of the optical process, from there I thought I could push it around to explore issues that I was interested in, such as the poetics and politics of place.

Do you dream in Technicolor?
Have done, not for a long time though.

How do you find balancing your teaching life with your practice as an artist?
I'm really supported at AUT to make work and I think my practice helps my teaching, so it's pretty easy - besides I don't have kids, now that's a balancing act.

Who or what has inspired you recently?
My cat came home after he was missing for four months.

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
Some professional sport.

What's your big idea for 2008?
Less effort, more listening.

EXHIBITION DETAILS:
Opening function 5:30pm Thursday 22 May at the Film Archive. Exhibition runs until Saturday 21 June.

SCREENING DETAILS:
Nova Paul presents: The wonder of Technicolor, Thursday 5 June
Trade Tattoo (Len Lye, NZ, 1937, 16mm, 5.28mins)
Three-colour separation studies: Landscapes (Arthur and Corinne Cantrill, AUST, 1975, 16mm, 20.00mins)
Pink and White Terraces (Nova Paul, NZ, 2006, 16mm, 8.33mins)
The World of Interiors (Nova Paul, NZ, 2008, 16mm, 2.34mins)
Tuberculosis: How it spreads: How to prevent it (1954, Morrow Productions, NZ, 9.56mins)

Related story: From The Wizard of Oz to Dunedin: Nova Paul's world of interiors

20/05/08