as the initiator of the film/video discussion, i have to comment on Juan M. Gonzalez's recent very fair minded, thoughtful, and detailed contribution after giving what has thus far been the best description of the MATERIAL diferences between the two media, differences that no one has denied, he adds an observation that, i think, allows for the first time a way to conceptualize the role and significance of those differences . . . he admits that "Video allows for the study of CINEMA (not film)", making an intersting distinction, and then articulates the distinction with a wonderful idea, namely that "we consider cinema as the language of the moving picture, and film as a medium, then video is another medium in which cinema can be viewed." enthusiasm of any sort seems to me a bit tasteless but that is, i think, a brilliant notion, for it allows those who care about the medium to retain one set of priorities, while admitting that those who care more about the kinds of texts created by or communicated through that medium may well have other resources available to them JMG's rich comments deserve much more response--in particlar perhaps his appropriation of berger (and the unstated though latent walter benjamin intertext) . . . but i hope this will do for starters mike frank ---- To signoff SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask]