Unit training film #1

Duration: 14

Year Published: 1980

Creator: by Scott Ryser

Format: 16mm

Color: Color

Sound: sound

Credits: Ryser, Scott, direction, music.; Units (Musical group)

Description: Print formerly in distribution at Canyon Cinema.; Pacific Film Archive collection; non-circulating. Access by appt. only. CBPF.; Music performed and written by the San Francisco Units ; synthezier, vocals, Rachel Webber ; synthesizer, rhodes, vocals, Scott Ryser ; drums, vocals, Brad Saunders.; "The Units were one of America's first electronic new wave bands, they are widely cited (along with The Screamers from L.A.) as pioneers of a genre now known as synthpunk. The Unit Training Film #1, produced by Scott Ryser and Rachel Webber in 1980, was compiled from films that the band projected during their live performances. The films were satirical, instructional films critical of conformity and consumerism, compiled from found footage, home movies, and obsolete instructional shorts. In 1979 and 1980, Rick Prelinger was a frequent contributor and occasional projectionist at the band's live performances in San Francisco. The film was also shown sans band in movie theaters around the San Francisco Bay Area including the Roxie Cinema, Cinematheque, Intersection Theater and the Mill Valley Film Festival. There was never a set length or definitive 'finished version' of the original Unit Training Film. Just the current version. The film varied in length from about 10 to 45 minutes, depending on how long the Units set was on any particular night. Clips were constantly being added and others were deleted and discarded once their condition became too poor to project any longer. The film was constantly breaking, and the projectionists always kept a roll of Scotch Tape nearby for timely repairs. A version of this film can be viewed online at: http://www.archive.org/details/ Unit_Training_Film_1; PFA 1606-01-13670. D0370; PFA 1606-01-13670. CONDITION NOTE: Inspected: 2008/05/22 Start-up trouble during "Section A" title - messy perf repair and crinkle. Fair emulsion scratches and light to fair base scratches across frame throughout. One splice. Overall in good condition. CONDITION NOTE: Last checked: 2009/07/23 Same. CONDITION NOTE: Last inspected: 2011/10/ 04; Fair to good condition; moderate rain of light linear scratches throughout; color fading varies--often very good image quality; Eastman safety (1980); threading issue in head leader (3 frames crimped/sprocket ridden in black); messy perf repairs in opening credits; messy tape splice mid-reel; whiteout on perf edge at tail

Metadata Source:BERKELEY ART MUSEUM AND PACIFIC FILM ARCHIVE