Channel Zero: The Trailers

A few years before the onset of what would become known as the dot-com boom (bust, and echo), the focus of aspirant ®evolutionaries seeking to apply new advances in technology to media activism was set on the newly emerging platforms known as ‘desktop editing systems’. These non-linear video production programs had dramatically reduced the cost of creating television without significantly hurting the quality of the output. This new technology had the effect of democratizing the realm of television by enfranchising a new generation of film and video producers, many of whom brought new graphic and audio design approaches to the creation of televisual images. Suddenly, a new global underground was formed of artists who committed themselves to disproving Gil Scott Heron’s then ubiquitous maxim: ‘the revolution will not be televised’.

One such group was Channel Zero, the Toronto-based collective of guerrilla film-makers, editors, designers, and DJ’s who produced three feature length video-magazines over the short span of the project’s existence. Packaged as a new form of television ‘album,’ (a precursor to DVD) Channel Zero was able to circumvent traditional distribution via mainstream television networks through deals with international retailers like HMV, Virgin and Tower Records.

Initially based on gritty Hi-8 footage gathered by the group’s director during a 10 country world tour, *Channel Zero*’s approach to television and music design evolved radically through each production: Planet Street, This Is Channel Zero and, finally, culminating in a 3 part investigative series that was broadcast by CBC’s, The National, Canada’s prime time national news program. It was the first time in Canadian broadcast history that an independent production team had been given the opportunity to speak directly to the CBC’s national audience.

In a series of exclusive News Video releases, GNN presents segments from each of Channel Zero’s video-magazines.

Check out the old skool….

CZ: Planet Street
CZ: This Is Channel Zero

Credits

Directed by:

Stephen Marshall

Produced by:

Paul McNulty, Julie Wheler, Malcolm Sweeney

Executive Producers:

Sarah Aston, Holiday Phelan

Posted by silverback
Co-founder of GNN. Music video and feature film director. Co-author of "True Lies." Director/shooter of "BattleGround." Arrested at the RNC shooting first narrative feature "This Revolution." New projects: A book, "Wolves in Sheep's Clothing: The New Liberal Menace in America," out now. A feature doc, "HolyWars," will be completed in Spring '08.

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• CZ: Planet Street
  Posted by silverback on Friday, October 22nd 2004
• CZ: This Is Channel Zero
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