Uygar Demoglu - Extra virgin
7:05, 2011olive oil are the heralds of a 600 year old culture, language and
fight.
DirectorUygar DemogluProducerUygar DemogluCameraUygar DemogluComposerAkkorCrewSound Design: Akkor
CountryTurkeySubtitlesEnglishEdition2011 ScreeningsArtist 2011 Istanbul Art Fair
< overview
Who is Uygar Demoglu?
I was born in autumn 1982 in Istanbul; other than staying away for a short while, I have lived in this city all my life.My primary school years which I can say were fun were followed by the boring, strict syllabus of the intermediate and high school years. Then I took the university entry exams to do the job that I always dreamed of and I was able to get into the Marmara University Faculty of Communication, Department of Journalism. I am glad, I’ve noticed that this occupation will not be able to quench my enthusiasm. My interest in journalism led to interest in arts, documentaries and fictional cinema. I decided to develop my education and career in this direction. I have produced films where I took special care to emphasise labour and visuality and have made various works in this area. Today, I am striving to produce works in the audio-visual aspects of contemporary arts.
What is Extra virgin about?
The subject of Extra Virgin is a greased wrestling competition which has been held on the Anatolian land annually for 600 years. Thus this not only a sport but a composition of an old culture, manner of expression and struggle.
How did you start with film? And do you have an educational background in art or film?
I am a graduate of Faculty of Communications. My interest in film making first started while I was at the university. For close to ten years I have been engaged in the film industry professionally doing various projects. I prefer to also do the production of my own films.
Could you explain how you work, what themes or concepts you use and what is important to you?
Observation is important for me. I can say that the city I live in: Istanbul also has a great effect on me. Anything I see around me can make an impact on me. I record an incident or an image that affected me and later I work on it. Editing and music are very important.
How long do you usually work on one project?
I work on a project for one month or sometimes for six months. It depends on the content of the plot. Some plots need advance preparation but some are created on the spur of the moment.
Do you carefully plan the production process or do you work more intuitive?
Planning is in fact dependent of the content of the plot. In general I spend less time planning the shooting but more time for editing.
How does the title relate to the work, and how do you find a fitting title?
The grease used for the greased wrestling is a special type of olive oil also called extra virgin –thus also reminiscent of other meanings. I like this double meaning.
How important is sound in film, and if you use sounds, do you create your own or use existing?
Music is definitely a very important aspect of my work. I think it enhances the meaning of the images. I prefer original music in every work of mine. I is important the music is made for that specific work.
How does content relate to the form of your work?
The content and the format should be consistent. I decide on the format according to the plot. The content determines the type of shooting technique I will use, the simplicity of the editing, colors or whether I shall use effects or not..
What possibilities of the web are yet to be explored?
Especially the internet helps me reach people interested in my work in various part of the world.
Did the web changed your view on art, or your career?
Yes. I follow contemporary art over internet.
Where would you place your work; cinema or art. And what is the difference between those according to you?
I can describe my work as art. Even if cinema is viewed as an industrial area, quality work have an effect which can cover all areas of art. For this reason it is not really right to separate the two.
How influential is the reaction to your film by the audience?
Especially western audience find Extra Virgin interesting.
What is your next project about?
I am preparing a new video regarding the war industry.
< overview
< Artists interviews
CountryTurkeySubtitlesEnglishEdition2011 ScreeningsArtist 2011 Istanbul Art Fair
< overview
Interview
I was born in autumn 1982 in Istanbul; other than staying away for a short while, I have lived in this city all my life.My primary school years which I can say were fun were followed by the boring, strict syllabus of the intermediate and high school years. Then I took the university entry exams to do the job that I always dreamed of and I was able to get into the Marmara University Faculty of Communication, Department of Journalism. I am glad, I’ve noticed that this occupation will not be able to quench my enthusiasm. My interest in journalism led to interest in arts, documentaries and fictional cinema. I decided to develop my education and career in this direction. I have produced films where I took special care to emphasise labour and visuality and have made various works in this area. Today, I am striving to produce works in the audio-visual aspects of contemporary arts.
What is Extra virgin about?
The subject of Extra Virgin is a greased wrestling competition which has been held on the Anatolian land annually for 600 years. Thus this not only a sport but a composition of an old culture, manner of expression and struggle.
How did you start with film? And do you have an educational background in art or film?
I am a graduate of Faculty of Communications. My interest in film making first started while I was at the university. For close to ten years I have been engaged in the film industry professionally doing various projects. I prefer to also do the production of my own films.
Could you explain how you work, what themes or concepts you use and what is important to you?
Observation is important for me. I can say that the city I live in: Istanbul also has a great effect on me. Anything I see around me can make an impact on me. I record an incident or an image that affected me and later I work on it. Editing and music are very important.
How long do you usually work on one project?
I work on a project for one month or sometimes for six months. It depends on the content of the plot. Some plots need advance preparation but some are created on the spur of the moment.
Do you carefully plan the production process or do you work more intuitive?
Planning is in fact dependent of the content of the plot. In general I spend less time planning the shooting but more time for editing.
How does the title relate to the work, and how do you find a fitting title?
The grease used for the greased wrestling is a special type of olive oil also called extra virgin –thus also reminiscent of other meanings. I like this double meaning.
How important is sound in film, and if you use sounds, do you create your own or use existing?
Music is definitely a very important aspect of my work. I think it enhances the meaning of the images. I prefer original music in every work of mine. I is important the music is made for that specific work.
How does content relate to the form of your work?
The content and the format should be consistent. I decide on the format according to the plot. The content determines the type of shooting technique I will use, the simplicity of the editing, colors or whether I shall use effects or not..
What possibilities of the web are yet to be explored?
Especially the internet helps me reach people interested in my work in various part of the world.
Did the web changed your view on art, or your career?
Yes. I follow contemporary art over internet.
Where would you place your work; cinema or art. And what is the difference between those according to you?
I can describe my work as art. Even if cinema is viewed as an industrial area, quality work have an effect which can cover all areas of art. For this reason it is not really right to separate the two.
How influential is the reaction to your film by the audience?
Especially western audience find Extra Virgin interesting.
What is your next project about?
I am preparing a new video regarding the war industry.
< overview
