Looking for a short video

January 25, 2009 1:05 PM

I'm trying to find a short video with a non-human focus that is enjoyable to watch.

I'm looking for a short video that is enjoyable to watch but does not have too much "social stimuli" - the video should not be about people, especially not people interacting with each other (or anthropomorphized animals interacting with each other). The only frame of reference I can think of is parts of Fantasia (like this) but surely there must be other stuff out there - abstract art projects, weird cartoons, I'm open to anything as long as it fits the above restrictions.

It should be at least 5, preferably 10-15 minutes in length. Feel free to suggest something longer if I can cut it down. I need to be able to take, borrow or buy it with relative ease.

Any suggestions?

posted by shaun uh to media & arts (11 comments total)

The film Koyaanisqatsi (Godfrey Reggio, with Philip Glass), although longer than 15 minutes, is composed of movements that might meet your requirements.
posted by WPW at 1:23 PM on January 25

Something like Begone Dull Care springs to mind. Or Street Music. or Mindscape.

Choose the highest quality and watch full screen.
posted by bonobothegreat at 1:56 PM on January 25

It may be out of print now, but I used to have a laserdisc called "Water's Way" which visually was all about streams and rivers. (It was music videos, kind of; the music was from Windham Hill.) I don't recall seeing a single human in it; they were trying to avoid that.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 2:50 PM on January 25

I would search for "penguin" on Youtube. Seriously, penguins are always fun to watch. *sigh* If only I had a penguin...
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 3:30 PM on January 25

Correction: it was called "Water's Path" and it's available on DVD.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 3:32 PM on January 25

A quick browse on the Youtube shows a number of 'relaxation videos' that are nature shots. Mountain streams, for example.

Using the advanced search can let you look for 'medium' 4-20 minute length videos, as well as looking in the film/animation section (keyword 'abstract' brings up some things that might be suitable for you.)
posted by cobaltnine at 4:57 PM on January 25

Sunrise Earth is my favorite diversion
posted by buggzzee23 at 5:02 PM on January 25

Animusic.
posted by Daily Alice at 7:23 PM on January 25

Enjoy:

- Ruttman vs. Milant (some info, self-linkish)
- Harry Smith's Early Abstractions (don't miss parts 2,3, & 4; didn't see this till just now, but of course there's a Harry Smith MeFi post.)
- Mick Turner painting: Crow, Swim (maybe?)
- Norman McLaren's Spook Sport (and related videos; this might actually be a little too anthropomorphic for you.)
- John Whitney's Arabesque
- Mary Ellen Butte's Synchromy No. 4: Escape (sorta short)

Visual Music Artists at Wikipedia might be of some help.
You may also wish to experiment with the Whitney Music Box, just for fun.
posted by carsonb at 11:48 PM on January 25

The intro for Planet Earth is short (4:42), but visually interesting and sublimely beautiful, and with not a human in sight. If a YouTube clip won't do you can just rent it on DVD or Blu-Ray.
posted by Rhaomi at 6:21 AM on January 26

The Honda Rube-Goldberg device?
posted by -harlequin- at 9:23 AM on January 26