This is Cornelius...

A wrong number leaves a voicemail message, NSFW.

A/V Geeks present "Is It Safe?"

The A/V Geeks care about your well being and so, they present a night of 16mm safety films that point out that everywhere you turn is a potential calamity that could ruin your happy yet oblivious life. Films include: One Got Fat, Lucky You!, Fry It Safe, Safety Belts and more! Bring some friends! Door prizes! Suggested donation $5.

Note the new time! 8PM, Sunday, Sept 28th Tir Na Nog, 218 S. Blount St. Raleigh, NC 27601

A/V Geeks present "Section 8" @ Anthology Film Archives in NYC

Whether you consider ‘Section 8’ to be a low-income housing rent supplement or an attempt to act crazy to get out of the military, you have to think about the A/V Geeks Archive which is housed in a former boarding-house/crackhouse that received Section 8 funding. And while seemingly crazy, Skip Elsheimer, founder and main curator of the renowned A/V Geeks Educational Film Archive, has stepped up to the challenge of being assigned a theme for his show. Pulling from his ever-growing collection of over 20,000 16mm films, Skip has cobbled together a program of films related to the number 8. The program includes the haunting Multiplication Rock short FIGURE EIGHT, a film about a chain-smoking octopus, OCTOPUFF IN KUMQUAT, an Oldsmobile 88 commercial and many more odd and wonderful films. Bring some friends! Door prizes! Admission $8.

7:30 PM, Sunday Sep 21 Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Avenue, New York, NY (212) 505-5181

"Clowns Never Lie"

clowns never lie
Originally uploaded by A/V Geeks

Ever since my first trip to Houston, I've loved visiting the Orange Show. I found a kindred spirit with creator, the late Jeff McKissick--a man whose orange obsession grew to a monumental scale. During that first visit, I got this shirt (seen to the left). It's my favorite t-shirt. I wear it all the time. In lines, I can see people moving their lips reading the shirt and then wrinkling their brow in bafflement. Occasionally, someone will ask me what it means. I try to explain the Orange Show as one man's tribute to the orange fruit and that the text is from one of the exhibits.

In 2007, when taking my Dad to see the Orange Show, I met the head of the organization. She was very enthusiastic about me doing a film show there. I was super excited. On subsequent visits to the Orange Show, I realized that my favorite shirt was no longer available for purchase - it was out-of-print and there were no plans to reprint it. My shirt was getting pretty ragged and I wanted to get a new one. I decided that I would create a film show based on the t-shirt in the hope that new shirts would be printed. Sure enough, they did print new shirts (although now they are a burnt orange - almost brown - shirt). While not listed on their website, email or call them to buy a shirt.

I put together a presentation with films that were influenced by the Orange Show, films about clowns, lying and of course, oranges.

Citrus On Parade (late 194?) Sunkist
Shows orange and lemon groves where year-round pickers clip the fruit. Demonstrates packing and grading and suggests ways to serve the fruit. The film was in beautiful Kodachrome and was filled with glorious assembly line footage AND shots of various citrus recipes! An 9 year old girl next to me kept saying "This is just a commercial for Sunkist!"

Self-Image: If Mirrors Could Speak (1976) Sandler
Robbie, Laurie, and George all are able to make positive contributions in their class. Instead, all have become 'clowns'. Robbie is the sad clown. Laurie is the sneaky clown. George is the mischievous clown. We see their antics in the classroom, in the lunch area, and on the playground. The results are always the same, but they remain oblivious to the reactions of their friends and classmates.


Lying (1975) Filmation
A seven foot tall, morbidly obese urban African-American kid and his gang (aka Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids) learn how lies can get you in trouble. Explains that the gang's friend, Eddie, is back from Florida, where he says he wrestled alligators. Relates that the kids believe him and ask him to show them how to do it. Tells that everyone winds up covered with mud and wringing wet. Concludes with Eddie telling them that they should make up a story to tell their parents to avoid being reprimanded. At this point the kids realize that Eddie is a liar and has cried 'wolf' one too many times.

Toothache of A Clown (1972) Encyclopedia Britannica
I've shown this film a bunch (Best of 4, Schooladelic, Save Those Teeth) since it is such a crowd pleaser. Not only does it feature a creepy clown but it has some outrageous dream sequence with a kid dentist and teeth with hands and legs. The need for regular dental care is shown in this charming story about a sad clown with a toothache. As they treat the aching tooth, the dentist gives advice about cutting down on sweets, brushing properly and visiting the dentist regularly. The 9 year old girl next to me commented that this film would have scared more kids than it would have helped..

Orange and Blue (1969)
Provides a visual perspective of the world as seen by two child-like personalities, orange and blue. Juxtaposes visual images with a musical score. An experimental film using color and music to create moods. Follows the adventures of an orange ball and a blue ball as they play in the countryside and in a junkyard. Besides having an orange ball, all the metal and junkyard footage is very reminiscent of the Orange Show. While I was screening this film, a 12 year old kid wisecracked "This film was made by a hippie with a movie camera in a junkyard with two balls!"

A Boy Creates (1971) Encyclopedia Britannica
I just saw this film days before the show and had to add it to the screening. Besides featuring clowns, the film typified the Orange Show of Visionary Art experience. It pictures a young (African-American!) sculptor as he creates his masterpiece of 'JUNK ART,' pointing out the ability of an artist to transform existing materials into meaningful and imaginative figures or patterns. This film was very well received by the audience. Watching again, I'm pretty sure I saw this film as a kid...

Photos from the event can be found here.

A/V Geeks Go To Houston, TX!

Clowns Never Lie: A/V Geeks at Orange Show

Returning to Aurora for year eight, 16mm film collector Skip Elsheimer/A/V Geeks brings another entertaining batch of simply wrong educational and training films. After visiting The Orange Show for the first time, Skip Elsheimer found a kindred spirit in the late Jeff McKissick--a man whose orange obsession grew to a monumental scale. In the spirit of citrus admiration, Skip has curated a show based on his favorite Orange Show t-shirt: Clowns Never Lie. So be prepared for a night of oranges, clowns, lying and other Orange Show inspired 16mm films. Show up early for Honey Dew the Clown and a delicious orange treat courtesy of Whole Foods Market. Click here to reserve a ticket!

8pm, Fri, Sep 5, The Orange Show, 2402 Munger St., Houston, Tx 77023

Pool Rulez: An A/V Geeks Pool Party Screening!

A/V Geeks try to beat the oppressive Houston heat by showing films about swimming and pools at an actual swimming pool. No running. No glass bottles. No profanity. Enjoy a synchronized swimming performance by Aquanauts of Clear Lake*, refreshing beverages, and tasty hors-oeuvres. Proceeds from the event go to help everyone’s favorite microcinema, the one-and-only Aurora Picture Show! Tickets to this special fundraiser are $60 for non-members and $50 for members. To purchase your tickets, please call the office (713.868.2101) to purchase over the phone and avoid convenience fees.

7pm, Saturday, September 6