Ellen on the Rope (1978)

Ellen on the Rope is an energetically expressive study of performer Ellen Fisher working out on the rope in her Lodge Hall rehearsal space itself a handsome room of classical proportions and lighting Sousas film studies Fishers strenuous activity from a series of vantage points creating a strobing rhythm by crossing the cameras shutter speed with the rate of the rope traversing its frame Unlike other athletic film studies usually focused on body properties or closeups of muscular exertion Ellen on the Rope directs our attention more towards physics tracing the dynamics and energy of Ellens patterns through space with a camera that progresses from tripod stillness to sympathetic motion A simple exercise this film offers a fine example of two artists working out together on rope and celluloid B Ruby Rich Chicago Reader 1979