Pilot

Produced for public television broadcast in Ontario Pilot takes the form of a primetime newsmagazine with General Idea as the subject As hosts AA Bronson Felix Partz and Jorge Zontal describe their collective transformation from young strivers to famous glamorous artists and the diversification of the General Idea media empire Using a library of clips they recount General Ideas public performances films and fashion designs such as the Venetian Blind Gown modeled here by dancers swimmers and snow skiers They also discuss their print publication FILE and their decision to change the magazines logo after TimeLife sued them for trademark infringement in June 1974 They didnt like our lifelike format says Bronson A witty survey of the groups early work Pilot is punctuated throughout by a voiceover manifesto on their continuing project the Miss General Idea Pavilion of 1984