Experimental Poetry

 

Experimental poetry is only slowly waking up to the multimedia capabilities of the internet. Sound, colour and a wide range of fonts need to be handled carefully, but their successful integration makes a poem a novel and exciting experience.

Many of the presentations call on experience with expensive software — Flash, Director — or some programming ability with Javascript, etc. Also flair in cinematic or graphic design. Nevertheless, the effort is very worthwhile.

Suggestions

 

1. Team up with a web-designer or programmer.

2. Write in Javascript if possible: files are smaller. Otherwise employ an inexpensive program like Astound's Dynamite.

3. Use midi files for sound, or employ real (streaming) audio.

4. Don't overdo the special effects. Multimedia is meant to enhance the poetry, not overwhelm it.

5. Remember that the majority of viewers still use a 14 inch screen. Be wary of small print on strong or dark backgrounds. Check your creations with Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer: layers in particular will perform differently.

To see what's possible, visit the resources section of TextEtc, or its aspects essay, which has extensive references.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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