[Frameworks] Howard Guttenplan (April 6th, 1934 - February 23rd, 2015)

[William Wees, Dr.]

Sad news, indeed. Howard was one of those key people who keep things going in New York's domain of experimental/avant-garde film. In my mind's eye, I see us exchanging smiles of recognition as we stand in line for the next screening at "Views from the Avant-Garde."

--Bill Wees

-----Original Message-----
From: FrameWorks [mailto:frameworks-bounces at jonasmekasfilms.com] On Behalf Of Jay Hudson
Sent: March 4, 2015 3:58 PM
To: Experimental Film Discussion List
Subject: [Frameworks] Howard Guttenplan (April 6th, 1934 - February 23rd, 2015)

Just this afternoon, I received the shocking and sad news that Howard
Guttenplan, the long term director of the Millennium Film Workshop
passed away February 23, 2015.  He was laid to rest at Calverton
National Cemetery in Long Island.

Howard was a complicated person.  Keeping an organization like
Millennium going for so long was a solitary and difficult task.  The
funeral home director told me that he felt that Howard wanted to go
out alone, only accompanied by a close childhood friend.  That is so
much the way that Howard was.

When I was running the Millennium and working on the gargantuan task
of sorting old materials, the complete history of Howard's tenure came
before my eyes.  Virtually every experimental filmmaker of note came
through the doors.  It is no accident that Stan Brakhage's New York
premieres were at Millennium, or that Jack Smith spent countless hours
watching film and editing with scotch tape.  Countless filmmakers were
loyal to Howard.

Despite the struggles that I had with him reforming the Millennium, he
gave me a full set of the Journal as a token of appreciation.  He gave
me my first solo show.  Even when he at his most pissed off at me, he
always complimented my work.

There was something very unique and special because of what Howard did
and who he was.  Millennium is still thriving.  And from me
personally, Howard's New York Diary changed me as a filmmaker.  I hope
that his film and photographic work will be preserved and archived.

Requiescat in pace.
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