Cosmic Ray (1962)

Anecdotes

Cosmic Ray is a 1962 American experimental short film directed by Bruce Conner. With both found footage and original material, it features images of countdown leader, a nude woman dancing, a Mickey Mouse cartoon, and military exercises. It is soundtracked by a performance of Ray Charles's "What'd I Say" and has been recognized by some critics as one of the first music videos.

Production

Conner's first film, A Movie, was a collage film made almost entirely out of found footage. For his next project, he began shooting more original material. He filmed local artist Beth Pewther dancing and painter Joan Brown wearing various costumes. Conner's highly kinetic approach to the handheld camera led to images that were often out of focus or streaked from loss of registration.

Conner edited the footage to a concert performance from Ray Charles in Person, of Charles performing "What'd I Say" in Atlanta. Discussing the connection between the music and image, he explained, "I felt that I was, in a way, presenting the eyes for Ray Charles, who is a blind musician…I was supplying his vision." Conner spent four months editing the film.

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