ALIVE FROM OFF-CENTER: THEORY OF ACHIEVEMENT; AMBITION (TV)

Summary

One in this series of arts programs featuring the work of leading avant-garde artists in video, music, dance, theater, and film. This program consists of two quirky, short comedic films by writer/director Hal Hartley: "Theory of Achievement" and "Ambition." "Theory of Achievement" is set in Williamsburg, New York -- "the Paris of Brooklyn" -- and concerns the intermingling of several overeducated, underemployed young adults who ruminate on the nature of art and life, as they search for cheap apartments while avoiding the drudgery of unsatisfying employment. "Ambition" concerns a man who studies his own intense need to accomplish great things in a world that is "a dangerous and uncertain place." With dialogue and action that is absurdly comic, this film examines the ideals and contradictions of desire.

Details

• NETWORK: KTCA / PBS
• DATE: 1991
• RUNNING TIME: 0:27:39
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: T:34025
• GENRE: Comedy
• SUBJECT HEADING: Ambition; Avant-garde films; Comedy; Employment/Unemployment; Interpersonal relationships
• SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1985-1996
• COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

• For "Alive from Off Center"
• Alyce Dissette … Executive Producer
• Gerald Richman … Executive in Charge
• John Ligon … Producer
• Adine Thoreen … Associate Producer
• Citizen X … Theme Music by
• Newton/Bard Music … Music (Misc. Credits), Additional Music
• For "Theory of Achievement"
• Ted Hope … Producer
• Larry Meistrich … Producer
• Hartley, Hal (See also: Rifle, Ned) … Director, Writer
• Jeffrey Howard … Music by
• Rifle, Ned (See also: Hartley, Hal) … Lyrics for "Die in My Dreams" by
• John Stearns … Instrumentalist, Piano
• Bob Gosse … Cast, Bob
• William Sage … Cast, Bill
• Naledi Tshazibane … Cast, Waitress
• Ingrid Rufors … Cast, Ingrid
• M.C. Bailey … Cast
• Nick Gomez … Cast
• Jessica Sager … Cast
• Jeffrey Howard … Cast
• Elina Lowensohn … Cast
• For "Ambition"
• Ted Hope … Producer
• James Schamus … Producer
• Larry Meistrich … Associate Director
• Hartley, Hal (See also: Rifle, Ned) … Director, Writer
• Rifle, Ned (See also: Hartley, Hal) … Music by
• George Feaster … Cast
• Patricia Sullivan … Cast
• Rick Groel … Cast
• Jim McCauley … Cast
• David Troup … Cast
• Chris Buck … Cast
• Margaret Mendelson … Cast
• Julie Sukman … Cast
• Lasker … Cast
• Bill Sage … Cast
• Larry Meistrich … Cast
• Michael McGarry … Cast
• Casey Finch … Cast
• Adam Bresnick … Cast
• Elizabeth Feaster … Cast
• Francie Swift … Cast
• Lisa Gorlitsky … Cast
• Mark V. Lake … Cast
• Bob Gosse … Cast
• Ernesto Gerona … Cast
• Nancy Kricorian … Cast