Just Browsing is a five-part video essay series investigating what it means to be an internet user. Each episode, presented by writer Joanne McNeil, begins with a topic of inquiry and leads the audience through the narrator’s own investigation of overlapping subjects using books and a web browser. The episodes, predominately colorized in a tongue-in-cheek “Zuckerberg blue” toggle between new and old forms of cast-off media. The series utilizes animation along with live action sequences filmed at New York’s legendary speakeasy bookstore, Brazenhead Books and features a striking score by synth-pop pioneer, Vince Clarke.
From the Text episode, Joanne Mcneil at Brazenhead Books
"We Ought to be Opening a Bottle of Wine" image search from Text episode
“Traffic” is about clickbait, crowdfunding, online journalism, advertising, and re-directing attention
“Emotions” considers technology that tries to read emotions and alter behavior, and related issues of spying and internet surveillance.
“Text” is about how language is shifting due to machine learning, automation, text generation, and bots
“POV” is about the changing nature of photography, and related issues like surveillance and documentation.
“Stigma” contrasts Silicon Valley culture with the needs of internet users.
Written and directed by Joanne McNeil, with cinematography, editing, and motion graphics by Nicole Antebi and music by Vince Clarke.
Mcneil discusses Amy Cuddy and "The Power Pose" from Emotions episode
About the author
Nicole Antebi works in non-fiction animation, motion graphics, installation while simultaneously connecting and creating opportunities for other artists through larger curatorial and editorial projects such as Water, CA (a six year collaboration with Enid Ryce) and Winter Shack (a three year collaboration with Alex Branch). She curates “The Amateur Naturalist,” a monthly film series at the Akin Free Library and she is currently working on a film about the border landscapes of El Paso and Juárez made possible by a generous grant from the Jerome Foundation.
