Videofreex Videofreex, one of the first video collectives, was founded in 1969 by David Cort, Curtis Ratcliff and Parry Teasdale, after David and Parry met each other, video cameras in hand, at the Woodstock Music Festival. Working out of a loft in lower Manhattan, the group's first major project was producing a live and tape TV presentation for the CBS network, "The Now Show," for which they traveled the country, interviewing countercultural figures such as Abbie Hoffman and Black Panther leader Fred Hampton. The group soon grew to ten full-time members--including Chuck Kennedy, Nancy Cain, Skip Blumberg, Davidson Gigliotti, Carol Vontobel, Bart Friedman and Ann Woodward--and produced tapes, installations and multimedia events. The Videofreex trained hundreds of makers in this brand new medium though the group's Media Bus project. In 1971 the Freex moved to a 17-room, former boarding house called Maple Tree Farm in Lanesville, NY, operating one of the earliest media centers. Their innovative programming ranged from artists' tapes and performances to behind-the-scenes coverage of national politics and alternate culture. They also covered their Catskill Mountain hamlet, and in early 1972 they launched the first pirate TV station, Lanesville TV. An exuberant experiment with two-way, interactive broadcasting, it used live phone-ins and stretched cameras to the highway, transmitting whatever the active minds of the Freex coupled with their early video gear could share with their rural viewers. During the decade that the Freex were together, this pioneer video group amassed an archive of 1,500+ raw tapes and edits. In 2001, the Video Data Bank began assembling this unique archive of original 1/2-inch open-reel videos, collecting them from basements and attics where the tapes were stored. A restoration plan was hammered out in 2007 and a distribution contract was signed between VDB and the newly formalized Videofreex Partnership (administered by Skip Blumberg). The Videofreex Archive, now housed at VDB, chronicles the countercultural movement of the 1960s and1970s. The 25 titles listed here are the first wave of an ongoing project to preserve and digitize important examples of this early video. click here for a complete list of Videofreex titles. click here for a downloadable version. Contact the Video Data Bank for more information on individual titles within the list.

After the Bar with Tony and Michael    Videofreex 56:10 1971   An early example of video erotica from the Videofreex. A group of naked people lounge around smoking and listening to music. A male and female couple is making love on the floor in a room full of monitors. The couple talks about sex and videotape, and the woman says, “Cameras turn me on.” Building Dome in Riverbi Earth People's Park    Videofreex 33:10 1971   A great example of early 1970s counter-cultural activity and the influence of Buckminster Fuller. The tape, shot in Woodstock, NY in November 1971, includes footage of a communal meal being eaten in the woods, and of children playing in the mud. The tape goes on to document the building of a geodesic dome. As the group works, many of them naked, they are interviewed to camera, and explain how to build a dome. CBS Lily and Cleaver Tapes    Videofreex 16:00 1971   The Videofreex had been attempting to get their interview with the late Fred Hampton, Chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party, broadcast on mainstream television by CBS. In this tape, recorded on March 5th 1971, we see something of the background of the Videofreex's dealing with CBS. Chicago Travelogue: Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin and the Yippies    Videofreex 42:00 1969   Shot in October 1969, this tape gives an inside view of the workings of late-sixties radical groups and the debates going on within their ranks. Chicago Travelogue: The Weatherman    Videofreex 21:00 1969   An interview with a group of people shot in October 1969, some of whom were involved in The Weathermen’s "Days of Rage" actions. As those present recount the significance of the actions, and the possible ramifications on the movement as a whole, some critics voice serious complaints. Davidson's Jail Tape    Videofreex 32:31 1971   Footage from the May Day 1971 events in Washington DC. Davidson, a Videofreex member, gets arrested, and what follows is rarely seen footage of the inside of the detainment bus and the jail cell, videotaped by an arrestee. Fred Hampton: Black Panthers in Chicago   Videofreex 24:00 1969   The Videofreex conducted this interview with Fred Hampton, Deputy Chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party, in October 1969, just over a month before he was killed by Chicago police. Fred Hampton: Chant and Demonstration   Videofreex 4:30 1970   Rare footage of a September 1970 rally honoring the late Fred Hampton, Deputy Chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party. One of the speaker's leads the audience in a call and response. Hell's Angel Run   Videofreex 15:30 1970   In this tape, shot in August 1970, a number of Hell’s Angels are interviewed on the street in New York City. They talk about their bikes and their preparations for a “run”, and their reactions to the way they are portrayed by the mainstream media. Incredible String Band   Videofreex 23:00 1969   Shot in December 1969, this video documents a live performance by the Incredible String Band at the Fillmore East, NYC. Interviews in the Street II   Videofreex 33:07 1971   This program features a selection of pre-recorded segments from five three-hour long live broadcasts made during the Democratic National Convention in New York City in 1976. Jerusalem Tapes: [Israeli] Black Panther on the Street   Videofreex 34:06   David Cort of the Videofreex travels to Jerusalem, where he meets various local activists from the Israeli Black Panther Party. Jerusalem Tapes: Second Brain, Arab Feedback   Videofreex 33:09   Videofreex member David Cort's travels to Jerusalem and shoots a playful scene with a woman in a hospital, and people walking on the streets. Lanesville Overview I   Videofreex 32:18 1972   Shot on March 22nd 1972, this tape tells the behind the scenes story of Lanesville TV, America's first pirate TV station. Lanesville TV Edit - Catskill Game Farm   Videofreex 18:45 1972   Videotaped on August 13th 1972, this tape features a number of scenes shot for Lanesville TV, including the Videofreex at the Catskill Game Farm shooting footage of the animals. Mayday Realtime   Videofreex 59:45 1971   Shot over one day, this program records the events and protests in Washington DC on May Day, 1971. This was the day when one of the most disruptive actions of the Vietnam War era occurred in Washington, DC, when thousands of anti-war activists tried to shut down the Federal government in protest at the War. New Haven: Abbie Hoffman and the National Guard   Videofreex 22:33 1970   Footage of a May 1970 rally featuring political speakers, including members of the Black Panther Party. Process Video Revolution   Videofreex 33:16 1971 This tape, shot in April 1971, documents the making of a TV show about video collectives and how they use the new video technology. Ricky's Magic   Videofreex 17:43 This tape takes place at a dance party and focuses on performer “Ricky Jay” at his magic trick table doing card tricks for an enthusiastic audience. The Sheik Who Shook Lanesville   Videofreex 18:49 In this spoof program produced for Lanesville TV, the premise is that a “Sheik” has come to buy all the land in Lanesville. Trashing and Gassing in Miami: The 1972 Republic Convention   Videofreex 33:00 1972 This dramatic tape was shot in August 1972 at the Republican Convention and covers the various groups in attendance, both inside and outside, including girl scouts and Vietnam veterans. Women's Lib Demonstration NYC   Videofreex 23:30 1970 Ten thousand women marched down New York's Fifth Avenue on August 26th, 1970, to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the passage of the 19th amendment, which granted women the right to vote. Shot at the march, this fascinating video features interviews with protesters and counter protesters, and brilliantly captures the mood of the day. Women's Lib Discussion: Burning Theatre and Alternate U   Videofreex 1:09:00 1970 This video, shot in March 1970, contains raw footage from a Women’s Liberation event and discussion that took place in an art space. Women's Lib Rally   Videofreex 1:09:00 1970 This video consists of raw footage from a Women’s Liberation Rally in New York City, shot on March 7th 1970, in celebration of International Women's Day.