ELECTRICITY

As an electric current burns across a wood surface it creates incredible ‘Lichtenberg’ figures.
Series: PHENOMENA, Episode 5: ELECTRICITY, Runtime: 03:47
Synopsis:
The universe is infused with electricity. As a powerful electric current is connected through a piece of wood, electricity flows across it’s surface in real-time. The resistance provided by the wood slows the current down, causing it to ignite. Like lightning arcing through the atmosphere, the current moves along the path of least resistance. The burning path visualizes patterns known as ‘Lichtenberg figures’, which resemble the natural flow of rivers, and the skeletal structure of trees.
This film was screened at the Adelaide Film Festival (2018), Splendour In the Grass (2019) and SCINEMA International Film Festival (2020).
This experiment was carried out under controlled conditions. Please do not try this at home.
Stills:
Credits:
A FILM BY JOSEF GATTI
PRODUCED BY ROB INNES
MUSIC BY KIM MOYES
NARRATED BY FREYA STAFFORD
CINEMATOGRAPHY (SETUP SCENES) ALICE STEPHENS
CO-PRODUCER JOSEPH NIZETI
SCIENCE CONSULTANT NIRAJ LAL, AIP, IEEE, ASC
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER INES GUARDA
TECHNICAL CONSULTANT MARK GATTI
SOUND POST-PRODUCTION PAUL BAXTER AT BAXTER SOUND
ABC EXECUTIVE PRODUCER LEO FABER
Additional footage licencing from Dustin Farrell Visual Concepts
“Phenomena Original Score”
© EMI Music Publishing Australia Pty Limited
Licensed by EMI Music Publishing Australia Pty Limited