Scott B and Beth B facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Scott B
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United States
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| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Scott Billingsley |
| Occupation | Film director, producer, screenwriter |
| Known for | No Wave, Colab |
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Beth B
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| Born | April 14, 1955 New York City, New York, United States
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| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Film director, producer, screenwriter |
| Known for | No Wave |
Scott B and Beth B were a famous filmmaking team from New York City. They were known for their unique movies made in the late 1970s and early 1980s. People sometimes called them Scott and Beth B, Beth and Scott B, or even The Bs. This last nickname was a fun way to connect their work to "B movies," which are usually low-budget films.
They were part of a movement called No Wave. This movement included artists and musicians who wanted to try new things. Scott and Beth B made "underground films." These were movies made outside the usual Hollywood system.
They started their own film company called B Movies. One of their most famous films was Vortex. It was shot on 16-mm film and featured actors like Lydia Lunch. Beth B is the daughter of the artist Ida Applebroog. Ida even helped with some of Beth's films.
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Their Unique Filmmaking Style
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Scott B and Beth B were important figures in the "No Wave" art scene. They made punk-style films with very small budgets. Their movies often explored how society affects individuals.
Beth studied art at the School of Visual Arts. Scott was a sculptor who showed his artwork. They got married and joined a group called Colab (Collaborative Projects). They worked in the East Village area of New York City. They often worked with performance artists and noise musicians.
They made many short films using Super 8 mm cameras. These films were often quickly made and edited. They showed their movies as weekly "episodes" at music clubs. Places like the Mudd Club and Max's Kansas City were popular spots for these screenings.
Beth B's Solo Work
After their work together, Beth B continued to direct films on her own.
- She directed movies like Salvation!.
- She also made Call Her Applebroog, which was about her mother, Ida Applebroog.
Scott B and Beth B Films
Here are some of the films Scott B and Beth B made together:
- G-Man (1978)
- Black Box (1978)
- Letters to Dad (1979)
- The Offenders (1980)
- The Trap Door (1981)
- Vortex (1981)
Beth B's Solo Films
Here are some of the films Beth B directed by herself:
- 1987: Salvation!
- 1989: Belladonna (a short film)
- 1991: American Nightmare (a short film)
- 1991: Thanatopsis (a short film)
- 1991: Stigmata (a short film)
- 1992: Amnesia (a short film)
- 1993: Under Lock and Key (a short film)
- 1994: High Heel Nights (a short film)
- 1995: ”Out of Sight/Out of Mind” (a short film)
- 1996: Visiting Desire (a documentary)
- 2016: Call Her Applebroog
- 2019: Lydia Lunch: The War Is Never Over
Their Legacy and Impact
In 2023, the "No Wave" movement, including its films, was recognized in a big way. The Centre Pompidou in Paris held an exhibition about it. The show was called Who You Staring At: Visual culture of the no wave scene in the 1970s and 1980s.
Scott B and Beth B's 11-minute film Letters to Dad (1979) was shown there. The exhibition also included an interview with Beth B. There were film screenings and music performances from the No Wave era. This showed how important their work was to the art world.
