Participatory Filmmaking as Research Method

Two-day workshop for developing theoretical, ethical engagement, and technical skills in participatory filmmaking.

£1800 inc. VAT

Day 1

Session 1: Foundational skills and theories.

  • What is participatory film and media?

  • The history of participatory film

  • Theories in co-production

  • Creative practice research in film

  • Can co-creation happen with non-human participants?

  • Examples of participatory film

  • Discussion: embedding participatory filmmaking in your research

Session 2: Image, Audio, Text

  • How do image and sound communicate?

  • How can video and sound generate knowledge?

  • What makes good visual and aural media?

  • Semiotics and visual media: reading between the lines

  • Sensory ethnography and non-symbolic knowledge

  • Short film screening and discussion

Session 3: Ethics in Nonfiction Film

  • Theories and practices in ethics for nonfiction and participatory media

  • Developing your ethical framework

  • Informed consent and fully informed consent

  • Writing an ethics application for participatory filmmaking

  • Developing consent forms and information sheets

  • Working with vulnerable participants

  • Managing and securing your data

  • Discussion

Session 4: Practical Activities

  • In this workshop, participants will work in small groups to develop participatory filmmaking methodologies in a selection of fictional scenarios.

  • Each group will present their proposed methodology to the group

  • Discussion and feedback 

 

Day 2

Session 1: Technical Skills in Film and Media

  • Observational filmmaking

  • Camera movements and handling

  • Framing and focus

  • Recording clean audio using shotgun microphones

  • Sound recording in the field

Session 2: Practical Filming Workshop

  • Workshop participants will work in small groups to record more than ten minutes of video and audio in pre-assigned situations

  • Rushes reviewing how to collaboratively edit your film

  • Strategies for collective editing: versioning and feedback screenings

  • Use of DaVinci Resolve editing software to edit your film

  • Sound mixing and mastering

Session 3: Practical Editing and Post Production Workshop

  • Workshop participants will collaboratively edit a three-minute film using the video and audio collected earlier in the day

  • Group screening, discussion and feedback

  • Sharing and disseminating your research

  • Closing remarks