Clam sex and James Bond bring science alive
The video workshop was arranged during the Arctic Frontiers Young Scientist Forum. It brought together students from 10 different countries, mostly PhD students at the University of Tromsø. All of them specialize in High North topics from Arctic ecosystems to social sciences. The group went through an intensive creative process in three short days.
- We tried to put away the critical thinking for the weekend. It took some time, but after a while the creativity flourished. And the film scripts evolved into something better than we could ever imagine, says Audun Hetland. His film, On the Edge, was 1 of 5 chosen by the students from a total of 20 ideas pitched.
Scientist-turned film maker Randy Olson gave good advice about storytelling.
- Film is not an informational medium, it's a motivational medium. You have to think not only with your head, but with your gut, he told the students.
The creative and cross-cultural teamwork was the most rewarding experience according to the students. Most of the participants had never made a movie before.
- The workshop has actually changed my life, says "director" Elina Halttunen. The workshop brought down the glass window I didn't know existed between me as a scientist and the rest of the world.
Here are the videos created by the young scientists:
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The Cold Rush was made by Gro Bjerga, Walter Ivan Añacata Avendaño, Alexander Elvegård Figenschou, Ralph Kube, and Tino Schott
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On the Edge was made by Audun Hetland, Eivind Høstmark Borge, Kristin Heggland and Alexey Pavlov.
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Spawning Smart was made by Elina Halttunen, Anaïs Aubert, Trine Glad, Per Helge Nylund and Maja Sojtaric.
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Arctic Eye was made by Cedar Chittenden, Konstantinos Antypas, Jannike Falk-Petersen, Benjamin Merkel, and Anna Silyako
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The Desperate Clam was made by Mikko Vihtakari, Marek Cuhra, Johanna Hovinen, and Aili Sarre
This video was a labor of love from the whole group. They hope you enjoy their story!
The making of the videos - Videoworkshop with Randy Olson
Muslingsex og James Bond formidler forskning
Filmskaper Randy Olson fra Hollywood utfordret 25 unge forskere til å fortelle gode forskerhistorier gjennom film. Se kortfilmene her.
Filmworkshopen ble arrangert under Arctic Frontiers Young Scientist Forum. Stipendiater fra 10 forskjellige land var samlet, flest var ph.d.-studenter ved Universitetet i Tromsø. Emnene var spredt fra arktiske økosystemer til samfunnsvitenskap i nordområdene. Gruppen hadde en intensiv filmprosess på tre korte dager.
- Vi startet det hele med å legge vekk den kritiske tenkningen. Det tok litt tid, men etter en stund blomstret kreativiteten. Og filmen ble myebedre enn vi noensinne kunne forestille oss, sier Audun Hetland. Hans film, On the Edge, var èn av de fem ideene som det ble lagd til film..
Tenke med hodet og magen
Filmskaper og forsker Randy Olson ga gode råd om historiefortelling.
- Film er ikke et informativt medium, det er en motiverende medium. Du må ikke bare tenke med hodet, men også med magen, fortalte han elevene.
De fleste av deltakerne hadde aldri laget en film før.
- Verkstedet har faktisk forandret livet mitt, sier "regissør" Elina Halttunen. Workshopen har bidratt til å fjerne glassvinduet, jeg ikke visste eksisterte mellom meg som forsker og resten av verden.
Her er filmene som ble lagd av de unge forskerne:
