Type of course

Course content

The course starts with a camera-based "mini-fieldwork", conducted in teams in/around Tromsø. The fieldwork lasts for two weeks. The aim is to collect ethnographic material from a real-world context and use it to learn to tell stories.

You will bring your material back to class for analysis, discussion, and interpretation. Screenings of this material will be organised, where students will view each other's work and have open discussions during which staff will also participate.  The main focus will be on analysing the content, raising ethical, technical, and representational questions, and placing this within a wider anthropological context.

Based on your material, you will start preparing a short film or multimodal output.

The course consists of three parts:

1) "Narrative and montage" provides examples of paradigms in the practice of storytelling. The basis of film form, montage and the processes of editing will be thoroughly analysed. Examples that illustrate the history of montage in audio-visual representation will be viewed and basic editing language acquired through exercises tackling aspects such rhythm, pace, rupture and continuity.

2) Instructions in editing techniques will provide an introduction to the use of Adobe Premier.

3) The editing of the material to apply what has been learnt to the making of an ethnographic audio-visual narrative. The editing will be supported by our ethnographic film teacher.

Objectives of the course

Students who successfully complete this course should have achieved the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge - the candidate:

• knows the classic paradigms of audio-visual storytelling.
• knows examples of filmic languages and narrative structures.
• has general knowledge of the technique of editing; capturing, creating bins, bin naming protocol, working on time lines, color correction, sound mix, titles & subtitles.

Skills - the candidate:

• is able to capture the conceptualisations of the field partners with the camera.
• is able to carry out under supervision a small research project which includes the use of a video camera.
• is able to prepare adequately under supervision for the editing process, manage a systematic workflow in editing, and apply their own creativity in order to enhance their storytelling using video.

General competence - the candidate:

• is able to distinguish and express how filmic narratives are linked to specific cultural contexts.
• is sensitive to the narrative conceptualizations of the partners in the field, and at the same time develop narrative strategies with a future audience in mind.
• Is under supervision, able to apply both visual and sounds creatively to enhance their story narratives.

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods