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Conference Information

Ethnographic Filmmaking Workshop

(Pre-conference workshop, IVSA Annual Conference, 2025)
Dates: June 24th – 25th, 2025
Registration: Contact Michael Brown

Workshop Overview

This is a cost-free practical hands-on workshop exploring techniques of ethnographic filmmaking, including methodologies, filming, sound recording/design, and editing. It is spread over two days, prior to the start of the IVSA annual conference. The workshop is open to anyone registered on the annual conference, Ajou university volunteers and students, and local South Korean community filmmakers. The workshop is aiming for collaborative learning between local and overseas participants. It will include an afternoon of practical filming, hopefully with artisans in the local community. Participants can expect to produce short films.

Filming and Editing Equipment

Participants must come with their own filmmaking equipment which can be very simple; mobile phones, small cameras, simple microphones are all fine. Bring a laptop, pre-loaded with the free software ‘DaVinci Resolve’ (available from: DaVinci Resolve Download), or an alternative that you prefer. Don’t worry if you don’t have a laptop, we will work collaboratively.

Pre-Workshop Learning Films

We have prepared a set of six learning films that cover key aspects of ethnographic filmmaking. We will send these out in advance.

Workshop Programme

What You’ll Explore and Create

Day 1 (Tuesday June 24th)

9.30am – 12.30pm:

(a) Review and discussion of pre-workshop learning films:

  • ethnographic film principles
  • cinematography
  • sound recording/design.

(b) Filmmaking team formation for afternoon activity.

1.30 – 4.30pm:

Location filmmaking with artisans in Suwon. Participants will work in small groups. We will collectively take taxis (about 10 mins drive) to meet traditional artisans that have been pre-arranged to welcome filmmakers; woodworkers, ceramicists, textile artists . . . and the like.

Day 2 (Wednesday June 25th)

9.30am – 2.00pm:

(a) Review of editing learning film, and editing of filmed material.
(b) Review of equipment learning film.
(b) Review and discussion of workshop outcomes.

Image credit: Dix Sept

Film Screening

Date: Thursday June 26th

A workshop review will be presented in the Visualist Film Festival evening event on Thursday June 26th.

Registration

To register for this pre conference workshop please email Michael Brown directly: michael.brown@southwales.ac.uk (Subject: Ethnographic Filmmaking Workshop).

Email Michael to register