Storylab Ghana 2017
A team of practice led researchers from leading film education institutions in each of the countries of Australia (Griffith Film School), Ghana (National Film and Television Institute), Colombia (University of Ibague) and the UK, led by Professor Erik Knudsen from the University of Central Lancashire, ran a series of workshops for emerging independent filmmakers in developing countries on three continents.This is a teaser documentary – a work in progress – describing the work being undertaken during StoryLab Colombia 2019. A longer, more complete version of this documentary will become available at the bottom of this webpage.
National Film and Television Institute, Accra, Ghana, 25th to 27th July 2017
Introduction
A team of practice led researchers from leading film education institutions in each of the countries of Australia (Griffith Film School), Ghana (National Film and Television Institute), Colombia (University of Ibague) and the UK, led by Professor Erik Knudsen from the University of Central Lancashire, ran a series of workshops for emerging independent filmmakers in developing countries on three continents. A unique feature of this network was the lateral collaboration that it encouraged between practice led film and media researchers in developing countries. This team of four researchers collaborated with the host institutions involved to deliver these workshops during 2017, followed by a summarising symposium hosted by University of Central Lancashire in the UK in January 2018.
We were very pleased to be able to offer one of these workshops through the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI), Accra, Ghana, between the 25th to the 27th July 2017.
Aims and Objectives
The aim of the workshops from the participant perspective was to develop participants’ creative engagement with story for the narrative moving image. Participants had an opportunity to build their authorial confidence and explore methods and techniques to enhance their ability to articulate their personal vision. During the 3 days of the workshop, each participant had an opportunity to develop a piece of new work for the narrative moving image screen. This could be fact and/or fiction for a feature film or a short film. Projects were developed to a stage where there was a solid foundation for further development outside the context of the workshop. The emphasis was to help develop original creatively independent work. Participants were able to take advantage of interacting with, and taking feedback from, peers as well as an international group of researchers/workshop leaders and eventually to take advantage of engaging with other creative filmmakers across three continents.
Round table introduction from all participants, including brief maximum 3 minute long clips or other samples of previous work supplied in advance by participants.
Participants in groups of 3, moderated by a researcher, do 1 shot visual interviews with each other of no more than 3 minutes in length. Guidance will be given to interviewers about subject areas to be covered. These interviews are then shown to the whole class.
Round table discussion of themes emerging from introductions and interviews focusing on common opportunities, aspirations, challenges and understanding of context and forms.
Creativity and story: an in class practical exercise in which each participant develops a new idea with interactive participation of researchers and other participants.
Each participants spends time outside tutorials developing ideas individually.
Each participant presents their developed idea to class for discussion.
Round table discussion discussing impact of new developed ideas.
Summarising workshop experience and learning.
Please Note:
Note: Throughout the workshop, participants were encouraged to use the secure web site facility for the project to share and communicate their creative experience and to engage in ongoing debates. These functions were available and encouraged well beyond the actual workshops themselves, thereby facilitating an ongoing dialogue with both local peers and new international peers taking part in the project’s other workshops in different continents.
Detailed Workshop Schedule.
