Filmmaking Research Network
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sussex
Department Name: Sch of Media, Film and Music
Abstract
The purpose of the Filmmaking Research Network is to create an international forum for research and exchange between the UK and Australia that explores the methodologies and frameworks for filmmaking research. The network will ask; 'What is needed to improve understanding and consolidate the field of filmmaking research?'
Filmmaking research is a form of practice research that enquires into production practices, techniques, modes and genres used in cinema, television and online. The outputs are films that may include fiction, documentary and hybrid forms. Filmmaking research pushes at the boundaries of traditional filmmaking and traditional research methods by adopting distinct approaches to professional and critical practices. This is in contrast to typical industry research where commercial pressures dominate. There have been spectacular success stories that demonstrate this potential such as the Academy award nominated 'Act of Killing', Oppenheimer, 2013.
Filmmaking research is a developing area and films produced within the academy are growing in number. In both the UK and Australia, this research has tended to reside in one of two disciplines, creative arts (fine art, experimental, video art) or media, communication and film studies (fiction film, documentary). This has made it fragmented, sometimes difficult to identify and subject to different forms of support and engagement. Researchers come from a range of backgrounds, many moving from industry into academia seeking to reframe their work within Higher Education. As an evolving mode of research, filmmaking research is often attempting to satisfy multiple and competing academic purposes and agendas for example as interdisciplinary research collaborations or as impact. The result is a field of research that is not well defined. Qualitative measures are often locally determined with few universal standards of best practice, there is confusion over methodologies and a lack of expertise on research assessment panels and in peer review colleges.
The aim of the Filmmaking Research Network is to develop understanding and consolidate the field of filmmaking research by sharing best practice internationally and developing resources. We will examine how the UK and Australia use filmmaking research to generate new knowledge and will produce resources to improve capacity and research infrastructure. The network will focus on three areas; How can filmmaking research be better defined? How is filmmaking in the academy measured and valued as a research output? What research infrastructure is needed to consolidate the field?
The network will conduct research and knowledge exchange through workshops, visits, meetings, a public screening, conference panels and a survey. Resources will include a register of films, case studies of best practice, a tool kit, resource lists and a training seminar in reviewing practice research. A special edition of the Journal of Media Practice in 2018 will be dedicated to the project. The Filmmaking Research Network will run for 18 months and will include over 40 members from more than 20 institutions including industry and third sector representatives. The network will stimulate new debates, foster a deeper understanding of filmmaking research and develop resources to sustain the future of the field.
Filmmaking research is a form of practice research that enquires into production practices, techniques, modes and genres used in cinema, television and online. The outputs are films that may include fiction, documentary and hybrid forms. Filmmaking research pushes at the boundaries of traditional filmmaking and traditional research methods by adopting distinct approaches to professional and critical practices. This is in contrast to typical industry research where commercial pressures dominate. There have been spectacular success stories that demonstrate this potential such as the Academy award nominated 'Act of Killing', Oppenheimer, 2013.
Filmmaking research is a developing area and films produced within the academy are growing in number. In both the UK and Australia, this research has tended to reside in one of two disciplines, creative arts (fine art, experimental, video art) or media, communication and film studies (fiction film, documentary). This has made it fragmented, sometimes difficult to identify and subject to different forms of support and engagement. Researchers come from a range of backgrounds, many moving from industry into academia seeking to reframe their work within Higher Education. As an evolving mode of research, filmmaking research is often attempting to satisfy multiple and competing academic purposes and agendas for example as interdisciplinary research collaborations or as impact. The result is a field of research that is not well defined. Qualitative measures are often locally determined with few universal standards of best practice, there is confusion over methodologies and a lack of expertise on research assessment panels and in peer review colleges.
The aim of the Filmmaking Research Network is to develop understanding and consolidate the field of filmmaking research by sharing best practice internationally and developing resources. We will examine how the UK and Australia use filmmaking research to generate new knowledge and will produce resources to improve capacity and research infrastructure. The network will focus on three areas; How can filmmaking research be better defined? How is filmmaking in the academy measured and valued as a research output? What research infrastructure is needed to consolidate the field?
The network will conduct research and knowledge exchange through workshops, visits, meetings, a public screening, conference panels and a survey. Resources will include a register of films, case studies of best practice, a tool kit, resource lists and a training seminar in reviewing practice research. A special edition of the Journal of Media Practice in 2018 will be dedicated to the project. The Filmmaking Research Network will run for 18 months and will include over 40 members from more than 20 institutions including industry and third sector representatives. The network will stimulate new debates, foster a deeper understanding of filmmaking research and develop resources to sustain the future of the field.
Planned Impact
The overall impact strategy of the Filmmaking Research Network (FRN) is to involve the beneficiaries of the research from the outset, incorporating their knowledge and experience into the research which will also inform the production of appropriate and accessible outcomes. Some specific Impact Areas (IAs) that will benefit are:
IA1: Cultural and Creative Industries
Films produced in the academy are research intensive, independently produced, often free from commercial restraint or pressures. As a result these films can demonstrate new forms of artistic, literary, linguistic, social, economic, religious, and other expression. The FRN will showcase unusual, inspiring and innovative films that have been produced in academia, as indicators of the particular and unique environment that academia provides for research and content development. Partner CINECITY, a Brighton based film festival will curate a screening of films from the film register compiled by the FRN. This public screening can demonstrate to the wider public and to cultural and creative industries representatives, that academic institutions are sites for the production of creative capital. This in turn can generate new ways of thinking about academic research and open fresh possibilities for collaborations outside of the academy.
IA2: Commercial or Private sector
The FRN will apply and transfer the insights and knowledge gained into the commercial sector through involving commercial production companies and distributors from the outset. For example Ronin Films is an Australian film distributor and Illuminations is a UK independent media producer, publisher and distributor. The aim of their involvement is is twofold; to inform and educate the commercial sector on the quality and quantity of film production going on inside the academy and secondly to share examples of co-financing and co-production models that may lead to new business. The FRN's survey, film register and case studies can provide commercial companies with new films for their catalogues, new contacts and new possibilities for collaborative endeavours. In the longer term the FRN activities can contribute to innovative and entrepreneurial activity through acting as a scoping exercise for the demand, design and delivery of a new product or service for example a portal for academic films, an online channel of films or a virtual agency to distribute and disseminate films produced in the academy.
IA3: Third sector - educational content providers, curators, museums, libraries and art venues.
The mapping of current practice by the FRN will provide this sector with an up to date picture of the field of filmmaking research and in doing so uncover content for collections, libraries and users. Partner, the British University Film and Video Council (BUFVC) is a representative body that promotes the production, study and use of moving image in higher education. They will provide specialist knowledge and expertise in audio visual data collection, specialist content, storage and access issues, copyright and IP. This will ensure the research generated by the FRN is applicable and technically possible. The FRN will provide new assets for collections and examples and models of curatorial/thematic approaches to the material generated with the festival screening acting as a pilot.
IA1: Cultural and Creative Industries
Films produced in the academy are research intensive, independently produced, often free from commercial restraint or pressures. As a result these films can demonstrate new forms of artistic, literary, linguistic, social, economic, religious, and other expression. The FRN will showcase unusual, inspiring and innovative films that have been produced in academia, as indicators of the particular and unique environment that academia provides for research and content development. Partner CINECITY, a Brighton based film festival will curate a screening of films from the film register compiled by the FRN. This public screening can demonstrate to the wider public and to cultural and creative industries representatives, that academic institutions are sites for the production of creative capital. This in turn can generate new ways of thinking about academic research and open fresh possibilities for collaborations outside of the academy.
IA2: Commercial or Private sector
The FRN will apply and transfer the insights and knowledge gained into the commercial sector through involving commercial production companies and distributors from the outset. For example Ronin Films is an Australian film distributor and Illuminations is a UK independent media producer, publisher and distributor. The aim of their involvement is is twofold; to inform and educate the commercial sector on the quality and quantity of film production going on inside the academy and secondly to share examples of co-financing and co-production models that may lead to new business. The FRN's survey, film register and case studies can provide commercial companies with new films for their catalogues, new contacts and new possibilities for collaborative endeavours. In the longer term the FRN activities can contribute to innovative and entrepreneurial activity through acting as a scoping exercise for the demand, design and delivery of a new product or service for example a portal for academic films, an online channel of films or a virtual agency to distribute and disseminate films produced in the academy.
IA3: Third sector - educational content providers, curators, museums, libraries and art venues.
The mapping of current practice by the FRN will provide this sector with an up to date picture of the field of filmmaking research and in doing so uncover content for collections, libraries and users. Partner, the British University Film and Video Council (BUFVC) is a representative body that promotes the production, study and use of moving image in higher education. They will provide specialist knowledge and expertise in audio visual data collection, specialist content, storage and access issues, copyright and IP. This will ensure the research generated by the FRN is applicable and technically possible. The FRN will provide new assets for collections and examples and models of curatorial/thematic approaches to the material generated with the festival screening acting as a pilot.
Organisations
Publications
Kerrigan S
(2019)
The impact of filmmaking research
in Media Practice and Education
Kerrigan S
(2019)
Filmmaking in the Academy Special Issue
in Media Practice and Education
Description | The aim of the Filmmaking Research Network was to develop understanding and consolidate the field of filmmaking research by sharing best practice internationally and developing resources. We examined how the UK and Australia use filmmaking research to generate new knowledge and produced resources to improve capacity and research infrastructure. The network conducted research and knowledge exchange through workshops, visits, meetings, a public screening, conference panels and a survey. Resources include a register of films, case studies of best practice and a PhD examiner list. A special edition of the Media Practice and Education published in 2019 was dedicated to the project. INSERT URL The Filmmaking Research Network ran for 2 years and included over 100 members from more than 40 institutions including industry and third sector representatives. The network stimulated new debates, fostered a deeper understanding of filmmaking research and developed resources to sustain the future of the field. |
Exploitation Route | The network aimed to increase capacity and confidence through the provision of resources and infrastructure. We expect to see an increased engagement from the discipline in publishing, funding applications, PhD applications and examination, screenings and production. |
Sectors | Creative Economy Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Education Culture Heritage Museums and Collections |
URL | http://filmmakingresearch.net |
Description | Our presentations at public and industry events have increased understanding of this field of research. The case studies we produced have been disseminated amongst industry and third sector, to demonstrate examples of collaborations between academia and external partners. |
First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
Sector | Creative Economy,Education,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
Impact Types | Cultural Societal Economic |
Description | Doctoral Training in Filmmaking Research Methods |
Amount | £11,500 (GBP) |
Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2017 |
End | 05/2019 |
Title | Film Register |
Description | A international database of films produced by researchers within higher education. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | An understanding of the scope and scale of this form of research. |
URL | http://filmmakingresearch.net/resources/film-register/ |
Title | Phd Examiners Database |
Description | A searchable list of PhD examiners for filmmaking research. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | This database contributes to capacity building in this emerging field. |
URL | http://filmmakingresearch.net/resources/examiners/ |
Description | Australia and New Zealand Art Association Annual Conference, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Scientific meeting (conference/symposium etc.) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Talk sparked questions Asked for further information |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
Description | Industry Panel presentation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Freedom to Play: Pros & Cons of Filmmaking as Research Sheffield Documentary Festival, June 2018 A panel of filmmakers and academics explore the growing trend of straddling filmmaking and academic lives and discuss the pros and cons of making films as research. Academia can free film-makers from conventional narratives and forms, allowing for experiments in creative storytelling. But does their work impact in academia as traditional 'research' and what influence have their films in the broadcast industry?" https://sheffdocfest.com/sessions/6311 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | https://sheffdocfest.com/sessions/6311 |
Description | MeCCSA (Media, Communication and Cultural Studies) Annual conference, University of Bournemouth |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Scientific meeting (conference/symposium etc.) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | paper presentation |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Talk sparked questions ASked to give further research presentations |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | MeCCSA (Media, Communication and Cultural Studies) Annual conference, University of Bradford. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Scientific meeting (conference/symposium etc.) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | paper presentation |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Talk sparked discussion Was invited to give a research seminar in Bristol |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
Description | MeCCSA (Media, Communication and Cultural Studies) Annual conference, University of Luton |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Scientific meeting (conference/symposium etc.) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | paper presentation |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Talk sparked discussion ASked to give further research seminars |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | Public Screening Cinecity Film Festival, Brighton |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The Filmmaking Research Network will be holding a screening and talk at the Cinecity Film Festival in Brighton on Wednesday 15th November of: 'The Acting Class' Dir: Deirdre O'Neill and Mike Wayne. UK 2017. 77 mins. Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts Exploring the difficulties people from working class backgrounds face when trying to get into the acting profession, The Acting Class follows actor Tom Stocks, who set up the Actor Awareness campaign to challenge the lack of opportunities for working-class actors after he was unable to afford fees for drama school. Among those who will featured in the documentary are actors Christopher Eccleston, Maxine Peake and Julie Hesmondhalgh who discuss how much things have changed and how they would not be able to follow their dreams if they were starting out now. The film poses the question why should acting or any of the arts be the preserve of the rich and what are the consequences when they are? The screening will be followed by a Q&A with directors Mike Wayne and Deirdre O'Neill, who teach film and television at Brunel University, chaired by Joanna Callaghan. Presented by the MA Masterclass Programme of the School of Media, Film and Music, University of Sussex and the Filmmaking Research Network. https://www.attenboroughcentre.com/events/1465/the-acting-class/?spektrix_bounce=true http://filmmakingresearch.net/screenings/ |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | https://www.attenboroughcentre.com/events/1465/the-acting-class?spektrix_bounce=true |