I’ve finally been able to organise my ideas into some segments. This is a huge mental relief as I can start to order all the stuff going on in my head into a literate response rather than garble. Soon, (I’m very much addressing Adrian here) I should feel comfortable to show my ideas to peers for feedback.
My exegesis will argue that a new approach to feature production is needed, especially when working in cross-cultural narratives. The questions that it will seek to answer, therefore, are:
Why is a new approach needed? For me personally the understanding that in most cases orthodox productions fail has been building throughout my undergrad studies. Looking at the problems of authenticity, truth and power through Post-Colonialism (mainly Orientalism from Said), Documentary Studies, particularly those moving closer towards ethnography, Communications for Development and finally through Indigenous Studies. Included here should also be Whiteness Studies, which though I’m not entirely familiar with, focusses its enquiery on the “Whiteness” of the agency and the role this plays in dynamics, more than say in minority studies where this aspect is ignored.
This exegesis clearly does not have the space to examine each of these intensively, but will be informed by the arguments made. Much of this work references Flaherty and Vertitov.
What will the different approach be? As alluded to some of the types of alternative methods in the abstract, words such as “participatory”, “collaborative”, “negociated”, “consultative”. In answering this question I think I will draw on Florencia Enghel’s work quite heavily, which is informed by Communication for Development paradigms of participation towards meeting a participant’s or participating community’s own goals. Enghel sets out aspects where the ego of the film-maker can be reduced, such as in decisions over content (who/what to include, how to include them, what the narrative will focus on), editing (how representations are constructed), and dissemiation. She also, from a pedagogic background, is keen for teaching of skills to take place and for self-reflexivity in the style.
How does this work (or not) for Synergy? Initially I felt that this section would mainly include production notes and reflective-action research. But there are perhaps aspects which are relevant already.
More on that later, I’m off to yoga class to test my latest theory: If your brain is stressed and exhausted and your body is not your life is imbalanced. For more balance in life, exhaust your body as much as your brain and you will sleep better.
