CPC 2023: Identities and Methodologies of the Creative Practitioner
#bfilmcpc
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The inaugural CPC was hosted on the 28th June 2023, generously supported by B-Film, the Birmingham Centre for Film and Television Studies. It was a hybrid event, focusing on 'Identities and Methodologies of the Creative Practitioner'.
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Reflections on the event by Jemma Saunders, Ella Wright, and Nina Jones, titled 'Identities and Methodologies of Doctoral Candidates Undertaking Audiovisual Research-by-Practice' are to be published in the upcoming Volume 27 of Academic Quarter: Academic Filmmaking in the New Humanities: Research Method, Communication Medium and Mode of Thought, issue co-edited by Libertad Gills, Catherine Grant and Alan O’Leary.
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Schedule from the day
9.15 onwards Registration and refreshments (including pastries)
9.50 Online attendees join via Zoom
10.00 Introductions and questions/debate: who are we and what do we do?
10.30 Breakout discussions: exploring identities and methodologies of the creative practitioner
10.50 Coffee break
11.00 Whole group feedback
11.30 Keynote from Dr Richard Langley, followed by discussion/Q&A
12.30 Lunch
1.30 Practical exercise/audio-visual reflection space
3.45 Screening of work and discussion
4.30 Close
The afternoon session consisted of a practical exercise, exploring our identities and methodologies through an audio-visual approach to practice research. Each participant was provided with the same 60-second audio-visual artefact, chosen by Dr. Richard Langley. Taking either a critical or creative approach, participants produced an output of 30-90 seconds in length, that incorporates this artefact. This was either be linked to their own ongoing research or inspiration was taken from elsewhere. Beyond the time constraints, there were no limitations on how participants chose to work with the clip. The aim was to produce something that participants felt reflected their research identity and/or methodology, building on the morning’s discussions.
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Here is Jemma Saunders' example:
Keynote speaker: Dr. Richard Langley (University of Birmingham)
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@RichardLangley
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Richard's address was entitled: ‘There’s no place in academia for someone like you’: Reflections on supervising Audio-Visual PhDs.
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Richard Langley did his first degree in American and Canadian Studies, and both his MPhil and PhD at University of Birmingham, undertaking the latter part-time so that he could pursue other interesting career opportunities. He was the second person at Birmingham to complete the Audio-Visual PhD.
Consequently, Richard has had a broad-based work experience across the culture sector, in arts centres, museums, television development and video production.
As well as his own experiments in the development of an audio-visual academia, Richard has worked in a range of freelance roles (camera, edit, production) and across a range of genres (sports, comedy, drama, current affairs).
He has convened the MA in Film and Television: Research and Production for 10 years and is currently supervising seven audio-visual PhD students who are working across a range of approaches. Richard’s pedagogy emphasises storytelling, employability, care, and breaking down the barriers between theory and practice.
Dr. Langley's Keynote Address:
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