[Reader-list] @James Beveridge MRC: Course on Performance and Documentary

[Iram Ghufran]

*JAMES BEVERIDGE MEDIA RESOURCE CENTRE*

AJK Mass Communication Research Centre

Jamia Millia Islamia

New Delhi 110025

* SPECIAL COURSE: PERFORMANCE AND THE DOCUMENTARY *

Course instructor: Nilita Vachani

Dates: 1^st week – April 5^th to 8^th

2^nd week- April 12^th to 15^th

Timing: 11am-1pm(Lunch break) 2pm – 4:30 pm

*CALL FOR APPLICATIONS *

The JB MRC invites applications for a special course on _Performance and 
the Documentary _from MA/M.Phil/Ph.D students as well as teachers, 
scholars and media practitioners with at least 5 years experience.

*Course Description: *

Most practitioners and scholars of documentary now agree that 
performance is an inevitable part of `documenting reality’. Yet 
documentary tends to get judged by certain truth criteria which are 
rarely applied to fiction filmmaking: How truthful is the film? How 
unmediated was the filming process? How unbiased is the filmmaker? How 
representative is the film of a larger reality? This course will examine 
the multiple ways in which performance permeates the fabric of 
documentary filmmaking creating a rich aesthetic experience and a new 
reality. Issues that will be discussed in class will concern

    * Performance and the non-actor
    * Stylistic choices that shape composition, structure and narrative
    * The filmmaker’s politics and narrative presence
    * Documentary spectatorship and multiple viewing experiences
    * Documentary as a performative tool signifying realness.

While this seminar is not historically exhaustive, the eight illustrated 
lectures, accompanied by screenings and discussions will attempt a 
chronological exploration of the role of performance in the documentary 
from the very first films made by the Lumiere brothers, through 
prototypes of the American documentary movement, to contemporary Iranian 
cinema and ‘factual’ entertainment on television today.

Last date for applications: March 15^th 2010

Course commencement date: April 5^th 2010

Selected applicants will be charged a nominal non-refundable course fee.

Applicants should note that this is strictly a theoretical course and 
does not involve any hand-on production experience. Readings are 
compulsory as are regular attendance and punctuality.

*To apply:* Send your CV and a brief statement (500 words max) outlining 
your interest in attending the course to mrc.jamia at gmail.com 
<mailto:mrc.jamia at gmail.com>

Alternatively, please mail (preferably courier) your application to

Pearl Sandhu
91-9958863690

Programme Officer

James Beveridge Media Resource Centre

AJK Mass Communication Research Centre

Jamia Millia Islamia

New Delhi-110025