Leading videographic scholars Dr. Tracy Cox-Stanton and Dr. Allison de Fren discuss the creation of an issue dedicated to the scholarly video essay and its contribution to the field. They also explore the differences between scholarly and popular video essays. The episode includes a conversation with an audiovisual essayist about their introduction to this form of criticism. Additionally, the speakers reflect on the experience of a video essay workshop and discuss the process of adapting written work for a video essay. They also delve into the early stages of the video essay form and its appeal for self-expression and engagement with films.
The scholarly video essay is a valuable tool for enhancing our understanding of various subjects and has the potential to impact future research.
The special issue explores thought-provoking topics such as the relationship between the video essay and the digital humanities, shedding light on the parameters and value of the scholarly video essay.
The podcast episode raises important questions about the future relevance and development of videographic criticism, considering challenges and possibilities in integrating it into traditional scholarly work.
Deep dives
The significance of the scholarly video essay in academia
The issue explores the origins and impact of the scholarly video essay in the field of academia. Tracy Cox Stanton and Allison Defren, co-editors of the special issue, discuss the importance of curating a collection that features leading audiovisual critics and scholars. They also explore how the scholarly video essay can enhance our understanding of various subjects and its potential impact on future research.
Understanding the boundaries and definitions of the scholarly video essay
The issue delves into the question of what constitutes a scholarly video essay. Contributors raise thought-provoking topics such as the relationship between the video essay and the digital humanities, the connection to fan cultures, and the exploration of different approaches, both formal and conceptual, in videographic criticism. The articles provide invaluable insights into the distinctions between popular video essays and scholarly ones, aiming to clarify the parameters and value of the scholarly video essay.
Investigating the future of videographic criticism
The podcast episode not only highlights the current state of videographic criticism but also speculates on its future. The discussion between the hosts and guests focuses on the direction videographic criticism might take as it gains more recognition in academia and society. They ponder the challenges and possibilities of integrating audiovisual criticism into traditional scholarly work, as well as the potential impact of emerging technologies on the field. The episode raises important questions about the future relevance and development of videographic criticism.
Discovering the Form
The podcast episode explores how the two speakers became interested in videographic criticism. One speaker shares their journey from journalism to film studies during their undergraduate years. They stumbled upon a film studies course, which sparked their interest and led them to pursue film and media culture as their major. While working as an intern at a local newspaper, they were introduced to a scholarship and sound and image workshop, where scholars from North America and Europe learned about videographic criticism. This experience ignited their love for the form, and they enrolled in a videographic film studies course. The speaker highlights the appeal of videographic criticism, allowing them to say something new and interesting about films they encounter, offering a creative and liberating approach to film studies.
Continuing the Journey
In this section of the podcast, the speakers discuss their decision to continue creating audiovisual essays even after their university years. One speaker expresses their interest in film criticism and journalism but acknowledges the challenges and limitations of traditional print media. They found the form of videographic criticism to be more exciting and rewarding as it allows them to self-publish and share their work with a community of like-minded individuals. The speaker appreciates the freedom and control they have in the video essay-making process, being able to create and edit at their own pace. They also mention the joy of exploring their favorite films and using videographic criticism to offer new perspectives and insights. Ultimately, the speakers found videographic criticism to be a fulfilling outlet for their passion for film analysis and discourse.
Today's episode features a conversation with Dr. Tracy Cox-Stanton (Savannah College of Art & Design) and Dr. Allison de Fren (Occidental College), two leading videographic scholars who recently co-edited an issue of the online journal The Cine-Files dedicated to the scholarly video essay. Our conversation centers on the creation of the issue, what they hope the issue contributes to the field's understanding of the scholarly video essay, and how the scholarly video essay differs from other forms of videographic criticism.
The episode also features the first part of a conversation between host Will DiGravio and Shant Bayramian, a Netherlands-based video essayist who runs the YouTube channel, The Audiovisual Essayist. The conversation was published in three parts and is entitled, "The Video Essay: What Do New Practitioners Think?" All three parts can be found on Shant's YouTube page.