2nd Annual conference - Within the Frame: Integrating Film Practice and Theory Print
The second annual conference 'Within the Frame: Integrating Film Practice and Theory' was held at the University of Aberdeen on 18th May 2009.

In the research and teaching of film at Scottish universities, new and distinctive initiatives are emerging in the way we reflect on and integrate the practice of making films and new media.  In some instances, existing structures present clear divisions between practice and theorizing, and in others there are carefully integrated models in which practice is contextualized within a theoretical engagement.  These themes and the issues they pose in light of the most recent developments in digital technology, innovative teaching methods specific to the discipline, and new integrated research and funding opportunities, will form the basis of the one-day symposium organized by the SCFVS, Within the Frame, hosted by the Film and Visual Culture Department at the University of Aberdeen.

Building on the discussions of the first conference of the Scottish Consortium for Film and Visual Studies organized by the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies at the University of Glasgow in June 2008, the second symposium will focus on identifying emerging paradigms in the study and integration of practice within our institutions and individual research projects.  The introduction of Practice-based PhDs in recent years is one example of changes to the film and new media research environment, creating new expectations and opportunities for students and programme recruitment.  Holding workshops, seminars and conferences that invite direct participation by film practitioners are increasing.  Research projects that refocus the gaze on production and distribution elements also represent a broadening of the study of film, television and new media.  This exciting climate of new activity driven by greater accessibility, economy and familiarity with digital image making and recent advances in web-based technology will provide a fertile area for discussion and debate at the symposium.

Within the Frame will feature invited speakers and a series of discussion panels.  The keynote speakers include:

Raul Ruiz, director of over 100 films (Professor of Film and Modern Thought, University of Aberdeen)

Elizabeth Cowie (Professor of Film, University of Kent) Title: The Fiction of Time in Documentary Film

Duncan Petrie (Professor of Film, University of York) Title: Theory, Practice and the Significance of Film Schools

Schedule:

10:00 Registration

10:25 Welcome

10:30 Keynote Speaker: Prof. Elizabeth Cowie

11:15 coffee break

11:30 Workshops I

12:15 Keynote Speaker: Prof. Duncan Petrie

1:00 Lunch

2:30 Keynote Speaker: Prof. Raul Ruiz

3:15 Workshops II

4:00 coffee break

4:20 Workshop feedback

4:50 Closing remarks

5:00 Reception

5:45 finish

Workshop themes: indicate which panels you wish to take part in on the Registration Form

The status of the discipline of film studies

The issue of global/world cinema within film studies

Developments in the practice-based PhD

Practice-based research project experiences

Holding practitioner events and industry fellowships

Digital technology advances in teaching

Collaborative research and cultural institutions

Archival collections and collaborations

Venue: King's College Conference Centre, University of Aberdeen

Download the Registration Form and submit it by Friday 24th April to Ms. Emma Fowlie, School of Language and Literature, University of Aberdeen: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  If you are interested in being considered for a £50 postgraduate travel bursary, please also download and submit the Travel Bursary Form.  Travel Information by: train, car, coach or air. City and campus maps.  Information on visiting Aberdeen City and Shire. -- and link the attached document to the phrase 'Travel Bursary Form' -- as on our conference web site:

http://www.abdn.ac.uk/film/events/conferences/withintheframe/

Participants may also wish to attend the annual Word literary festival held at King's College Campus 15-17th May, featuring a number of well-known writers and interesting events. The campus and city are particularly attractive in spring -- come find out why Aberdeen, Europe's Oil Capital with the world's busiest civilian heliport, has been awarded the 'Britain in Bloom' prize a record ten times!

Funded by the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland.  A five-year long project of annual research conferences, collaboration and pooled research expertise at Scottish institutions.  Additional funding is being provided by the Research Institute of Irish and Scottish Studies.