Scholarship & Research
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Item Ocean conservation films: connecting the viewer(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2020) Lanier, Sarah Elizabeth; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Dennis AigDocumentaries about ocean conservation have relied on the model of conventional environmental science documentaries with their use of expository film techniques. Ocean conservation films of this kind follow traditions of objectivity, authority, pressure for change, and placing the audience in the uncomfortable role of acting as an antagonist to aquatic life. By examining a new model for ocean conservation films in which audiences feel connected to the ocean instead of alienated from it, we can create more profound stories as well as emotional connections with the viewer. My film, 'The Crab Man of Kodiak' (2020), utilizes a localized portrait film format to engage the viewer in a discourse about ocean conservation without vilifying them, creating a balance between advocacy, science, and emotion.Item Framing science and conservation films for wider acceptance: using social science to engage audience through their worldview and cultural cognition(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2019) Smithee, Tara Pearl; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Theo LipfertUsing the work of Yale professor Dan Kahan, this thesis explores how his 'cultural cognition' theory demonstrates the ineffectiveness of communicating controversial environmental topics using the deficit model. It applies Valerie Reyna's Fuzzy Trace Theory, which demonstrates how communicators can use 'gist' and 'verbatim' in their messaging to connect to an audience's worldview and reduce polarization. This thesis uses these theories to analyze three documentary case studies, including my MFA thesis film, Deep Discoveries. Deep Discoveries documents the underwater ocean exploration of Marine National Monuments in the Pacific Ocean from 2014 to 2016 and utilizes the above tools to promote conservation of the ocean.Item The personal essay film and large carnivores: moving beyond science in search of empathy and action(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2017) White, Annie Beth; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Dennis AigDespite their common usage in natural history documentary films, appeals based solely upon scientific facts, expert testimony, and rational arguments are not particularly effective at convincing audiences to change their opinions on controversial subjects. Psychologists argue that this is because humans tend to base our decisions on emotion and social affiliations; and therefore, working to find common ground and motive between opposing sides in an argument may be one of the strongest stances from which to start a useful discussion. This is a particularly important consideration when addressing large carnivore conservation because their management is so deeply rooted in our cultural beliefs and identities. I propose that personal essay films, focused on immersing their audiences as much as possible in the authentic experiences of a compelling protagonist, may be an effective way to begin opening up a viewer's opinions on a highly charged subject without directly attacking all of their most strongly held beliefs. Through analyzing representative personal documentary films, I highlight the importance of certain structural elements when trying to connect with an audience on an emotional level; such as letting the passionate protagonist tell their own story, including surprising and mysterious instances in the film, and not oversimplifying moments of indecision or confusion. Part of the Pack (2017), my autobiographical thesis film, attempts to put these insights into practice by inviting the audience to join in my experiences of living closely with captive wolves. My hope is that personal essay films like this can foster the type of emotional connection and common-ground thinking necessary for viewers to start empathizing with and promoting the conservation of large predators.Item The pursuit of hippo-ness : hippopotamus and human(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2014) Franks, Alan Everett; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Lucia RicciardelliThe relationship between human and animal is a complex and strange one, and many have written and theorized on the matter over the centuries. Animal theory has become ensconced in a debate that has evolved with public discourse and now exists in a realm that has become clouded with misperceptions. In this thesis, I explore ideas about human-animal relationships through the example of the hippopotamus and provide historical and cultural context for a reading of my accompanying film, "The Pursuit of Hippo-ness". Through both the film and the paper, I aim to raise questions about how we see and interact with the hippopotamus, drawing mainly from individual stories to reflect a multiplicity of an animal that is often seen in a negative light. By raising these questions about how we perceive animals, we should begin to recognize the impacts that it can have on conservation when some animals are seen as inferior in terms of their "value." Being cognizant of these prejudices or highly misconstrued understandings of animals, particularly those with negative connotations attached, we should begin to recognize the intrinsic value of the animals and the way in which our lives are intertwined with theirs.Item Toward a political economy of activist documentary(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2011) Selheim, Megan Elizabeth; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Theo Lipfert.Documentary film has long been a tool used by progressive political and social movements to raise awareness of an issue or advocate for action to create change. Unfortunately, these films and filmmakers often miss the mark, compromising or oversimplifying their message. I argue that these missteps are due to the fact that these films are reliant on the dominant culture for funding and distribution, and that culture will neither fund nor distribute any product that challenges its ideology too much. The discipline of political economy looks at how power structures determined and maintained by capitalism direct how media contacts the public. I analyze three environmental documentaries using the basic theories of political economy, and investigate how economics has affected the political goals of activist documentary. I argue that the internet offers both an opportunity to engage with the complexity of an issue through interactive design, as well as a way to potentially circumvent the more restrictive hurdles of a capitalist society.Item Fanihi : a cultural digest. Cannibalism or conservation?(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2010) Tharp, James Whitney; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Ronald Tobias.There is a conflict on the island of Rota in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands between conservationists and the cultural traditions of Chamorro inhabitants. The traditional model of broadcasting media to a wide audience is not effective in intervening in environmental conflicts within indigenous communities compared to an emerging model of filmmaking that embraces local voices and perspectives. Historically, indigenous depictions in media tend to misrepresent "Others" in order to reinforce the imperialist interests of Western society. Within this essay I intend to analyze how Western media suppresses indigenous voice while investigating strategies for the creation of effective environmental films targeted towards specific local audiences. Awareness of the mistakes of filmmakers of the past combined with the availability of inexpensive production and distribution technologies will allow alternative models of filmmaking to portray a diversity of perspectives. Environmental films that feature indigenous voices allow local communities to define and strengthen their own cultural values while creating texts that broaden global understandings of the diversity of the human experience.Item On delivering messages of dire need for action on precipitating problems before the storms come(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2011) Shapiro, Spartacus; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Theo Lipfert.Blue chip and conservation filmmaking are the two styles most commonly applied to Natural History documentaries. The numerous threats to our oceans are among the most pressing problems of our time, and certainly these are Natural History stories. Yet neither of the established models of filmmaking has been able to effectively tell the story of our oceans in crisis. A "revolution" is in order. After contextualizing and analyzing exemplars, I will propose a new model which draws on the strengths of both blue chip and conservation filmmaking, but which would fit neither category as is. This new model, green chip filmmaking, holds my hope for filmmaking, my hope for oceans, my hope for our children, my hope for humankind.Item Developing a cross-cultural narrative in environmental film : a case study from Aotearoa(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2012) Dunning, Dawson Lee; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Ronald Tobias.Environmental filmmakers often construct narratives about cultures or appropriate cultural ideas for their storylines. However, the majority of environmental films rely on Western methods of filmmaking and storytelling, even when the topic of these films may be non-Western and the narratives involved are non-linear and complex. In this essay, I argue for a cross-cultural approach to narrative development in environmental film that incorporates defining aspects of storytelling from the cultures represented. I use my experience of making a film about cultural collaboration in New Zealand resource management as a case study and I highlight the challenges of developing a cross-cultural narrative in environmental film.Item Secular spiritual nature films : their use, misuse, and potential promise as roving biospheres(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2009) Beck, Jefferson Andrews; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Walter Metz.The central purpose of poetic techniques in nature films remains under-analyzed and the realm of spiritual motivations in filmic techniques under-explored. In this paper I examine historical and recent attitudes toward nature and the spiritual, highlighting in particular the work of Existentialists, and use those contexts to critique several broad categories of nature films. I find that all types of nature films, to varying degrees, contain a poetic impulse and often a secular spiritual motivation. I conclude that nature films, when carefully crafted, can be highly imperfect, yet highly potent proxies for spiritual experiences in nature.Item The role of conservation films within the environmental debate(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2006) Duke, Tyler Norman; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: William NeffIn the environmental debate there is little middle ground. Many environmental issues become highly polarized, with neither side willing to compromise. Conservation films work as a catalyst fueling the fire. They create plot lines based on good and evil without fleshing out the grey area. Two different philosophies exist on the environment. One, ecocentrism, feels that the environment has value by itself . The other, anthropocentrism, believes that the environment's only value is what it provides humans. Conservation films fail to recognize the later belief. The Endangered Species Act has led to a lot of mistrust of biological information. All of these factors have led to the alienation of user groups and a break down of communication between both sides. The role of conservation films should be to begin the environmental discussion.