Scholarship & Research
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Item The power and potential of performative documentary film(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2007) Little, John Arthur; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Ronald TobiasIn this thesis, I argue the performative mode of documentary filmmaking is an emerging, intrinsically powerful and virtually unexplored weapon in the arsenal of science documentary. Through selected theoretical and academic writings, I examine origins and pathways of documentary film that ultimately lead to the performative documentary. I contrast the performative mode against a common paradigm that documentary, and particularly science documentary, demands a filmic text that embraces traditional conventions of narrative, realism, empiricism, causality and evidentiary truth claims. I then analyze the utility and application of common elements in performative documentary films including my performative science documentary, At the Risk of Being Smote.Item Coloring science outside the lines : the poetry and passion of Jean Painlevé(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2007) Frostic, Maria Tucker; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: William Neff; Paul Monaco (co-chair)The majority of current science films for popular audiences follow a formula that can best be described as conventional journalism. Artistic science films are rare, and historically they have generated outrage and distrust by the scientific community. In this paper, I explore the possibility that artful science films are a valid method of conveying the wonders of science to an audience. Underwater French filmmaker Jean Painlevé made films that strike a clever balance between art and science, and this unique fusion of divergent parts results in moving vignettes on the astonishing surreal beauty of the marine world. By considering the origin of the science film, by examining Painlevé's films and philosophy, and by investigating the role of art and science in society, I argue that artistic science films are valid educational tools that should be used to communicate the wonders of science.Item Ecstatic truth through fiction : re-framing the science film to engage a wider audience(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2007) Smith, Elizabeth Ann; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: William NeffAmericans obtain a majority of their information about science through science films, primarily in the form of documentaries on television. However, despite the recent proliferation of these films, there is much discussion in the science filmmaking community about how ineffective these films have been lately at informing the public about science and compelling viewers to act. It is time to look at the underlying definitions of the genre from a different perspective and determine whether the current standards are the best way to successfully convey messages about science to the widest audience. To explore the possibilities for increasing the effectiveness of science filmmaking, one needs to look at the basic assumptions that come into play during the process of producing science films by re-framing the major components of the science film: goals, subject matter, audience, and format. This new set of paradigms reveals the possibility of another avenue - fiction.Item Beyond words : the use of the non-verbal genre in natural history filmmaking(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2007) Haywood, Keene McDonald; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Dennis AigNatural history filmmaking has a history that begins with the advent of cinematography as a form of artistic and documentary expression. Natural history filmmaking has increasingly used techniques of fiction, drama and anthropomorphizing to represent the natural world in storytelling. This paper will examine the use of the nonverbal form of filmmaking as an alternative style that can be used to effectively document natural history using a more lyrical, poetic and often more thoughtful style. This work examines previous works in the non-verbal genre and discusses how this style compares with historically more traditional natural history films and why this alternative style is used for the thesis film. Additionally, works from the disciplines of geography and natural history writing are examined for relevance to the non-verbal natural history filmmaking genre.Item A paradigm shift for the science documentary(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2007) Kustusch, Christopher Michael; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Dennis AigThe science documentary exists within a very specific cultural space. It is not only separate from conventional fictional entertainment but it is also separate from the mainstream, or social documentary, tradition. The cross-blending of genres and the borrowing of technique and style from current "modern documentaries" should lead to a radical reinvention of the paradigm (i.e., a paradigm shift) of the science/natural history documentary. This essay will focus on three main areas of discussion: the rise of the modern documentary, a discussion exploring the characteristics of the current paradigm of traditional science films, and a survey of those projects that move towards a hybrid of science and entertainment. In looking at these films, we will consider my thesis film, Oil Eye for the Average Guy, (2007), which attempts to construct the new science documentary paradigm by using "social documentary" techniques to reach a larger audience.