“Humanity’s self-alienation has reached such a degree that it can experience its own destruction as an aesthetic pleasure of the first order.”

― Walter Benjamin, The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction

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Cinema can transport us to other worlds, but can it transform the one we're living in? This ten week online course sketches a path through the history of filmmaking, exploring its theory and praxis. It also works to dissect the exploitative processes at the heart of the industry and asks whether a new world of film is possible.

 

The topics we cover include the imperial power of photography, the Hollywood Machine, Soviet montage theory, Third Cinema, new wave, contemporary queer film, genre films like horror, video activism and more. Participants will come away with a knowledge of core analytical concepts and explore relevant critical writings associated with film studies. After diving into the manifestos and ideas that drove these movements, as well as the social contexts that produced them, the class will attempt to formulate their own vision of radical filmmaking.

 

There is also a technical aspect to each week, as we introduce participants to the process of making films. This involves sound recording, cinematography, editing and mobile phone filmmaking. We take a practical approach to filmmaking using whatever technology or software you have available.

 

The next online course will be co-taught by Úna and James, likely from September. All are welcome.

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A taster session will take place a few weeks before we start. You will be able to ask questions and discuss the syllabus together with the conveners. 

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More detail on the syllabus can be found here.

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Úna O'Sullivan is an Irish filmmaker and editor of music videos, documentaries, and works of fiction. Lately, she made 'Feasibility Dispute' with Cut-Through Collective which was screened as part of the People's Summit for Climate Justice at COP26, about the role of the science industry in the climate crisis and its prospects to change our course. She's also been working on an animated documentary about the social impact of algorithms with Studio RGL. Her films have appeared in a fair few festivals and she has been supported by Screen Scotland.

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James Redmond is a freelance digital media practitioner based in Dublin. He has previously worked as Communications Officer for Comhlamh, an organisation representing returned development works in Ireland. For several years from 2009 he was a key member of staff in Dublin Community TV, an upstart attempt at building a viable outlet on the cable network. He also directed the cult feature length Notes On Rave In Dublin, and was a co-founder of rabble magazine.

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The price for this course ranges from £100 to 300£ according to what you can afford.