Assignment: Filmmaker Bio
David Coon, University of Washington, Tacoma
This short assignment encourages students to learn a little more about the filmmakers whose work (films or clips) is screened in class. This is not meant as an in-depth research project, but rather a quick introduction to the people who generate the stories, images, and sounds studied in class. Students research the professional biographies of their assigned filmmakers and then share them with the class. Depending on the size/nature of the course, the sharing portion can be done orally in class (perhaps on the day a film or clip is shown), via a course management system, in small groups, in the full group, or whatever works best.
Many teachers work hard to present a diverse range of storytellers and stories in their media classes, but unlike diversity in representation, which students tend to notice easily, diversity in authorship can remain somewhat hidden unless it is actively called out. This assignment asks students to situate filmmakers’ social identities as part of their professional biographies, thus making social identity visible in the discussion of professional accomplishments. When students see a diverse range of filmmakers working in the roles that exist off screen and/or behind the camera, they are better able to imagine themselves finding a place in the field of media production. This is particularly valuable for students from social groups or identities that are underrepresented in the media industries. Students who are not from underrepresented groups can still benefit from a better understanding of the diverse range of voices and identities (including those that differ from their own) that contribute to the media landscape. Since each student only researches a few filmmakers, having students share/present their findings with the class is an important step in demonstrating a wide range of filmmaker identities.
Keywords: biography, identity, presentation
