Why so serious? Conference on comedy @IADT

WHY SO SERIOUS? Teaching Comedy in Film Schools

April 24th to 26th 2023

The National Film School at IADT, Dun Laoghaire is hosting a conference on Teaching Comedy in Film Schools called “Why So Serious?”. The event will be held in Studio 1 on our campus in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland on April 24^th to 26^th 2023.

A GEECT Teaching Conference, hosted by IADT and supported by CILECT, FilmEU and NAHEMI will bring together, experts in comedy writing and ask them to contemplate and advise on how to teach comedy in film schools across the world.

Introduction

Comedy can provide an insight into the soul; it can speak truth to power or comfort us in our darkest moments. So why is teaching comedy in film schools not taken seriously? This conference will find out why. Bringing together comedians, writers, researchers, and academics specialising in or curious about comedy, will gain new insights into methodologies for teaching and filmmaking in the comedic form.

Registration fee includes accommodation (single occupancy) with breakfast, welcome event, conference dinner and lunches. Please register as soon as possible to guarantee accommodation.

Dates: Arrivals April 23rd, departures from April 26th (after lunch)

GEECT / CILECT full members €450 per delegate (full member schools in good standing may send up to two delegates, and candidate and partner members in good standing may send one delegate, at the subsidised rate).
CILECT members from other Regions (CARA, CAPA, CIBA or CNA) can apply for a Fee Waiver: please contact Stanislav Semerdjiev, (places are limited and are assigned on a first-come-first-served basis).
NAHEMI members who are not members of CILECT or GEECT €600 (please contact chair@nahemi.org for possible NAHEMI support)
Delegate Full fee: €750 per delegate: non-members/members not in good standing and any additional delegates from member schools.

Programme Highlights

www.whysoseriousconference.com

2nd GEECT Leadership symposium

Cooperation between film schools in Europe in the XXI century

Date – 26^th May
Venue – RITCS, Brussels

Objective – to promote discussion and refection on novel and emergent forms of cooperation between film schools in Europe in the XXI century.

Description:
Film schools have a long tradition in Europe tied to educational models of the conservatoires, which are, for the most part, still distinct from the wider academia. The focus on the elements of craft and art making results in an orientation that was, and still continues to be, practical, placing the master/disciple relationship at the heart of the educational process. In the last decades, these institutions have been under a great deal of pressure. The reforms of the Bologna process had far-reaching ramifications for these institutions by replacing some training regimes of flexible length with ones that could accommodate the ordered cycle of degrees proposed by the reform. Further faced with the need for European Standards compliance, namely those articulated in the “Dublin descriptors” of 2004 and more recently in the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), many of these institutions started transforming themselves by engaging in a process of “academicisation”. This resulted in great tension between the original nature and focus of these institutions on professional-level training and the much wider mission to which academic institutions are nowadays ascribed. The result was that many film schools went through a period of turmoil that has greatly hindered their ability to build alliances or experiment with structural changes. Throughout this period, these institutions and many other programmes that have emerged inside universities based on similar educational models, have continued to pursue progressive pedagogical approaches supported by their special heritage, their pragmatic response to individual working methods, and their close connections to students and their work. Yet, many impediments to these HEI activities remain, like legal or institutional constraints that disallow the introduction of the subject as a self-sufficient element of a doctoral degree, or concerns over financial viability due to the costly nature of teaching, resulting in pressure for greater massification and a decrease in the intensive use of expensive state-of-the-art technologies. With the Brussels Leadership symposium, GEECT wishes to be at the forefront of the discussion on future and engaging forms of cooperation between schools. The symposium will include three areas of focus that will at the centre of three round tables to be held during the one-day event:Associations of HEI: benchmarks with associations in other sectors – how do they operate? Benefits to members?Pedagogical cooperation: what new challenges? I.e. Ai in higher educationEU instruments for cooperation: the ETGT and the European UniversitiesThe board provides a concept note on each topic and groups are organised to report on each topic
The objective is to produce a position paper on this topic to be taken to the Rome congress

DEADLINE for Registration: Friday 12/05/2023 – 14h. CET.

REGISTRATION

Host School:

WHY SO SERIOUS?
Teaching Comedy in Film Schools

April 24th to 26th 2023

Introduction

Comedy can provide an insight into the soul; it can speak truth to power or comfort us in our darkest moments. So why is teaching comedy in film schools not taken seriously? This conference will find out why. Bringing together comedians, writers, researchers and academics specialising in or curious about comedy, will gain new insights into methodologies for teaching and filmmaking in the comedic form.

We are looking for a mix of presentations, case studies, and roundtables which will explore techniques of how to teach comedy, how to develop comedic projects, how to tutor students in best practice and gain a deeper understanding into the nature of `writers’ rooms. This conference is about reshaping how comedy is approached and how it can become a pillar of film education.

Call for Contributions

We are looking for contributors who can address all aspects of teaching comedy. Some suggested topics are:

Teaching comedy
Case studies of comedy modules
Writers room in the classroom
How to structure and film comedy
Comedy in pre-production, production, and post-production
Economics of Comedy
Pathways for graduates in the comedy industry
Writing for television and cinema
The future of comedy
Best Practices / Best Kept Secrets

Deadlines

Please submit concrete suggestions (200 words), names of presenters (with contact details where possible) you believe could be both interesting and inspiring for all of us to

whysoserious@iadt.ie

by February 14^th, 2023.

Where Are We?

Situated in Ireland, close to the port town of Dun Laoghaire, IADT is 12kms away from Dublin City Centre. Dun Laoghaire is a hub for culture and nature. Come enjoy the food, the sea and possibly a pint of Guinness.

Costs & Practicalities

Dates: Arrivals April 23rd, departures from April 26th (after lunch)

Delegate fees:

GEECT / CILECT full members €450 per delegate (full member schools in good standing may send up to two delegates, and candidate and partner members in good standing may send one delegate, at the subsidised rate).

CILECT members from other Regions (CARA, CAPA, CIBA or CNA) can apply for a Fee Waiver: please contact The executive director of CILECT, (places are limited and are assigned on a first-come-first-served basis).

Homepage

NAHEMI members who are not members of CILECT or GEECT €600

Delegate Full fee: €750 per delegate: non-members/members not in good standing and any additional delegates from member schools.

Conference website and official registration coming soon www.whysoseriousconference.com

We look forward to welcoming you to Dublin!

Barry Dignam & Deirdre O’Toole – Conference Directors

Teaching the Teachers Workshop:
“Introducing cineDESK2“

A Toolkit for Virtual Filmmaking, see www.cinedesk.ch

Workshop at the Zurich University of the Arts, Switzerland
February 8-10, 2023

Travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the participants

More Information

REGISTRATION

Workshop Program:
Over the course of three days, we will introduce participants to the educational design of the cineDESK workshops at our university. Participants will experience the cineDESK both from a student and a teacher perspective, thus gaining first-hand knowledge about its potential and limitations. Our developers and educators will be present throughout the workshop for one-on-one Q&As and technical/organisational discussions.
The workshop will conclude with a panel discussion about the usage of virtual production in film education.

Workshop Goals:
Understand how cineDESK worksKnow how to use motion capture for the cineDESK teaching workflowGet to know the technical back-end (Unreal Engine) Understand the specific requirements for implementation and maintenance at your school

CILECT Congress in San Sebastian – 2022

BLESSING THE OBSTACLES

FILM AND TV FACULTY VSMU, BRATISLAVA, 22.9.2022

The presentation on GEECT conference was an opportunity for pedagogues who participate in the teaching of the non-fiction program to summarize their approach towards fundamental value attitudes. Stimulating discussions as result of the panels and presentations gave us the opportunity to see things in the bigger picture, which is the historical perspective, in the context of society and show us deeper meaning of the job we are part of.

Feedback:

Dear Jana,

thank you very much for the conference. I really enjoyed the topic “Obstacles” . All your staff was well prepared and motivated. Plus the weather was perfect.😊

best regards
(Lubo Halatchev)

Dear Jana,

Just a quick note to say how much I enjoyed the conference last week – it was inspirational to hear of the details of your documentary programme, and it was clear how well the students are doing under your system. Thank you for your wonderful hospitality, and I hope I will have an opportunity to work with you again in the future.

Best,

Chris Nikkel
Assistant Lecturer in Film and Television – IADT, Ireland

Dear Jana,

I hope you are well. It was a pleasure to be at VSMU and to see the great work you do with your students.

Ines Gil

It was great to visit VSMU, listen to presentations, watch the students films and get aquatinted with teachers and PhD students.
In the nearest future I am going to watch the films through the Vimeo link.
I am also looking forward to possible future cooperations.

Warm greetings,

Ira

GEECT organizes its first LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM

GEECT organized in Lisbon its first leadership symposium. The meeting was organized in Lisbon at Universidade Lusófona on the 25^th of April and brought together more than 40 representatives from different GEECT schools that during a very intense day discussed many of the challenges and opportunities film schools are confronted with in the context of changing landscape. The symposium kicked-off with a presentation by Su Nicholls-Gärtner from IFS – International Film School from Cologne that discussed the historical roots of GEECT/CILECT and how that relates to the current challenges and opportunities the community faces and how new organizational models can be designed to move the organization forward. This talk was followed by a keynote from Maria Silvia Gatta from the European Commission, DG CNECT (Communications Networks, Content & Technology) on the current opportunities the Creative Europe program entails for Europe Film Schools. During the talk it became clear that there are opportunities emerging in the field of audience development GEECT schools’ can profit from. The rest of the morning was dedicated to the presentation of two exemplary projects that depict EU level collaboration between GEECT schools. The first presentation was dedicated to the project “Open innovative resources for filmmaking education and training (OIRFET)”, a strategic partnership between film schools (Lodz Film School, Poland, FAMU from Prague, VSMU from Bratislava and ADU from Zagreb) and financed by Erasmus + Strategic Partnerships. Examples were showcased of outcomes of the project and new initiatives that also include RITS from Belgium. The second presentation was dedicated to FilmEU. FilmEU is one of the new 41 “European Universities” funded by the EU. FILMEU’s main objective is to implement a European University of excellence focused in the fields of Film and Media Arts. Its long-term vision implies that by 2025 FILMEU must be constituted as an exemplary collaborative structure able to deepen the cooperation between all members of the Alliance and foster their ability to act locally, regionally and globally in the cultural and creative industries and across other societal areas they impact. FILMEU brings together four European Higher Education Institutions: Lusófona University from Lisbon, Portugal that leads the project; BFM – Baltic Film and Media School, Tallinn University, from Estonia; LUCA School of Arts from Brussels, Belgium; and Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology, from Dublin, Ireland. Together, these institutions collaborate around the common objective of jointly promoting high-level education, innovation, and research activities in the multidisciplinary field of Film and Media Arts and, through this collaboration, consolidate the central role of Europe as a world leader in the creative fields. FilmEU is the only one of the new European Universities in the fields of culture and creativity and besides presenting the Alliance and it work the presentation also discussed the ongoing enlargement of the Alliance and the opportunities the changing higher education landscape in Europe presents for films schools.

GEECT, Lusófona, Lisbon, 25th april 2022.

The afternoon was dedicated to a number of round tables in a world café format. Divided in smaller groups the participants lively discussed a number of topics deemed highly relevant for the future of film schools and film education in Europe.
The round table What should we do with our students work? Focused on topics like the management of schools’ archives and the promotion of students’ work.
The round table on Academization of film schools discussed the ongoing transformation of film schools from a crafted oriented educational model to a much more complex setup, where artistic research plays an important role. HEI are confronted with a much more demanding regulatory framework and the challenges film schools face are manifolded and a common agreement emerged on the need to share experiences and knowledge around these topics.
The round table on Collaborations in a remote world: how can we better support Schools and students in need focused on how we can better serve our students and their needs in particular in the context of the ongoing aggression of Russia towards Ukraine. A number of concrete actions were discussed, and the participants agreed on the need of continuing to lobby for support for Ukrainian students and their schools.
The round table on Sustainability and film schools focused on different topics ranging from inclusivity to green production, unanimously considered as central to the activity of film schools. The last round table focused on the topic Challenges to the future: Independence within different forms of funding and a number of very challenging questions were addressed in relation with the actions film schools can and should take when confronted with proposals coming from commercial companies in relation with the exploitation of the schools’ catalogue. There was a common agreement on the relevance these proposals have for the schools’ profile, but also around the need for the schools to maintain their independence and autonomy.
By the end of the day all participants agreed on the overall quality and relevance of the event and the need to continue promoting similar initiatives. The fact the event occurred solely in a live mode was unanimously considered as a very positive aspect and after such a long period without live interactions it was very good to rejoin old friends and colleagues to discuss and reflect on timely topics and challenges.

links:
Editing http://montage.edu.eu
FilmEU https://www.filmeu.eu/

GEECT SYMPOSIUM 2022

25^th April 2022 (Universidade Lusófona)
Deadline for registration : 31^th March 2022

Registration

Film education requires that we are responsive to the changes and urgencies of our time, with space to reflect and discuss different topics that affect our activities and how it influences the future of education, curriculum and institutional planning. With this in mind, GEECT is putting together a new initiative designed to facilitate the much-needed time for discussion, reflection and networking for leaders in film schools.

This one-day event is open to the leadership of GEECT member schools with a format that includes keynote presentations and allocated time for participatory discussion. This is also an opportunity for all members to influence the agenda of the association and to advance topics of interest that are immediately relevant to their school’s concerns and priorities.

This is the first edition of the symposium and we want to give all members the
possibility to define the topics to be discussed in the afternoon session : a “world café” format at the one day event. “Live” only.

Indicative dates
Deadline for registration: 31^th March 2022
Event date: 25^th April 2022
No participation fee. Travel and accommodation costs are not covered.

Final Program:
9:00 Welcome note and objectives of the symposium (Manuel Damásio, GEECT Chair)
9:30 Su Nicholls-Gärtner (IFS – International Film School) – Past and future: research on European film schools
10:30 Maria Silvia Gatta (European Commission, DG CNECT, Communications Networks, Content & Technology, I.3 Unit – Audiovisual Industry & media programmes) – Opportunities for film schools and the Creative Europe agenda
10:30 10:45 BREAK (15 min break)
10:45 Case studies (International cooperation between GEECT schools): Editor E+ project (Jana Keeble – VSMU & Patrick Geeraerts – RITCS and the FILMEU project Barry Dignam – IADT & Manuel Damásio – ULHT).
12:30 Lunch Break
13:30 Round tables – World Café format
Topics for the round tables are:
– what should we do with our students work?
– academization of film schools
– Collaborations in a remote world: how can we better support Schools and students in need (Actions towards Ukraine)
– Sustainbility and film schools
– Challenges to the future: Independence within different forms of funding
17:30 Closing and final remarks

Neurocine Kick-Off Conference – BFM Tallin

NeuroCine Conference´s aim is to pave the ground for future joint interdisciplinary research endeavours between filmmakers and neuroscientists in cinematic storytelling, film viewing and related first-person experiences.