New Media Documentary Workshop
In documentary filmmaking, the use of "new media" applications and various other platforms are becoming more prominent every day. Projects like "Undocumentary," "Bear 71" and "18 Days in Egypt" demonstrate that the traditional domain of documentary filmmaking is undergoing changes. On December 3, documentary filmmakers Yoram Schaffer and Udi Ben-Arie introduced basics of new media storytelling to Bilkent students at a workshop organized by COMD.
According to the two filmmakers, new media's influence on the aesthetics of film and video productions can be evaluated in terms of two main aspects: means of communication and means of expression. They talked about the unique quality of new media distribution platforms, including the Internet, mobile/cellular devices, IPTV and personal computers. Mr. Schaffer and Mr. Ben-Arie also noted that the new means of expression are different from older ones, referring to such concepts and formats as interface, interactive flow, serialization and gaming.
The workshop encouraged participants to conceive their own projects using new media platforms and means of expression.