Workshop in Videographic Criticism

The University of Rochester’s Institute for Public Humanities and Creative Scholarship presents a three-day workshop on creating scholarly video essays, January 15-17, 2025. The workshop will be led by Jason Mittell, Professor of Film and Media Culture at Middlebury College and pioneer in videographic criticism. This innovative approach allows scholars to present their research through engaging videos that combine visuals, audio, and text to create compelling academic arguments.

This method of scholarship has gained significant recognition across disciplines, with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and publication venues like [in]Transition. While rooted in film and media studies, the techniques are valuable for any scholar looking to share research through visual storytelling—from historical analysis to scientific communication.

The three-day workshop will welcome up to 15 University of Rochester faculty members and graduate students. Participants will learn:

• Principles of effective visual argumentation
• Video and audio editing using professional tools (Adobe Premiere and Audition)
• Best practices for using source material under fair use guidelines
• Strategies for adapting traditional academic work to engaging video formats

This workshop is a condensed version of Mittell's renowned two-week summer workshop at Middlebury College, specially designed for faculty interested in exploring video as a medium for scholarly research and communication.

Applicants should submit a current c.v. and a statement of interest (300-word limit). The statement should outline your goals and motivations for applying to the workshop. Indicate one research topic and/or one object of study (e.g., a specific film, television series, digital media object) with which you would like to work to produce videographic criticism. No prior experience with video production/editing is required to participate in the workshop. Open to University of Rochester faculty and graduate students.

Workshop in Videographic Criticism · January 15-17, 2025 · 9am-5pm

To apply: Please send your c.v. and statement of interest to celliot4@ur.rochester.edu; write “Workshop Application” in the email subject.

Deadline: Friday, December 6th, 2024

Questions: Please contact Jason Middleton, Associate Professor, English Department and Director, Film and Media Studies Program at jmiddle2@ur.rochester.edu.