Dr Stefano Odorico - “Multiperspectival Thinking: Polyphonic Documentary as a Method for Co-creation”. Film & Screen Media Research Seminar Series, Mon 10 Oct, 4.00 p.m.

6 Oct 2022

Department of Film & Screen Media Research Seminar Series with Dr Stefano Odorico (Technological University of the Shannon, Limerick)

“Multiperspectival Thinking: Polyphonic Documentary as a Method for Co-creation”

Monday 10 October 2022, 4.00 p.m.

Film & Screen Media Auditorium, Kane Building B10B (Basement)

Polyphonic Documentary is a research project initiated by Dr Judith Aston and Dr Stefano Odorico which has developed into a working group composed of currently over 70 people across several continents. This group is exploring the potential of i-docs (interactive documentaries) to create non-linear and interactive means through which to promote intercultural dialogue and exchange. While polyphony can be clearly found across a number of documentary forms, we are mainly interested in reframing earlier debates within i-docs around narrative/non-narrative/anti-narrative and its relationship to database aesthetics.

This paper will present aspects of the theoretical framework and methodologies developed within the polyphonic documentary working group, including carnival, heteroglossia and aesthetics. Furthermore, as part of this, it will look at the interactive documentary Question Bridge as a case study which has inspired our method.

To conclude, this paper will show how we have used the interactive authoring tools Korsakow and Stornaway to develop our own interactive meta documentary on polyphony.

Dr Stefano Odorico is a lecturer, a curator and a filmmaker, currently lecturing at the Technological University of the Shannon (Ireland). He is the director of IRIS (International Research Centre for Interactive Storytelling) and Visiting Research Fellow at Leeds Trinity University. He is currently collaborating with Dr Judith Aston on a project focusing on polyphonic documentary theory and practice. He has published numerous works on film and media theory and practice, documentary studies, and interactive documentaries. He is the Vice-Chair of the MeCCSA (Media, Communication and Cultural Studies Association) Practice Network, co-organiser of the Interactive Media and Film Conference, jury member of the International Mobile Innovation Screening & Smartphone Film Festival (MINA), co-editor and co-founder of the Interactive Film and Media Journal, and a co-founder and member of the consultative board of Alphaville: Journal of Film and Screen Media.

All welcome

Department of Film and Screen Media

School of Film, Music & Theatre

University College Cork