Location:

Huaraz, Peru

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Fall Semester, Rolling Starts, Summer

Program Overview

Program Description:

This three week course will introduce students to documentary filmmaking approaches and familiarize them with some of the essential debates around anthropology’s relationship to film. Each student will also participate in creating a short film using production techniques that maximize cinematic quality in a low budget scenario while drawing on their cultural immersion in Carhuaz. The training will be broken into two components: The first component is a daily seminar where we will discuss different theoretical debates around documentary filmmaking and anthropology. The discussions will allow students to critically reflect on why they want to make films and what exactly they want to say with their film projects. Within these discussions we will have the opportunity to reflect on their experiences living in Carhuaz and how they relate to the people and culture of the region, and thus how they will chose to represent these experiences in their film projects. The second component is the practicum film project. These films will be produced in groups where every student will rotate from each crew position (i.e. sound, camera, writing, editing, etc…) giving everyone a chance to put the techniques learned in our workshop to use. We will focus on developing different tools and techniques that allow us to make high quality productions with very few financial resources. Students will come away from the workshop with a finalized short film and the skills needed to produce their own films in the future.

Carhuaz is a small Andean town located in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range of the Callejón de Huaylas, 7 hours northeast of Lima. Carhuaz is home to mostly Quechua speaking indigenous people whose rich culture is painted into the clothes they wear as well as carved into the mountains upon which they grow their food. In late September and early October, residents of Carhuaz hold near non-stop fiestas in the ancient tradition of their Quechua ancestors to celebrate the coming of the rainy season. These traditional fiestas coincide with the equinox and herald pre-Incan, Incan, and colonial traditions illuminating the complex history coloring the culture present in Andean life.

This program is one of the few on the cutting edge of Anthropological research introducing students to the practice of ethnographic filmmaking. Adapting documentary film practices to the arena of Anthropological analysis expands the possibilities for capturing and sharing vital cultural information about our planet.

Setting Description:

Students will be housed at the Center for Social Well Being’s rural base, an adobe lodge on an environmentally-focused ranch with stunning views of the glaciers above. The ranch will serve as a base from which students will explore the community with the camera. In addition, the program provides excursions to museums, archaeological sites, glacial lakes and hot springs; optional recreational activities include hiking, mountain biking, rafting, kayaking, rock climbing and trekking.

Cost:

September 14 - October 5th, 2012 Session: $3,200 USD The program tuition fee covers in-country travel, food and accommodations at the rural center, and all program activities, that consist of classes, lectures, filmmaking practicum, site visits with local communities, as well as program related excursions.