This workshop is an invitation to queer up authorship by co-creating a film as a group around a single given theme: “bodies of water” and a single location: Lagos.
Inspired by documentary practices, we will explore together how to craft a narrative out of various materials and perspectives.
In the process, participants will experience creative flow, learn/solidify film storytelling and collaborative skills, experiment with AI, and dive into hydrofeminism (creating solidarity with and across watery bodies).
The workshop will take place over 3 non-consecutive evenings.
The final result will be shown in a public screening, accompanied by a conversation on our process and discoveries.
Dates: Wednesday Feb 28th, Wednesday Mar 20th, Wednesday Apr 10th. Time: 5.30-8pm.
Location: Goethe-Institut, 7 Anifowoshe St, Victoria Island, Lagos 106104.
SIGN ME UP!
Please send a short bio (who are you, what is your experience level & background),
as well as a paragraph about what “bodies of water” mean to you,
to: nora(.)mandray(at)gmail(.)com
F.A.Q.
What do you mean by “Bodies of water”?
The sea, the lagoon. Mami Wata. A dancer moving to music. You. We all are bodies of water.
“Ebbing, fluvial, dripping, coursing, traversing time and space, pooling as both matter and meaning.” (Hydrofeminism, Astrida Neimanis)
Water no get enemy!
What kind of materials do you expect me to bring?
Anything that resonates with you when you hear “bodies of water”.
It could be a still picture from your phone, video footage you shot yourself, a scene from a film on VHS your mom still keeps on her shelf. It could be an object. It could be a quote from a poem or from your grandmother. It could be a choreography. It could be a piece of music.
What kind of film can we really make in 3 days?
Participants are encouraged to bring in materials to the workshop (see below).
On session 1, we will go through all already-available materials as a group, and brainstorm a potential storyline/structure to stitch it together; we will imagine potential additional scenes that will need to be created or sourced, and will conduct experiments with AI-generated images.
On session 2, we will hold further reflection on content, structure and style. A first rough cut will be presented for feedback, based on the materials from the previous session. Participants will potentially bring additional materials to this session based on the conversations from session 1. Further experiments with AI will be conducted; one interview could be shot on that day as well.
On session 3, we will watch the final rough cut, and hold final feedback.
Is there a workshop facilitator?
Yes and no. The structure of the workshop itself is fluid and non-hierarchical, and will be open to everyone’s ideas and wishes. Nora Mandray (she/they), artist-in-residence as part of the Goethe Institute x 16/16 Berlin-Lagos residency programme, will guide participants along in creating/collecting materials, and suggest a framework for collaborative practices. Nora is a Berlin-based documentary artist-filmmaker; find out more about their work here or on Instagram (@noramandray).
Just like you, Nora will also bring materials to the workshop to co-create with.
Where and when will the final public screening take place?
The last week of April, date and location TBD.
Will we make a documentary or a film?
Documentary in the context of this workshop is understood as a broad medium.
Our film will use elements taken from real life (no actors) and/or archival footage.
In order to bring it all together, the film will use storytelling principles that are also used in fiction.
What kind of tools will we have to work with?
Participants will be able to experiment with AI tools and softwares such as MidJourney, Insta360 Studio and Premiere Pro built-in AI plugins.
During session 2, participants will have the possibility to conduct interviews, to be shot on a Canon C100.
I’ve never made a film before, can I still join?
Yes! This workshop is open to all levels and backgrounds. All we ask is that you commit to all three sessions, bring a fluid way of thinking, and a good mood!
How much does it cost to enroll?
It’s free!
Do I need to take part in all three sessions?
Yes, so you and your co-participants get the most out of it — this workshop is conceived as a collective experience. With that, you will be expected to contribute to the project outside of the workshop times (by creating or sourcing the materials we collectively decide to make).
I’m not able to be there in person, can I still participate?
Absolutely! Feel free to send materials, ideas, suggestions to Nora at nora(.)mandray(at)gmail(.)com — we will be happy to integrate your propositions to the workshop.
Is there a deadline to sign up?
Official deadline is Wednesday, February 21st.