Documentary Films of Kam Minority Crafts
Poster Number
44
Introduction/Abstract
I produced three short documentary films on Chinese Kam minority crafts to preserve the Kam cultural heritage that was in danger to be lost. Complementing my published manuscript “The Kam Women Artisans of China: The Dawn of the Butterflies,” the films demonstrate the craft techniques from start to finish in a way that words, photographs and illustrations cannot achieve.
Purpose
It is not easy to visualize the craft processes from the book alone even when every step is meticulously described. As part of my documentary process, I have recorded videos showing the artisans at work demonstrating every step of the craft process. The videos show a different side of the process than the writings and still photographs.
The archive that I am working on currently makes all the photographs and video public. The videos are the raw unedited footage and they do not connect together, making it impossible for researchers to learn the process. Film that shows the processes from start to finish is needed for someone to actually understand the crafts and be able to replicate them. Without the films, my work on preserving the Kam minority heritage is incomplete as the writing, photographs and illustrations document the processes but do not record the process the way the films do.
Method
I have finished the three short films that I proposed to make during my leave. This involved the following activities. I completed short courses on filmmaking and film editing. I also research the history of papermaking, indigo dyeing and backstrap weaving and how the techniques developed. I found that the Kam people’s techniques could be linked to the earliest practices in those crafts and revealed the techniques the way no archeological find could.
As part of the narrative, I needed to show how the processes can be replicated so I recreated the processes. Some of these took months of experimentation with ingredients as I could not obtain the identical ones to those found in the village. I taught my children and students the processes as well to support the narrative filmed the learning processes.
I organized footage that I had and started writing a script. I then started putting the clips together to follow the narration. As I was working with existing footage, I sometimes had to incorporate photographs if footage was not available and modify. I also shot some fresh footage of the craft processes and B roll to complement the existing footage.
I learned to color grade the footage (color correct) and added necessary motion graphics, titles and credits. Two of the films needed animation to complete the narrative. I commissioned Media X students to create the time-consuming frame by frame animation for one of the films (Cai Lun’s Key on papermaking practices) and the students completed it in the spring. The students who were supposed to work on the other animation delayed and did not get started in a timely manner so I finished the animation myself this fall (’22).
I spent several days recording voiceovers with Lisa Cooperman and then edited those into the film timelines. I edited the sound and added sound effects as best as I could but at the end, I hired a professional sound designer to fine tune the sound to make sure the sound is of professional quality.
I created posters, one sheets (one-page briefs promoting the film) and websites for the films. I also made trailers for the films.
I made a profile on Film Freeway, a portal through which one submits films to film festivals and submitted the films to various festivals.
Results
I have ventured into a new field for me with the films and had to learn new skills or significantly build existing skills related to film making, production and promotion as well as sound editing, color grading and animation. I will be also to use craft techniques that I have learned for the film in my art production. I believe this makes me more versatile as an artist/designer in long term.
The films bring the years of research in the Kam crafts to life and make them accessible to broader audiences. I will incorporate the films in the proposal I have developed for exhibitions at anthropological museums. I will start applying to the museums. The films will also help me when applying for external grants.
Significance
The films bring the years of research in the Kam crafts to life and make them accessible to broader audiences.
Location
Library and Learning Center, 3601 Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA 95211
Format
Poster Presentation
Documentary Films of Kam Minority Crafts
Library and Learning Center, 3601 Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA 95211
I produced three short documentary films on Chinese Kam minority crafts to preserve the Kam cultural heritage that was in danger to be lost. Complementing my published manuscript “The Kam Women Artisans of China: The Dawn of the Butterflies,” the films demonstrate the craft techniques from start to finish in a way that words, photographs and illustrations cannot achieve.
