National Council on Public History

MEGAN CRUTCHER, DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY

Proposal Type

Workshop

Seeking

• Seeking Additional Presenters
• Seeking Specific Expertise
• Seeking General Feedback and Interest

Related Topics

• Digital
• Oral History
• Social Justice
• Film

Abstract

In general, filmmaking is an accessible, far-reaching, and interesting way to present history, especially LGBTQ history, for the public. Yet it also presents unique challenges to the traditional historical method. I hope to discuss the implications, practices, techniques, and topics of filmmaking for LGBTQ history, and to be able to workshop ideas and projects together in a collaborative way. I envision historical filmmaking as one large “thread of change” in the future of public history. My interest in filmmaking and LGBTQ history comes out of a film I created during a Spring 2019 course at Duquesne University. “A Message of Liberation” explores LGBTQ religious involvement in the gay rights movement and is a continuing project on YouTube.

Description

For this workshop, I am looking for individuals or groups with similar interests in filmmaking and LGBTQ history, especially the intersection of the two. For this reason, it would also be helpful to have participants with experience in the field of filmmaking and LGBTQ history. However, I do not envision this workshop as exclusive to filmmakers or to filmmakers of LGBTQ history. I would like to be able to workshop our projects and ideas to be able to glean from each others’ methods, inspire one another, and improve our projects. It could take the form of a more traditional workshop, where participants give a brief presentation and have a time for feedback. We would focus on analysis of methods, presentation, and techniques in film. The workshop could be both practical and theoretical. The goal of the workshop is to improve our ways of thinking about and creating history on film. The workshop will be open to all who wish to discuss a current film project, primarily in LGBTQ history, but in other stories as well.

If you have a direct offer of assistance, sensitive criticism, or wish to pass along someone’s contact information confidentially, please get in contact directly: Megan Crutcher, [email protected]

All feedback and offers of assistance should be submitted by July 1, 2019. If you have general ideas or feedback to share, please feel free to use the comments feature below.

Discussion