Welcome – COVID protocols

Welcome to the website of the Theory and Practice of the Video-Essay: an International Conference on Videographic Criticism, that will be hosted by the Interdepartmental Program in Film Studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst on September 22 and 23, 2022.

The videographic essay is a still-emerging but swiftly evolving form.  Film scholars working in this Barthesian “third form” of critical scholarship employ the expressive power of audiovisual media for their engagements with film and film theory. This will be a two-day in-person conference addressing theory, practice, pedagogy, and future directions of this field.  It will consider submissions of videographic works, video essays, desktop films, video epigraphs, and papers. Works in progress are welcome!

This website will lead you to the conference program as well as to information about registration, location, lodging, transportation, and eating out in the Amherst area.

If you have any questions, feel free to write us a message: videoessay@umass.edu

Conference Directors
Barbara Zecchi, Film Studies (bzecchi@umass.edu)
Daniel Pope, Film Studies (daniel@umass.edu)

Conference Organizing and Academic Committee
Barbara Zecchi, Film Studies
Daniel Pope, Film Studies
Barry Spence, Film Studies
Kevin Anderson, Communication
Emily Ko, Film Studies
Celia Sainz, Spanish and Portuguese
Eva Álvarez-Vázquez, Spanish and Portuguese
Beatriz Gómez Vega, Spanish and Portuguese

Treasurer
Ian Sedelow, Film Studies

Conference poster by Daniel Pope


COVID PROTOCOLS DURING THE CONFERENCE

While on campus, as well as in Hampshire county and statewide, the number for covid cases is very low, and while norms regarding mask use have become more flexible, we would like to ask you to be so kind as to wear a mask during the conference whenever indoors (when you are not presenting). At the same time, the format of the opening reception, lunches, and the closing dinner (buffets) should allow us to take off our masks and comfortably enjoy the meal together. We, of course, won’t need to wear a mask outdoors either. Thank you for your deference to your colleagues.