Anthropologists are discovering new methods to tell the story of humanity and, after finding their niche in visual anthropology, some students are learning that the mysteries of humans did not end at the Great Pyramids of Giza, but have perpetuated much closer to home than they thought.
As part of a yearlong course to create a short film, students have entered the Society for Visual Anthropology/AAA Film, Video and Interactive Media Festival, regarded as the most prestigious competition in visual anthropology, according to Steven Rousso-Schindler, assistant professor of anthropology at Cal State Long Beach.
The Anthropology Ethnographic Showcase will present three student-made films at the William Link University Theatre for free on Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“Skintight,” produced by Ryan Davidson and Tin Ilakovac, delves into the controversial nature of contemporary beautification, ranging from the nonchalant way a person runs a comb through their hair to surgical gestures. Davidson and Ilakovac set out to understand what pushes people to take measures of beautification.
Ilakovac, the editor, director and cameraman, recollected a personally pivotal experience when witnessing cosmetic surgeries.
“It was unbelievably hard to watch, how strong the motivation is to go under surgery,” he said.
Ilakovac said producing the film was extremely challenging, much like, in her words, “stepping into dark, unclear water.”
All students were required to work under time constraints, in addition to learning all aspects of creating a film.
A second group entered the competition: anthropology majors Lauren Brounley, Mike Young and Nikki Kranz.
In the heart of Santa Ana, Calif., sits Jerome Park Community Gardens, a plot of land many might pass by without ever being the wiser. But for the three anthropology students Jerome Park is more than just a quarter acre for growing organic produce. They see it as a locale for human connections.
“Tasting Life from the Ground Up” follows the work of nonprofit organization the Grain Project, which aims to allow members to grow fresh produce cooperatively.
While all three were initially interested in topics related to community and agricultural development, they wanted to tell the people’s stories, said Brounley, director and producer.
One garden participant in the film is Bella Rosa, a Salvadoran woman who moved to the United States when she was 18 years old and broke, according to Brounley.
“We were fortunate to hear her life story and have the opportunity to share how she has been triumphant,” Brounley said.
Rosa represents one of the many garden participants who are first- and second-generation Americans that have benefited from the Grain Project, Brounley said.
“More Than a Hobby,” produced by Rachel Emerine, Donia Quon and Jessica Steaffens, depicts an exploration of one man’s shell-collecting hobby and how it enhances his ability to recognize the passions of others.
Ethnographic films are about different cultures, as opposed to documentaries, which are more general, Rousso-Schindler said.
Rousso-Schindler is a visual anthropologist and said he has created 20 films throughout his career.
He said he was excited to see how each student had grown over the year.
“There is no better, more invigorating feeling than when you’ve spent a chunk of your life producing a film,” he said.
After a year of researching their characters, some students were left with more questions than before they began shooting, but each student came away with a fresh perspective on the task representing human beings.