History of Ethnographic Film - Pt 2: Genres, Styles, and Techniques

Let’s get technical, technical! This video by anthropologist Robert Lemelson elaborates on ethnographic film production–the part of filmmaking where you are actually in the field recording footage. Watch to get information on different kinds of cameras, such as phone cameras, lightweight cinematic cameras, gopro and drones and other equipment like tripods, gimbals, shoulder rigs, mics, and lighting kits, the different kinds of footage you can shoot. You’ll also learn how to use the standard ethnographic methods of observation, participant observation, and interviewing in your films, and become aware of factors that might impact your interviews such as gender, social group, cultural conventions of communication, and physical surroundings.

Watch the full episode:

Resources:

Banks, M. and Ruby, J. (2011) Made to be Seen: Perspectives on the History of Visual Anthropology. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.

Emory University. (2026) Introduction to Ethnographic Cinema Research Guide.

Heider, K.G. (2006) Ethnographic Film: Revised Edition. Texas: University of Texas Press.

Ruby, J. (2000) Picturing Culture: Exploration of Film and Anthropology. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.