On Creativity

I read Stephen Downes’ blog regularly; I always find it thought-provoking and interesting. Today was no exception. Today’s entry, entitled No Paradox Here (go read it at the source) inspired me to think about my own work at The Norwegian Film School, where creativity is our bread and butter… Specifically, Downes quotes Spencer, who writes: Creativity: It happens when students have freedom and limitations His response is: Creativity is possible even if there are limitations, but only if there is freedom. Well…not exactly. And it depends on how you apply limitations and freedom. We are a school for creative artists…

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Film school pedagogy – a preamble to some musings.

In the last few months I find myself increasingly engaged in discussions about film school pedagogy and, more specifically, the dearth of literature devote to this topic. From what I can tell there are three published works about Film Schools and how they structure their education. Heidi Philipsen of The University of Southern Denmark published in 2005 her PhD thesis “Dansk films nye bølge” (The New Wave of Danish Film) about the pedagogical principles at the Danish Film School. Canadian filmmaker Paul Lee published in 2001 his PhD thesis “The FIlmmaker as Artist-Educator” submittet to The Ontario Institute for Studies…

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Kan ikke la være…

Like før skoleslutt inviterte 3. klassen til middag på Peppes.  Der ble det gaver og taler, og jeg fikk høre dette: Da var det på tide med en tale gitt! Fredrik, jeg tenkte å starte med deg. Du har holdt ut som kontaktlæreren oss gjennom 3 år nå, og gjennom disse tre årene har vi fått et svært nært forhold til deg, både som lærer og som person. Vi er alle enige om at du er ydmyk, en som ser flere sider av en sak og en som alltid gir rom for feil. Du er ogsa omtenksom i måten du…

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