Of Trees and Clouds

Software-Mediated Visions in Documentary and Ethnographic Filmmaking Practices

By (author) Franziska Weidle

Book cover: Of Trees and Clouds

Extent: 219 pages

Publisher: V&R unipress

Subjects: Anthropology, Music & Performing Arts

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(May 2020)

ISBN: 9783847111306

6.3 x 9.33 inches

Price: $69.00

In stock

Digital media mediates itself, turning software into a co-author. Yet, the potentials of such a co-authorship are still largely constrained by conventions stemming from the need to run strips of celluloid through a projector. This book demonstrates how software can retrain filmmakers’ visions of the world – from branching trees to the shifting contours of clouds. It does so by ethnographically studying one particular technology, the Korsakow System. The result is a methodology for interrogating established software regimes; a task increasingly in need of anthropological attention.


Software-based technologies deeply saturate our everyday lives. Consequently, they also influence the ways we see and mediate the world. In fact, the ease and flexibility software implies a shift in control. Digital media mediates itself, turning software into a co-author. Yet, the potentials of such a co-authorship are still largely constrained by conventions stemming from the need to run strips of celluloid through a projector. This book demonstrates how software can retrain filmmakers’ visions of the world – from branching trees to the shifting contours of clouds. It does so by carefully studying one particular technology, the Korsakow System. The result is a methodology for interrogating established software regimes; a task increasingly in need of anthropological attention.

  • By (author) Franziska Weidle