Edited by Jenny Stokes

Following in the tradition of previous ASPERA conferences, the 2009 conference offered an opportunity for screen production and research academics from around Australia to consider emerging issues within screen production and research in the higher education sector. The 2009 conference was titled “Beyond
the screen” and papers focused on the future of screen production, teaching and research as we move beyond traditional approaches. The refereed papers published here reflect the challenges for researcher-practitioners in these times as we negotiate the complex intersection between theory and praxis in the convergent digital world.

Leo Berkeley's paper The Anonymous Actor, explores the contradictions between ethical practice in University research and in filmmaking practice. Using his experience in creating a feature-length film, How To Change The World within a university
context, Berkeley identifies the complex issues involved when negotiating ethics and screen production praxis within the academy.  Through critical reflection of his experiences, Berkeley offers an informed case for clarification and consistency across screen production research.

George Karpathakis's paper Creative practice as a research tool: benefits and pitfalls, provides an auto-ethnographic account of lessons learnt during his Doctoral research. Integrating theoretical and creative strategies based on his own experiences, practices and research enquiries, Karpathakis deconstructs the transferable skills of the filmmaker and the ways that these can inform the role of the twenty-first century researcher and academic.

Susan Kerrigan's paper Applying creativity theories to a documentary filmmaker’s practice is a reflexive exploration of creativity theories examined through the work of the documentary filmmaker. Kerrigan aims to demysticise creative practice, assessing leading creativity theories through application to a long-term documentary research project, in order to advocate for a practical, process-driven understanding of creativity.