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Academic Video Online This link opens in a new window
Academic Video Online delivers more than 67,000 titles spanning a range of subject areas including anthropology, business, counseling, film, health, history, music, and more. It includes documentaries, films, demonstrations, and other content types. Films in the Boston University Libraries catalog are licensed to Boston University for educational and research use only, for BU students, faculty, and staff.
BU Libraries Search (BULS) This link opens in a new window
BU Libraries Search provides a single place to search for a wide variety of academic material provided by the library. The material covered by the search includes books, journals, scores, video and audio recordings, and other physical items held by the library. The search also covers ebooks and ejournals owned by the library, as well as online material provided by the library from a variety of sources.
Kanopy This link opens in a new window
Kanopy is a provider of documentaries, training films, and theatrical releases available as streaming video. Clips from the videos can be embedded in presentations or shown in class. Films in the Boston University Libraries catalog are licensed to Boston University for educational and research use only, for BU students, faculty, and staff.
Featured Film
War Photographer (streaming, Kanopy)
War photographer James Nachtwey has been close enough for twenty years. Over this time he hasn't missed a single war. And he probably has seen more suffering and dying than anyone else alive. For WAR PHOTOGRAPHER, which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, Christian Frei followed Nachtwey for two years into the wars in Indonesia, Kosovo, and Palestine, as well as to other troubled areas around the world.
Browse Films
A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks (streaming, Kanopy)
From his decades as LIFE magazine’s first Black photographer, to composing music, writing memoirs and novels, and directing feature films, multitalented trailblazer Gordon Parks used his camera as an instrument of change – a “weapon” as he called it – to challenge systemic racism and poverty. Through the lenses of Devin Allen, LaToya Ruby Frazier, and Jamel Shabazz – contemporary photographers who credit Parks as a formative influence – as well as interviews with Anderson Cooper, Ava DuVernay, Spike Lee, and many others who speak to his enduring impact, this feature documentary pays homage to a true American legend whose work stands at the pinnacle of 20th century socio-historical documentation and serves as an empowering springboard for contemporary and future artists
Carrie Mae Weems: Speaking of Art (streaming, Kanopy)
In 2004 Checkerboard had the privilege of filming Carrie Mae Weems discussing her body of work, comprised of 17 projects spanning more than two decades (1981-2004).
This dynamic presentation was accompanied by slides of the artist's photographs and excerpts from her video art. The result is a chaptered lecture guided by Weems's seductive voice and passionate presence. The viewer is transported into her world as she details what she is trying to uncover, illuminate, investigate and provoke through her lens.
Life magazine's best photojournalists tell their stories (streaming, Academic Video Online)
David Hoffman captured the stories of 15 Life Magazine photographers for this TV special. Each photographer presents best photographs and tells behind-the-scenes stories of how they were made. The results are extremely valuable for photographers and photojournalists, but also emotional for other viewers who want to relive some of the greatest moments of the 20th century, and some of the silliest as well.
Jamel Shabazz: Street Photographer (streaming, Academic Video Online)
Before hip-hop culture took over the world it was vividly captured by New York photographer Jamel Shabazz, who’s impactful images defined not only the generation it captured, but all those that followed.
5 biggest photography misconceptions (streaming, Academic Video Online)
There are many misconceptions in photography, but these top 5 are the biggest! Watch the video and learn more. What are your photography misconceptions? Which one shocked you the most?
Alfred Eisenstaedt photographer (streaming, Academic Video Online)
This documentary takes a behind-the-scenes look at the character and style of one of the most important photojournalists of the 20th century: Life magazine photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt. The film reveals a rare view of "Eisey" as he returns to Germany to photograph his homeland for his book, Eisenstaedt Germany.
Become an Outdoor Photographer: Photographing America's National Parks (streaming, Academic Video Online)
On location in Mt. Rainier and Olympic National Parks, join a master class in outdoor and landscape photography.
A complete guide to timelapse photography (streaming, Academic Video Online)
Timelapse photography is a great way to spice up any video project, and the effect is a great way to tell your photographic story. In this animation I cover everything from the definition of timelapse, to the gear you will need, to professional techniques used to create timelapses, and to the programs needed to take them from a string of photos to a smooth video.
How to get started in photography. Photography starter kit (streaming, Academic Video Online)
Not sure where to begin? Learn the basics. From important functions to lighting and composition, get confident with your camera.
From Darkroom To Daylight (streaming, Academic Video ONline)
From Darkroom To Daylight explores how the dramatic change from film to digital has affected photographers and their work. Photographer Harvey Wang, who began taking pictures as a teenager, was mid-career when the tools of his craft were made nearly obsolete with the transition to digital. Wang interviewed more than 20 important photographers and prominent figures in the field.
Leaving Home, Coming Home: A Portrait of Robert Frank (streaming, Academic Video Online)
Completed in 2004, Leaving Home, Coming Home: A Portrait of Robert Frank was the first ever feature-length documentary about the legendary Swiss-American photographer and filmmaker. Originally deemed too personal to be shown widely, the film has just been authorized by Frank for theatrical release. Shot in cinema-verité style between New York and Nova Scotia, where Frank now lives, the film captures Frank reflecting on a lifetime of image making that most famously produced "The Americans," probably the most influential photographic book of the last sixty years.
