The edge of dreaming

The Edge of Dreaming is a PhD by practice, consisting of one feature documentary film and a 45,000 word thesis. I locate my practice in the cultural, historic, personal and aesthetic context of autobiographical film- making.There are two main research questions:1.What sort of film language and structure can I produce to create room for the audience in this autobiographical film?2. What sort of knowledge do I obtain, and share, in exploring the subject of death and dreams through autobiographical film- making?The thesis covers the period of time from 2003 to 2010 including research, film- making, scripting, editing and screening the film to audiences. Dreams and death are examined from scientific, psychotherapeutic and shamanic perspectives through the literature review. Case studies of other film-makers clarify `character', audience engagement and ethical concerns in first person film- making. Methodology, cinematic language, story and essay structure are explored in the context of the imperative to make this particular film.The primary template of my research is the creative process. By sharing the decision making about how to structure the practice output - The Edge of Dreaming - this thesis aims to make my creative and scholarly research transparent, so that the solutions shown in the film can be deconstructed and this articulation can be transferred to others and expand the field of first person documentary research