Ethnoproduction: Scripted ethnography using a cast and crew

Abstract

This article introduces ethnoproduction, a scripted ethnographic methodology developed through the creation of the film Between. The approach explores how living in limbo shapes asylum seekers’ lives without jeopardizing an individual’s claims or compromising their identity. The film follows the story of a fictional asylum seeker called Petros—not a real person but a composite of several different peoples’ experiences. It builds on ethnofiction and the work of Jean Rouch, but unlike ethnofiction, ethnoproduction employs professional actors and a structured process to collaboratively generate data and insight. Drawing on drama workshops, script development, and filmmaking, the method offers a safe and participatory way to explore sensitive topics. It also reflects on the author’s dual role as anthropologist and filmmaker, highlighting how cinematic techniques can enrich ethnographic inquiry and contribute to ethical representation.