Technical Innovation and Visual Aesthetic in Documentary
Innovation boosts in camera technology always have direct effects on cinematic image aesthetics. In the research project 'Gadgets, Phones and Drones, different image effects, which have emerged from striking technical innovations of recent film history, are systematically investigated in application-oriented comparative studies.
In a first phase of the research project 'Gadgets, Phones and Drones', the change of image aesthetics will be explored through in-depth literature research and qualitative interviews with internationally renowned cinematographers, directors and other experts
pioneering actors and experts have proven, processed and analyzed (duration: 6 months). In a second phase (duration: 8 months), the changes in image aesthetics, which relate to the sensor and camera size, are subjected to a practical comparative study. For this purpose, the research team films the rehearsals of a dance piece with different camera models. In the third phase (duration: 8 months) another practical comparative study of the juxtaposition of the anthropomorphic single-camera view and the multi-perspective of versatile recording devices applies. The final phase of the project (6 months) is dedicated to the publications and a concluding symposium.
The project "Gadgets, Phones and Drones" is relevant in several ways: Firstly, there has been no systematic and practice-based investigation into the change of image aesthetics in documentary films of the last 20 years. Furthermore, an innovative methodical approach is chosen that opens up practical possibilities for comparison. And finally, new insights are coming to film and media science, to the documentary industry
(Filmmakers, producers) and for teaching (film schools), which are of great importance for production-aesthetic decisions.