Funding for the Methods Network ended March 31st 2008. The website will be preserved in its current state.

Film, Visualization, Narrative

A workshop run by Adam Ganz, Royal Holloway, University of London, (17 November 2006)

Jointly funded by the Methods Network and LCACE (London Centre for Arts and Cultural Enterprise)

(pdf) (html) Programme
(pdf) (html) Participants
(pdf) (html) Workshop Report

As filmmaking has moved to digital formats in writing screenplays, making images and sounds and editing and manipulating those images, all filmmaking processes are actually or potentially subject to visualization, defined as the visual representation and analysis of processes over time, in dynamically-changing information spaces. This has led to new metaphors for example the sound-wave and the time-line, and the possibility of applying techniques such as data-mining and network mapping to other areas of film production.

Film is particularly interesting as a focus of study, because as well as being an industrial and aesthetic practice which can be differently approached and understood through visualization, it is itself a form of visualization, which transforms social relationships and events into image-based narrative developing over time.

This seminar brought together practitioners and theoreticians from information design, filmmaking and computing. The presentations looked at current and possible application of visualization techniques to the writing realizing and editing of films. They also considered the influence of interface design and visualization on film practice and aesthetics. This included the effect of non-linear editing and effects and the introduction of the timeline as a dominant metaphor for visualization in film. Contributions were encouraged from disciplines where visualization has transformed the understanding of the process, or enabled a different perception of narrative.

Following the ‘invitation only’ sessions during the day there was a plenary session that was open to everyone. This tied in with the public seminar series organized by the Humanities and Arts Research Centre at Royal Holloway College. The subject of this session was a summary and presentation of earlier discussions, led by the appointed rapporteur.

A report on the seminar and the plenary session will be available in February 2007.

AHDS Methods Taxonomy Terms

This item has been catalogued using a discipline and methods taxonomy. Learn more here.

Methods

  • Data Analysis - Visual analysis/visualisation
  • Data Analysis - Record linkages
  • Data Capture - Digital moving image capture
  • Data Capture - Usage of existing digital data
  • Data publishing and dissemination - DVD publishing
  • Data publishing and dissemination - Streaming video
  • Data publishing and dissemination - Video resource sharing
  • Data Structuring and enhancement - 3d modelling - vector
  • Data Structuring and enhancement - 3d animation
  • Data Structuring and enhancement - Video editing
  • Practice-led Research - 3d animation
  • Practice-led Research - Digital moving image capture
  • Practice-led Research - Digital storyboarding
  • Practice-led Research - Video editing
  • Practice-led Research - Sound editing
  • Practice-led Research - Video post production