Matthias Maaß is conducting the study within the Audiovisual Media research focus at the Stuttgart Media University’s Institute for Applied Research. It runs until 30 June 2008 and aims to quantify and document in detail the methods used in cinema production during the digital transition.
The frequently predicted departure from celluloid is not yet in sight. Electronic cameras have nevertheless entered routine cinema production alongside technologies such as digital intermediate workflows and recording data or video signals back to 35 mm film. This process developed over the preceding decade. The study is intended to document the steps from purely photochemical methods to mature digital workflows, focusing on capture methods used on set and the artistic and technical approaches of cinematographers responsible for image design.
The survey covers 1,538 cinematographers associated with 3,425 films from around the world that received a German cinema release between 1997 and 2007. Entertainment Media GmbH in Munich supplied the underlying film database. Imago, the European federation of cinematographers’ associations and a project partner, is helping to establish contact details. Other partners are Deutsche Kinemathek in Berlin, the Institute for Applied Knowledge Research in Berlin and the Institute for Literature, Art and Media Studies at the University of Konstanz.
After the initial survey, the project plans to question cinematographers who have worked with the new formats. The results will be published.
