Archive notice: This article was originally published on June 4, 2010. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Film and video games are the leading media in audiovisual art and entertainment. The successful aesthetic and substantive convergence of games and film in current game titles such as “Heavy Rain” demonstrates that merging the two media forms is forward-looking. Well-known figures in the industries, such as filmmaker James Cameron and game designer Chris Roberts, move
between the two media forms today. Impetus for opening up shared markets and growth areas can be provided as early as the education stage. For this reason, ifs international film school cologne and Cologne Game Lab intend to cooperate more closely in future.
When Cologne Game Lab (CGL) was founded at Cologne University of Applied Sciences in autumn 2009 by Gundolf S. Freyermuth (Professor of Applied Media, ifs international film school cologne) and Björn Bartholdy (Professor of Audiovisual Design, KISD Cologne International School of Design), ifs was already involved as a cooperation partner. Following successful project funding by Medien.NRW, CGL
and ifs now intend to promote knowledge exchange between the film and games industries in a targeted manner and advance the cross-platform development of narrative content.
“Interactive audiovisions, such as video games or nonlinear TV formats, are interesting fields of work for our graduates,” explains Simone Stewens, Managing Director of ifs. With the postgraduate programmes “Mobile Animation Content” and “Digital Image Design,” ifs is already experimenting in this field. “Fundamental elements of digital games, such as interactivity or audiovisual
simulations, already shape our lives today and will change society in future,” says Björn Bartholdy.
Creative professionals from all fields now have the unique opportunity to set decisive
courses and actively help shape important beginnings. Gundolf S. Freyermuth is relying on synergies: “The film industry draws on more than 50 years of experience in education – many mechanisms can also be transferred to the games industry.” In a panel discussion entitled “What Game Education Can Learn from Film Education (and Vice Versa)” at GDC Europe in August, Europe’s largest specialist game-developer conference, CGL and ifs intend to explore the future of education for linear and nonlinear audiovisions together with renowned representatives from both industries.
From autumn 2010, CGL will offer the artistic and academic master’s degree course “Game Development and Research.” New narrative forms such as “Interactive Drama” play a major role here. The application deadline runs until July 1.
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