Moving Image Production

The subject is a young academic subject. It was introduced at Högskolan Dalarna in April 2002 in response to the need of a specific subject which in an academic way deals with the prerequisites and conditions for the production of moving images. This also includes the media where these images appear, and the storytelling and the aesthetics which is part of the production of moving images.

The approach to a problem concerning how a certain way of producing and distributing moving images affects the storytelling, the aesthetics and the receiver’s perception of this are central issues on the subject. And conversely, how a certain storytelling, a certain desired perception, aesthetics and/or form of distribution demands certain things from the production method.

The subject gets its academic nourishment from theories about narratology, perception and aesthetics - theoretical and applied. There are, however, connections to other areas: traditional image theory and image analysis are applied, media philosophical concepts and terms are studied, as are technological aspects on various production techniques. The subjects MKV, comparative literature, theatre and film research, history and theory of art, sound production and electrical engineering co-operate.

Courses are offered up to D-level.

The creation and processing of moving images is a central feature in all courses of the subject. This is also essential in the educational programme Bachelor of Art/Science - Moving Images, which the subject primarily supplies with courses. Various production methods (such as drama production, documentary production, multi camera production, news production and individual projects) are studied on the courses in the form of separate items.

These productions work as application practices for various theoretical lines of reasoning and are used as matter for analysis, but also as partial method in the study of the production methods’ relation to narration, esthetics and perception.
The final aim for the production exercises is that the students shall obtain sufficient skills to work professionally in the media business.

The subject also offers courses that are mainly oriented towards knowledge of and skills in production, as well as theoretical courses as further training for professionals in media business.

Knowledge about production methods and –terms are gathered from well tried experience existing in the media business. Employed teachers as well as guest lecturers have their background in that business. Production tools in use are video camera, (linear and) non-linear editing and a multi camera unit, and light- and sound engineering. (Presently used camera technique: DVCam, Beta SP and mini-DV (XL1), and for editing: Avid and Final Cut.)

The subject also has a TV studio as a resource.