Creating video documentation of installations, exhibitions, performance art and events all require different strategies for acquisition and post-production. This module deals with problems and considerations when embarking on such productions and has been created with a focus on how to document video installations using video. Despite this focus, the same knowledge can be applied to other types of installations.
Video installations are usually displayed in controlled situations and are therefore somewhat simpler to record than live events. Often located in galleries where light and other variable remain static, they therefore constitute a fixed-site scenario. Documenting build-ups of exhibitions and installations fall somewhere in between live and non live documentation as the action is not live in front of an audience and unstoppable but still requires more narrative documentary techniques in the production. The fixed-site scenarios are usually filmed with one camera and both sound and image are often recorded by the same person. Whereas events and performances might require fieldwork, multiple cameras with several operators and sound recordists and/or a studio set up.
This module provides an introduction to technical issues around video aimed at people who need to make decisions about budgets, productions and buying services, but have no personal experience with the practicalities of video. Technicians who are expanding their field to video documentation should also find the text useful. For video professionals much of the information relayed here is on a basic level, but if read carefully one can find some useful tips and thoughts about issues that are specific to these types of productions. Sometimes event documentation and documenting performance art are indeed also mentioned, but these kinds of productions follow mostly the same principles as documenting dance and theatre performances, which have been covered extensively elsewhere, and are therefore not dealt with in depth here. Consult the guides listed at the end of this document for links to more information.
Divided into three sections the module starts with ‘Pre-production’ in which issues relating to preparation and decision making are discussed. The second section, ‘The Shoot’ is a hands-on look at how the documentations are made and includes instructions on how to set up the cameras. The last section, ‘Post-production’ addresses in short some main issues to consider in the last phase of producing a video document of an installation.
Also, a lot of additional information has been provided including technical aspects to be aware of while choosing equipment and acquisitionformats as well as lists for further reading and links to other online courses. The module also contains a glossary of terms.
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