Introduction

Pre-production

The Shoot

Post-production

Additional information

Further reading & links

Glossary

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Module description

Creating video recordings 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 the documentation of video installations. It provides an introduction to technical issues such as choice of equipment as well as content related issues such as determining the purpose and quality of the production and script writing. Despite the focus on video installation the knowledge can also be applied to other types of installations.

Who’s it for
Those involved in the planning and production of video documentation of a (media art) installation and who need to make decisions about budgets, quality and hiring services but have no experience with the practicalities of video productions.
Technicians who are who are expanding their field to video documentation.
Video professionals may find much of the information on a basic level, but if read carefully they may find useful tips and thoughts about issues that are specific to these types of productions.
Students (or interested public) of conservation, art history, media studies, media preservation.

Contents
Pre-production discusses issues relating to preparation and decision making needed before the shoot takes place.
The Shoot is the most extensive part of the module and is a hands-on look at how video registrations of installations are made and includes video clips for illustration.
Post production addresses in short, some issues of post production that are relevant for this type of production.
Additional information:
Video acquisition formats
Choosing a camera
Further reading & links
Glossary
Further reading & links
Glossary

Context
This module is one two which together make up a guide for good practice for video documentation of installations and other artistic events. It is an update of the ongoing practice and research into (video) documentation of installations carried out by the Netherlands Media Art Institute, Montevideo/Time Based Arts.

Created within the framework of the European research project Inside Installations: Preservation and Presentation of Installation Art (2004-2007) the guide is the result of collaborative research within a special study into video documentation of installations under one of the five project research areas: Documentation Strategies.

Each installation is different. Therefore, it seems inappropriate to suggest that a definitive set of recommendations for video documentation of installations could be provided. These guidelines thus must be seen as a collection of instructions and issues to consider for those who plan to make a video recording of an installation