Media – Film Technology

Impressum

Prof. Dr. Dorothea Wenzel, Dean of the Faculty of Design, Media and Information,

Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Germany

Design Ingrid Weatherall

Photos Anne Gabriel-Jürgens, Karin Holzapfel, Hamburg Tourismus GmbH

Metropolitan Region HAMBURG – Germany’s most important media centre

11,300 media companies with over 70,000 employees are located in the metropolitan region of Hamburg. With a total turnover

of 25 billion Euros they are the third largest mainstay of turnover in the region and the fourth largest employer in the city.

Publishing Houses and Advertising Agencies

7,100 companies alone are in the advertising economy and 1,800 are in publishing and printing. 40 newspapers and 200

magazines are produced in Hamburg, making it the heart of the media city Hamburg. Large publishing houses such as the Axel

Springer publishing house, the publishing group Milchstraße, Gruner + Jahr, the Heinrich Bauer publishing house and “Der

Spiegel” are located here. Famous advertising agencies such as Jung v. Matt, Scholz & Friends and Springer & Jacoby are also

located in Hamburg.

Television and Film

With 16,000 employees in 1,400 companies Hamburg is one of Germany’s most important locations for audio-visual media and

with its beautiful city and exciting panoramas Hamburg is in great demand for film productions. 700 film and television

production companies are located in Hamburg with 150 large film and television productions per year. Studio Hamburg was

one of the first television broadcasting companies after World War II and the television production company NDR produces a

fifth of the programmes for the national broadcasting station ARD. Hamburg is also developing a focus on animation and trick

films with an increasing number of companies setting up business.

Theatres, Opera and Musicals

Hamburg has a tradition of theatre and opera that goes back centuries and is home to Germany’s award-winning theatres - the

Schauspielhaus and Thalia Theatre. Its vibrant theatre scene offers everything from big, classical productions to fringe theatre.

The State Opera House offers a wide programme of opera and is home to the world famous John Neumeier Ballet. Its state of

the art staging and scenery technology provide the framework for spectacular productions. Hamburg is also the third largest

musical centre after New York and London with long running musicals such as “Lion King” in a special theatre on an island in

the harbour.

Source: Macromedia (information about advertising agencies and publishing houses), Hamburg.de (film and television)

Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg)

With over 12,000 students the HAW Hamburg is the second largest institution of higher education in Hamburg and the third

largest of its kind in Germany. Founded in 1970, our roots go back to the 18th century. Practice orientation is our trademark:

theory from lectures is put into practice in the laboratories, study projects are completed in the form of case studies and close

cooperation with industry ensures a direct link to the future field of work. In addition to an academic title our professors have

worked for many years in private companies and public institutions.

Faculty of Design, Media and Information

The Faculty of Design, Media and Information has three departments with a total of 2,300 students. The three departments

cover the areas of illustration, communication design, fashion, costume and textile product design, film and media technology

as well as media and information management.

Department of Media Technology

Studies in the Department of Media Technology focus on engineering but look also at the artistic side of the media world. Its

two degree programmes look at media technology and media systems.

Graduates of Media Technology are responsible for the technical and business planning of audio-visual productions in film,

television, radio and theatre. They know the technology involved and provide high quality solutions for the creative producer.

They work in theatres, in light and lighting technology as well as sound and head production teams. An increasing number of

students are developing their film projects and setting up their own businesses.

Graduates of Media Systems work in the area of computer and network technology, in particular in the area of media. They

work closely with creative teams in graphic design (web services), dramaturgy and directing (animation, virtual reality) and

editorial work (content management). They learn about software development, networks and network security as well as multi-

media services.

Facts: 650 students

13 professors

13 employees in teaching, research and administration

2 Bachelor programmes – Media Technology and Media Systems

(Master programmes are being developed)

The Department of Media Technology has five laboratories that are a fundamental part of the practice-oriented teaching at

Hamburg University of Applied Sciences:

• Video Lab

• Audio lab

• Lighting Lab

• Production Lab

• Virtual Studio

Students use the labs to work on study projects and Bachelor theses, developing and testing ideas learned in lectures. The

department also has – mostly digital – post production workplaces.

Degree programmes

Media Technology (BEng) – seven semesters (courses in bold do not require German)

Area of Study Course Hours per

week Credits

Year 1 Mathematics Mathematics 1 4 6

Mathematics 2 6 6

Physics Acoustics/Waves 6 7

Optics 2 3

Media Science I Introduction to Media 2 2

Management 2 3

Media Law/Business 4 5

Foundation Courses I Electrical Engineering 1& 2 2 8

Programming 1 & 2 2 5

Computer Science 4 5

Design I Artistic Composition I 4 5

Design 2 3

Photography 10 2

Year 2 Foundation Courses II Communications Engineering 4 5

Digital Signal Processing 4 5

Electronics 6 7

Audio-Video Technology I Video Technology 4 5

Sound 4 5

Lighting 4 5

Audio-Video Technology II IT for audio-video 4 5

Video Technology & Production 4 5

Sound Technology & Production 4 5

Design II Artistic Composition II 2 2

Camera Acting 2 3

Project 1 Sound Project 8

Year 3 Communication Systems Telecommunication 4 5

IT Systems 4 5

Project 2 Video Project 8

Compulsory Electives 1 Design (Sound Design) 4 5

Technology 4 5

Compulsory Electives 2 Design (Lighting Design) 4 5

Technology 4 5

Compulsory Electives 3 Design (Practice Dramaturgy) 4 5

Technology 4 5

Compulsory Electives 4 Design (Perception) 4 5

Technology 4 5

Media Sciences II Media Culture / Technology 4 3

Media Law 2

Production Production Project 7

Year 4 (semester 7) Placement in industry 15

Bachelor Thesis 15

Media Systems (BEng) – six semesters

Area of Study Course Hours per

week Credits

Year 1 Mathematics Mathematics 1 4 6

Mathematics 2 8 9

Design Design 2 6

Artistic Composition 1 4

Artistic Composition 2 2 6

Project Introduction to Programming 2 6

Project Management 2

Project 1

Computer Science Computer Science 1 4 9

Computer Science 2 4

Programming Programming 1 6

Law & Business Law 2 6

Business 2

Audio-Video Technology Audio-Video Technology 4 6

Communication Technology 2

Year 2 Programming Programming 2 4 6

Media Design Media Design 1 6 6

Camera Acting

Computer Science Theoretical Computer Science 4 6

Computer Science & Electronics Computer Science 3 1 6

Electronics 3

Networks Networks, Internet 4 6

Security 2

Databases Relational databases 4 6

Cryptography Cryptography, DRM 6 6

Software Engineering Software Engineering 6 6

Virtual Systems Virtual Systems 4 6

Animation 2

Project Project 2 6

Year 3 Compulsory Elective Technology Study major Technology 4 6

Compulsory Elective Design Study major Design 4 10

Image Processing Image Processing 4 6

Compulsory Elective Audio-Video Study major Audio-Video 4 10

Media Law Media Law 2 6

Presentation /communication skills 2

Project 3 10

Bachelor Thesis 12

Labs and Equipment

Video Lab In the Video Lab students can learn to work with professional equipment used in the production and post production of audio-

video media. They can also learn to measure and record the analogue and digital parameters of all varieties of picture signals.

The lab has cameras and recording equipment, networked post production units in SD and HD and measuring equipment and

productions are carried out in the production lab and the virtual studio. The Video Lab plays an important role with regard to

student film projects, as it is here that they borrow equipment and work on post production. Audio Lab The Audio Lab covers the areas of sound production and sound measurement. Tutorials look at microphone technology, hard

drive recording and audio measuring technology as foundation courses and at room acoustics and sound recording in advanced

classes. A sound stage with stereo / surround control room enables the students to produce music recordings or to dub film

sound. Digital audio recording and editing in the Audio Lab is based on Nuendo and Cubase. The technical equipment of the

studio includes microphones by Neumann, Schoeps, Sennheiser, Shure and AGK, among others. Location recording equipment

includes field mixers and flash recorders as well as a Sound Devices 8-track hard disc / solid state recorder. For remote recording

of more than 8 channels a mobile recording rack equipped with Octamic preamps and Multiface converters is provided. Remote

surround monitoring is supported with a Beyerdynamic Headzone Pro system.

Lighting Lab “Lighting is to film what music is to opera” (Cecil B. De Mille). Projects in the Lighting Lab enable the students to discover the

world of light technology and the special characteristics and functions of lighting. They carry out practice-oriented tutorials

parallel to their lectures. The Lighting Lab has the traditional equipment of spotlights, measuring equipment, etc. and is also

linked to the Virtual Studio, the production lab, the computing lab for light simulation, the photography lab and the animation

room. Tutorials are also offered in the areas of Moving Light, Relus, Wysiwig and Maya.

Virtual Studio The Virtual Studio in the Department of Media Technology uses the system ORAD Cyberset E Post. This hybrid system is a

computer- supported system that integrates the presenter/actor or objects in an apparently three-dimensional world. The 3D

models needed for the background can be calculated without a limit to quality. The Virtual Studio uses Maya. The set in which

the production is filmed is a blue room with an ORAD grid as a backdrop. The studio also has a plain blue wall and a wall on

which any colour can be produced. Students work in lab tutorials throughout the semester, building their knowledge on the

use of a virtual studio.

Production Lab The Production Lab is 180 sq. metres of studio area plus a 40 sq. metre stage area and offers the students an environment in

which they can produce their own interdisciplinary projects. The goal is to combine sound, video and lighting into complete

projects and productions, in the area of television productions, film or theatre. The lab equipment includes various spotlights

which can be placed on two rigs, LED surfaces for video and lighting, a television studio with three cameras, a video mixer and

MAZ, a compact EB equipment as well as a public address system.

Projects

The following projects can be taken without knowledge of German, as they are project-based and the professors are able to

offer support in English.

Studio Hamburg Project – Film & Television

Studio Hamburg is Germany’s leading production and service company for film and television. Each semester a group of

students complete a project in the studios of Studio Hamburg and in cooperation with the professionals who work there. The

project can be the transformation of a theatre play, a current staging production or a talk show into a film production. The

students are given an introduction to the use of the OB vehicle, working with cameras, lighting and sound. The Studio Hamburg

project is organised as a large project with different sections and is divided into section leaders and teams for production,

recording, directing, picture technology, lighting, sound, staging technology, camera, dramaturgy, editorial, trailer, making of

and catering.

Zeisehallen Project – Theatre

The Zeisehallen project is a cooperation with the Hamburg Theatre Academy and its degree programmes “Music Theatre

Directing” and “Acting Directing”. Media Technology students from Hamburg University of Applied Sciences are responsible for

the drafting and development of lighting and sound ideas for the student productions. They can also develop ideas for video

and animation. Project II takes place is March and Project III from May to July.

Production Lab / Dramaturgy Project

A project is also offered every semester as part of the production lab work. In the winter semester 2008/09 it was a media

staging about Richard Wagner’s opera trilogy “Der Ring der Nibelungen” at the Hamburg State Opera House as an alliance

between theatre and film. In the summer semester 2009 students will be presenting projects and films under the title “A

Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Projects are also offered regularly in cooperation with cultural institutions, so that students can

gain practical experience during their studies. In 2009 and 2010 students will be involved in the development of an inter-

national opera with live stream at the Music Theatre in Revier in Gelsenkirchen as part of the European Culture City of the Year

Ruhr 2010. This project builds on the knowledge and experience gained during the Studio Hamburg project.

Individual Projects & Equipment

Students can also work on their own film projects for study credit. They can use university camera and sound equipment –

everything that is needed to make film recordings outside the studio. They can also borrow EB equipment and Avid Dongle and

hard drives, so that they can cut the films at home. Post production is carried out on Unity-Lanshare with Avid Media

Composer; Final Cut and Premiere are also available. For compositing students use After Effect and Combustion. Colograding is

done with Clipster, DVD Authoring with DVD Studio Pro or Encore. The technical staff of the Video Lab support the students

and give advice on project management, team organisation, meetings and administration of large projects, such as Studio

Hamburg.

Modules

The following modules can be taken without knowledge of German, as they are project-based and the professors are able to

offer support in English.

Module name: Artistic Composition I Lecturer: Prof. Wolfgang Willaschek

Workload: 120 hours Hours per week: 4 Credits: 5

Course description: Students are introduced to the genres of literature, theatre, film, fine arts and media art. The focus is the correlation to the future fields of work and knowledge about the development and creative process of film/theatre productions and projects. During the course students develop their own ideas in written and oral papers. Particularly important is the dramaturgy of film with the focus on camera technology, picture composition, screenplay, lighting and sound. Students learn to bring together technical know-how with dramaturgy and the aesthetics of different art styles.

Module name: Artistic Composition II Lecturer: Prof. Wolfgang Willaschek

Workload: 50 hours Hours per week: 2 Credits: 2

Course description: Students develop their own methods of artistic and technical implementation of a project. Of particular importance is the drafting of a screenplay with a storyboard, in order to combine the text and visual requirements for the development of a film. At the same time students become familiar with the concrete jobs of those responsible for the tech-nology and the art in theatre and film; e.g. with the role of the director, the cameraman, the production leader, the technical head and those responsible for the areas of disposition, lighting and sound. Looking at an excellent example from film history the students analyse the dramaturgy and aesthetics of a masterpiece together with their own experiences in the conceptual development of a short film.

Module name: Camera Acting Lecturer: Prof. Wolfgang Willaschek

Workload: 100 hours Hours per week: Project Credits: 3

Course description: The practical application of the theory taught in the lectures “Artistic Composition I and II”. Students look at the basics of picture aesthetics and the techniques of story-telling; how an idea is secured through a storyboard; how a set is developed; how a scene is divided up into parts; how lighting is used, how sound is angled; cutting and assembling; adding sound. “Camera Acting” looks at the drafting, development, filming and cutting of a short film. Students develop screen plays and storyboards, rehearse scenes and are given an introduction to using cameras and the labs.

Module name: Video Technology & Production Lecturer: Prof. Ulrich Schmidt

Workload: 150 hours Hours per week: 4 Credits: 5

Course description: The course looks at digital video signals, digital film and television technology, High Definition Systems, equipment technology and studio technology.

Module name: Sound Design (Compulsory Elective) Lecturer: Prof. Thomas Görne

Workload: 150 hours Hours per week: 4-6 Credits: 5

Course description: The course focuses on technical and artistic aspects of sound design. Special emphasis is placed on music production or film sound. Generic topics: Technical ear training, applied analogue and digital signal processing, applied microphone technique, audio effect units, pysycho-acoustic principles, perception of sound, applied room acoustics. Special topics of music production: sound generation and radiation of musical instruments, basic instrumental recording, music-related stereo und surround techniques, use of filters, equalizers, dynamics and advanced effects, mixing and editing, artistic principles of classical and pop music production. Special topics of film sound: location recording, re-recording of dialogue and foleys, film-related stereo and surround techniques, distance perception and acoustical perspective, use of filters, equalizers, dynamics and advanced effects, principles of sound synthesis, mixing for TV and film, score music and scene music; artistic principles of film sound design.

Module name: Lighting Design (Compulsory Elective) * Lecturer: Prof. Roland Greule

Workload: 160 hours Hours per week: 4 Credits: 5

Course description: The course looks at the functions and the areas of application of spotlights, moving lights and coloured lighting and how these systems are joined together to one design concept. Lighting Design looks not only at TV and film lighting but also at architecture lighting. Students can evaluate and use design criteria. The goal of this module is to gain an overview of the area of light design, in particular the consideration and use of design in practical examples. The content of the course includes perception and emotion psychology, lighting technology according to McCandless, light philosophies and styles (high-key, low-key), light direction and modeling, spotlights and moving lights, introduction to colour metrics and colour psychology, theatre, studio and television lighting as well as architecture lighting, light control and simulation.

(*this module is offered in the winter semester only).

Module name: Systematic Dramaturgy (Compulsory Elective)* Lecturer: Prof. Wolfgang Willaschek

Workload: 150 hours Hours per week: 4 Credits: 5

Course description: In this course students will look at the field of work of dramatists, authors and other people responsible for the artistic planning of theatre, film, television, radio and fine arts. The focus is on the analysis and the development of screenplays and the examination of the long and short term planning of artistic projects and productions. The students develop their own contacts to people in the theatre, film or fine arts, in order to accompany them in their work and examine their concepts. Prerequisites: artistic composition courses (or similar) and some project experience

(*this module is offered in the winter semester only).

Module name: Practice Dramaturgy (Compulsory Elective)** Lecturer: Prof. Wolfgang Willaschek

Workload: 150 hours Hours per week: 4 Credits: 5

Course description: The primary goal of the course is to bring the media technology students closer to the artistic/creative people during the preparation of a film, theatre production or an art project and improve the way people with a technical background and people with an artistic background work together. Students are involved in the conceptional work and later in the project development in field of work. The course is an optimal preparation for students before they complete their internship semester or their Bachelor thesis in the practical field.

(**this module is offered in the summer semester only).

Module name: Perception (Compulsory Elective) Lecturer: Prof. Thomas Goerne

Workload: 150 hours Hours per week: 4 Credits: 5

Course description: The course looks at the creation of moods and emotions in film by means of picture and sound design – how is light, camera, sound, etc. used to achieve a certain mood or emotion? Students analyze films as part of the course and present their knowledge in papers or as projects.

Module names: Project 1, Project 2, Production Project Lecturer:

Workload: Project Hours per week: Project Credits: 8

Course description: Students complete a film project as part of a student team. They can decide where they want to place their focus within their team – on audio, video, production, post production. These projects can be completed independently – with support from the technical staff of the video, audio and production labs – or as part of the Studio Hamburg, Zeisehallen or Production Lab/Dramaturgy projects.

Study Semester – Services & Costs

Semester dates

Winter semester: September - February Application deadline: 30. April

Summer semester: March - July Application deadline: 30. October

Services

Generally we can provide students with a room in an apartment in a student residence. Monthly rent is between 250 Euro and

350 Euro (March 09).

German students will be »buddies« and will collect students at the airport and take them to their residence. They will help with

registration, etc. and help them settle in.

A social programme with trips and activities will be organised for the weekends during the semester.

Costs

Students coming from our partner universities do not have to pay the tuition fees at Hamburg University of Applied

Sciences. All other students will have to pay 375 Euro for the semester.

All students have to pay a semester contribution of 210 Euro (March 09). For this money they will get a semester ticket which

allows them six months unlimited travel on Hamburg's public transport system (bus, underground)

Students from non EU countries will also have to sign up for the German health insurance system. This costs 58 Euro per

month.

Contact

Prof. Wolfgang Willaschek

Department of Media Technology

Hamburg University of Applied Sciences

Stiftstrasse 69

20099 Hamburg

eMail: w.willaschek@t-online.de

Hamburg

In the North of Germany and in the heart of Europe – Hamburg is Germany's second largest city (1.8 million inhabitants) and

offers an excellent quality of life and international flair.

City on the water

Hamburg is a city on the water. The »Alster«, a 1.6 km² large lake in the middle of the city, is the perfect place for sailing,

canoeing and rowing – not just for sportspeople but also for city people who prefer a leisurely boot trip on a mild summer

evening. The Elbe flows through Hamburg and connects the city and its international harbour with the world.

Dynamic City

Hamburg is one of the most dynamic commercial centres in Europe with a strategic focus on six innovative segments: aviation

(Airbus, Lufthansa), IT and media, international port and logistics, life sciences, nanotechnology and renewable energies.

Competence clusters interlink companies, universities and research institutes to ensure that knowledge is shared and innovative

ideas developed further.

Green city

Hamburg is a green city. Numerous trees and large parks make life in this city very pleasant. Whether at the weekend or after

work and whatever the weather – Hamburg citizens enjoy the parks at the »Alster«, the 140 hectare large »Stadtpark« or the

flower paradise »Planten un Blomen«. Europe's »greenest« city offers a wide range of possibilities for everyone who enjoys

spending time out of doors

City of culture & Nightlife

Hamburg is a city of culture. A vibrant theatre scene offers everything from big, classical productions to fringe theatre. Hamburg

is famous for its ballet and is the third largest musical city after New York and London. Fifty museums offer a varied programme

of exhibitions and collections. The Beatles achieved international acclaim in the Hamburg »Starclub« and today world stars are at

home in the arenas and on the stages of the city. The Reeperbahn is world-famous and full of clubs and bars to satisfy even the

most discriminating party animals.