In the Research & Development (R&D) department of Animationsinstitut, researchers, engineers and artists work together to develop future technologies for film, animation, VFX and XR immersive media.
A major focus is on artificial intelligence and the development of ecologically-sustainable technologies that are pioneering in film and media production.
The research work of the R&D department complements the educational function of the Filmakademie. In collaboration with partners in Germany and abroad, the department devotes its time to various research projects in which technological innovations for the film and media world are developed.
Among other things, great importance is attached to the development of technologies that serve as the basis for ecologically sustainable productions at the Filmakademie and its Animationsinstitut and beyond.
Artificial intelligence also has a strong influence on the creative processes of the creative industry. These represent major opportunities and challenges. The focus of AI developments is on the fair use of AI systems that support artists, but do not replace them.
EMIL - short for European Media and Immersion Lab - establishes a physical and virtual infrastructure between technological and creative experts from Finland, Spain, Germany and the UK. The aim of EMIL is to promote innovation and development of XR technologies. It brings together expertise from leading international institutions to drive forward developments in various forms of media production. The focus is on scientific research and technological development. By funding third-party projects with a total budget of 5.6 million Euros, EMIL also cultivates relationships between the creative industries and potential innovation partners across Europe.
MAX-R, the Mixed Augmented and Extended Reality Media Pipleine, is a 30-month Horizon Europe project to promote innovation in the field of augmented and mixed reality. The aim is to define and develop tools for the creation and processing of high-quality XR content. In this context, Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg is working on processes and tools that deliver better quality with greater efficiency and usability, while enabling interoperability between proprietary and open source software. A pipeline that works in real time and is based on open standards promotes innovation and will usher in a new era in the production of XR media.
The Technical Directing (TD) specialisation is aimed at graduates of a computer science or similarly oriented degree course. During their studies, TD students support the R&D department. Their involvement in the research activities of the Animationsinstitut is an integral part of the curriculum and provides students with a wide range of insights into the technological possibilities of film and media production.
The combination of project studies and participation in research work at the institute creates a special learning environment for students. They are involved in the development of the latest applications and tools and also work on externally funded productions outside the normal course of study. The knowledge gained is then taken by TD students into collaboration with students from other courses of study and support creative processes with their technological expertise. TD thus forms the bridge between technology and art.
Technical Directing alumni are in high demand in the industry. As technical directors with various possible specialisations (e.g., pipeline, shading & lighting, rigging, etc.), they make film and media productions possible in the first place and take them to the next level.
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