A Comparative Study of Digital and Cinematic Space with Special Focus on Navigational Issues
Per Persson
Film studies and
SICS
Box 1263
164 28 Kista
Sweden
ABSTRACT
In order to better understand the characteristics of digital space, this paper investigates another artificial environment - cinema. By presenting some very common visualization techniques employed in mainstream film making, the paper first tries to compare the visualization techniques in the two media and see if the cinematic ones has any equivalents in computer interfaces. Secondly, it speculates around the possibility of implementing the cinematic techniques in interface design. In connection to this many parameters have to be considered. Digital and cinematic spaces are used for different purposes. Digital environments are much more diverse than cinematic ones (abstract-realistic). Throughout, the discussion aspires to relate to the issue of navigation and in what way cinematic visualization techniques might support the user in this respect.