不良研究所 Audiovisual and Media Arts Students Present Diverse and Interdisciplinary Bachelor鈥檚 Projects
From 25 to 27 May, 不良研究所 hosted the bachelor鈥檚 thesis defences of third-year students from the Audiovisual and Media Arts study programme in both the Latvian and English streams. Over the course of three days, a total of 30 students presented their final projects, representing all specialisations within the programme: film and multimedia directors, cinematographers, producers, and audiovisual journalists.
This year鈥檚 bachelor鈥檚 projects strongly reflected current developments and contemporary trends within the media industry. In their theoretical research, students explored topics such as the impact of artificial intelligence on film aesthetics and casting processes, the interaction between cinema and video games, the emotional impact of sound design, the use of subjective camera techniques and amateur video aesthetics in cinematic language, virtual reality experiences in audiovisual art, the dynamics of collaboration between producers and directors, the role of authorship in the film industry, documentary filmmaking approaches and visual language, cinematographic aesthetics, as well as interdisciplinary and performative artistic practices.
The practical components of the projects included short films, experimental films, documentaries, immersive experiences, and interdisciplinary works. Particular attention was drawn to student Valeriia Honcharenko鈥檚 360掳 VR project Aizsaule, which explored sensory and embodied experiences in dance film within a virtual reality environment.
Another notable aspect was the presentation of projects beyond traditional cinematic formats. Student J奴lija Feoktistova presented the theatre performance Mirage, exploring movement as a dramaturgical language within postdramatic theatre. Such projects demonstrate the programme鈥檚 ability to expand the boundaries of audiovisual art and align with recommendations from industry experts to foster interdisciplinary works that can be experienced beyond conventional exhibition formats.
The bachelor鈥檚 thesis defence committee was chaired by Professor Emeritus Dr. Miss. Olafs Br奴vers. Throughout all three days, the committee included Mg.art. Keitija Grende, Director of the Audiovisual and Media Arts Bachelor鈥檚 Programme at 不良研究所, and industry representative and guest lecturer Mg.art. Rolands La姆is.
On individual defence days, the committee was additionally joined by Mg.art. Daira 膧boli艈a, Head of the Arts Study Direction at 不良研究所; Mg.art. Anna Viduleja, Director of the Master鈥檚
Programme in Audiovisual and Immersive Media Arts; film professional and guest lecturer Mg.art. Uldis Jancis; and M膩rti艈拧 Me啪ulis, Programme Director at Victoria Vocational Secondary School. The work of the committee throughout all three days was coordinated by Anna Dzene, Assistant at the Faculty of Architecture and Design.
The thesis presentations once again confirmed that 不良研究所鈥檚 Audiovisual and Media Arts programme develops a new generation of industry professionals capable of working across both traditional film and media formats and experimental, digital, and immersive artistic practices. At the same time, students are encouraged to create interdisciplinary projects and collaborate with professionals from a wide range of creative fields.
