Mediarena Centre for Research

Media Research Centre, University of Waikato

The Mediarena Centre for Research is situated in the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand. Established in 2009, it was conceived in 2006 by Professor Dan Fleming (originally called Prism).

The Mediarena Centre is unusual in that it "operates across the creative arts and creative practice-based research fields, including screen and media studies, aspects of computing, performance studies, music, dance, design, and Māori creative practices, developing a collaborative high-level research focus across that field as a whole". ^[1]

History

Mediarena began as a three-year project in the Department of Screen and Media Studies and supported by the University's Strategic Investment Fund to develop new forms of practice-based research and inquiry-based practices using media technologies, with a particular emphasis on graduate and postgraduate work [1].

In January 2009 a Technical Manager was appointed to look after Mediarena. The basement of S Block was allocated to the project and much of 2009 was dedicated to designing, refurbishing and equipping the space.

Design drawings for Mediarena Research Centre

2009 projects

Apart from supporting postgraduate projects, mediarena was also involved in other projects in 2009.

• Timelapse capture of the Student Resource Centre Development
• Digital screen backdrops for the play "Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom"
• Equipment, technical support, post production support "Beat" a Hillary scholarship dance development. (Hillary Scholars 2009)
• Support for Digital Storytelling Workshops

It is the combining of theatre, dance, design, social practice and cinema that sets it apart.

References

1. ^ University of Waikato Mediarena