Film and Television
Degree programme in visual communication
The field of operation of moving image professionals is wide and many-faceted. Mastering their instrument, its idiom and techniques, audiovisual professionals possess a good general knowledge. They have an eye for the image and an ear for the sound. They are interested in stories and people.
They know how to operate in the changing production structures of the field and are able to market their skills and products. They also need to recognise the role of the moving image and the responsibility of the makers to society and culture at large.
Audiovisual bodies of work can be films, TV programmes, educational, commercial or commissioned films or various new media products containing moving images. They can be fictional or documentary.
During the early stage of their studies, students gain an overall understanding of the means and professional sectors of the moving image. In the beginning of the third year, students select according to their interests and skills their field of specialisation on which they will create their thesis. The specialisation fields are screenwriting, directing, cinematography, sound design and editing.
Making a film is mostly teamwork. Development of collaboration skills is an integral part of the studies. Personal expression and creativity are just as important. Successful applicants possess cinematic talent, a sense of drama and an ability to understand audiovisual incidents in time.
Graduates can find employment in different sub-fields in artistic or commercial film production, set up a business of their own or work as freelancers.
Structure of studies
At the early stage, students focus on taking polytechnic-joint and degree programme specific courses.
During the first year of study, the basic professional studies mainly consist of equipment and software courses, integrated into individual assignments. Students also begin the study of the basics in expression and professional practices and the analysis on perception and interpretation.
In the course of the second year of study, students begin to focus on their special fields. At this stage, all students take the same courses, but they must state their primary and secondary field of specialisation during the spring term and take an exam in their chosen field. During the third and fourth years of study, the freedom of choice is increased: students deepen their professional knowledge. Students must specify their secondary field of specialisation no later than in the beginning of their third year.
All major subject courses are linked to hands-on assignments. The preliminary practice periods at the early stage of the studies mainly aim at producing material for equipment and software courses. The assignments at the following stage increase the students` all-round understanding of the filmmaking process.
During the second year`s autumn term, the focus is on documentaries. In the spring term, students deepen their skills in the grammar of film and professional practices through hands-on assignments. By the third year, students know where they are heading in terms of professional choices and are given an opportunity to test their abilities. Teamwork and an overall understanding of the production process are essential at this stage. The fourth year focuses on thesis work and advanced workshops.