University degrees: Summer University, Workshops
Course length: 2 months
Course city: Prague
Dates:
June Filmmaking Workshop:May 31 – June 27
July Filmmaking Workshop: June 28 – July 25
August Filmmaking Workshop: July 26 – August 22
Each participant shoots his or her own film.
Covering screenwriting, directing, camera, editing and sound, the four-week summer workshops at Prague Film School are designed to lead the student from story idea to finished short film.
The first two weeks of the program are classroom-based – introducing the fundamentals of directing, screenwriting, editing, cinematography and sound while also prepping students for their end-of- workshop short film. Each student writes and directs his or her own short while also working on other student productions in various crew capacities.
The third week, students shoot their films. The final week of the program, students edit their films, all of which are screened at a public cinema and reviewed by the faculty.
1. Screenwriting
A Confucian maxim holds that rotten wood can’t be carved. It’s the same with screenplays – the best directing and the best actors can’t salvage a poor script. Screenwriting classes instruct the most important aspects of dramatic writing in the context of film. Organized around writing assignments, classroom critique and screenings, the sessions concentrate on such elements as structure, character, conflict and more.
2. Directing
While a quality screenplay provides the basis for a good film, it doesn’t guarantee one. Directing is the art of translating a script to screen. Knowing how to work with actors, work from a storyboard, and breakdown a scene is essential to film production. Here students receive instruction in directing short narratives, student-produced and other. Classes incorporate hands-on shooting and lecture/screening sessions.
3. Cinematography
Students are taught the aesthetics and techniques of the cinematographer’s craft. Principles of continuity, shot sequencing, and technical aspects related to cinematography are instructed. The intensive studio classes also cover composition, lighting, camera movement and camera operation.
4. Editing
This part of the program covers the aesthetic and technical aspects of editing. Understanding storytelling techniques and the basics of dramaturgy is necessary in furthering the creative vision of the director. Technical skills are taught using Avid editing tools: students learn to organize source footage, edit sync and non-sync material, trim sequences, edit audio, add effects, titles and more.
5. Sound Design Workshop
The sound design workshop teaches the students to plan, record and edit sound in their films.
WEEK I (classes)
Monday – Friday:
• Screenwriting: 9.30 – 11.15
• Directing: 11.30 – 13.15
• Cinematography: 15.00 – 16.45
• Editing: 17.00 – 18.45
Saturday:
• Film exercise shooting: 9.00 – 18.00
Sunday:
• Film exercise editing: 9.00 – 21.00
WEEK II (classes, consultations & pre-production for film shoot)
Monday – Friday:
• Screenwriting: 9.30 – 11.15
• Directing: 11.30 – 13.15
• Cinematography: 15.00 – 16.45
• Editing: 17.00 – 18.45
Saturday – Sunday
• Shooting of student films
WEEK III (shooting of student films)
Students shoot their own films, and crew for other students.
WEEK IV (post-production & evaluations)
Monday – Thursday
• Post-production
Friday
• Public screening: 9.00 – 11:30
• Evaluations with faculty: 12.00 – 17.00
• Closing event: 20.00
