University degrees: Postgraduate
Course length: 2 years full-time
Course city: Budapest
Joint degree programmes in English
Joint programmes are in cooperation with other universities from the European Union. Students spend a part of their studies – a minimum of 30 ECTS credits – at another institutions and the period of study and credits are automatically recognised at the student’s home institution. The teaching staff of the participating institutions work out the curriculum together and also teach at the other institutions. Upon successful completion of the study programme, students receive either national degrees from the individual institutions or a degree which is jointly conferred. These programmes are offered at master’s level.
VIEWFINDER is a Joint Master Degree in Cinematography presented by a consortium of partners made up of The University of Theatre and Film Arts, Budapest, Hungary (SZFE), National Film School at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland (IADT) and the Baltic Film, Media, Arts and Communication School of Tallinn University, Estonia, (BFM).
VIEWFINDER is a 2 year, full time, 120 credit international programme awarding a joint/multiple MA Diploma (EHEA-QF Level 7). It was granted the right to use the Erasmus Mundus brand name and the grant support of the European Commission for the first three editions.A maximum of twenty-four students from all around the world will study in Dublin for the first semester, in Budapest for the second semester and in Tallinn for the third semester. In the fourth semester the student body will be divided equally across the three schools.
VIEWFINDER will provide an MA in Cinematography through practice based learning. The course prepares the students to work as a Director of Photography and as a Camera Operator. Graduates can expect to find work in all branches of filmmaking such as TV Drama, Feature Film, Documentary, Music Video, Commercials etc. Viewfinder will shoot on digital equipment to Professional industry standard.
VIEWFINDER will place special emphasis on the study of visual story telling using new and innovative methods such as creative on set collaboration by participants with experienced professional film directors, the study of Drama in European painting and the study of psychological reception theories and how these can be exploited through cinematography to achieve dramatic effect in the perception of the viewer. Graduates will gain a thorough understanding of the skill of visual storytelling allowing for the closest of collaboration with directors in their future careers.
VIEWFINDER aims to provide participants who have prior practical experience of filmmaking with the opportunity for an in-depth focus on the development of their craft and their own personal development as cinematographers. The course will provide the advanced technical knowledge and skill necessary for the creative visual realisation of mainstream productions covering both American and European Film industry practice and tradition.
VIEWFINDER will cover the special cinematography skills needed for documentary story telling based on the European documentary tradition.
VIEWFINDER seeks applicants who are already experienced in film production photography as cinematographer, camera operator, camera assistant, stills photographer etc. and who are well versed in set procedures and collaborative nature of filmmaking. The course aims to offer the applicant with working experience the opportunity to further their personal development as a cinematographer as part of an international class but without the pressure of shooting to a production deadline. It is an artistic learning journey and a cinematographer’s Cloister allowing time to reexamine, redefine and enhance one’s practice of cinematography.
