MA Film, Cinematography
How do you create that special image, frame a scene in a striking way or achieve the perfect camera movement?
It is crucial for the D.o.P. (Director of Photography) and the other creative departments to work as a team.
In the Master’s Major in “Cinematography” we offer practical experience, individual support, and state-of-the-art infrastructure for both staged and documentary film.
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Course commencement
Autumn semester
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Application deadline
25 February 2025
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Standard period of study
4 semesters
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Coursework Major / MA
90 / 120 credits
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Main teaching language
German
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Tuition fee per semester CH / non CH
CHF 720 / CHF 1220
Programme
«People confuse ‘pretty’ with good cinematography» – Roger Deakins, Director of Photography (D.o.P.)
These days, all you need to make a film is a mobile phone... But who is in the position to tell a story with moving pictures? Who has the ability to create something that is worth more than the number of clicks? Digitalization has brought dramatic changes to cinematography. In the past, most decisions had to be made on set, but today many things can be altered during post-production. The challenges have grown, technical parameters have become more complex and the various processes are more overarching. One thing, however, has remained the same since the beginning of cinema history: truly magical pictures can only be brought to life if there is a perfect interplay between the various departments. Only when a passionate Director of Photography (D.o.P.) meets like-minded people can pictures be created with content that provides a whole lot more than a simple image.
The Master’s in Cinematography at ZHdK hones students’ documentary and fiction filmmaking skills. Coursework involves doing numerous exercises and film projects supervised by Swiss and international cinematographers such as Judith Kaufmann, Rainer Klausmann or Agnès Godard.
Major-Minor Programme Model
At ZHdK, students choose a Major. In addition to this core subject, they can choose one or two Minors to deepen or expand their major skills and knowledge across various disciplines. This wide choice of courses is unique in Europe and enables students to develop and sharpen their individual profile.
Possible minors for this major
Degree programmes beginning before the autumn semester of 2023 (BA) or before the autumn semester of 2024 (MA)
Before the autumn semester of 2023, there were eight bachelor's degree programmes and before the autumn semester of 2024, there were eleven master's degree programmes with numerous specializations to choose from. Interdisciplinary options were available in Z-modules and open courses from other subject areas.
→ Degree programmes beginning before the autumn semester of 2023 (BA) or before the autumn semester of 2024 (MA)
People
Head of Programme
Head of Major
Lecturers
Guests
Study projects
Students doing a Bachelor and Master of Arts in Film are required to produce a considerable number of films. Graduate films and selected semester projects can be viewed at www.filmstudieren.ch.
