Content and structure

[Translate to English:] Abbildung der Produktion einer Filmszene

Content

Creative producing refers to the process of producing a film with a profound understanding of creative audiovisual processes. During your studies you will be actively involved in matters of artistic design. In the lectures, and particularly during the mentored practical work, you will be taught the following subjects: script analysis, dramatic composition, pitching, casting, budgeting, financing, production phases, marketing, media law and business management.

Course structure.

Academic year 1: Developing skills through filming activities
During the first academic year, you will first acquire knowledge and develop your skills by attending classes and lectures. You will also work on a documentary and fictional project that you will complete together with students in the Majors in “Directing Fiction”, “Screenwrit-ing”, “Documentary Film-making”, “Cinematography” and “Film Editing”. In the process, you will receive support from mentors. 
    
Academic year 2: Preparing and undertaking your master's thesis
During the second academic year, you will build further on your knowledge of research is-sues in film studies at the University of Zurich. You will also begin working on your master's thesis in the third semester and dedicate yourself completely to it in the final semester, while receiving support from mentors.

The Master's in “Film” degree programme comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. You will earn 90 credits from your Major and 30 credits from your Minor, which can be a specialization of your Major or a subject that expands on or supplements your main programme of study. You can find more information about the new study model here. 

As a general rule, the course extends over four semesters (full-time study).
Provided the head of the programme agrees, it is possible to combine the course with work outside of your programme of study. Only the first semester must be completed on a full-time basis. All compulsory session dates are communicated well in advance.

Skills acquired in the course.

Practical work: 

Within a set production framework and schedule, you will gain experience in what it is like to work as a Creative Producer, who structures and coordinates the activities of the various creative teams. For your master's thesis, you will present either two short films or one feature-length film, for which you will be responsible during your studies and use as a concept for a future project.

Craft: Methods of film-making and film technology
You will develop your methodological, technical, and practical filmmaking skills to a profes-sional standard, together with the ability to incorporate dramaturgical, performative, and visual and musical elements into a complete piece of cinematic art. In the process, you will have the continuous support of professors, lecturers and special guests from the film indus-try. Through predominantly practice-oriented exercises and various projects, you will apply the knowledge you have obtained and put your craftsmanship to the test. You will acquire skills in project planning, creating project dossiers, basic budgeting and financing, and mar-keting. 

Theory: 

You will learn how to approach research issues of film studies at the University of Zurich’s Institute of Film Studies, which will also involve completing a written paper. However, the “practice-oriented theory” is also important. Therefore, you will systematically work on spe-cific aspects of filmmaking throughout the short fiction project and as part of your master's thesis in order to acquire an analytical and conceptual understanding of your creative work.

Admissions requirements.

You have taken initial steps into the film industry, have on-set experience as a production and/or set management assistant, and will meet the following requirements:

  • you are able to identify exciting and socially relevant material 
  • you are interested in supporting and participating in creative processes
  • you have good presentation skills and are able to inspire others with your ideas
  • you have good communication skills and are highly organized
  • you enjoy working with numbers and are willing to take economic responsibility for projects
  • you have experience working with budgeting software (e.g. Excel)

Benefits of studying at ZHdK.

  • Our professors and lecturers play an active role in the film industry and experts from the international film industry are frequently invited as guest lecturers. This means you benefit from a curriculum that is guided by experience and real-life practice, whilst having the opportunity to build an extensive, professional and international network within the film industry. 
  • The Film subject area is always providing fresh inspiration for artistic research. For instance, the Immersive Arts Space, where research into future technologies of the audiovisual industry is conducted, was built next door to our film studio. Findings from this research are also directly incorporated into teaching. New forms of audiovisual storytelling such as motion tracking, pre-visualization techniques and virtual production are developed, tested, and practiced.
  • Numerous festivals entries and multiple wins at the prestigious student Oscars are testament to the impressive level of international success achieved by ZHdK students.
  • The shared campus allows all the ZHdK disciplines to be in close proximity with one another and offers a diverse infrastructure of the highest calibre. Students have access to superbly equipped workshops, a museum, concert halls, sound and film studios, rehearsal stages, studios, a library, and exhibition spaces. A rooftop garden, cinema, music club, cafés and a canteen also enable students to meet for recreational purposes.
  • Master’s students benefit from a new Major-Minor Programme Model, which is a first in Europe and prepares individuals for a networked, digital and agile world of work.