The course of study in Film at ZHdK is primarily practice-oriented. The Bachelor and Master of Arts in Film form a tandem:
Bachelor of Arts in Film (basic course of study)
The Bachelor of Arts in Film covers the fundamentals of the art of film-making. It is designed to stimulate the individual student's interest, and to encourage the exploration of the key aspects of film: Storytelling (script and dramaturgy), producing (shooting and production), camera and image composition, editing and sound design. Students are familiarized with the various steps in the process of developing a film project, learn to apply technological processes, study film history and media theory and acquire the skills of authoring a film.
Bachelor of Arts in Film, Production Design
Students on the Bachelor of Arts in Film, Production Design programme will acquire the artistic, technical and conceptual skills necessary for shaping the form and design of film productions, series and video clips. This also includes the foundations for 2D or 3D animations, games, performative art and advertising.
Master of Arts in Film
Students on the two-year Master of Arts in Film programme specialize in a creative profile that prepares them to take on positions of responsibility in film production after they complete their degree. It is possible to specialise in the following fields:
The highlight of the Master's course is the graduation assignment. Screenwriting students typically write a script for a long feature film, whereas students in the Directing profile, for feature films and making documentaries, will make a medium-length film. Students in the Creative Producing, Camera and Film Editing profiles each contribute their specific skills to these productions. Students may form collaborations with production firms for their graduation assignment. Some particularly enterprising students may therefore make a full-length cinema film as their graduation assignment.