DIGITAL FILM ARTS Bachelor Program Editing Picture & Sound Visual Arts

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1 DIGITAL FILM ARTS Bachelor Program Editing Picture & Sound Visual Arts The world is spinning faster and faster. Our daily lives are marked by»input«,»options«and»alternatives«. But there are still places where calm and concentration prevail, where clear decisions stand at the center of creative work and drive it: One of these places is the editing room. In the editing rooms of the ifs we give equal consideration to picture, sound and visual effects. Every single aspect and detail of picture, sound and even pixels must serve the story. The complex technology requires professional performance as well as creative thinking. Conversely, the passion of creatives accepts no limitations and so drives technology to reinvent itself again and again. The new era has revealed new constellations in film. New professions, specializations and non-linear film processes have evolved. The ifs»digital Film Artists«can help shape the various project phases of the filmmaking process, from the development to the final film, all the while integrating dramaturgical considerations into the narrative approach. After the successful establishment of the Film Studies, Director of Photography, and Editing Picture & Sound programs, it is now time to dedicate our focus to the creative possibilities of digital film technologies as well as integrate them into the existing programs. Starting in 2010, the ifs will offer the Digital Film Arts program with two specializations, namely Editing Picture & Sound and Visual Arts. The program offers students the opportunity to learn their digital craft and thereby becoming competent players in a continuously changing production process. Through the transdisciplinary foundation studies, the program highlights the common ground that both these working techniques and specializations share, for our experience has shown that once students start their specialization in the third semester, their personal style develops in a far richer and more masterful way as a result. Curriculum The 7-semester Bachelor program is modular and consists of: - Applied media studies modules and soft skills qualifications that transfer film and media studies knowledge and social skills. - Specialization modules that transfer the artistic and technical expertise for the aspired occupation. - Project modules, in which projects are independently realized from the idea to the completed screenplay or film. Editing Picture & Sound Specialization»What is a good edit?i simply cut out what has to be cut out.«peter Przygodda

2 The editors at the ifs are regarded as filmmakers and play a crucial role in shaping a story. Editors are coauthors in the montage of a documentary film or in the narrative dramaturgy of an existing story. In fiction editing, students have the opportunity to expand their skills in the teamwork process of filmmaking and storytelling. In the Editing Picture & Sound specialization, students are introduced to the craft and skills of the editor, which they then continue to apply and implement in editing exercises throughout their studies. In the project work, students are responsible in their teams for the picture and sound design in the editing room. The specialization studies serve as a training ground. The editors experiment with the many factors that this creative responsibility presents and learn through trail and error. In this way students continue to put their technical and craft skills to the test and so gradually develop a personal style. In their first year, students learn the basics of editing picture and sound as well as recording techniques. This knowledge forms the foundation for the remaining two and a half years where the main focus is on picture and sound design. Visual Arts Specialization»Art challenges technology. Technology inspires the art.«john Lasseter, CCO Pixar Animation Studios The»Digital Film Artist«with a specialization in Visual Arts combines an editor s basic understanding of narrative principles with the new possibilities of digital visual design. The Visual Art specialist participates in the design process of visual effects in pre-production, is present on the set as a VFX supervisor, and generates the special effects in postproduction. Design decisions, creativity and expertise as a filmmaker, practical experience in dealing with state-of-the-art technologies, and sensitivity for processes and interfaces in classical film production distinguish the visual art specialist. The initial focus of the Visual Arts specialization is on learning the technical and narrative basic principles of film production, which are then implemented in project work together with students of other programs. Together with the editors, students learn basic editing skills in their first year. In their second year, the focus shifts to the techniques of modern digital filmmaking such as keying, rotoscoping, compositing and animation. Using state-of-the-art hardware and software, students have the possibility in numerous exercises, seminars and project work to continue pursuing their personal interests and thereby both specialize and gradually develop a personal style. A visual effect thus never becomes an end in itself, but rather expands the expressive possibilities of creative filmmaking.»storytelling«telling a story using cinematic techniques is also the focus of Visual Arts.

3 Overview of the DIGITAL FILM ARTS program Editing Picture & Sound Joint Studies Visual Arts Action Montage Film History and Film Analysis Compositing Drama Montage Applied Media Studies 2D-Animation Documentary Film Montage Dramaturgy 3D-Animation Sound Editing Basics of Editing Picture & Sound Set Extensions Sound Design Basics of Visual Composition Matte Painting Additional Dialogue Recording (ADR) Foleys Sound Re-recording Basics of Production / Screenwriting / Film directing / Cinematography Color Theory Art History Framing / Form theory Project Work Soft Skills / Excursions Stereoscopy Motion Graphics Design /Typography Applied Media Studies The studies explore the film medium s relationships to other media and their presentation and narrative forms, and particularly to the competing audiovisual media of theater, television and digital games as well as to the fine arts, photography, literature and music. In both the theoretical reflections and the practical exercises, specific attention is given to the aesthetic and cultural consequences of digitization for production, distribution and reception of audiovisual, cross-media and trans-media content. Film History and Film Analysis This subject area explores the different dimensions and elements that touch, cross and merge paths in film: space and time, perspective and montage, picture and sound, light and color, on and offscreen, and the perspectives of the characters, the camera and the audience. The focus is on investigating the media conditions for cinematic aesthetics as well as reflecting on their historical transformation. Projects An important part of the studies and the learning takes place in the project work, which is defined by an intensive and close collaboration between the Film Studies, Digital Film Arts, and Director of Photography bachelor programs. Each semester includes a project module where students experiment, practice and produce. The requirements vary as there are both fiction and non-fiction film projects. The project work consists of both independent components as well as interdisciplinary teamwork with other students and cooperation partners. The complexity of the project work increases during the course of the studies up to the final graduation films. Students also have the opportunity to work on independent projects alongside their studies with the support of the ifs. Soft Skills and Professional Career Orientation All the semesters include modules for soft skills training and professional career orientation. Coaching sessions and teacher feedback on various studies and team processes promote personal and professional development. Students are encouraged to reflect on their own artistic work from an interdisciplinary perspective, in the context of other works of art, and as part of a social discourse relating to cultural conditions. Students receive targeted support to develop and cultivate their own artistic personality (ideas, innovation, style, etc.). Based on theory and methodology, students cultivate action-oriented, analytical skills and the ability to develop and implement solution strategies

4 as well as deepen their social, language and communication skills (negotiation skills, self-reflection, team cooperation, conflict strategies). Case studies of job profiles (national/international) and knowledge of the factors involved in a business startup serve as guidance on future careers and professional opportunities, and visits to festivals and conferences promote the development of industry networks. Bachelor Projects and Theses The bachelor theses are due at the end of studies and consist of both a practical and a written part, which is supplemented by an oral examination (colloquium). For the Editing Picture & Sound specialization, the practical part of the thesis consists of the picture and sound editing of a graduation film. The written part consists of a detailed description of the production plan, in which the planning stages and the actual implementation are compared and commented. For the Visual Arts specialization, the practical part consists of the complete planning and implementation of visual effects and animation for a graduation film. If desired, an independent animation film can be made. The written part consists of a detailed description of the VFX breakdown, in which the planning stages and the actual implementation are compared and commented. The reflections highlight both the technical and artistic processes as well as the interpersonal working relationships in the individual project work. In the colloquium the various parts of the Bachelor's thesis are brought together and discussed, exploring in depth specific aspects of the work. Fields Of Study The following fields of study at the ifs are represented by professors: - Applied Media Studies - Film History and Film Analysis - Screenwriting and Dramaturgy - Documentary Film Directing - Feature Film Directing - Creative Producing - Editing Picture and Sound - Feature Film Cinematography - Documentary Film Cinematography - Digital Communication/Advertising Our professors are experienced academics and professionals who alongside their teaching responsibilities also produce screenplays, documentaries and feature films as well as conduct research work. A wide range of lecturers from both the German and international film industries further supports the main academic teaching staff. An active involvement in the film industry and a professional participation in film and applied media discourses are requirements for a teaching position at the ifs. Examinations Every module is completed by a module examination, which is graded. The examinations can take the form of assignments, papers, work samples, written tests, presentations or oral exams.

5 Graduation The academic degree»bachelor of Arts«(B.A.) is awarded after successfully completing the Bachelor Examination. Program Structure The study workload is assessed using a credit point system. 30 credits are awarded per semester. In the standard 7-semester period of study, 210 credit points are required to achieve the»bachelor of Arts«degree. The DIGITAL FILM ARTS program is a fulltime study program. Schedule (subject to change) 23 February 2012 Information evening at the ifs, at 5 p.m. Please register at infoabend@filmschule.de. 30 April 2012 Application deadline May/June 2012 Pre-selection (without the presence of the applicants) June 2012 Entrance examination September 2012 Start of studies for the winter semester 2012/2013 Number of Participants 8 to10 students are admitted to each of the two specializations. Information for foreign applicants Foreign student applicants should note the following points for their application: The application tasks must generally be completed in German. To ensure that the education certificates and diplomas acquired abroad comply with the admission requirements of the ifs (higher education qualifications), applicants can get information at the following link: Enrollment at the University of Applied Sciences Cologne, the franchise partner of the ifs, is mandatory for foreign students. The semester tuition fee currently stands at To obtain a residence permit, foreign students must demonstrate sufficient funds to secure their livelihood. The amount required is equivalent to the Bafög maximum rate of 670 per month, calculated for one year. Foreign applicants can get further information on the ifs website: The contact person for specific questions is Ms. Laura Frings: frings@filmschule.de. Fees Tuition fees per semester: One-time registration fee: 1750 euros 400 euros In addition to enrolling at the ifs, foreign students must also enroll at the University of Applied Sciences Cologne, an ifs cooperation partner. Semester tuition fee at the University of Applied Sciences Cologne at enrollment: 217 euros (updated: WS 2011/2012). For financial assistance to cover tuition fees and/or living expenses, second-year students may apply for an interest-free loan from the Student Education Fund, which is managed by the students themselves. Approval of the interest-free loans depends on the funds available as well as on the applicant s financial situation. Repayment of the loan begins six months after graduation/termination of studies. Students in the» DIGITAL FILM ARTS «Bachelor program are generally eligible for Bafög, the Federal Student Financial Aid Program, and applications for student state loans or grants are decided upon by the appropriate Federal Student Financial Aid Office. A prerequisite for the

6 application is the enrollment at the University of Applied Sciences Cologne (see semester tuition fee). This grant includes all the services of the University of Applied Sciences Cologne as well as the semester ticket. Both German and foreign students are eligible applicants. Foreign students must observe Bafög 8 ( 8.html). In certain cases, the ifs internationale filmschule köln offers scholarships for the entire study period. Application Procedure The application procedure consists of an online application with application tasks, work samples and an entrance examination to take place at the school. Candidates are selected based on the submitted online applications and invited to the entrance examination. During a period of 4-5 days, candidates complete a series of tasks, tests and talks both individually and in groups, to assess their artistic and technical skills and talents. Formal Admission Requirements - General college or university qualifications. - In the case college or university qualifications are not available and the applicant displays strong artistic aptitude, the required general qualifications will be determined in a separate procedure. - Very good knowledge of German: At the time of application prospective foreign students must demonstrate at least a B2 language level. Once accepted to the program, students must successfully complete the DSH-II exam (German language proficiency test for university admission) - Good English language skills Online Application Our application platform is available from 16 January 2012 at the following link: All the required fields in the digital form of the online application must be filled out completely, along with an upload of all the required documents. Required information and documents: - Enter all your personal information in the online form. - Upload an application photo (PDF or JPEG format). - Upload a tabular curriculum vitae stating your professional and educational experiences as well as your language skills. - Upload your certificates/diplomas, internships, further education training (certified documents will only be required at the entrance examination). - Upload your completed application tasks for the selected specialization listed below. Photos and other images must be uploaded as PDF or JPEG files. You can either upload your audio-visual work samples on a publically accessible Internet video portal (e.g. YouTube, Vimeo) and then add the corresponding links to your online application, or you can send us a portable data carrier with your work samples. However, you may only send data CDs and data DVDs (NO video CDs or Video DVDs) with h264/x264, Xvid, DivX or MPEG-2/4 encoded files.

7 Please mail to: ifs internationale filmschule köln»glückauf-haus«editing Picture & Sound Department OR Visual Arts Department Werderstraße Cologne Germany Please note: Incomplete applications will not be considered. The application period ends on 30 April Application Tasks For the DIGITAL FILM ARTS Bachelor program The following application tasks apply to both specializations. For the online application platform, please follow the guidelines and requirements listed below for submitting your answers: - Upload a separate answer file for each of the 8 question blocks to follow. - For answer block 2, answer all the sub-questions in the same answer file. - Please make sure you use uniform file names in line with the example shown below: Surname_Name_Task_1 Surname_Name_Task_2 Etc. 1. Please answer the following questions: a. Describe how and when you decided to study DIGITAL FILM ARTS. Which factors were decisive for your choice? b. What steps have you taken on your path towards your professional goal up to now? (Max. 1 A4 page) c. What do you expect from the program at the ifs? What do you bring with you? What is likely your key focus? d. What do you hope to achieve from an ifs degree? What do you hope this degree will make possible for you after your studies? 2. Please complete the following task: Create a 1-minute film that reflects a newspaper article. The film may consist of images, sounds, text, graphics, shapes, colors, tones, atmospheres and voices. The raw materials and design techniques you use are irrelevant. 3. Please complete one of the following two tasks: Either a.»the soundtrack invented silence«robert Bresson

8 Please describe what is meant by Robert Bresson s quote and why»silence«can be an important part of a soundtrack. (Max. half an A4page) Or b.»art challenges technology. Technology inspires the art.«john Lasseter Please describe what is meant by John Lasseter s quote and how you see the relationship between art and technology. (Max. half an A4page) 4. The film critic and film theorist Béla Balázs said:»in film even the most meaningful set-up does not suffice to give the image its full meaning. In the final analysis, meaning is determined by the position of the image between other images.«discuss this view through a film example of your choice and take into respect the relationship between picture and sound. (Max. 1 A4 page) 5. Short Essay Applied Media Studies 3D: To Be or Not to Be? James Cameron vs. Walter Murch: The director James Cameron, a pioneer of digital film and multiple Academy Award winner, sees the future of film, television and games in digital 3D, whereas the film editor and sound designer Walter Murch, also a pioneer of digital film and multiple Academy Award winner, explains why 3D film can not work and why»nothing will fix it short of producing true holographic images«. Watch the video»james Cameron: A glasses-free future for 3D«(An interview with Google CEO Eric Schmidt and James Cameron, 2010: and then read the letter that Walter Murch wrote to the American film critic Roger Ebert in early January 2011 ( Then summarize the central arguments presented by Cameron and Murch in no more than 50 words each, and then state your own opinion on digital 3D imagery with specific focus on the specialization that you are applying for Screenwriting, Film Directing or Creative Producing in no more than 50 words.