faq
Frequently Asked Questions
Are your programs run in English?
Yes, all of Prague Film School programs are run in English. Students at Prague film school come from all over the world, in an average class, typically from over 30 countries. The lingua franca in and out of the classrooms at the school is English.
Do I have to know some Czech?
No. As mentioned above, classes are run in English. Additionally, in Prague at least, most people have some basic knowledge of English. There is a production office to help with matters where language might be an issue with regards to your films, housing, medical issues or student life in general.
Does Prague Film School provide housing?
Yes. Students can opt for school housing in shared or private flats. Students can also choose to find accommodation on their own. All school flats are situated in the city center 5 – 30 minutes from the school by foot or public transportation. Flats are furnished with the basics but do not have Internet. Students spend most of their time at the school in any event where Internet access is always available.
If I choose a shared flat, do I have to share a room with somebody?
No, students in shared flats have their own bedroom but share kitchen and bathroom facilities.
Does the school provide a meal plan?
No. The school has a small cafe but most students cook their main meals themselves or go out to eat at local restaurants. The school does not have a cafeteria.
What are the fees for housing?
Housing fees are listed on the application form which can be downloaded on the admissions page of this web site.
Does the school shoot on film?
Yes. In the first semester, the third project is shot on super 16 mm and the costs are covered by the school. Students can also opt to shoot their end of semester and diploma films on 16 mm or even 35 mm, but are responsible for the material fees including film stock, developing, and telecine. The school does secure a 50 per cent discount on these costs. Second semester there is also a course on the film cameras, covering both 16 mm and 35 mm cameras (main focus: Arri SRIII and Arri 435), because these cameras are used for shooting diploma films.
Having said that, ~60-70% students shoot with the school’s fleet of Sony HDV ZI cameras, equipped with M2 Encore adapter and 35mm photo lenses. For example, out of 35 diploma films shot in May 2009, 13 films where shot on 16mm & 35mm film stock (Arri SRIII and Arri 435 cameras); the rest were shot in HDV format.
I’m interested in directing. How many films will I actually be able to direct?
In the first semester all students have the opportunity to direct four films, 3 of which they write themselves. In the second semester, students can direct 3 films, 2 of which they can but do not have to write themselves, the mid term and the diploma film, and which are longer then those produced the first semester. Students work on substantially more film productions than this as they crew on other student films in addition to their own. It’s not uncommon for students to have worked on close to 20 productions the first semester and close to this the second.
I’m interested in cinematography. How many films will I actually be able to shoot?
With roughly 150 short films and another 100 film exercises in total in the year program, DPs, camera operators and gaffers are in constant demand. Most importantly, during specialization classes cinematography students learn to operate film camera equipment which is used in professional productions in Europe or North America at present.
How does Prague Film School distinguish itself from the other film programs out there?
Praxis-oriented: One would be hard-pressed to find a program that provides as much practical exposure to filmmaking. The operating principle of our school is training, and we believe as with instruments or with languages, the only way to develop fluency is to practice. For technically oriented students, we seek to provide a possibility to work with equipment which is used in film industry at present; the school aims to maintain its equipment facilities up-to-date, and works closely with Panavision (Panavision / Arri cameras) and Vantage (Arri cameras) rental houses, to ensure that students get familiar with the latest camera equipment and technologies.
Intensive: The type of student who chooses Prague Film School comes to us because he or she has essentially only one year in terms of time or financial resources to cross from where he or she is in life at the moment into the world of professional filmmaking. We then have only one year to bring these students to a level of competence where they can operate professionally. As such the program is highly squeezed.
Faculty-student relations: Core faculty are brought in from around the world. While all teachers are accomplished professional filmmakers, their primary purpose in Prague is to teach students at Prague Film School. The dynamics are then what you find at exclusive boarding schools and small colleges in the U.S., where the teachers are highly devoted to their students and accessible. Faculty also embody the school’s ideology of integrating European art house with American independent cinemas.
Diversity of student body: In a student body of 50 students, 25-30 countries are represented. Nearly every other student is from a different part of the world, but there’s a sub-cultural glue binding them together. Students live and breathe film together.
Liberalism: Most students at our school have completed undergraduate studies, and see their time at film school as a cherished chance to wed their deep interests with a vocation. As such, the administration treats all students as responsible adults and trusts students to take full responsibility for their studies. The school does not interfere with students’ artistic choices.
Prague: Prague is one of those very rare cities that manages to combine cosmopolitism with intimacy and beauty. It’s magic is apparent to just about anyone fortunate enough to spend some time here.
What does early action application mean?
Applying by the early application deadline means that your application will be reviewed early. The main advantage of applying early is that admittance is substantially easier as there are more places available for fewer applicants. On the other hand, students accepted early must also confirm their participation in the program early.
Does Prague Film School offer financial aid?
No, the school does not directly provide financial aid. Students from Scandinavian countries can apply to their home countries for governmental study grants. UK students can seek loans from the career development loan organization. US and Indian students can get private loans from private banks in their home countries (we are not covered by the US governmental student loan program).
Can I work while in Prague?
Students not from the EU cannot work in Prague on a student visa. In any event, the program is more then full-time, making holding down a job an impossibility.
What’s the weather like?
Indian summer September and Octobers, cool and drizzly Octobers and Novembers, wintery Decembers, Januarys and Februarys with occasional snow, grey Marches, erratic Aprils, glorious Mays and Junes and standard continental Julys and Augusts.
Is Prague safe?
Yes. Cases of violent crime are almost unheard of. Petty theft (pickpotting) is an issue, but otherwise Prague is an extremely safe capital.
What kind of certification (or degree) does one receive after completing the year program?
Prague Film School is accredited by the Czech Ministry of Education under the rubric of professional training. Most of our students have completed undergraduate studies before attending our programs, and some come to us with Masters.
Yes, all of Prague Film School programs are run in English. Students at Prague film school come from all over the world, in an average class, typically from over 30 countries. The lingua franca in and out of the classrooms at the school is English.
Do I have to know some Czech?
No. As mentioned above, classes are run in English. Additionally, in Prague at least, most people have some basic knowledge of English. There is a production office to help with matters where language might be an issue with regards to your films, housing, medical issues or student life in general.
Does Prague Film School provide housing?
Yes. Students can opt for school housing in shared or private flats. Students can also choose to find accommodation on their own. All school flats are situated in the city center 5 – 30 minutes from the school by foot or public transportation. Flats are furnished with the basics but do not have Internet. Students spend most of their time at the school in any event where Internet access is always available.
If I choose a shared flat, do I have to share a room with somebody?
No, students in shared flats have their own bedroom but share kitchen and bathroom facilities.
Does the school provide a meal plan?
No. The school has a small cafe but most students cook their main meals themselves or go out to eat at local restaurants. The school does not have a cafeteria.
What are the fees for housing?
Housing fees are listed on the application form which can be downloaded on the admissions page of this web site.
Does the school shoot on film?
Yes. In the first semester, the third project is shot on super 16 mm and the costs are covered by the school. Students can also opt to shoot their end of semester and diploma films on 16 mm or even 35 mm, but are responsible for the material fees including film stock, developing, and telecine. The school does secure a 50 per cent discount on these costs. Second semester there is also a course on the film cameras, covering both 16 mm and 35 mm cameras (main focus: Arri SRIII and Arri 435), because these cameras are used for shooting diploma films.
Having said that, ~60-70% students shoot with the school’s fleet of Sony HDV ZI cameras, equipped with M2 Encore adapter and 35mm photo lenses. For example, out of 35 diploma films shot in May 2009, 13 films where shot on 16mm & 35mm film stock (Arri SRIII and Arri 435 cameras); the rest were shot in HDV format.
I’m interested in directing. How many films will I actually be able to direct?
In the first semester all students have the opportunity to direct four films, 3 of which they write themselves. In the second semester, students can direct 3 films, 2 of which they can but do not have to write themselves, the mid term and the diploma film, and which are longer then those produced the first semester. Students work on substantially more film productions than this as they crew on other student films in addition to their own. It’s not uncommon for students to have worked on close to 20 productions the first semester and close to this the second.
I’m interested in cinematography. How many films will I actually be able to shoot?
With roughly 150 short films and another 100 film exercises in total in the year program, DPs, camera operators and gaffers are in constant demand. Most importantly, during specialization classes cinematography students learn to operate film camera equipment which is used in professional productions in Europe or North America at present.
How does Prague Film School distinguish itself from the other film programs out there?
Praxis-oriented: One would be hard-pressed to find a program that provides as much practical exposure to filmmaking. The operating principle of our school is training, and we believe as with instruments or with languages, the only way to develop fluency is to practice. For technically oriented students, we seek to provide a possibility to work with equipment which is used in film industry at present; the school aims to maintain its equipment facilities up-to-date, and works closely with Panavision (Panavision / Arri cameras) and Vantage (Arri cameras) rental houses, to ensure that students get familiar with the latest camera equipment and technologies.
Intensive: The type of student who chooses Prague Film School comes to us because he or she has essentially only one year in terms of time or financial resources to cross from where he or she is in life at the moment into the world of professional filmmaking. We then have only one year to bring these students to a level of competence where they can operate professionally. As such the program is highly squeezed.
Faculty-student relations: Core faculty are brought in from around the world. While all teachers are accomplished professional filmmakers, their primary purpose in Prague is to teach students at Prague Film School. The dynamics are then what you find at exclusive boarding schools and small colleges in the U.S., where the teachers are highly devoted to their students and accessible. Faculty also embody the school’s ideology of integrating European art house with American independent cinemas.
Diversity of student body: In a student body of 50 students, 25-30 countries are represented. Nearly every other student is from a different part of the world, but there’s a sub-cultural glue binding them together. Students live and breathe film together.
Liberalism: Most students at our school have completed undergraduate studies, and see their time at film school as a cherished chance to wed their deep interests with a vocation. As such, the administration treats all students as responsible adults and trusts students to take full responsibility for their studies. The school does not interfere with students’ artistic choices.
Prague: Prague is one of those very rare cities that manages to combine cosmopolitism with intimacy and beauty. It’s magic is apparent to just about anyone fortunate enough to spend some time here.
What does early action application mean?
Applying by the early application deadline means that your application will be reviewed early. The main advantage of applying early is that admittance is substantially easier as there are more places available for fewer applicants. On the other hand, students accepted early must also confirm their participation in the program early.
Does Prague Film School offer financial aid?
No, the school does not directly provide financial aid. Students from Scandinavian countries can apply to their home countries for governmental study grants. UK students can seek loans from the career development loan organization. US and Indian students can get private loans from private banks in their home countries (we are not covered by the US governmental student loan program).
Can I work while in Prague?
Students not from the EU cannot work in Prague on a student visa. In any event, the program is more then full-time, making holding down a job an impossibility.
What’s the weather like?
Indian summer September and Octobers, cool and drizzly Octobers and Novembers, wintery Decembers, Januarys and Februarys with occasional snow, grey Marches, erratic Aprils, glorious Mays and Junes and standard continental Julys and Augusts.
Is Prague safe?
Yes. Cases of violent crime are almost unheard of. Petty theft (pickpotting) is an issue, but otherwise Prague is an extremely safe capital.
What kind of certification (or degree) does one receive after completing the year program?
Prague Film School is accredited by the Czech Ministry of Education under the rubric of professional training. Most of our students have completed undergraduate studies before attending our programs, and some come to us with Masters.
