The following are courses offered in the first semester of the year program:
• Core Courses (required - meet twice weekly):
Screenwriting - 3 credits, 48 contact hours
Directing - 3 credits, 48 contact hours
Cinematography - 3 credits, 48 contact hours
Editing - 3 credits, 48 contact hours
• Obligatory Workshops
Sound and Camera Movements Seminars - 1 credit, 12 contact hours.
• Elective Courses (students choose two - meet once weekly)
Photography for Cinematography - 1.5 credits, 24 contact hours
Film Analysis - 1.5 credits, 24 contact hours
Central and Eastern European Cinema - 1.5 credits, 24 contact hours
Acting for Directors / Directing Actors - 1.5 credits, 24 contact hours
Documentary Film Production- 1.5 credits, 24 contact hours
Documentary Film Theory and History - 1.5 credits, 24 contact hours
Film Shot as a Component of Film Language - 1.5 credits, 24 contact hours
Color Theory - 1.5 credits, 24 contact hours
Lighting - 1.5 credits, 24 contact hours
Computer Animation - 1.5 credits, 24 contact hours
Surrealism in European Film - 1.5 credits, 24 contact hours
Czech Language - 1.5 credits, 24 contact hours
(the above-mentioned elective courses are subject to change)
The semester program is cross-disciplinary, emphasizing the core disciplines of directing, cinematography, screenwriting and editing. Each student has the option to direct four film productions, the last one being his or her diploma film. The program is structured in a way that the four films made in the course of the semester reflect a gradual progression from the absolute basics of filmmaking to the successful completion of a well crafted film at the end of the semester.
Each stage of the process, from coming up with an idea for the script to titling in After Effects, is done under the constant supervision and co-operation of the faculty. Students at all times are encouraged to present their ideas in classroom discussions and they are offered advice and assistance to develop these ideas into solid films. These films are then evaluated on the basis of lessons taught prior to each, aimed at getting the student better with each film to the final diploma work. Students are also required to crew on other students' productions so each student has hands on experience, be it in sound, cinematography, direction, production, screenwriting or editing, yielding practical knowledge of each discipline inside out.
The well-equipped production department at the school keeps abreast of the day to day needs and queries of the students concerning locations, props, permissions, getting around the city, settling down or any other doubts that they might have.