Department IV - Film and Television Documentary
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Professor Dr. Gerhard Fuchs
Professor Heiner Stadler
The Film and Television Documentary department trains directors, commissioning television editors and auteurs for all areas of narrative documentary, television journalism, news reporting and docudrama. Experimental productions on film and video, and fiction film projects round out the spectrum.
The curriculum for the eight-semester program is based on the experience that practical film and television work can only be learned through practice. Accordingly, the basic course of studies focusses primarily on the craft of film-makers and television journalists, whereas the main course of studies takes an in-depth look at the various film and program forms. It is during the main course of studies that students specialize in the particular discipline that best suits their interests and talent.
The curriculum is composed of practical exercises, seminars and lectures, group analysis of film and television productions, and includes the production of a total of four films, with freely chosen topics. Students are encouraged to collaborate on the production of their fellow students' films.
a) Basic course of studies (4 semesters):
- production methods and style tendencies of renowned documentary filmmakers and television journalists
- classic documentary films
- introduction to film history
- the practice of television journalism, program development, research
- treatment and screenplay development in documentary filmmaking
- shot breakdown in documentary film
- camera work in all documentary genres
- editing and montage practice in documentary film
- fundamentals of directing
During the basic course of studies two films are produced: a short film at the end of the first semester and a documentary film by the end of the fourth semester.
b) main course of studies (4 semesters):
- film theory for film practice
- story development and screenplay
- television journalism
- staging and direction
- film music and sound design
During the main course of studies, two films are produced: the main exercise film and the graduation film. Students can select from a number of different discipline areas, according to their individual interest.
· observing documentary
· ethnological film
· major reportage
· fiction short
· docudrama
· film essay
· experimental film
Students interested in the specializations Cinematography or Screenplay in combination with the department Film and Television Documentary program will find additional information in those sections.