1 Year Filmmaking Course

Directing Specialisation

Our 1 Year Directing Course is practical, full-time, suitable also for beginners with no experience and taught on our campus in Prague, the Czech Republic. The program ends with qualification BTEC Level 4 HNC in Creative Media Industry (Film) which is equivalent to the first year of bachelor’s study. After completing this one-year program, you can seamlessly transition into our 1 Year Advanced Course to obtain BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma. This study program consists of two semesters and will teach you all you need to know to direct festival-worthy films of high production value. It includes internship on a film set, taking part in shooting up to 20 short films and scenes of different styles, as well as directing your own 2 festival-quality short films shot on high-quality filmmaking equipment (RED Gemini, RED Dragon, Alexa Amira or Sony F55). You will be required to learn all the basics of general filmmaking to make you understand the entire process from pre-production to post-production, which is crucial for kick starting your career in the film industry. The emphasis on directing specialisation is given mostly during practical workshops and shootings.

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Requirements
Price List
our value proposition

course highlights

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Up to 20 short film per study

During the course, you will practice your directing skills on up to 20 short films of different styles, create industry- standard showreel and present it to the panel of film professionals in a public cinema.

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Be Mentored by Film Practicioners

Small class sizes means more time with tutors and individual guidance on your projects. Our teachers are actively involved in the film industry and can offer tips on the latest trends in filmmaking. 

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Festival-worthy Films

During the study you will direct at least 2 festival-worthy films shot on the most popular cinema cameras such as RED Gemini, RED Dragon, Alexa Amira or Sony f55.

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Internship on a Film Set

You will get a chance to take part in filmmaking internship on a professional film set. The internship will grow your network of all-important contacts and set yourself apart in a very competitive career field. 

festival-worthy films

During the study you will invest most of the time developing films. Your main focus will be to produce at least 2 festival-worthy final films in cooperation with your classmates. You will have access to on-site located green screen and lighting studio and high-end filmmaking equipment at the value of more than 90 000 USD. Through guidance of your tutors, you will prepare your films on the same level as a professional film production.

Shooting at Film Set
what you will study

directing specialisation

Below you can see the basic topics which you will complete on the course. You will turn into practice all knowledge acquired in the classroom. During practical exercises, you will create industry-standard showreel and equip yourself with key skills for directing festival-worthy films of high production value. The curriculum of the 1 Year Directing Course is identical to the first year of the Bachelor in Filmmaking Transfer Program.

Mise-en-Scene Studies

Learn about everything that appears before the camera and the arrangement of composition, sets, props, actors and lighting.

Working with Cinematographers

Experience first hand the process of filmmaking as a director and closely collaborate with cinematographers through the entire process from pre production to post-production.

Directing Actors

Explore the processes on how to get the best possible performances from actors for your film.

Film Theory

Learn how to analyse films and get a deeper understanding of how to direct your own film.

Film History

Go through the basics of film history and understand how the pioneers of cinema created films.

Mood Boards

Create your own style in order to differentiate yourself in the competitive environment of filmmaking.

Master Classes

Learn directly from professionals from the film industry by listening to their personal experiences as filmmakers.

Consultations with Teachers

You will have consultations with your teachers in order to get best possible guidance for your final film.

Every Week Shooting

During the course you will be constantly improving your directing skills by directing up to 40 short films of different styles. You will be also allowed to use the video content for creating your high-quality showreel.

Directing of Festival-worthy Film

You will direct your own festival-worthy film m in which you  will go through all the phases of the film production from director’s point of view as follows:

  • Location Scouting
  • Casting
  • Production Design
  • Cooperation with Cinematographers
  • Directing on the Film Set
  • Post-production

OTHER MANDATORY MODULES

Cinematography

  • Principles of Camera and Lens Use in Cinematography
  • Basics of Safe Setup, Operation and Control of Cameras and Lenses
  • Roles & responsibilities in Camera Department
  • Combining Equipment 
  • Compositional Theory of Cinematography
  • Consultations with Teachers for the Final Film

Lighting

  • Features of Lighting in Cinematography in Creating a Visual language
  • Safe Setup, Operation and Control of Lighting Equipment
  • Presentation of Dailies/Rushes Demonstrating Different Approaches to Lighting

Scriptwriting

  • Writing to Theme
  • Writing Characters
  • Utilizing the Story Framce 
  • Dramatic Dialogue
  • Classic Narrative
  • Alternative Story Structures
  • Working with Genre
  • From Concept to Final Draft 
  • Consultations with Tutors for the Final Film 

 

Assistant Director

  • Movie Magic Software
  • Script Breakdown
  • Create Shooting Schedule According to Shot List
  • Call Sheets
  • Communication Between Departments
  • Problem Solving
  • Track Daily Progress Against Production Schedule

Color Grading

  • Data Management
  • Post-Production Workflow
  • DaVinci Resolve 1
  • Colour Theory
  • DaVinci Resolve 2
  • Practical Exercise

Production Design

  • Introduction to Production Design
  • Visualization Basics
  • Narrative and Décor
  • Shot Design, Style and Atmosphere
  • Mise-en-scene Project
  • Color Theory
  • Visual Language
  • Design Style
  • Props
  • Locations
  • Mood Boards
  • Story Boards
  • Set Design
  • Set Construction

Documentary Filmmaking

  • Research in Documentary Filmmaking
  • Still photos, footage newspapers, online articles
  • Letters, Journals, diaries
  • Archival Research
  • Government Documents
  • Production process
  • Observational Documentary
  • Character-Driven Documentary
  • Interview Style Documentary

Drone Cinematography

Production

  • Film Crew: Roles and Responsibilities
  • Basics of Line Producing
  • Introduction to the Business of Film
  • Film Financing
  • Project Planning
  • Line Producing
  • Project Development
  • Location Management
  • Business Development
  • Talent Management
  • Marketing & Distribution

Post-production

  • Usage of Editing Techniques for Different Production Contexts
  • Terminology and Different Movie Parts
  • Types of Shots
  • Continuity Editing
  • Parallel Editing
  • Montage/Jump Cut
  • Emotional Curve of the Scene
  • Timing and Pace
  • Bridging Scenes with Music
  • Cut by Color and Contrast
  • Cutting Dialogues
  • Editing for Different Genres
  • Color Grading in DaVinci Resolve Software
  • Sound Post-production
  • Basics of Visual Effects
  • Consultations with Teachers for the Final Film

Action Scenes

  • Security of action scenes
  • Specifics of shooting preparation
  • Stunt coordination
  • Directing shooting
  • Editing
  • Special Effects (SFX)

Czech Language Course

Underwater Filmmaking

  • Theory of Underwater Filmmaking
  • Underwater Filmmaking equipment
  • Shooting in a Swimming pool
  • Editing and Colorgrading of Underwater Footage

additional details

What To Bring?

We recommend that all new Prague Film Institute students purchase their own:

  • Portable external drive with minimum storage 2 TB
  • Laptop for self guided learning and post-production practice. Our goal is to teach students how to use their own computer for high quality results. Make sure that you choose a laptop which meets the minimum recommended specification. However, for tasks which requires specialist software tools, you will be also allowed to use Prague Film Institute’s computer equipment. 
ComponentMinimum RequirementRecommended Requirement
CPUIntel COre i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 or M1 PROIntel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9 or M2, M3
RAM12 GB32 GB+
GPU6 GB VRAM8 GB+ VRAM
Media StorageSSD or RAIDSSD, Direct Attached RAID or NAD RAID (10 GbE)

 

  • Budget for your films – our school emphasizes the importance of practical learning by making films. Unlike standard classroom education, the cost of practical filmmaking can vary a lot depending on your script and the vision of the director and cinematographer. For teacher-led workshops the school will cover all or most production costs. However, for shooting of your own films you and your classmates must pay yourselves. As part of our curriculum we will teach you how to be resourceful when it comes to production expenses. Even with clever budgeting, we estimate that you will need approximately 5 – 10 000 CZK per semester for shooting your projects and on top of it a budget for your final films at the end of each semester. The school will provide for you a bundle of filmmaking equipment and a transportation van, but all other production costs will be your responsibility. We encourage you to plan carefully about the budget of your short film. Write or choose a script that matches the funds you have available to produce it.

What is Included

We understand that by choosing to study with us you are making a big financial commitment. We want to make sure you understand exactly what your tuition fee will cover when you decide to become a Prague Film Institute student.

  • Lectures, workshops & master classes
  • Teaching materials
  • Qualification BTEC HNC Level 4 in Creative Media Industry (Pathway Film)
  • Equipment (see more here)
    • Industry standard cinema cameras & equipment
    • Full editing suite with post-production software
    • Individual licence to Premiere Pro/Da Vinci/AVID Pro Tool
    • School car for student projects
  • Green-screen and cinema room on-site
  • Professional film internship for high-achieving students
  • Field trips to industry partners
  • Discounts at our industry partners

Not Included

  • Air fare
  • Visa fee & health insurance
  • Living expenses (housing, food, transportation)
  • Production cost for your films (such as locations, actors, fuel) 

Hovewer Prague is still cheaper than many European cities. The capital offers very safe living environment with high rating in housing and healthcare.

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