Are you looking for a film school in Germany? If yes, then you should definitely check out our top film schools in Germany.
The German film industry has long been considered one of the most important industries in Europe. In recent years, however, the country has seen a decline in its film production. This has led to a decrease in jobs and a rise in unemployment rates.
However, the German government is now working to change this trend. They want to increase their film industry and attract new talent to the industry. As part of these efforts, they have launched several initiatives aimed at improving the quality of filmmaking in the country.
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What you will learn in a film school
These top film schools in Germany teach you about the different aspects of filmmaking and these different aspects include screenwriting, cinematography, editing, sound, acting, directing production management, and budgeting.
- Screenwriting – Screenwriting is the process of crafting narratives for the screenplay format, which focuses on the gestures, facial expressions, and dialogue of your characters.
It is a written text that provides the basis for film production. This talks about the description, and what makes it reasonable.
- Cinematography – Cinematography refers to the general composition of a scene, the lighting of the set or location, the choice of cameras, lenses, filters, and film stock, the camera angle and movements, and the integration of any special effects. it’s also the different points of view the camera can take.
- Editing – Editing is the process of Joining shot to shot and combining the video. It is crucial because it allows for the seamless blending of sounds and visuals, which helps us feel emotionally involved and occasionally as though we are actually in the movie.
- Sound – Sound is important because the audience is engaged by sound, which aids in the delivery of information, boosts production value, elicits emotional reactions, highlights what’s on screen, and is used to convey mood.
- Acting – Acting is an activity in which a story is told using its execution by an actor or actress who adopts a character.
- Directing – Directing is the arranging or contributing to the cinematography, the sound, and the editing of the scenes for a movie. The director is in charge of bringing /organizing the crew together.
- Production management – The production manager is the one that manages the work, tasks, logistics, and processes that contribute to the successful completion of a movie.
- Budgeting – Budgeting refers to the process where the production management prepares a budget for a film production that will be used in acquiring the script, payment to the actor/actress, and production costs.
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What you need to know before enrolling in a film school
A lot of people decide to go into filmmaking for different reasons including attractive salaries, thoughts of acting, directing, and lots more, but there are some important things you should be aware of before deciding to enroll in any of these top film schools in Germany.
Some of the important things to note before enrolling in any of the top film schools in Germany include:
- Accepting Your Genuine Perspective – Your distinct viewpoint is what top film schools in Germany are seeking. Accepting the experiences in your life is a good approach to enriching the tales you intend to tell.
You will be required to tell the film school about yourself and how you differ from the other applicants.
You should be able to give yourself the chance to gather insights that can show in your application, whether you intend to go far or become more involved in the neighborhood.
- Self-expression – Self-expression is very important, you must first master the craft of storytelling from the technical aspects of grammar and language to film language.
You don’t have to be an accomplished screenwriter to attend any of the top film schools in Germany; in fact, that’s one of the main reasons why you can take a writing class.
- Showing your versatility – When you’re enrolling in any of these top film schools in Germany, there’s a lot about yourself that you can bring out to show how good and experienced you are; volunteering, previous professional experience and hobbies beyond film can show your versatility.
- Attending Acting class – Attending acting classes helps to bring different individuals to work together as a team and you will also get to meet new people and adapt.
- Practicing – Practicing is very important in acting so u can become a better applicant as they say practice makes perfect.
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Benefits of attending any of the top film schools in Germany
What are the benefits of going to any of the top film schools in Germany? Is it worth it?
The top film schools in Germany offer students a variety of courses, from acting to directing to cinematography. They also provide opportunities for internships and jobs after graduation.
A film school can teach you valuable skills that can put you ahead of other applicants. If you want to pursue a career in filmmaking, consider enrolling at any of these top film schools in Germany.
Some of the benefits of attending a film school include:
- Boosting your confidence – People have bad theatre experiences because they are dealing with stage fright or are naturally shy, attending acting classes is the best thing because you will be asked to identify your comfort zone, these classes help you access your safe zone.
It’s fun to practice with others you won’t even notice that you are gradually boosting your confidence and you will be able to overcome stage fright.
- Good communication – Everyone in the acting class must listen, take notes, and interact with one another to communicate successfully.
These classes insist that we consider the situation carefully and understand it before acting.
Actors must be alert and receptive to signals and speech while performing on stage. Listen to the sentence before yours before delivering your own. communication is very important for success.
- Learning to adapt and overcome – Through acting classes, you may test your concepts in a secure environment and refine them.
The investigation of the inner self and all it has to give the outside world will be encouraged by your facilitator, who will make sure that everyone in the group has access to this safe environment.
- Learning to work as a team – Working in a group, no matter how big or little is never easy. It takes a group to perform.
The actors must construct the sets, write the plays, design the costumes, and put the whole thing together.
- Relieving Stress – Acting classes will allow you to show your emotions like anger, frustration, hatred, shame, and despair.
These acting classes will remove guilt from negative emotions and allow you to be a more positive, and a better version of yourself.
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The List of top film schools in Germany
Here are the top film schools in Germany:
- MetFilm School Berlin
- Catalyst
- Deutsche Film- und Fernsehakademie Berlin
- Internationale Filmschule Köln
- Academy of Media Arts Cologne
- University of Television and Film Munich
- University of Europe for Applied Sciences
1. MetFilm School Berlin
MetFilm School Berlin is one of the oldest film studios in Europe. Film productions have been held there since the Weimar Republic. Students can experience a functional film studio first-hand because of the school’s location, which also puts them in the middle of the city.
The institution supports students in developing their portfolios in all areas of visual media, including television, short and long-form video production, and digital media, to name a few. Additionally, students are guided by working professionals in the field and are even given access to Berlin’s YouTube Space.
Courses offered in MetFilm School Berlin include Three-Month Practical Filmmaking, Four-Week Creative Editing, Two-Day Intensive Filmmaking, Eight-Week Directing, Four-Week Creative Sound, Four-Week Cinematography, Four-Week Filmmaking, and Eight-Week Documentary Filmmaking.
Undergraduate Programs:
- DipHE Practical Filmmaking
- CertHE Practical Filmmaking
- BA (Hons) Practical Filmmaking (2 years
Post-graduate Programs:
- MA Documentary and Factual
- MA Directing
- MA Cinematography
The tuition fees in MetFilm School Berlin vary depending on the type of program:
- Short courses range between $370 and $6,150
- BA programs range between $19,050 and $49,150
- MA programs range between $20,275 and $24,000
2. Catalyst Berlin
Catalyst is a study center located at the renowned Funkhaus in Berlin. Catalyst, one of the top German universities available, has a partnership with the University of St Marks and St Johns in the UK and focuses on film and sound. They Offer both month-long courses and full Master of Arts (MA) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) programs.
The majority of the work will be immersive and hands-on, so students may anticipate doing more work than just learning.
They will gain the necessary networking and social skills in addition to mastering the technical and creative components, giving them the tools they need to flourish after completing their studies. Project-based learning is very much a focus of Catalyst.
Courses offered include:
- Creative Production Masters in Film
- Screen Acting
- Film Production
- VFX, Digital Arts & Animation
- Electronic Music Production & Performance
- Creative Production Masters in Music
- Summer Short Courses
- Creative Audio Production & Sound Engineering
The tuition fees in Catalyst vary depending on the type of program:
- 4-week courses range between $2,400 and $2,765
- Certificates range between $11,050 and $14,435
- BA Degree range between $11,670 and $14,435
- MA Degree full-time range between $12,285 and $14,435
3. Deutsche Film- und Fernsehakademie Berlin
One of Germany’s first cinematography schools is the Deutsche Film- und Fernsehakademie Berlin (DFFB), often known as the German Film and Television Academy Berlin. After finishing their 4-year curricula, graduates of the school get certificates rather than degrees.
The academy is set up so that the first five semesters of a student’s education, the first half of their education are devoted to teaching them the fundamentals of filmmaking, acclimating them to their area of concentration, and studying methods of filmmaking through actual creation.
The student’s area of concentration is the focus of the second half, which also includes seminars, individual projects, and submitting a graduation project.
The DFFB offer the following courses:
- Screenwriting
- Cinematography
- Directing
- Producing
- Editing & Sound
DFFB is a public university, they have mandatory annual registration fees, equipment insurance fees, and public transit fees which costs $600 – $735 per academic year.
4. Internationale Filmschule Köln
You can locate the Internationale Filmschule Köln (International Film Scchool of Cologne) just outside of Berlin (IFS). IFS offers all 7 of its bachelor’s degrees in German, which is worth noting. Three of the four master’s degree programs are available in English.
The programs offered include:
- Directing (BA)
- Editing Picture & Sound (BA)
- 3D Animation for Film & Games (MA)
- Digital Narratives (MA)
- Serial Storytelling (MA)
- Production Design (BA)
- Screenwriting (BA)
- VFX & Animation (BA)
- Entertainment Producing (MA)
- Creative Producing (BA)
- Director of Photography (BA)
Students will gain valuable filmmaking experience from a variety of fields when combined with a faculty made up of professionals from the international industry.
Their classes are smaller, which fosters intense mentoring and teamwork between teachers and students. The workload for students is difficult and individualized. They admit new students every two years.
The tuition fees:
- MA Degree range between$1,500 and$3,250 for Europe citizens
- MA Degree range between $3,075 and$5,225 for non-Europe citizens
5. Academy of Media Arts Cologne
At the Academy of media arts Cologne, students strike a balance between their study, networking, and practice.
Students learn about all facets of filmmaking through the diverse range of roles. Additionally, working with festival organizers, industry veterans, and even other local and foreign universities helps to prepare each academy graduate for a future in business after graduation.
They offer the following course:
- Sound design
- Directing
- Cinematography
- Animation
- Public art
The Academy of Media Arts Cologne is another academy located in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia. It differs from others because it only provides one curriculum for all levels.
For undergraduate students, the Media and Fine Art Diploma 1 is a 9-semester curriculum; for postgraduate students, Diploma 2 is a 4-semester program.
The majority of their courses are taught in German, and they also offer a Ph.D. degree.
It is a public school and the tuition fee is about $330 – $405 per semester.
6. The University of Television and Film Munich (HFF)
Once you are of age and speak German you can apply to study at the University of Television and Film Munich (HFF) with the understanding that their diploma is not equal to a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree.
It is located in Munich, Bavaria, and the University of Television and Film Munich (HFF in German) differs from the other schools in this list as it exclusively offers diplomas in German.
The programs offered include:
- Image Design (VFX)
- Directing for Cinema and Television Film
- Documentary Film and Television Journalism
- TV Journalism
- Advertising
- Creative Writing
- Serial Storytelling
- Image, Light, and Space
- Production and Media Management
- Screenplay
- Image Design (Cinematography)
They charge students a fee of $144.40 – $200 per semester for union and public transit.
7. The University of Europe for Applied Sciences
The University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE), which has campuses in two cities, provides all of its programs in English in Berlin and most of its programs in German in Hamburg.
Students majoring in film and motion design create portfolios in both classic and modern filmmaking techniques, such as 3D modeling, visual music, CGI, animation, etc.
They will utilize all the cutting-edge facilities and space UE has to offer while fusing theory and practice to complete their projects.
Programs offered include:
- Illustration (BA)
- Film + Motion Design (BA)
University of Europe is a private university and its tuition fee is $9,310 (~ $11,450) for European citizens and $12,110 (~ $14,900) for Non-European citizens.
Are you considering attending one of the top film schools in Germany? Then you should consider any of these schools.
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FAQs
Does Germany have good film schools?
Wondering if Germany has good film schools? The history of art, art movements, and artistic expression in Germany is extensive. It should come as no surprise that Germany is home to some of the top universities for film and photography.
The education and training are provided in many ways at the leading film schools in Germany. While some are shorter studies, others are degree programs.
They all share a dedication to excellence and thorough educational programs. Some of these will be carried out in German, while others might have research available in other languages, such as English.
Is filmmaking a good career?
Yes, in a nutshell, is the answer to that. In the modern era, being a filmmaker is more advantageous than detrimental.
Additionally, a variety of factors have helped create the current golden age for aspiring filmmakers.
First off, the proliferation of digital streaming platforms has not only made it simple for individuals to watch content in the comfort of their homes and offices, but it has also given ambitious filmmakers new opportunities to produce movies and television shows that they are passionate about.
Conclusion:
Now that you are aware of Germany’s top film schools, you can begin pursuing your career.
Additionally, because the schools provide hands-on training to prepare you for the industry, these top film schools in Manchester are the best option to turn that passion for filmmaking into a reality. We sincerely hope you can fit into one of them and wish you luck as you pursue your career.