ifs internationale filmschule köln is part of a European consortium to form the European Joint Masters Degree in Sound called EMAS

Beginning in January 2015, the European Master of Arts in Sound (EMAS) will be the first European joint master in sound and the first master in sound as an artistic discipline. Created by a consortium of European universities, film schools, art schools and arts organizations, the overall aim of the course is to produce practitioners to work in the creative industries, who are not only highly skilled but also individual, creative, critically aware, innovative and professional in their approach. By producing graduates with this combination of attributes, EMAS will fulfil its objective to enable people who have something ‘to say’ to communicate this effectively with their audience.

What is EMAS?
EMAS is a two-year MA in Sound, an intensive education in the creative potential of sound both of itself and as part of a multi-media practice. The innovative curriculum emphasises creative development alongside technical craft and embraces research as an essential component in this process.
Currently, a steering group is developing the curriculum with the support of the European Commission. The group is called Sound in Audiovision (SIAV) and comprises members from Aalto University, Finland; Nederlandse Film en Televisie Academie, Netherlands; ENSATT, France; Festival International du Film d'Aubagne, France; Flanders International Film Festival, Belgium; ifs internationale filmschule köln, Germany; KASK and Conservatory / School of Arts Ghent, Belgium and The School of Sound, UK. More information about the origin of EMAS can be found here.

Why is it needed?
Sound is at the heart of our perception of the world. It defines and clarifies our experience in time and space. Sound is both informative and affectual. It can give us information but, more importantly, sound makes us feel, physically and emotionally.
While there are countless courses teaching how to interpret visual information, from medieval painting to modern advertising, sound is a relatively unexplored field of study. And, although academic studies do explore the theoretical and conceptual sides of audio production, sound is generally considered a technical, rather than aesthetic, subject. EMAS aims to address this imbalance through an integration of practice and theory continuously fed by theoretical, critical and conceptual thinking. In this way, it will teach sound as a discipline in itself as well as in relation to screen production, dance, theatre, radio, architecture and other arts and media.
We strongly believe that this can be achieved most effectively as a joint degree, taking full advantage of the diversity of research and working practices across Europe and assimilating them into one educational program. This collaboration between European schools, creative industries and professional practitioners and artists will address the need for new skills – both technical and creative - demanded by rapid technological, economic and social developments. By combining research and education in this unique curriculum we will enable graduates to flourish within this creative and technological evolution.
Additionally, the EMAS curriculum encourages mobility within Europe by requiring the students to study at one of the partner schools or with an associated artist or practitioner. This form of international education stimulates new creative thinking while encouraging more job opportunities for graduates on the European labour market. Likewise, the teachers benefit through interaction with a much more diverse group of students as well as with a broader circle of educators than they would normally experience.

Who is EMAS for?
Our target group is artists, creators and professional practitioners who want to develop their knowledge and skills in sound within an audio-visual context. We will welcome applications from anyone who already uses sound or is interested in exploring the field of sound to incorporate into their artistic practice.
Students will be selected first and foremost on their creative abilities, coupled with a passion for their chosen medium. Technical abilities are important, but providing there is a good level of basic competence these skills can be taught. Recent graduates, experienced professionals or those without a formal academic background will all be welcomed as we look for a diverse group of students who can learn together and inspire one another.
The strength of EMAS is that students can access the expertise of different institutes and exchange ideas on a European level. Students will have the possibility to develop their own projects within a multicultural environment, providing them with fundamental insights into the diversity of European thinking. Even though the course will be taught in English, the variety of European philosophic and artistic traditions is at the heart of this MA.

When does it begin?
The EMAS partners are now developing the curriculum with the aim of accepting applications in 2014 and classes beginning in January 2015.
If you would like to be kept informed about EMAS and receive periodic newsletters, send your name, your organisation’s name and email address, to:
Lieva Reunes
Administrative Coordinator SIAV
lieva.reunes@hogent.be
More Information about the curriculum can soon be found here.