Courses of studies – Overview

Film and Media Studies is an integral part of all the specializations of the Bachelor’s program Film as well as the Master’s program in Serial Storytelling and Digital Narratives and consist of a number of subjects:

Comparative Media Studies
The central aim of Comparative Media Studies is to provide media and cultural knowledge as well as analytical-hermeneutical and creative-productive capabilities in the context of audiovisual culture. The thematic focus lies on the media theoretical and practical consequences of digitization. In the process, students are encouraged to strengthen their sense of critical self-reflection and their capacity for independent creative action. The foundation modules in the first half of the program provide a basic knowledge of the modern history of media and arts, as well as their theories. Through a historical cross-section that covers all media, the modules in the second half of the program then investigate the central issues of aesthetic production and reception: practices of adaptation, factual storytelling between documentary and fiction, as well as the construction and transmission of audio-visual conceptions of humanity.
In the sixth semester a BA colloquium takes place once a month, which accompanies the bachelor theses of the students in media theory. The “theory on demand” is also available to students as an option.
In the MA Serial Storytelling and in the MA Digital Narratives, case studies are supplemented by media science courses and courses on the history of audiovisual narration, in which students learn to critically analyze audiovisual formats – as well as their own works – and to locate them in media science terms.

Film History and Film Analysis
What do films offer us to see and understand? This question is at the heart of Film History and Film Analysis. It explores the different dimensions and elements that touch, cross and merge paths in film: space and time, perspective and montage, picture and sound, light and color, on-and off-screen, and the perspectives of the characters, the camera and the audience. The subject reflects on the media conditions for cinematic aesthetics and investigates their historical transformation. Theoretical investigation through film history and film analysis is regarded as a laboratory where film is broken down into its single components and then reassembled. It is a place where students can sharpen their analytical skills particularly by deepening their understanding of how film works.
The first year of studies starts with an introduction to film history, which offers an overview of central innovations in film technology and developments in film aesthetics. The second course serves as an introduction to film analysis and deals with the essential elements of film scientific work. In the second year of studies, the first task is to grasp the transformation of cinematic forms as a spectrum of aesthetic differentiation. The focus here is on the renewal efforts of different film cultures and movements as well as on the film aesthetic innovations associated with them and expressed through them. In the third year, film historical and aesthetic questions about the approach to new cinematic styles and new media combinations will be explored in depth. The focus is on the discussion of the development of the film medium from the 1970s to the present.
Parallel to the Comparative Media Studies department, a BA colloquium will take place once a month in the sixth semester with an additional option for “theory on demand”.
In the MA Serial Storytelling and in the MA Digital Narratives, case studies are supplemented by media science courses and courses on the history of audiovisual narration, in which students learn to critically analyze audiovisual formats – as well as their own works – and to locate them in media science terms.

Storytelling and the ability to work in a team – that’s what the ifs film program is all about. The focus of the Bachelor’s program Film is to convey the artistic, theoretical and practical basic skills of professional filmmaking. This also includes a thorough understanding of what makes a film, as well as an understanding of story material, dramaturgy, artistic design, and production strategies. In the process of developing ideas and stories into screenplays and in the various filmmaking projects, students can creatively apply their acquired knowledge and skills in interdisciplinary teamwork. In the course of their studies, the film narratives and media implementations become more complex and demanding, thus enabling the students to gradually gain expertise in their selected specialization. The program is also designed to help students develop their own personality and find their own artistic style and voice.

Next application phase: from winter 2019/2020
Next start of studies: summer semester 2021

Subject Areas
The subject areas of the Bachelor’s program Film include Screenwriting and Dramaturgy, Directing – for fiction narratives in audiovisual media, Directing – for documentary narratives in audiovisual media, Creative Producing, Director of Photography – Feature Film, Director of Photography – Documentary Film, Editing Picture & Sound, VFX & Animation, and Production Design. From the subject area Film and Media Studies, the subjects Comparative Media Studies and Film History / Film Analysis are not only taught in the Bachelor’s program Film but also in the Master’s programs Serial Storytelling and Digital Narratives.

Study Modules
Specialization modules convey the artistic and technical expertise for the aspired occupation. In the Project modules, students complete projects from the idea to the finished screenplay or film. Comparative Media Studies modules and personal skills seminars transfer film and media theory knowledge as well as social and interpersonal skills.

BACHELOR’S PROGRAM FILM
Language of instruction: German
Application deadline: 21 September 2020
Start of studies: Summer semester 2021
Pre-selection (without the attendance of the applicants): November 2020 
Entrance examination (attendance required): 7 – 12 December 2020
Application Documents [PDF]

The application tasks can be uploaded to the application platform until September 21, 2020.
You will find the application plattforms for the specialization areas here: Screenwriting, Directing, Creative Producing, Director of Photography, Editing Picture & Sound, VFX & Animation, and Production Design

Specialization areas: Screenwriting, Directing, Creative Producing, Director of Photography, Editing Picture & Sound, VFX & Animation, and Production Design
Structure: full-time / start: every two years
Duration: 7 semesters
Graduation: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Language of instruction: GERMAN

Study Plan for the Bachelor’s program Film (cohort I)
Study Plan for the Bachelor’s program Film (cohort H)
Module Handbook for the Bachelor’s program Film
Course List for the winter semester 2018/19
Lecture Periods of the Bachelor’s program Film
Examination Regulations for the Bachelor’s program Film
Amendment of the Examination Regulations (of 2017)

Please find here the Course List for the winter semester 2018/19 of BA Film, MA Serial Storytelling and MA Digital Narratives.

The Master’s program Serial Storytelling helps young media professionals explore, conquer, and expand forms and methods of serial narration for TV and digital platforms. Accompanied by renowned series creators, dramaturges and media scholars, the students analyze the secrets behind the success of popular series and develop their own innovative series concepts. Series dramaturgy, character development, and collaborative writing processes such as the “Writers’ Room” are at the center of the practical work. In addition to narrative and media-theoretical content, the program also conveys the basics of transnational markets and new media platforms and supports the students in exploring innovative narrative forms, work structures, and distribution channels.

With the start of the second cohort, the Master’s program has been expanded to include a German »Track«, giving students the possibility to choose to focus on international or German series markets and develop their scripts accordingly in either German or English. The program is supported by partners such as RTL, Sky Deutschland and the Film Festival Cologne.

More information on the program

Lecture Periods of the Master’s program Serial Storytelling
Examination Regulations for the Master’s program Serial Storytelling

Start of Studies: September 18, 2019
Structure: full-time / every two years
Duration: 4 semesters
Graduation: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Language of instruction: ENGLISH

Please find here the Course List for the winter semester 2018/19 of BA Film, MA Serial Storytelling and MA Digital Narratives.

The Master’s program Digital Narratives is a full-time artistic-scientific program that places students’ narrative projects at the center of teaching.

The combination of theory and practice enables the development of innovative projects and a critical discourse on digitization. It is based on scientific and artistic research into their social, cultural, media-theoretical and technical contexts. From the outset, the program provides students with an international perspective that promotes their intercultural competence. This takes place on the content level, against the background of digitization as a global phenomenon, and through the international composition of the students.

More information on the program

Lecture Periods of the Master’s program Digital Narratives
Examination Regulation for the Master’s program Digital Narratives

Structure: full-time / every two years
Duration: 4 semesters
Graduation: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Language of instruction: ENGLISH

Please find here the Course List for the winter semester 2018/19 of BA Film, MA Serial Storytelling and MA Digital Narratives.

+++ Application until 10 May, 2020+++

The Master 3D Animation for Film & Games is an extra-occupational cooperative study program of the Cologne Game Lab and the ifs internationale filmschule köln. With this project-oriented, artistic-scientific further education course, CGL and ifs offer creative media professionals the opportunity to deal with the creative, technological and dramaturgical aspects of 3D animation across all media.

In addition to animated films and digital games, immersive technologies such as Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality are central contents of the study program and allow students to open up new artistic design spaces and thus new professional perspectives. In the age of converging media production, the demand for animated image worlds and thus also for the artists who create them is increasing. The program’s graduates are optimally prepared for these increasing challenges through a decidedly practical approach, close links with industry and a wide-ranging media-theoretical portfolio. At the same time, they are put in a position to help shape the future of the constantly expanding field of work between linear and non-linear productions.

More information on the program

Application deadline: 10 May, 2020
Start of studies: 28 September, 2020
Structure: extra-occupational / every year
Duration: 4 semesters
Graduation: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Language of instruction: ENGLISH
Residency: During the lecture period students will attend 12 hours of seminars, lectures and mentoring sessions per week on average. These will normally take place on Mondays (all day) and Wednesday evenings.
Application Documents [PDF]
Application Platform:application.colognegamelab.de/ma3d/

For professional filmmakers or film enthusiasts from related fields, the ifs offers a wide range of further education opportunities, from extra-occupational courses to workshops lasting several days. The participants receive everything they need for their further work: specific specialist knowledge, practical experience and the freedom to develop their creative abilities. With its flexible range of services, ifs is constantly realigning itself to developments in the film and television industry.

Here you will find further information about our further education offers.

HEAD OF STUDIES

Sunedria Nicholls-Gärtner
T +49 221.920188-220
s.nicholls-gaertner(at)filmschule.de

Opening hours:
Monday 3pm – 5pm (by appointment only)

OFFICE OF STUDENT AFFAIRS AND EXAMINATION OFFICE

Janina Jansen
Office of Student Affairs
T +49 221.920188-222
studierendenservice(at)filmschule.de

Tanja Loh
Examination Office
T +49 221.920188-223
pruefungsservice(at)filmschule.de

Opening hours:
Monday,Tuesday an Thursday 3pm – 5pm
Wednesday 9.30am – 12pm

FILM AND MEDIA SCIENCES

Marieke Steinhoff
T +49 221.920188-224
m.steinhoff(at)filmschule.de

STUDYING WITH IMPAIRMENTS OR CHRONICAL ILLNESS
On the website of our cooperation partner TH Köln (University of Applied Sciences) you will find helpful information on this topic The registration as a “regular student” at the TH Köln can be a prerequisite for using some of the offers of the TH Köln.