The Masters in Cinema
High-quality training aiming for excellence in the audiovisual sector, going hand in hand with a solid knowledge of the entire filmmaking process.
Objectives
The program is based on the teaching of the variety of skills required to qualify for the profession of Director of Photography (or cinematographer). This is done via theoretical courses and practical workshops related to the creation of cinematographic images.
This field requires a range of knowledge and skills demanding an open and progressive training, covering all artistic and technical aspects of the creation and production of film images. Consequently, students are trained through exploring practices and fields closely related to the DoP’s work: assistant operating; D.I.T. on film sets; colour grading, colour-science and other continuously-evolving skillsets in the post-production of images.
Writing and directing roles are taught and practiced in the context of collaborative work, particularly focused on the Director of Photography/Director duo.
Taking into account multiple forms of video-making allows our graduates to adapt to contemporary and future technical and aesthetic developments and challenges; in feature films, both fiction and documentaries and television series, and also in music videos, advertising, corporate films or any other audiovisual production.
Principles
The guideline of our pedagogy is to constantly build bridges between scientific, technical and artistic subjects, as well as between theory and practice. Every semester, cross-disciplinary workshops put newly-acquired skill sets into perspective by combining working professionals and teachers to ensure the pedagogy.
The production of images and films punctuates the whole training. In parallel to the school’s training, each student’s desire to create is encouraged and developed through extra-curricular student led projects supported by the school.
Each student takes on the role of Director of Photography on at least one complete production during their studies at the ENS Louis-Lumière, from preparation to delivery. The relationship between the Director of Photography and the Director is most encouraged in creative work. Scriptwriting, directing, editing and post-production skills are strengthened through various productions.
Throughout the course, workshops are organised with a variety of participants: Directors of Photography, Directors, Screenwriters, Colorists, Editors, Production Designers, VFX Supervisors, Costume Designers, Make-up artists, Assistant Operators, Electricians, Grips and others.
Within the framework of collaboration with various partners, including EUR-ArTec, workshops, seminars, colloquia and conferences are organized to develop the research-creation axis within the school. Students are to take a mandatory internship in a production or post-production company (shooting, service providers, digital laboratories, productions).