CINEMATOGRAPHY (BA)

About the Study Program

The undergraduate university program in Cinematography at the Academy of Dramatic Art, which lasts three years, combines practical, creative, technological, and theoretical experiences, offering students the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out simpler tasks in the fields of film, photography, television production, and new media. Students are introduced to the basic aesthetic and visual elements of photographic and film images, as well as the technological processes involved in their creation. The range of study topics includes understanding film language, film space, mastering exposure, sharpness, depth of field, camera angles, perspectives, camera movements, understanding lens angles, as well as atmospheric, visual, and lighting elements. Throughout their studies, students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary in the areas of cinematography, photography, lighting, and television lighting, with a focus on the visual component.

It is important to note that the Cinematography Department works closely with the Film and TV Directing Department on students' projects throughout the entire undergraduate program. Through this collaboration on projects, students gain experience working with a multi-camera system as camera operators or lighting designers for television tasks.

In the field of photography, students explore these topics in the photographic medium, producing static photographs on reportage, documentary, and artistic themes. Photography techniques are practiced in both digital format and a "darkroom," where students also process their photos using traditional photo-chemical methods in a classic photo-laboratory.

History and Tradition

The undergraduate program in Cinematography is the successor of the old tradition of the Film Cinematography study, which was conceived and launched in 1969 as a four-year program at the initiative of Nikola Tanhofer, a film director and cinematographer. Under the name Film and Television Cinematography, the program remained an undergraduate course until the 2005/2006 academic year, when it was aligned with the Bologna Process and became an undergraduate and graduate university program in Cinematography.

Career Prospects after Graduation

Upon completion of their studies, students earn the academic title of Bachelor of Cinematography (univ. bacc. art.). The knowledge and skills acquired during the Cinematography program will enable students to implement them in their own or collaborative artistic projects. They will be able to present ideas, analyze aesthetic and technical achievements, and contribute creatively as part of the production team in the creation of audiovisual or stage works.

After completing the undergraduate program in Cinematography, students are qualified to work as camera operators, photojournalists (photographers), lighting designers, camera operators, colorists/light readers, crane operators, and special effects cinematographers (animation). They can work as artistic collaborators in the field of light design, photography, and moving images in film, electronic photography, and cinematography.

After completing the undergraduate program, students can apply for the graduate program in Cinematography, provided they pass the entrance exam. The graduate program offers the following specializations: Film and Video Cinematography, Photography, or Lighting Design. The program can also be continued at other faculties and academies offering graduate programs related to film, multimedia, design, and journalism.