LIGHTING DESIGN (MA)

About the Study Program

The Master's degree in Cinematography, lasting two years, was created with the introduction of the Bologna process into higher education in the Republic of Croatia. The new curriculum has been enriched with various contents that align with the reformed organizational structure of higher education. Within this study program, three distinct specializations have been developed: Film and Video Cinematography, Photography, and Lighting Design.

The program is open to applicants who have completed undergraduate studies at the Academy of Dramatic Art, as well as those from other institutions, such as the Academy of Fine Arts, the Academy of Arts, the Faculty of Architecture, the Design Department at the Faculty of Architecture, the Faculty of Graphic Arts, Political Science (journalism studies), and other related fields. For these applicants, there is the possibility of creating an individual study program.

The Lighting Design specialization was established in 2008 and belongs to the youngest artistic fields in Croatia. The driving force behind the creation of the program was Full Professor Boris Popović, a cinematographer with extensive experience in lighting design for television, who was joined by Associate Professor Deni Šesnić, an expert in theatrical lighting design. This specialization thus spans a wide range of learning outcomes in theatrical, television, and concert lighting design.

From its inception, the specialization began inter-institutional collaboration with the Music Academy, the Academy of Fine Arts, and the Faculty of Textile Technology, with lighting design students actively participating in the realization of well-known operatic works in professional institutions such as the Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall, the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and others.

In 2014, the Department of Scenic Design was established, connecting the departments of Cinematography, Theatre and Radio Direction, and Acting, leading to even more fruitful collaboration on joint artistic and teaching productions.

The success of the specialization is best demonstrated by the fact that nearly all alumni of the Lighting Design Master's program have quickly become involved in professional work in Croatian theatres, film, or as independent artists, achieving significant results in artistic creation.

Career Prospects after Graduation

Upon completion of the Master's degree in Cinematography, students receive the academic title of Master of Cinematography (mag. art.). They possess knowledge, skills, and artistic competence in the areas of photography, film and electronic photography, and lighting design. Students' competencies, in addition to artistic and professional fields such as film, television, photography, and lighting design, are also expanded to the broader areas of visual design and participation in multimedia projects.