Basic Information
The Location of the school: Lodz, Poland
The URL or address of the official website: http://www.filmschool.lodz.pl/en/
Course titles (duration): MA consolidated studies (5 years)
The number of students admitted to each course: about 50 students (10 students every year)
Where we may check out the works of students and graduates: http://www.filmschool.lodz.pl/en/obrazy/
Interview with Krzysztof Rynkiewicz, Head of Animation Department, and Aleksandra Chrapowicka, PhD
1. Could you please give us an overview of the curriculum of the animation course?
Krzysztof Rynkiewicz and Aleksandra Chrapowicka: Over the duration of the course, there are a lot of practical and theoretical subjects. Each year of the course has a strictly defined practical and theoretical work program. During the five years of the animation course, the students make five short animation films under the artistic supervision of their professors who are professionally active filmmakers.
The practical subjects are:
Making of Animation Film, 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Visual Effects, Computer Animation, Puppet Animation, Film Soundtrack, Photography, Film Editing, Film and TV Production, Film Visual Arts, and Storyboard.
The theoretical subjects are:
The Contemporary Cinema, Philosophy, History of Polish Cinema, History of Animated Film, History of Fine Arts, Literature, English language, Screenwriting, and Physical Training.
2. What do you think are your unique characteristics or strengths?
Krzysztof Rynkiewicz and Aleksandra Chrapowicka: We offer a wide range of different subjects, including practical and theoretical subjects. Every year, students must make animation, a short movie, on any topic with the technology they prefer. During their studies, students, under the supervision of experienced and famous directors of animation films and artists from different areas of art, as well as specialists in film technology, receive the practical and theoretical knowledge needed in making animation and special effects.
Each year of the course has a perfectly defined practical work program. The students make animated films under the guardianship of the professors and superiors.
We teach the design and making of animation films (from pre- to post-production) and film special effects, as well as designing and making music videos and advertising films. They can be made on 35mm filmstock and in all magnetic formats, with the use of different types of digital and sometimes even analogue cameras (if the students wish, there are possibilities of using 35mm cameras) and different computer programs.
Our students acquire knowledge about artistic achievements over the years and knowledge about the latest technological innovations. On graduation, the students that presented their diploma films and thesis are granted the MA degree, allowing them to look for adequate employment in Poland or abroad, or commence an academic career. During the course of the studies we make workshops run by artists connected with animation and meeting with famous Polish and foreign artists.
3. What do you look for in prospective students? What characteristics or skills do you want your prospective students to have when they apply?
Krzysztof Rynkiewicz and Aleksandra Chrapowicka: We look for young people who are full of artistic energy. They are interested in animated films, how to make it, and lead narratives in animated film. They are also interested in different areas of art (like watching films, attending exhibitions and museums, and an interest in literature). They should have a rich imagination and artistic sensitivity. They know how to tell a story in the area of animation. We look at their artistic portfolio, so they should know how to draw and paint, not only realistic forms but also creatures of the imagination. They can also make sculptures and create puppets, for puppet animation.
4. Could you please let us know what is your vision of the career that prospective students can expect by learning from you?
Krzysztof Rynkiewicz and Aleksandra Chrapowicka: We offer a wide area of different subjects, which can help the students in their artistic career. They can be the directors of animation, graphic designers, animators, VFX, and computer games. They can work in the area of 2D and 3D animation.
As I mentioned, the course prepares students for the job of an animated film director, but they are also trained to work in television and theatre. For example, they can work as a costume designer, scenographer, making music videos or editing short films.
During five years of education, young people acquire a complete knowledge of the profession and the artistic skills very necessary to work as a professional animated film director, but most of them are stimulated to develop themselves as individual artists on the different areas of art.
