Production Design (D0N0014B)
Specialization of study programme Scenography
Production design is a specific creative field in which the knowledge of a scenographer regarding the script and dramatic space is combined with the profession of architect and designer. This profession is always a part of the team of the film crew. This specialization Scenography is open to graduates with at least a Bachelor's degree in scenography, architecture, or interior design.
Study Objectives
Production design is a specific creative field in which the knowledge of a scenographer regarding the script and dramatic space is combined with the profession of architect and designer. This profession is always a part of the team of the film crew. This specialization Scenography is open to graduates with at least a Bachelor's degree in scenography, architecture, or interior design. Candidates must pass talent assessments, present their previous projects and demonstrate their understanding of audiovisual production. The different profile of the admitted students, which is due to their previous education, is therefore individually developed by the teachers during their studies. The basic subject of the specialization is Production Design, in which the whole range of tasks that a film set designer encounters during his/her work is gradually practiced in a series of practical exercises. These assignments are both artistic and technical. So this course essentially covers a range of other subjects such as technical drawing, perspective imaging, construction technology, budgeting, and so on. In the course of study, the student is introduced to the history of the field and its main artistic and technical developments in both Czech and world cinematography. During the study, the student gains an overview of the artistic and technical possibilities of film set design, as well as the interconnection of this field with other professions of a film crew. The student gains a comprehensive knowledge of film production. Throughout the course of the study, emphasis is placed on the student's systematic and continuous work on individual projects so that the system simulates the real conditions in which set design is normally produced as closely as possible. The first two semesters are devoted to classical assignments so that students become familiar with the basic principles of the work of a film architect. In scope, both semester projects are similar to the work of a film architect on a smaller audiovisual work, involving interior work and the combination of interior and exterior. The third semester is devoted to the work of the set designer on the combination of real and virtual scenery, a very specific part of film set design. The fourth semester is devoted to the final master's thesis, which is conceived as a comprehensive design concept for a feature film. During the two years of this program, students collaborate with students of the FAMU international program on their exercises. This collaboration is always specified before the school year, based on the schedule of these exercises at FAMU studio. The study aims to master the scenic design for audiovisual production from all key aspects: artistic, technical, economic, and also production requests.
Profile of graduate
A graduate can:
-be a full member of the creative team of an audiovisual work
- use the acquired knowledge to create a design of the audiovisual work of different scales- use the acquired knowledge in the realization of the scenic design in the physical set.
- bring technical and economic solutions to the problems of the production design.
- hold all positions in the art department of a film crew, from set designer, illustrator, and production manager to the main production designer of the audiovisual work
Rules and requirements for creating study plans
The basic framework for the conception of study programmes at AMU is created by the AMU Rules of Quality Assurance System, specifying the basic principles of accreditation processes. The current practice is further formally anchored by the AMU Accreditation Rules. These set the parameters common to all study programmes taught at AMU and also transfer part of the responsibility for subject specifications (theatre, music, dance, film/television) to the faculties.
The curricula are drawn up in accordance with the AMU Attendance and Examination Regulations. On the basis of the specificities of higher artistic education, this document defines within the typology of subjects the required main subject (PH): this is a key artistic (or talent-based) core course, for which the assessment is always carried out on a commission basis and which does not allow for re-attestation. Another specificity of the curricula is the flexibility allowed in the distribution of credits (60 ECTS per academic year) between the winter and summer semesters, based on the greater workload associated with the completion of artistic outputs in the summer semester in some disciplines
The theoretical and historical background of the field is a compulsory part of all study programmes; these are compulsory core courses co-determining the profile of the graduate and forming part of the state final examination. Each study plan also includes compulsory completion of discipline-specific English language instruction, with a minimum of 6 ECTS per study cycle.
Courses completed by examination are graded on a scale from A to E (F = fail), while „pass/fail“ grades are used for other courses; a combination of the two types of assessment is not possible.
The standard length of a lesson is 45 minutes. The basic organizational forms of teaching are lectures, seminars, exercises, and workshops, the last three forms of teaching involve the creation of artistic outputs to varying degrees. Teaching takes place either on a weekly basis or in the form of intensive blocks or workshops.
The curriculum automatically assumes prerequisites in the form of sequences of courses, indicated by an ascending number after the course title. This type of prerequisite is not specifically mentioned in Part BIII for individual courses. If a course has a non-sequential prerequisite, it is explicitly listed in Part BIII for the course. In the same sense, we do not list prerequisites; these are determined by the mandatory inclusion of the course in a particular year and semester along with other courses.
The theoretical and historical background of the field is a compulsory part of all study programmes; these are compulsory core courses co-determining the profile of the graduate and forming part of the state final examination.
General information about admission process
Graduation from a bachelor's degree in scenography, architecture, or a related discipline, presentation of the applicant's original own works, successful passing of the practical talent test, and the entrance interview.
Applicability to other types of academic programmes
Doctoral studies at DAMU, FAMU, FF UK, FA ČVUT etc.
Parts of the state final examination and their contents
a/ A theoretical part of the thesis is divided into two parts. At the minimum 40 of pages, the student is describing the specific film genre which is close to his/her practical part of the thesis. The second part of the written thesis is dedicated to the description of the practical part of the thesis. This part includes a breakdown of the entered script/text. This description of the practical part of the thesis could be done on a minimum of 20 pages.
b/ A presentation and defense of the artistic concept of the chosen text. The presentation includes mood boards, a selection of key reference pictures, and between 20 to 40 color renderings of the key sets of the project.
As a part of this defense, the student is also presenting basic layouts (scale 1:50) and other technical drawings showing the way how the visual concept could be technically created.
c/ An defense of the thesis, which includes a theoretical reflection on the diploma project.
d/ A theory examination includes an examination of the subjects History of Scenography 1. - 4.
Other academic duties
Internal practice takes place in DISK theatre and FAMU studio. We have an agreement for external practice within the specialization of Theatre Scenography and we are preparing a contract with the National Theatre and with the Acting Studio (Činoherní studio) Ústí n. L., Divadlo na Zábradlí (Theatre on the Ballustrade, Prague), Divadlo Petra Bezruče (Ostrava). During the Summer semester of 2023, the agreements with other future partners will be in process. At the beginning of the MA course, future students will be informed about possible partnerships for external practice. The Department of Scenography will make all important arrangements for students‘ external practice. In the case of the specialization Production Design, these are individual arrangements when working on a specific film, usually with the student's supervising teacher. We are preparing an agreement with FAMU international, which has to be every academic year adjusted as per the number of students of this specialization and equally students of FAMU international program. The schedule will be always set as per individual arrangements between departments. When working on a specific film, students will be supervised by their head teacher.
Characterisation of professional practice
Internal practice takes place in DISK theatre and FAMU studio. We have an agreement for external practice within the specialization of Theatre Scenography and we are preparing a contract with the National Theatre and with the Acting Studio (Činoherní studio) Ústí n. L., Divadlo na Zábradlí (Theatre on the Ballustrade, Prague), Divadlo Petra Bezruče (Ostrava). During the Summer semester of 2023, the agreements with other future partners will be in process. At the beginning of the MA course, future students will be informed about possible partnerships for external practice. The Department of Scenography will make all important arrangements for students‘ external practice. In the case of the specialization Production Design, these are individual arrangements when working on a specific film, usually with the student's supervising teacher. We are preparing an agreement with FAMU international, which has to be every academic year adjusted as per the number of students of this specialization and equally students of FAMU international program. The schedule will be always set as per individual arrangements between departments. When working on a specific film, students will be supervised by their head teacher.
Anticipated job placement for graduates (typical employment)
Theatre Scenography
Scenic and costume designer for all types of theatres, including non-traditional spaces and site-specific, conceptual artist in the field of spatial design with a wide range of applications, set manager, author of exhibitions and museum installations, architect consultant in designing specifically demanding interior environments, in the reconstruction of theatre buildings, operational architect, stage manager.
Production Design
A graduate of this specialization can work on a cinematographic piece in a variety of positions in the art department of a film crew. The graduate can thus hold positions ranging from set designer to illustrator and set supervisor to the main production designer of the film. Graduates can also participate in video commercials, music videos, and in the computer game industry.
Accreditation validity
| Study programme valid from | Study programme valid to |
|---|---|
| 2023-01-19 | 2033-01-19 |