Extension studies for filmmakers and cinematographers
“Lifelong learning” – there is scarcely a field where this term is as crucial as in film technology. Accordingly, in the 2007 Exchange Processes competition, HFF Munich won a Special Award from the Ministry of Home Affairs for the founding of a film study center, the Studienzentrum für Filmtechnologie (SFT). One of the pillars of this institute – along with the industry forum, the research program, and film technology history – is extension studies.
Our Extension Studies program is tailored to the needs of anyone interested in film technology, at all levels. Those seeking to refresh their film technical knowledge attend the theoretical and practical seminars and Film Technology Days. Rounding out the range of instruction, expert workshops address the needs of experienced filmmakers. Some seminars build on the knowledge of previous seminars, but they can be booked on a modular basis. This way everyone can fill his or her own knowledge gaps.
Please find here the results of our latest research program: Teaching Cinematography Survey English
For English speaking partcipants, in 2018 we had three great events:
Meet the Oscar winner: Q&A with Roger Deakins, September 28th, 18.30-20.30 AudimaxX HFF
Meet the David Sarnoff Gold Medal winner and SMPTE Fellow Charles Poynton: Colour Science for Digital Cinematography.
A week of Hands on classes March 19th-23rd. IMAGO and HFF Munich had planned this week dedicated to “Teaching and learning cinematography” at Munich Filmschool. Find a report here and the full schedule here.
Hands on xK international
5 days international Masterclasses March 19th -23rd 2018
Supported by the Hubertus-Altgelt-Stiftung, there was the first Hands on xK international at HFF - 5 days of national and international Masterclasses.
We used Munich Filmschool’s studios, cinemas, seminar rooms and post-possibilities from March 19th-23rd, we had great cameras, lenses, monitors and light to use and test from the manufacturers (plus technicians to advise, especially if cameras weren’t well known yet such as the Venice or ARRI LF big format cameras) , so we had a set of parallel masterclasses daily:
- 4-5 Camera, Light, Lenses, Colorgrading classes ( f.e. with Nina Badoux, Benjamin B, Prof. Axel Block, Tony Costa, Tahvo Hirvonen, Jean-Paul Jarry, Christofer Kempel, Marijke van Kets, Jannicke Mikkelsen, Uli Mors, Stefan Runge, Prof. Dr. Peter C. Slansky and - last but certainly not least Roberto Schaefer (ASC) and hopefully David Stump (ASC))
- 3 Postproduction classes
- 2 Clasess “Sustainability” – Green Production
- 2 VR-classes
- 2 General classes “Imagefilm” and “One person show – VJs knowledge”
Camera topics were:
- Big format filming (ARRI LF, Venice, RED Monstro)
- Anamorphics
- Colour and Texture
- The right balance between lighting and color grading
- HDR Lab - Lighting, Measuring, Filming, Grading HDR
- CAMERA, WORKFLOW & CREATIVITY
- 360° Sound & Camera
- Sustainability in Film: Lighting with LED versus traditional light, "Green Shooting"
- Masterclasses light
- VFX - Greenscreen shooting and Post
- Phantom Highspeed
- Copters & Gimbals
Plus Film screenings, Masterclasses and gatherings in the evenings.
Since the masterclass teachers - and all film teachers! - were invited to join in their colleague's lectures, like last year we had great situations of co-lecturing in its best way - f.e. a studio shoot talking about texture with Philippe Ros (DOP) + DAvid Stump (DOP) + Andi Minuth (Colourist) + Isabelle Voinier (HD MakeUp Specialist) plus other film teachers and Film Masterstudents.
Admission fee 1300,-€ + 19% VAT for 5 days (300,-€ one day) of Hands on Workshops, mostly in small groups, 33% reductions for freelancers who are members of professional filmtechnical associations booking before February 22nd 2018.
OR "Teach & Learn" - film teachers could offer an own workshop and participate for free in other workshops
Sponsored places for Film Master students
5 days international Masterclasses March 19th -23rd 2018
Supported by the Hubertus-Altgelt-Stiftung, there were 25 sponsored placed for media students - they could aply for a grant to visit the Masterclasses for free.
• a short letter of motivation (< ½ page)
• a short CV
• a copy of your students card
• 3-5 self shot photos or stills from own movies
to sft(at)hff-muc.de
Cinematography and Editing Forums
Speaking with the makers!
An established tradition are the Cinematography and Editing Forums at HFF Munich. Here, discussion is focused not on the content of a film but on its production process. You are cordially invited to to join in! Send us an e-mail to sft@hff-muc.de for more information. There shall be two camera forums in the Hands on week!
Surveys "Teaching Cinematography" and "Request to manufacturers"
2 surveys for YOU if you are a film teacher, filmmaker, cinematographer, post-production manager/supervisor, colorist, DIT, AC
https://www.umfrageonline.com/s/Teaching_Cinematography
Or you are a filmmaker, cinematographer, post-production manager/supervisor, colorist, DIT, AC and want to help IMAGO technical committee to not just moan about changes but improve the "fight agains the machine" by asking the manufacturers for some adjustments or improvements with one united, strong voice?
https://www.umfrageonline.com/s/Manufacturers_request
A study center draws its success from its students. Take the challenge of keeping on the ball, remaining up to date on new technologies and trends. We look forward to welcoming you at the new HFF.
For more information on the founding, structure and tasks of the Study Center for Film Technology (SFT), click HERE.
Results Lens Survey
Lenses are one of the most important tools to create a “Look” in films. Understandably, object lens manufacturers are working to perfectionate lenses by eliminating optical artefacts and maximising sharpness etc. But which lenses would the USERS, the camera people, really want to work with? What are their priorities and needs?
In times of digital cameras, the choice of filmstock or fotochemical processes to influence the look of a picture while recording has vanished. On the other hand, Digital Colour Grading has become more and more important – a part of the production chain that can often not or not completely be influenced by the DOP. Has the lens therefore become one of the last possibilities to create a photographic look? The next big changes in filmtechnology are unstoppable on their way – the development to even more picture quality with 4K/8K or UHD. What are the consequences for the development of new lenses?
In May 2014, the Center of Advanced Studies of Film and Television Technology wanted to answer this question together with the community of lens-users in order to start a communication in between picture designers and lens developers. Here are the results of this survey.