Film

About this programme

Semster 1

As an exchange student in Film at HKU in semester 1, you will explore filmmaking through research, experimentation, collaboration and engagement with contemporary social and cultural themes.

In the Society module, you will investigate power and social systems through field research, film analysis, theoretical research and practical filmmaking. Starting from your own perspective, you will explore socially relevant themes and develop ideas for audiovisual narratives. Through workshops, supervision and group work, you will experiment with different filmmaking methods and translate your research into film tests, concepts and collaborative audiovisual work. You will also reflect on the theoretical context of your practice and develop your skills as an independent and socially engaged maker.

Alongside Society, you will take part in Visual Arts and the Great Mercantile Spirit, a semester-long module exploring Dutch cultural heritage, art, design and architecture. You will visit places and institutions such as the Rijksmuseum, EYE Filmmuseum, Nxt Museum and Het Nieuwe Instituut, and encounter the work of artists, designers and architects including Daan Roosegaarde and MVRDV. Inspired by a Dutch icon, place, artwork or person, you will develop your own research-based project, resulting in a short film, podcast or other visual work reflecting your fascination with the Netherlands.

You will also choose one of two elective modules: Medialabs or Seminar. In Medialabs, you can explore another area of the Media field and experiment with new technical, conceptual, research and professional skills while working alongside students from other Media pathways. Alternatively, the Seminar offers an intensive two-week programme in which you step outside your own discipline and explore different materials, disciplines, working methods and creative approaches together with other students.

Together, these modules offer a varied semester in which you can develop your filmmaking practice, work across disciplines, explore Dutch culture and society, and discover new creative perspectives while studying at HKU.

Programme for exchange students Film semester 1 (start September)

Module descriptions

1. Click on this link.
2. Copy and paste the module codes into the 'course ID/name' field

Semester 2:

In the second semester, you will challenge your creative comfort zone, explore new perspectives and investigate how your choices as a filmmaker can create a meaningful effect on an audience.

In Project 2B, you will explore socially relevant themes starting from your own interests and develop these into an audiovisual project. Rather than beginning with a fixed format, you will work from the question: What effect do you want to create in your viewer? This encourages you to move beyond familiar ways of working and experiment with new forms, genres and dramaturgical approaches.

Together with a group of fellow students, you will develop and produce an audiovisual project. This can take many forms, such as fiction, documentary, installation, video mapping or another audiovisual format. A clear target audience and intended effect are central to the creative process. Along the way, you will conduct individual research, develop a concept collaboratively, engage in a panel discussion with external experts and work with feedback through the Critical Response Process. The semester culminates in the production and presentation of the final audiovisual work, including consideration of its distribution.

Alongside Project 2B, you will take part in Visual Arts and the Great Mercantile Spirit, a semester-long module exploring Dutch cultural heritage, art, design and architecture. Through visits to places and institutions such as the Rijksmuseum, EYE Filmmuseum, Nxt Museum and Het Nieuwe Instituut, you will discover both historical and contemporary Dutch visual culture. Inspired by a Dutch icon, place, artwork or person, you will develop your own research-based project, resulting in a short film, podcast or other visual work reflecting your fascination with the Netherlands.

Together, these modules offer a varied semester combining filmmaking, research, collaboration and cultural exploration. You will have the opportunity to step outside your familiar way of working, experiment with new perspectives and forms, develop your professional skills and discover how audiovisual work can actively engage and affect an audience.

Programme for exchange students Film semester 2 (start February)

Module descriptions

1. Click on this link.
2. Copy and paste the module codes into the 'course ID/name' field.

Competencies

• You can make authentic visual work that comes from research and in which the artistic vision becomes visible. The visual work creates meaning and stems from the personal ambition of the student.
• You can examine your own work and working method and that of others by considering, analyzing, problematising, positioning and assessing it.
• You can actively and critically relate to the context in which you find yourself in your work.
• You can independently and actively contribute to the creation of an artistic product or process in a partnership.
• You can set up and maintain an inspiring and professional work situation.
• You can continue to develop and deepen your own work and working method and thereby contribute to the development of the profession, the discipline, the culture and society.
• You can articulate your ideas, concepts, work, working method and artistic vision for professionals and the public inside and outside the field.

Place in the curriculum and related modules

The exchange programme exsist of modules that are an obligatory part of the regular year 2 of the Bachelor of Design in Film.

Portfolio requirements Audiovisual maker

A portfolio should be a collection of your best and most recent work. It is a crucial part of your application. The portfolio helps HKU evaluate your achievements and potential and represents your view of yourself and your work.

Visual work

The digital portfolio should include at least 3 - 5 audiovisual films / pieces and some material of the development proces, for example storyboards, director statements, moodboards. Please mention your exact role in the project.

For Film it is very important that your portfolio shows that

• you are able to collaborate with other filmmakers
• your work focuses on exploring more than just one genre (fiction, documentary, experimental, commercials)
• you are able to tell a story with your work
• you are socially engaged
• you dare to experiment

Language

This exchange programme is offered exclusively in Dutch and is therefore only accesible to Dutch-speaking exchange students.