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‘A Focus on Dramaturgy is the Unique Benefit of the Master’s Programme in Film Production'

‘A Focus on Dramaturgy is the Unique Benefit of the Master’s Programme in Film Production'

© Photo by Mikhail Dmitriev / HSE University

An Open Day for the Master's Programme in Film Production took place in the HSE building on Pokrovsky Boulevard, with Dmitry Kotov, Deputy Director of HSE Film Institute talking to prospective students. This updated programme will be launched later in the year.

Students of the Master's programme in Film Production will study several areas in parallel, including production, film directing, and screenwriting. However, special attention will be paid to dramaturgy. ‘Dramaturgy is the foundation of all film professions. You can make a beautiful video and invite great actors, but it’s all pointless if you don't have a good story’ said Dmitry Kotov.

The Master’s programme aims to train film and TV producers, film production managers, screenwriters, and film directors, along with anyone else interested in a career in this field. The programme offers 25 state-funded and 15 fee-based places. To be admitted to the Master’s Programme in Film Production, you need to pass a range of entrance exams, including a portfolio competition and an English language exam.

David Howard has designed, and is running, the updated version of the HSE Film Institute’s programme. Prof. Howard is founder of the Graduate Screenwriting Programme at the USC's School of Cinematic Arts, the University of Southern California (Los Angeles, USA) and author of several classic screenwriting textbooks. He will also be assessing those who apply for postgraduate studies as well as holding workshops throughout the programme. ‘We were on a zoom call with David yesterday and he said, “I’m really looking forward to meeting them and asking them what they do”. He can’t wait to see you,’ Dmitry Kotov told the prospective students at the Open Day.

Dmitry Kotov, Deputy Director of the HSE Film Institute

Photo by Mikhail Dmitriev / HSE University

'Alexander Akopov is someone whose presence makes the programme unique. He is a legendary figure. His filmography is simply outstanding, and almost everyone has seen his films. In addition, Alexander Akopov enjoys a close relationship with the Association of Film and TV Producers, an association of 41 companies that are able to offer unrivaled employment opportunities to our future graduates. Another unique benefit of the Master's Programme is that it focuses on dramaturgy. The script makes up about 80% of any success: Without a good story there can be no good film or series. Our American colleagues, led by David Howard, have helped develop this programme, where some of the most popular Hollywood techniques will be used.’

Dmitry Kotov also added that the faculty expects to see students who want to make films aimed at a mass-market audience rather than art house films. ‘We are looking for students who would like to develop this area of Russian cinema. This is not going to be a hobby for our students; they will be mastering a profession—a craft for making money.

Dmitry Kotov says that the seminar groups will be unusually small, which is another strength of the programme. This is necessary for effective interaction between the students and the teacher. ‘Ideally, there should be no more than six people in a group at a seminar, that's the secret! When we had 20 people in a group, we only had time to teach theory,’ says Dmitry Kotov.

Read below what prospective students say about the Open Day for Master's Programme in Film Production.

Elena Yurtayeva, a graduate of Ural State University

Photo courtesy of Elena Yurtayeva

‘Although it was seemingly only accidentally that I learned about the HSE Master's Programme in Film Production, I don't really believe in accidents. They say a teacher comes when the student is ready. This is absolutely true for me. I’d been looking for a film school for a long time, but something had always got in the way of starting. I mastered my profession by hit and miss methods, often reinventing the wheel. Now the time has come when my efforts alone are not enough. I am now developing a project that I myself want to produce. I need new knowledge; I need the help of a teacher. I learned about the Film Institute and this programme, and the winter school gave me some of the information I needed, but it was equally important for me to just meet and talk with the teachers. Today I did just that, and everything seems very inspiring. I feel very comfortable inside the HSE building, it’s almost like home. Incidentally, I’ve also just met some friends that I haven’t seen for a long time. This is yet another good sign!’

Tamara Chapala, graduate of Moscow Humanitarian University

Photo by Mikhail Dmitriev / HSE University

‘I have always wanted to study cinema. When I heard out about the HSE Film Production Programme, I decided to go to the winter school first, to learn more about the Master's Programme. That intensive course convinced me that that was the programme I wanted to study on. Now I am in the Creative Lab at the Film Institute, and I can say that it is quite a challenge, but equally, very exciting. Entering a creative field is always a kind of lottery. Those who have come to the Open Day are all creative, they all have different backgrounds, and they all know they want to enroll. I wish us all good luck, and I’m sure our teachers will gather together a dream team of students.’

Olga Slesareva, fourth-year student of RANEPA

Photo by Mikhail Dmitriev / HSE University

‘I would like to study on the film production programme because I’m really keen on the film industry. I am a very creative person with, I believe, good taste, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to create exciting movies that will be well-received by audiences. Open Days always help me to prepare for admission. Today I have received a lot of information about how to complete my portfolio, but the main thing I have learned is that the programme trains professionals who will be creating films aimed at mass-market audience, and this is exactly what I’m after.’

Valery Krupenin, graduate of the Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute

Photo by Mikhail Dmitriev / HSE University

‘Having visited the Open Day, I can now organise my knowledge. I am currently in the Creative Lab, and the assignments I have to do are helping me prepare for admission. I am still considering other universities, but HSE University has one important advantage, namely that I have a chance to be admitted through a scholarship. Another good thing is that HSE teachers are actually working in the film industry. I particularly liked what Dmitry Kotov said about mass-market movies: if you only like Bergman’s films and don't like modern cinema, then you shouldn't come here. Personally, I love modern Russian cinema.’