Several
of our students have also garnered international attention. With The
Norwegian Film School, Norway gained a much-needed national film
education, which was essential for the further development of the
Norwegian film industry.
Today,
The Norwegian Film School offers a three-year Bachelor of Fine Arts
degree, and a two-year Master of Fine Arts degree, as well as a
ph.d. in Artistic Research in Film and related audiovisual art forms.
Filmmaking is about telling stories with moving images. Through one of our disciplines at the Bachelor's or Master's degree, you will develop into an independent storyteller.
Our
purpose with this education, is to educate highly qualified
professionals in film, TV, and similar media. We're a future-oriented
education, that simultaneously maintains the traditional
craftsmanship in each study discipline. The Norwegian Film School
aims to develop each student's capacity for artistic expression, and
personal reflection on their fields of profession.
Education and "pen trials"
The
education at the school is evenly distributed between joint
education and education which is tailor-made for the needs of each
discipline. A large part of the joint education includes a
substantial number of practical team exercises, also called "pen
trials".
Pen
trials are production exercises where the students work in film teams
that are put together by the school. These are exercises that focus
on single elements of filmmaking, and which revolve around a number
of limitations like film length, theme; and use of dialogue, music,
and studio/location. The pen trials aren't viewed as self-contained
film productions, but exercises in the craft of filmmaking, which
also are well suited for learning about methods of teamwork. The
philosophical/pedagogical foundation is that limitations challenge
and develop the students' creativity and imagination, while teaching
the craft at the same time.
Experience tells us that's there's no contradiction between developing the individual's artistic identity – the personal voice – and learning the craft. On the contrary. Mastering the craft is a catalyst for the artistic expression.
Throughout the study, the school utilizes experiential pedagogy, where the students develop their artistic expression by experiencing, through practical application, different elements of filmmaking; reflect on the process and results; and utilize what they have learned in the next phase of the upcoming exercises.
Thus, the students' knowledge and skills are developed through practical exercises, conversations, evaluations, and the exchange of experience. All teaching and evaluation at our school is mandatory, as this exchange of experience between students is a key element in the education process.
We emphasize student participation during exercises, and encourage everyone to participate in discussions, and to give each other constructive criticism. We know that this strengthens the individual's understanding of the profession, and of the complexities of film production.
Admissions
We admit new students every two years, and new admissions open for the Bachelor's degree in January 2023, while the Master's degree opens in spring 2024. All applicants must deliver a test related to the specific discipline they apply to, and qualified applicants will then advance to an extensive round of further tests and interviews.
Our study programmes are open to international students, but to be accepted into the Bachelor or Master programme, mastery of Norwegian or a Scandiavian language is a requirement.
