Teaching Cinema in the Classroom and Beyond

In this course for teachers and educators who are responsible for project groups related to video and film at their school, we will learn all the necessary skills and tools for making films, theoretically and practically.

In the center of our concept of media education, which is based on the perception of film as a work of art that you have “to learn to love” (Aain Bergala), lies observation, sensitivity and the process of creation. Hence the focus of this kind of media education shifts from an analytical and receptive film pedagogy towards a pedagogy of the process of creation. 

Furthermore the pedagogical support of the creative process by experts and trained teachers can be understood as a >School of Seeing<. Not only does it automatically teaches the first modules of a critical media reception, it also teaches a whole set of key skills: social competence, creativity, discipline, communication, responsibility, feeling of togetherness.

By doing and teaching this it is important to find easy and simple ways to succeed. In the end we have to keep in mind that the time budget at schools in general is very limited for this kind of activities and that filmmaking finally is very time consuming!

The course is a real life example of setting up a film class at your school – or taking it to the next level. Depending on the already existing knowledge of the participants – this will be verified before the course starts – we will have a daily 6+h program. In the morning we will learn and talk about the more theoretical and technical aspects of filmmaking, but we will also experience film teaching and pedagogical concepts from all over Europe. In the afternoon we will practice what we’ve learned so far, tasks and exercises have to be fulfilled, in small teams we will set out to the city to work on location etc.

About your course instructor

He looks back on more than 30 years of work in the field of audiovisual media. Already during his studies of literature, musicology and sociology (Karlsruhe, Germany), he became a freelancer for the present-day Kinemathek. During this period of more than 10 years, he was also part of the film festival CINEVIDEO. At the same time, he worked as a local journalist, radio presenter, musician, composer and filmmaker. He attended the Kaskeline Film School in Berlin in 2000 and then worked for six years as a prop master on numerous TV and film productions. This was followed by film education projects in cooperation with schools, social institutions, youth centres and independent organisations in southern Germany. In 2015, he moved to Lisbon, Portugal. Since then, he has been leading teacher training courses within the framework of Erasmus+ KA1. Since 2020, he lives half of the year in Brittany (France).
He speaks German, English, French and Portuguese and lived in Berlin, Auckland, Montreal and Shanghai. Since 2020 he is based in Lisbon (Portugal) and Sarzeau (France).

​​​COURSE DATES

2023

06.02-12.02.2023 Confirmed!

15.05-21.05.2023

19.06-25.06.2023 Confirmed! Advanced!*

03.07-09.07.2023

12.07-16.07.2023 Confirmed! 5-day course!

24.07-06.08.2023 14-day course!**

11.09-17.09.2023

16.10-22.10.2023 Course language German!

20.11-26.11.2023

2024

05.02-11.02.2024

13.05-19.05.2024

17.06-23.06.2024 Advanced!*

01.07-07.07.2024

10.07-14.07.2024 5-day course!

22.07-04.08.2024 14-day course!**

09.09-15.09.2024

14.10-20.10.2024 Course language German!

18.11-24.11.2024 Advanced!*

25.11-01.12.2024

* Now and then we are having teachers with a total different background in our courses. Some have no prior experience at all, some already run a film club or are involved in film projects on a daily basis at their school. Therefore we thought it would be a good idea just to have a 100% practical course. “Advanced filmmaking” in this sense means:

  • You already have some experience, you know the basics – that is enough!
  • You want to know more: to feel more confident, to bring your filmmaking skills to the next level.
  • You are ready to shoot little films every day and one longer short film at the end of the week.

** Covering such a comprehensive topic as film education theoretically and, above all, practically in one week is, of course, impossible. Especially when it comes to giving teachers confidence in their abilities and a comprehensive insight into all the techniques and procedures involved in filmmaking.

The goal of this intensive 2-week course is now to do just that. Topics that can otherwise only be touched on in passing or briefly – simply because there isn’t enough time – will be extensively and comprehensively addressed, tested and experienced in this course. Above all, practical teaching units together with daily tasks are intended to provide the participants with comprehensive know-how. In the end, they will be able to master all challenges and think, see and hear with the eyes and ears of a filmmaker.

If you wanna join as a group (min. 2 participants) and the above mentioned timetable is not working for you, please feel free to suggest a more convenient one so we can set up an additional course! 

Course languages are English, German and French.

A2 language level is required at least.

The course fees are:

  • for the 5-day course 380€
  • for the 7-day course 520€
  • for the 14-day course 1050€

The number of participants is limited to 2-8.

Course location: Rua da Guiné 22, 1170-173 Lisbon, Portugal

A detailed program is available on demand!

We can also come to your institution. Within the Erasmus+ program you can invite us as an expert.