Film and Television: What Do You Really Study?
Story, image and sound - learn to create, analyze and produce works for the screen in all stages of production.
What Do You Study in Film and Television? Core Subjects, Year by Year
What do the degree courses cover?
Open a course to learn about its main topics and see what the work looks like in practice.
What do you learn in the course?Introduction to cinema?
The course presents cinema as art, industry and technology. You learn how a film is built from image, movement, editing and sound, get to know key genres and approaches and practice viewing that separates what the story tells from the way the film makes us experience it.
Main topics
- Photography, editing and sound
- Story, character and genre
- Production and the film industry
- Analysis and interpretation of a film
What does it look like in practice?
For example, break down a short scene into whips and examine how the camera angle, the duration of the whip and the music change our relationship to the character.
What do you learn in the course?Cinematic language?
You learn how visual and audio choices create meaning even without explaining it in words. The course deals with mise-en-scène, composition, camera movement, editing sequence, rhythm, point of view and soundtrack, and connects theoretical analysis with creative planning.
Main topics
- mise-en-scène and composition
- Whip size and camera movement
- Montage, continuity and rhythm
- Voice, music and point of view
What does it look like in practice?
For example, photograph the same encounter once with close and fast shots and once with a wide and long shot and compare the tension and information that each version creates.
What do you learn in the course?screenplays?
The course teaches how to turn an idea into a story that can be photographed. Develop characters, desire and conflict, build structure and scenes, write action and dialogue in script format and perform rewrites based on reading and feedback.
Main topics
- An idea, a puzzle, and a logline
- Character, purpose and conflict
- Structure, scene and pace
- Dialogue, format and rewrite
What does it look like in practice?
For example, you write a scene where two characters want opposite things but don't say so directly, then rewrite so that the conflict comes through action and subtext.
What do you learn in the course?Photography and editing?
You learn to plan, photograph and combine raw material into a clear and rhythmic sequence. Exposure, lenses, lighting, composition and recording are practiced alongside selecting takes, cuts, continuity, organizing media and working with editing software.
Main topics
- Camera, exposure and lenses
- Lighting, color and composition
- Scene coverage and continuity
- Selection of takes, cutting and rhythm
What does it look like in practice?
For example, planning a cover for a conversation in three shot sizes, taking pictures while maintaining the direction of gaze and editing a version that emphasizes an emotional change.
What do you learn in the course?directing?
The course deals with translating a script into a filmed event and leading the team that executes it. You learn to interpret a scene, work with actors, plan the position and camera movement, choose coverage and maintain a consistent artistic direction under time and budget constraints.
Main topics
- Breaking down the script and the intent of the scene
- Working with actors
- The position, camera and cover
- Communication with team and decision making
What does it look like in practice?
For example, a stage plan is prepared for a confrontation scene, a rehearsal is held with the actors and the blocks and shots are changed so that the relationships between them are understandable without explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Film and Television
Is a degree in Film and Television difficult?
There is no single answer — difficulty depends on your background, the institution, and your chosen study pace. According to this site's estimate, The degree has a relatively small quantitative component, so mathematics is usually not the main obstacle, and a large share of the reading material is in English. A good way to assess fit is to review the course map on this page: if most of the subjects interest you, the effort will usually feel worthwhile.
How long does a degree in Film and Television take?
Usually 3–4 years (Theoretical studies and practical production workshops). Exact duration varies by institution and depends on course load and the track you choose.
Film and Television or Art History — which is right for me?
The degrees most closely related to Film and Television are Art History, Communication, and Literature and Linguistics. Their differences are usually in emphasis rather than the overall subject, so the fastest way to decide is to compare their course maps — what you actually study in each program, year by year. You can also open the degree comparison tool to view the differences side by side.
What are the admission requirements for film school?
Most programs ask for a creative submission — a short script, a video or a portfolio — plus an interview. Academic scores matter less than in other fields; committees look for storytelling instinct, persistence and a personal voice.
What do film graduates earn a living from?
Editing, cinematography and production for television, advertising and digital platforms; content creation for brands and organizations; screenwriting and directing. Much of the work is freelance, so the portfolio and the connections you build during your studies are worth a great deal.
Do you need a degree to work in film?
No — there is no license, and plenty of working filmmakers are self-taught. A degree buys structured training, access to equipment and crews, and an alumni network. Whatever the path, what ultimately matters is the body of work you create.
Where can you study this?
Film schools range from university departments to dedicated conservatories. The things to compare: how early you get your hands on equipment, how many films you actually make, and the strength of the alumni network — film is an industry of connections.