Film sound production and film sound design play an important role in the audiovisual media landscape. They cover the entire process from recording the original sound on set to the final mix. During this whole process, the Film Sound Production & Film Sound Design study programme teaches you various techniques and skills to create coherent and artistically valuable sound compositions for film and video productions.
Which microphone do I use in which situation on set? How does dialogue edit work? How do I create a coherent sound design? How does working with a Foley artist work and how are the sounds created? How do I work with composers and musicians? How are the individual sound layers mixed together to create an artistically valuable film mix? How does Dolby Atmos work?
Studying Film Sound Production & Film Sound Design requires both technical know-how and a strong artistic understanding.
Our postgraduate diploma course offers practical training in the field of film sound production and film sound design. Students have the opportunity to get to know all areas of work that ultimately make up the entire sound level of a film. The course of study enables students to try out different film genres and apply what they have learnt directly to their own projects. Prominent guest lecturers from the film industry impart their expertise in areas such as original sound on set, sound design, mixing techniques, working with Foley artists, film music recording and music mixing. During their studies, students have the opportunity to specialise in the areas that particularly appeal to them. Over the course of the study programme, sound teams are formed to work on larger and more complex projects, with individual students taking on different sound production tasks.
In addition, our study course offers specialisations in media design and sound in games. The programme lasts four semesters, followed by a further semester dedicated to the completion of the diploma films and the diploma thesis.
In a nutshell: the postgraduate diploma course at the Filmakademie offers comprehensive and practical training in film sound production and film sound design, giving students the opportunity to acquire a wide range of skills and knowledge.
The study programme teaches the production of the various sound levels in the film and television industry. However, we also look ‘outside the box’ with the students and offer seminars in related areas such as audio production for games or music production.
First year
After the foundation courses, students in the first year of the study programme receive instruction in the subject of original sound on set documentary. The lessons are followed by a Documentary workshop, which serves as preparation for the Directing 2 documentary film shoot. Both the Documentary workshop and the Directing 2 documentary film shoot are compulsory for students. After editing the Directing 2 documentary film, the students have the voluntary option to do the sound post-production for the film that they also created the original sound for. At the internal presentation, the films are graded by our department with regard to original sound, sound design and mixing.
From the summer semester onwards, students can choose their own projects. There are no guidelines from our side.
At the beginning of the summer semester, students take part in a Film Acting workshop in which they are introduced to the original sound on set. The workshop ends with the post-synchronisation seminar, where students are instructed in the techniques of post-synchronisation using a Taker system.
Second year
As the first year of study focussed on original sound on set, the second year of study focuses more on specialised knowledge of sound post-production. There are various teaching units on sound design, mixing on the digital audio workstation, cinema film mixing, Dolby Atmos, etc.
In the second year of the study programme, students generally spend most of their time working on projects – original sound on set on the one hand and sound post-production on the other. They then use these projects for their diploma presentation.
In the diploma semester, students complete their diploma thesis and the associated projects.
Postgraduate diploma course
First year
After the foundation courses, students in the first year of the study programme receive instruction in the subject of original sound on set documentary. The lessons are followed by a Documentary workshop, which serves as preparation for the Directing 2 documentary film shoot. Both the Documentary workshop and the Directing 2 documentary film shoot are compulsory for students. After editing the Directing 2 documentary film, the students have the voluntary option to do the sound post-production for the film that they also created the original sound for. At the internal presentation, the films are graded by our department with regard to original sound, sound design and mixing.
From the summer semester onwards, students can choose their own projects. There are no guidelines from our side.
At the beginning of the summer semester, students take part in a Film Acting workshop in which they are introduced to the original sound on set. The workshop ends with the post-synchronisation seminar, where students are instructed in the techniques of post-synchronisation using a Taker system.
Postgraduate diploma course
Second year
As the first year of study focussed on original sound on set, the second year of study focuses more on specialised knowledge of sound post-production. There are various teaching units on sound design, mixing on the digital audio workstation, cinema film mixing, Dolby Atmos, etc.
In the second year of the study programme, students generally spend most of their time working on projects – original sound on set on the one hand and sound post-production on the other. They then use these projects for their diploma presentation.
Diploma stage
In the diploma semester, students complete their diploma thesis and the associated projects.
Welcome to a ‘sound education’ like no other. With a collective wealth of experience gained through years of professional practice and artistic success, our mentors provide a unique learning experience. Our faculty are distinguished not only by their successful careers, but also by their diverse backgrounds. United by their passion for sound, our instructors come from different cultures and artistic disciplines, ensuring a holistic and inclusive approach to your education. Through their diverse insights, they enable you to explore film sound design from countless angles and inspire creativity beyond traditional boundaries.
