We asked two film students from The Prague Film School, Saule Norkute and Nastia Goncharova, about their interest in film and how and why they decided to pursue a film industry education.

An interview with Saule Norkute (class 2008) 

When did your interest in filmmaking first develop?

First I was interested more in theater then in film. I wrote some theater plays while I was studying theater theory and history. After a while I got a feeling that theater language is not exactly the language I want to create in. Watching films and analyzing them was more fascinating and more mysterious.  I started to experiment with my home camera and simple editing programs developing a deeper and deeper desire to create strange bizarre worlds from the objects that surround us.

Tell us about your film industry education. How did you decide to pursue an education in filmmaking? How did you find a school?

As many young people now, I had a home camera, so I started to make short animation and experimental things.  After awhile I got an assistants job on a Lithuanian short film.  Working on the production I realized that I am really interested in the filmmaking process.
 After some time I decided to make a short film myself. I wrote a script and produced it.  Throughout the process I realized how much more experience and knowledge I needed to gain to be more sure what I would want to achieve on set.
Before I started to look for a film school I was really interested in Czech New Wave films.  I got in touch with one D.O.P. from Lithuania who works in Czech Republic. He told me that to see if I liked filmmaking and if I wanted to do it I should try to apply to a one year or half a year course and see if I am capable and willing to become a filmmaker. He recommended me Prague Film School.

What did you enjoy about your education in film?

The thing I enjoyed the most was that I had the freedom and the right to make mistakes. I knew that even if my film didn’t succeed it would be part of the learning process. It was great being surrounded by people who shared the same passion and interest for filmmaking but had different approaches to it and professional teachers who were there to help you develop your ideas.  

What advice can you give to prospective students thinking about an education and career in the film industry?

If you are sure or not sure if you want to become filmmaker I think you should try to find a film school which offers short or intensive year course and apply there, to see your capability of filmmaking and working with other people. At that kind of school you have the luxury to spend all time to develop and turn your ideas into a film, getting professional and other students help.
 I think before you can call yourself a director you need to gain a lot of experience over many years, not only making films yourself, but working on them as assistant or taking any other kind of work in this field.
The most important thing I think if you really want to make filmmaking your future is to write ideas for films even if they won’t get made soon.  You should try to develop them and work on them or just make low budget productions which will give you great practice. Also start making really short pieces, don’t start making feature films as your first step.

What tips can you offer to student filmmakers?
 
I think it’s really important not to be afraid to experiment and make mistakes. Try to challenge yourself. Try to make different styles of films, try to find different approaches to the same story.
Nowadays you can make films by yourself.  Of course it’s questionable what quality you will be able to achieve.  But for me one of the most charming parts of filmmaking is the group work and seeing how an idea is shaped by so many different people, becomes something one and united.

Please tell us about your school (Prague Film School)?

Prague Films School offers a semester or year fast-track filmmaking courses.  It’s based in a really beautiful old building in the center of Prague.  The school has professional teachers who are open-minded and try to help all students regardless how different his/her style or way of thinking may be. You learn not only to develop your own scripts but also to analyze films and learn from greatest filmmakers.
Also you have access to biggest film studios in Europe –Barrandov.  You can rent costumes, props, equipment and other things with a great discount.
During the preproduction, production and postproduction you are surrounded by staff that are always willing to help and do everything in their power to help you realize your film.

How is the school's approach different?

You spend almost all your time making films - your own and those of others.  Bit by bit you get deeper and deeper in to filmmaking, starting from a minute exercise to 10 min short film.
In this school you learn how important is to work with other people. Also you develop an understanding that to become a filmmaker requires a lot of practice and discipline.
Initiative is more then welcome in this school.  You can make as many projects outside the school as you want in your free time.  You will always get equipment and help from teachers and staff. This school will always be happy to welcome their students back and support their future work.
 

Why should students come to the school?

First of all to share their passion for filmmaking with other students and teachers; second to learn how to develop the stories they want to make; third to be in the process 24/7 as director/producer/DOP/or any other important part of it and  fourth to figure out if filmmaking is your thing for now and the future.

An Interview with Nastia Goncharova

  
When did your interest in filmmaking first develop?


Working in advertising as a creative person for around 8 years I had a chance to start writing scripts for TVCs and to be on different sets all around the world. Observing professionals at work was quite inspiring and motivating. I felt I could not only write and help to art-department but also direct myself.

Tell us about your film industry education. How did you decide to pursue an education in filmmaking? How did you find a school?

I wanted to start working in production studio, but I had to study first, to get some knowledge and self-confidence. One-year program was a convenient way to get specific education. School was recommended to me by close friend of mine, a filmmaker.

What did you enjoy about your education in film?

We had no time for hesitation – we had to be active, creative and brave with equipment, timings and people. It was a good practice – very close to real production conditions.

What advice can you give to prospective students thinking about an education and career in the film industry?

I would advise to move, move, move and never stop experimenting, trying something new, improvising, helping colleagues, getting in touch with interesting, bright people if you want to have a career of independent filmmaker. Any contacts or relationships with professional studios are very welcome – you’ll get new contacts, serious experience and taste to perfect result.

What tips can you offer to student filmmakers?

To be like a sponge – to be on as much sets as possible, to be involved in the process in different ways, to be observant, to make notes (because ideas are so fluid), do not be afraid of asking questions, of making mistakes. And never give up. If one project doesn’t go well, then try another one. Filmmaking is about passion and communications.

Please tell us about your school (Prague Film School)?

Being a student at PCFE meant to be a young filmmaker, who has all the facilities to produce own little film, many of films.  I think that a fact that young people come to school from different countries, with different background, experience and expectations make a study process interesting and results unexpected.  I also found it curious to have a mix of commercial American and classical European methods used in the program. Friendly atmosphere, creative freedom, inspiring teachers – there is a good background for effective study and creative experiments.

How is the school's approach different?

I found it 80% practical and 20% theoretical. The program is rather experimental – it gives you a quick practice in closely-related disciplines, so you can get an impression what is better for you.

Why should students come to the school?

This program can be a practical and experimental course for those who have no time for study or haven’t decided yet which discipline to choose. It also can be an interesting addition to classical long-term course.
Prague is amazing, inspirational and cinematographic (if I only can say like this in English) city to study in, it has a creative and relaxing atmosphere, various beautiful locations, friendly artistic people, ready to act in your film.