ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
The aim of the programme is to prepare assistant directors and directors for all genres of feature and non-feature films, TV programmes, TV series, commercials and news programmes. After the interdisciplinary training in the first year, the priorities are focused on the directing of documentaries and feature films, TV commercials and music videos, TV programmes and series, etc.
The compensatory disciplines are complemented by courses in screenwriting, cinematography, editing, sound, design, management, history of world and Bulgarian cinema, history of the plastic arts, history of music, philosophy, mythology and religion, psychology, aesthetics, semiotics, European and Bulgarian literature, sociology, psychoanalysis, etc.
FORM OF EDUCATION
Full-time studies only, 4-year period. The students, who have completed their studies and have all the credits required by the programme, publicly defend a diploma project, a realized directorial project, containing an audiovisual production, with a length of minimum 20 minutes, and a theoretical work – minimum 25 pages.
QUALIFICATION AND PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
The graduates acquire the educational qualification degree of “Bachelor”, with the professional qualification of “Film and TV Director” and the opportunity to work in the creative/production process in film companies and TV stations in Bulgaria and abroad; to work as assistants, second unit directors and directors; in the creation of feature films and TV series, documentaries, chronicle and publicist films, scientific, popular science films and educational films, music and commercial films and videos, dubbing and editing of films. The graduates could continue their studies in the educational qualification degree of “Master”.
ADMISSION – SPECIALIZED EXAM – “Film and TV Directing”
When submitting their documents, the candidates are required to deposit a complete portfolio. which could contain: screenplays, essays, poems, short stories, plays, novels, paintings, drawings, photographs, films, music compositions, recordings of songs and music instruments, recordings of musical performances and other creative materials by choice of the candidate. The literary materials must be in PDF format and not be longer than 10 pages. The pictorial materials must be in JPG format. The audiovisual materials must be in MPG-4 format and not be altogether longer than 15 minutes. The audio materials must be in MP-3 format and not longer than 15 minutes. The portfolio`s purpose is to represent in detail the candidates` potential, their interests, creative predilections and worldview. When submitting the documents, the portfolio is enclosed in an envelope with the name of the candidate.
Stage 1 – practical exam
The candidates receive a text for a script (same text for all), by which they shoot and edit short film with a duration up to 3 minutes. NATFA provides student actors, of which the candidates choose the ones who’ll play the roles in the short film. The shooting locations must be chosen in a such a way, that the film could be shot on NATFA’s territory (rooms, flight of stairs, entrances, audiovisual pavilion, TV studio) and its adjacent spaces (streets, inner yard). NATFA provides student cinematographers and editors for the purposes of the short film’s shoot. Duration: 5 hours (the shooting period for each candidate is 3 hours, t for editing – 2 hours. The candidates who receive a score lower than Average (3.00) drop out of participation in Stage 2.
Stage 2 – oral exam
The shot short films, by the candidates admitted to Stage 2, are watched by the jury in the presence of each candidate. The prospect-students analyze the results and respond to questions about the actors’ performance, the chosen shots based on the text, abilities to construct a mise-en-scène and composition, the use of sound, and other components of the film. The jury interviews the candidates on materials of the presented portfolio. The purpose of this stage is for the jury to get an in-depth knowledge about the candidates’ abilities, interests, general knowledge, independent thinking and creative reflectivity. The candidates who receive a score lower than Average (3.00) drop out of participation in the ranking.