First year
The first year takes the form of a general studies programme. All first-year students are encouraged to develop film concepts—either individually or in teams—into compelling and viable stories across a variety of formats. To this end, they are introduced to the fundamentals of dramatic storytelling and provided with an overview of key dramaturgical terms and basic structural models. Weekly acting classes offer students the opportunity to gain a practical understanding of what constitutes a strong screenplay by experiencing it firsthand.
Second year
In the course of the second year, students deepen their understanding of the fundamentals of dramatic storytelling through concrete projects and write screenplays for feature-length, short, and serial narrative formats.
In the course "Short Narrative Formats", screenwriting students collaborate with directing and production students to develop a short film script, which is produced during the summer semester. In the seminar "Long Narrative Formats", they write an initial screenplay for either a feature film or a series pilot. The focus lies on an in-depth exploration of their own storytelling intent and the challenge of transforming a personal idea into a full screenplay. The development process is supported by research, film analysis, lectures, and seminars on character psychology, narrative structure models, scene construction, and dialogue. In collaboration with acting students, screenwriting students also work on crafting their own scenes and dialogues.
Third year
The third year of study is dedicated entirely to writing for serial formats.
Students participate in a broad range of theoretical seminars designed to deepen their understanding of diverse television genres. The primary focus is on concept development and the collaborative creation of a corresponding script within the framework of writers’ rooms.
In addition, practical workshops offer students the opportunity to conceptualize and develop a spec episode of an existing, successful TV production. Attendance at festivals specializing in serial content is also part of the curriculum, providing valuable insight into the industry and first opportunities for networking within the professional film and television sector.
Alongside the focus on serial storytelling, the third year also offers students the chance to continue developing cross-format projects in collaboration with students from other disciplines, allowing for the creation, writing, and realization of original and format-independent works.
Fourth year and diploma
During this final year, students work on their graduation project: a screenplay for a feature-length film or a television series.
The extended writing phase, carried out under one-on-one supervision, is preceded by an intensive period of concept development and research conducted in group sessions.
As emerging talent, students begin to attract the attention of the German film and television industry. With a view toward the period following graduation from the Filmakademie, connections are established with industry professionals, agencies, and festivals to facilitate a smooth transition into a successful professional career.