Film design

Overview of the program:

The film industry is one of the creative and artistic industries that attracts individuals with artistic and creative sensibilities. It combines various skills and different fields of expertise. Therefore, universities have paid attention to adding film design, cinema, and television programs to their curriculum, especially in colleges of arts and humanities. The number of students choosing to study this specialization is also increasing.

During the program’s study period, the focus is on screenplay writing, directing, production, cinematography, editing, and post-production, aiming to graduate students who can work in various fields such as screenwriters, directors, cinematographers, editors, and producers for a wide range of different films.

Program Objectives

The Film Design program aims to teach students how to produce and direct films, write screenplays, edit films, handle lighting, design sound, and other important aspects. Additionally, this program provides students with the opportunity to express their creative ideas through cinema and visual art. The main objectives of the program include:

• The ability to create short and feature-length dramatic films.
• Utilizing motion/video, multimedia, and digital technologies.
• Dealing with advanced film projects.
• The ability to use a range of technical devices, applications, and media processes to present ideas and manage the desired effects in film production and design.

What is Film Design?

The film industry is an entertaining and enjoyable medium, making film design a world of imagination and innovation. A bachelor’s degree in film design encompasses all the artistic and technical aspects of filmmaking, including learning and acquiring skills in scriptwriting, character building, production, visual arts for screens, operating film equipment, and aspects related to cinematography such as set design. Film design programs are considered rare specializations, and only a few universities offer them as accredited academic programs. However, Turkish universities are interested in this field and offer it to their students in a professional academic manner.

Courses Taught in Film Design Programs

The courses in this program generally vary between theoretical and practical subjects. Teaching in universities emphasizes the use of cameras and production equipment as an essential part of the educational process. Some of the important courses taught in film design programs include:

• Fundamentals of Film Industry and Visual Techniques
• Digital Photography
• Image Processing
• Production and Distribution Methods
• Marketing, Business Planning, and Law
• Non-Fiction Filmmaking
• Short Film Production
• Storytelling Art
• Creative Thinking
• Computer Principles
• Graphic Design
• Visual Effects Design
• Art History
• Screenwriting

Skills Required in Film Design Programs

The film industry and design specialization rely heavily on the student’s artistic and philosophical sensibilities. In addition to acquiring digital skills related to using modern technology and necessary technical software in the world of filmmaking, students need to possess personal qualities and skills such as:

• Creativity
• Analytical skills
• Passion for learning the history of cinema
• Collaborative work within a team

Studying Film Design in Turkey

Studying in Turkey offers one of the greatest opportunities for international students who aspire to pursue their education abroad. With nearly 200 universities in Turkey, there is a lot to explore during the study period. Most university buildings and campuses are modern and advanced. Many Turkish universities are consistently included in the global QS university rankings, ensuring the quality of the programs they offer.

Turkey is a country of beauty and culture, making it one of the best countries to study film design. Turkish universities provide specialized educational programs in this field, allowing students to explore the heritage of Turkish cinema and benefit from an active film community and strong professional networks.

Requirements for Admission to Turkish Universities

• Payment of the university application fee.
• Proficiency certificate in the language.
•  In the case of studying in English, passing the TOEFL or IELTS language test with a score determined by the university is required.
• In the case of studying in Turkish, passing the TOMER Turkish language test or attending a preparatory year is required.

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Required Documents:

To enroll in a Turkish university for a film design program, there are several documents required. Students must submit these files and documents before sending their application to the university. It is sufficient to send them in PDF or JPG format during the initial registration phase to obtain provisional acceptance. The specific documents may vary depending on the academic level, whether it’s for undergraduate or graduate studies. However, there are common documents required for both levels. Here are the necessary documents for application:

For undergraduate and institute students:

• Valid passport.
• Recent passport-sized photo (white background).
• Copy of high school diploma.
• Student’s email address.

For graduate students:

• Bachelor’s degree certificate for graduate students.
• Translated copy of the transcript in English or Turkish.
• Receipt of payment for the application fee.
• Recommendation letters (Master’s, Ph.D.).

 Why do you study film design in Turkey?

1. Rich cinematic heritage: Turkey has a long and diverse cinematic history. By studying the film industry in Turkey, students can explore traditional and contemporary films, understand the evolution of cinema, and benefit from the experience in this field.
2. Diverse locations and natural beauty: Turkey offers a variety of natural and cultural sites that can be used as film shooting locations. Students can take advantage of this diversity in their film productions and add aesthetic value to their work.
3. Active film community: Turkey hosts an active film community, allowing students to interact with professionals in the film industry. They can participate in film festivals, workshops, and other events that enhance their cinematic culture.
4. Specialized educational programs: Turkish universities offer specialized educational programs in the film industry. These programs provide students with opportunities to develop their artistic, technical, and creative skills, deepen their understanding of film industry and design, and study various fields such as screenwriting, directing, cinematography, visual effects, sound design, and other related areas of film design.

Duration of studying film design in Turkey:

The duration of studying film design in Turkey is typically four years to obtain a bachelor’s degree in film design. An additional preparatory year may be added for students to learn the language of instruction if they do not provide a certificate demonstrating their proficiency in the language of study.

Prominent Turkish universities for studying film design:

• Başkent University
• Bilgi University
• Bahçeşehir University
• Ankara Science University

Studying film design at Bilgi University:

The Film Design Department at Bilgi University aims to provide students with in-depth knowledge in the fields of animation and still images. It graduates talented students who can work in the film and television industries, or as independent directors or in the production and various stages, in addition to fields such as photography and video.

Both programs are designed within the Cinema Department (Cinema and Television, Photography and Video) to encourage students to discover their talents. During the first two years, students acquire the basic knowledge of the profession, including history, philosophy, and forms of still and moving images. Starting from the third and fourth years, students are encouraged to design their own cinematic products and given the opportunity to work in an environment that combines academic proficiency and industry experts.

The program includes specialized areas of specialization such as screenplay writing, directing, editing, production, and cinematography. On the other hand, the Photography and Video program is designed to help students specialize in digital image processing, commercial photography, architectural photography, post-production, and photography and live streaming videos.

Cinema and Television Department at Bahçeşehir University

The Cinema and Television Department at Bahçeşehir University offers its students a comprehensive educational program that includes the theoretical and practical knowledge required in both professional and academic life.

It aims to provide students with the theoretical principles, culture, education, and skills necessary for creating and analyzing audiovisual products for cinema, television, radio, and new media. The laboratories and infrastructure at Bahçeşehir University are well-equipped to support students in their academic journey.

Photography and Video Studio

The Photography and Video Studio is a professional studio with an area of 50 square meters used for digital and analog photography. It features a unique set of 5 professional flashlights and a variety of backgrounds. The studio is equipped with professional studio equipment and is open for student use 24 hours a day.

Small Studio

This studio is a 20-square-meter space designed for students to carry out their daily studio shooting tasks and personal projects. It includes 4 professional flashlights, diverse backgrounds, and other professional studio equipment. It is also open for student use 24 hours a day.

Darkroom

The darkroom can accommodate up to 8 students at a time and is used for developing and printing black and white films. The studio, development, and printing equipment are available for student use 24 hours a day.

Television Studio

The television studio has a space of 60 square meters with professional broadcasting standards. Students attend classes and work on their projects inside the studio.