Alumni

Was there anything about the MA in Film program that particularly inspired you? What was it?

I was thrilled by the entire program, especially the great interaction with faculty and fellow students. Since I didn’t come from a film background, I always felt like I could take everything in and that my prior knowledge was taken into account. I also particularly enjoyed the storytelling course.

Was there any aspect of the program that particularly surprised you?

The fact that there was also the opportunity to take other courses (such as the sketchbook course) from other programs, like the MA in Design.

How was the support you received from the faculty?

I found the support to be very good. The interaction was on an equal footing, and you could always come with questions. I also found practical offerings like self-marketing to be very helpful.

How would you describe your academic success during the program? What do you think contributed to that success?

Being open to making mistakes, trying new things, and exchanging ideas. Since I came from the print industry and started completely from scratch in film, everything was actually a major learning success for me. The presentations were certainly an important motivator as well. Presenting my project, the discussions, and the effort it took to overcome each challenge really helped me grow. Just as important, however, was the opportunity to try everything out in an open and non-judgmental environment.

To which students would you recommend this program?

To anyone interested in moving images.

What have you been doing since graduating? What are you working on presently?

I initially worked at a startup in the fields of animation, communication, and film, and I’m now training to become a teacher at a technical high school specializing in design and media technology. In addition, I’ve founded a studio with three other people where we offer workshops and take on screen-printing commissions.

What is your next project?

To get young people excited about design – and, of course, film. I lead workshops on stamp printing (the insect and environmental motifs in my graduation films were created using linocut) as well as small stop-motion projects with kids.

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How would you rate the MA in Film program, which includes international students and is taught in English?

I think the program at the MA in Film was a very good mixture of helping me develop my graduation project in time and also offering new tools and the freedom to experiment with them outside of my usual practice.

Was there anything about the MA in Film program that particularly inspired you? What was it?

I experimented quite a bit with at the time new technologies such as 360°-video, VR and game design engines, which I had never touched before and don't think I would have otherwise. I thought it was great to share our studio with students from the Master in Animation and be able to get inspired by their tools and ways of working.

How was the support you received from the faculty?

I loved that at the HSLU there are a whole lot of workshops and labs you can always visit and chat with the people working there which were always very nice and helpful. My mentor in the MA in Film was always there to support me in my choices or nudge me in the right direction if I needed it but was careful not to impose his own vision on my project.

What would you describe as your greatest learning achievement during the program? What made that possible?

I think the Master prepared me well to continue my education as an artistic researcher doing a PhD.

To which students would you recommend this program?

I think the Master in Film is great for someone who already has a creative or academic practice and wants to further experiment with moving image practices, but not restrict themselves to the role of camera, directing, editing, ... It is very much about the freedom to experiment and pursuing your own creative vision.

What have you been doing since graduating? What are you working on presently?

I have been doing a PhD in artistic research and am currently preparing funding applications for my next research project.

What is your next project?

My next project is an artistic investigation of landscapes as non-human actors. It questions how we can bridge the perceptive gap between humans and forests and will use data sonification.

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How would you rate the MA in Film program, which includes international students and is taught in English?

For me, the exchange with international students was very exciting and inspiring.

Was there anything about the MA in Film program that particularly inspired you? What was it?

The exchange modules with the Master’s in Design and the sound design classes were particularly educational and interesting for me.

What would you describe as your greatest learning achievement during the program? What made that possible?

During the program, I learned to trust myself more. This allowed me to further develop my independence.

What would you change about the curriculum?

More in-person class time.

To which students would you recommend this program?

You should be used to working independently if you want to study in the MA Film program.

What have you been doing since graduating? What are you working on presently?

I work as a freelance video editor and motion designer through my sole proprietorship, renardrouge, in the fields of TV and advertising.

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How would you rate the MA in Film program, which includes international students and is taught in English?

The international students are a great asset. They provide much more insight into other fields and ways of working. Studying partly in English is good preparation for later careers, such as in research.

Was there anything about the MA in Film program that particularly inspired you? What was it?

The opportunity for students to invite a guest to lead a workshop and to conduct it together with them.

How was the support you received from the faculty?

Very good; I always felt well supported, even by faculty members who weren’t my direct advisors. The discussions following the semester presentations and throughout the semester were always very helpful.

To which students would you recommend this program?

To students who enjoy working independently and have their own ideas, but are also open to constructive feedback. They should also demonstrate initiative.

What have you been doing since graduating? What are you working on presently?

I work at HSLU as a research assistant for the interdisciplinary theory modules, on a research project about film equipment, and I’m pursuing a practice-based PhD in which I’m investigating the use of found footage and found devices in contemporary art installations.

What is your next project?

Getting my PhD is enough for now :-)

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