Yale Summer Session in Prague: Cinematic Storytelling in Prague

Description

[NOTE: Program details (overall status, dates, costs, syllabus, etc.) are subject to change each summer, and the information on this page will be updated as such details are finalized.]

An intensive, hands-on exploration of the history, theory, tools and techniques of narrative filmmaking offered jointly by Yale and FAMU, the national film and television academy of the Czech Republic. The program interweaves a Yale seminar, in which students learn the fundamental principles and techniques of cinematic storytelling via readings, screenings, discussions and creative exercises, and a FAMU practicum in which students expand and apply the knowledge acquired in the seminar in hands-on workshops, exploratory projects and the mentored development and production, in small groups, of fully-realized capstone films.

All instruction is in English. Enrollment limited to 16. Participants choose to receive credit in either ART or FILM for the Yale credit at the time of application.

The class will meet Monday - Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and students should expect about 4-8 hours of work outside the classroom each week, as well as excursions and other program activities.

NOTE: The syllabus below is from a previous summer and contains dates that differ from those of the upcoming summer.

Budget

Yale Summer Session Programs Abroad updates program budgets in late January. Please note the year listed on the button below.

Summer 2023 Budget

Trips and Activities

Though Cinematic Storytelling in Prague is first and foremost an intensive filmmaking program designed to make the most of FAMU's world-class facilities, resources and instruction, it is also intended to be an immersive cultural experience.

Students will explore Prague and its surrounding areas, with guidance and independently, as part of their coursework, and the city will be the setting and the subject of the students’ film projects. Students are encouraged to live as much as possible like their Czech film-student peers, finding challenge and inspiration in the atmospheric streets, rich history and vibrant culture of Prague.

In the third week of the program, students will spend four days and nights at the world-renowned Karlovy Vary International Film Festival watching films and attending events to gather ideas and inspiration for their capstone films.

Housing

[NOTE: Students are required to stay in program-provided housing.  There is no option for individually-arranged housing.]

Students will stay in double and triple rooms in fully-furnished apartments near the city center, a short journey by tram from FAMU's main building. Students will be responsible for all meals except special group dinners, and are encouraged to create their own culinary experience of Prague by combining meals in the city's many affordable restaurants with food purchased at local supermarkets and farmer’s markets and prepared in their apartment kitchens.

Notes

Please note the second credit for this course is a transfer credit. Yale students are only allowed to bring in 2 outside credits from any Non-Yale summer experience over their 3 summers while enrolled at Yale.

This is the only YSS Program Abroad that does not meet the YSS COVID-19 Courses eligibility requirements for an abroad option as the tuition cost for the program is only for one Yale credit. The second credit is transferred in from FAMU.

Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements and are expected to arrive in Prague on the first day of the program, and depart no earlier than the last day of the program (see 'Dates' above); additional information will be provided upon admission.

For 2022, students will not be allowed to travel outside of the Czech Republic during the dates of the program.

Questions

For course content questions contact instructor, Jon Andrews.  For general program questions contact the Study Abroad staff.

Learn More

Review eligibility requirements, the application process, and deadlines:

How to Apply