Year 1
- Technical fundamentals — live-action cinematography, framing and basic lighting
- Introduction to digital picture and sound editing
Tuition fees 9 500 €
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Artisan of Cinema
Shooting · Editing · Directing · Producing
A hands-on programme centred on the fundamentals of the 7th art: shooting, editing, directing and producing. Acquire the core skills of filmmaking to launch your career in the audiovisual industry.
- Programme
- Cinema & Audiovisual
- Speciality
- Live-action
- Location
- Orly, Île-de-France
Learning Objectives of the Programme
The Artisan of Cinema programme at École Méliès, in Orly (Île-de-France), trains students in directing and audiovisual production through practical workshops focused on live-action cinematography, editing and artistic direction.
- Master the technical fundamentals of audiovisual and the 7th art: framing, lighting, sound and editing.
- Explore directing and set management: shot breakdown, actor direction and crew management.
- Develop your cinematographic writing and visual storytelling: screenplay, storyboard and mise en scène.
- Produce as a team a complete short film, from pre-production to final post-production.
Programme Overview
A 5-year curriculum combining intensive studio practice with in-depth film culture.
The Artisan of Cinema programme at École Méliès, in Orly, is built on a progressive learning approach to the crafts of directing, cinematography and post-production.
Intensive studio practice enables students to develop core skills: framing, lighting, sound recording, actor direction and editing.
Theoretical courses deepen knowledge of film history and visual culture, enriched by screenings and masterclasses from audiovisual industry professionals.
- Duration
- 5 years
- Admission
- Bac to Bac+3 — online test + interview
- Assessment
- Continuous assessment · practical projects
Year 2
- Narrative editing, actor direction and shot breakdown
- Team production of short filmed exercises
Tuition fees 9 500 €
Year 3
- Specialisation — genre cinema, screenwriting, artistic direction
- Production and post-production of a short film
Tuition fees 9 500 €
Year 4
- Professional project — graduation short film produced in real conditions
Tuition fees 9 500 €
Year 5
- Work-study Master — integration in a studio or production company
- 100 % funded by the host company
Tuition fees Work-study
Student Work
Programme Breakdown
A precise description of programme content, year by year.
The Artisan of Cinema programme is a 5-year curriculum (Bac to Bac+5) that trains students in the crafts of cinema and audiovisual production. From the studio floor to the editing suite, each year builds concrete skills through contact with industry professionals.
The pedagogy is built around real-world projects carried out as a team: short films, documentary reports, music videos, advertisements. Students develop solid film culture while mastering the technical tools and narrative codes of the industry.
Year 5, entirely work-study based, enables direct professional integration within production companies, broadcasters or audiovisual agencies that partner with École Méliès.
- Bac+5
- 5 years
- Cinema & Audiovisual
- Work-study in Year 5
Year 1 Introduction to Cinema 6 subjects
- Film history and cinematographic culture
- Introduction to directing
- Framing and photographic cinematography
- Synopsis writing and director's statement
- Introduction to digital editing
- Film analysis
Year 2 Mastering the Fundamentals 6 subjects
- Screenwriting — narrative structure
- Technical breakdown and storyboard
- Actor direction — fundamentals
- Direct sound recording
- Advanced digital editing
- Studio lighting
Year 3 Specialisation & Projects 6 subjects
- Advanced mise en scène
- Executive production
- Documentary writing
- Picture post-production
- Colour grading
- Short film production
Year 4 Professionalisation 6 subjects
- Long-form project development
- Audiovisual law and production
- Professional workshops — industry speakers
- Pitching and project presentation
- Film budgeting and financing
- Graduation film
Year 5 Work-Study 6 subjects
- Professional thesis
- Graduation project
- Academic supervision in company
- Feature film or series development
- Professional networking and employment
- Panel defence before professional jury
Target audience and career paths
Who is it for?
- For students holding at least a Baccalaureate or equivalent (DAEU accepted).
- Clear motivation, ability to articulate a coherent artistic or professional project.
- Strong interest in cinema, audiovisual, storytelling and collaborative work.
- Curiosity for the arts and their history.
- Strong commitment: rigour, dedication, adaptability.
- Fluency in French and minimum level of English.
What careers after?
- Fiction or documentary director
- Short-form content director (music videos, ads, web series)
- Assistant director
- Screenwriter / Storyboard artist
- Director of Photography (cinematographer)
- Camera operator / Camera assistant
- Lighting technician (gaffer, electrician)
- Grip (key grip, grip)
- Picture editor
- Colourist
- VFX artist / VFX supervisor / Compositing
- Motion designer
- Post-production coordinator
- Immersive project director (VR, AR, 360° video)
- Virtual environment designer
- DIT / Data manager / Qtake operator
- Producer
- Production assistant
- Entrepreneur in audiovisual and digital media
Need information? Take action:
Admission Requirements
Entrance examination consisting of 1 remote assignment and 3 in-person tests.
Artisan of Cinema
1st test — remote
From the moment you register, you receive the assignment theme by email. You have 8 days to produce a free creation on this theme: video, photo series, photo novel, music video… (max 2 min). The aim is not to assess technical quality, but creativity.
In-person tests
- MCQ on film culture
- Motivation interview with the jury
Selection criteria
- Creativity of the assignment submitted within 8 days
- MCQ results
- Motivation interview
Prerequisites
- Hold a Baccalaureate (or DAEU accepted)
- Pass the entrance examination
- Good general culture and ease with digital tools
Student Testimonial
A rich and experience-filled first year! I learned a great deal across very different areas — from photography to video, editing, 3D and special effects. I developed a whole new perspective on these fields thanks to the insights shared, as well as through the various exercises proposed throughout the year — equally focused on organisation and method which, beyond the academic framework, adds real value to the way we approach and tackle our tasks.
Ready to join the adventure?
Explore our brochure and apply today to bring your projects to life.
Need Help?
If you encounter any issue during the registration process or have a question, don't hesitate to contact us — we're here to help!
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