What does it really take to make a film? Why do Czechs love crime dramas and true crime? And how is it that we keep watching reality shows even when we feel like we probably shouldn’t?

In this course, we’ll explore films and series across genres and formats. From auteur cinema that wins festivals, to documentaries, to reality TV. We’ll focus on what you don’t usually get to see: how audiovisual projects are born, who stands behind them, and why certain formats succeed. Together, we’ll dig into the behind-the-scenes mechanics of storytelling and production, and into the shifts brought by streaming platforms, new audiences, and artificial intelligence.

Over the week, we’ll look at topics such as:

how a film crew works, and what role a producer plays within it

the journey of a feature film from the first idea all the way to its audience

the world of reality TV and the carefully engineered concepts behind it

the true crime phenomenon and the craft of telling real-life stories

documentaries and documentary mini-series

The course is built around discussion, concrete examples, and shared thinking. No prior experience is needed, just curiosity about film and television and a willingness to look at them from the other side. We’ll also work on a practical project during the course.

You’ll come away with the ability to read audiovisual projects in context and a clearer understanding of how, and why, film and television are made today.