Master the art of storytelling for a range of visual media

Define your voice as a creative writer by developing the storytelling tools and scriptwriting techniques needed for a rewarding career as a screenwriter in the film, television and media industries. 

Gain practical script writing experience and work on a wide range of media formats: from film, television, documentary, games and animation, to emerging media content, across different forms and genres. Learn how to craft engaging stories and complex characters through dialogues and narrative styles that excite audiences across multiple arcs, episodes and seasons. 

You’ll do this and more by immersing yourself in a true Writers’ Room environment. It’s here that you’ll pick up the tools and rules of working in a collaborative creative space, brainstorming and developing stories together. Gain valuable experience from day one by taking on diverse roles in the creative process such as head writer, executive producer, staff writer, showrunner or story editor.

Throughout this brand-new programme, you’ll acquire the full picture of industry processes, and your place within them. You’ll build a bank of stories original to you and your creative voice that will go on to form your portfolio. See your characters come to life by collaborating with our budding filmmakers, actors and animators.

You can study this programme either as a full three-year BA degree or the first year only as a one-year HE Certificate.

Screenwriting at Catalyst in Berlin

The demand for professional script writers is growing, not only in film and television, but also in sectors such as gaming, social media and advertising. From scene construction to character development, screenwriting specialists are given the challenge of finding innovative ways to build narratives and engage new audiences. 

Our brand-new screenwriting programme responds directly to this increasing demand for writers and storytellers across film and media. This could be anything from a short story for social media to a feature film or a multiple-episode format for an on-demand TV series. 

As new spheres emerge and technology brings about new forms of digital media, the role of the storyteller is constantly expanding to exciting new territory. For screenwriters, it’s more important than ever to understand how to tell stories in the digital media realm. On this course, the ethical and theoretical implications of scriptwriting are considered throughout the production of interactive stories, development of social media content and creation of audio-visual narratives. 

By gaining a thorough understanding of how different screenwriting approaches impact the field of audiovisual storytelling, you will be able to ride the wave of any shifting media format and technological development that comes your way.

“You can go wherever you want, in any world, at any time. You can expand – there’s no limits to it and that’s the beauty of scriptwriting.”

– Naseef Ganadry, Acting student (on Screenwriting workshops at Catalyst)

Get hands-on access to industry-standard facilities and tons of bookable gear.

“Being able to put my ideas into action and actually possibly make a movie out of them… is just amazing”

– Dimitra Ntogka, Acting student (on Screenwriting workshops at Catalyst)

You should be interested in some or all of the following:

The impact of stories – of all genres and formats!

Applying your passion for writing and stories to the film industry.

Learning how to work in a Writers’ Room environment.

Engaging critically with films, series and all types of audiovisual storytelling.

Understanding how narratives, show scripts and characters are created.

The creative process behind audiovisual productions.

Feeling positively challenged and inspired through creative project briefs in which you learn by doing.

Connecting professionally with the filmmaking and media industries. 

Building a career in the international film, media, gaming and wider creative industries.

Living and working in Berlin, one of the world's most exciting epicentres for international filmmaking.

Collaborating with a community of like-minded people from over 75 different countries.

Our tutors are industry-acclaimed experts in their field, with a passion for passing on their knowledge to others. 

Visual Effects, Digital Arts & Animation BA (Hons) / HE Certificate

Film Production BA (Hons) / HE Certificate

Learn how to write scripts & narrative forms for film, TV, video games & new digital media. Join our international community on a 1- or 3-year course.

Screenwriting BA (Hons) / HE Certificate

Develop, refine and challenge your filmmaking capabilities through practice-based research

Bring your film proposal to life through our flexible framework for negotiated and self-directed learning. This MA programme enables you to pursue your chosen interest or specialisation through an iterative practice-based research approach that combines artistic and academic processes.

You’ll be supported by seminars, workshops, individual and group supervision, guest lectures and our modern filmmaking facilities. Our seminars and workshops provide a thorough grounding in practice-led research theory and methodology alongside a wider range of research in audiovisual storytelling and the arts. You’ll also have opportunities to collaborate with other Catalyst students from the Film & Visual Media, Acting and Music & Sound schools. 

Rather than supplying you with answers, the taught component is intended to stimulate curiosity, widen and deepen frames in your field of interest, grow conceptual reference and – most importantly – to provide a set of tools with which to explore and develop your personal research ideas. By identifying and engaging with the creative processes that your proposal demands, you’ll be given the scope to innovate and challenge your capabilities as a filmmaker, director, cinematographer, editor, writer, producer or audiovisual artist, whilst building an industry profile and vision.

During this intensive and challenging year (or 2 years, part-time), our expert tutors will supervise and guide you through a constant cycle of imagination, creation, critique, self-discovery and growth. 

Creative Production (Film) MA at Catalyst in Berlin

Creative production is an intentionally broad term that not only encompasses traditional film production and cinematography, but also audiovisual art, interdisciplinary and multimedia works, narrative and world-building and creative nonfiction. You’ll investigate for yourself the most appropriate production methods to express your ideas as fully as possible. Then, go through a cycle of critique and hone back in on your proposal, allowing it to morph with newly-discovered concepts, meanings or influences.

Watching and reflecting upon yourself doing the action is an invaluable process. One which can convert vulnerabilities into strengths, barriers into new pathways and fears into exciting new frontiers for exploration. Consider this a turning point – a moment to define or redefine the next chapter of your career whilst asking yourself this essential question: Who are you and what does your work contribute to the field of cinema and audiovisual arts?

“The MA treats you as an independent creative and, in some ways, as an artist. I find that incredibly empowering… The MA makes you really structure your work. You are held highly accountable for how you think about your projects.”
–​Alexandra Concordia, filmmaker and Creative Production (Film) alumna

Get hands-on access to industry-standard facilities and tons of bookable gear

Our international creative campus is located at the historic Funkhaus in Berlin – it’s hard to imagine a better location for creative endeavour and learning! Through the lens of an international cohort of students, we aim to promote and support the exchange and debate of philosophical, political, social and ethical issues from a range of different cultures and backgrounds. 

Our engaged postgraduate community is then well-placed to spearhead these conversations and create work that addresses the challenges of a multicultural but ever more connected world – to see our shared human concerns, whilst celebrating our diversity and our mutually enriching differences.

“I liked the idea of working toward my own unique vision – with some guidance from the tutors – as opposed to creating projects that had to fit certain criteria.”
– Jennifer Jo Stokka, creative producer, writer and Creative Production (Film) alumna

“You can express your dreams with a film. It's like writing a book, but bringing to life what you saw in your head. It's really free as an expression, without limits.”
– Leonardo Greco, director and Creative Production (Film) alumnus

Screenwriting BA (Hons) / HE Certificate

Film Production BA (Hons)/ HE Certificate

Deepen your creative practice as a filmmaker through artistic research on our master's degree in film production.

Creative Production (Film) MA

Film Production BA (Hons) / HE Certificate

Express your authentic self through film 

Our Film Production programme transcends borders and teaches you to disrupt the status quo – making you part of a new wave of cinema that better reflects the world we live in today. You will create original work by diving deep into your own unique point of view and by embracing the global perspectives that your peers and tutors bring, here in the heart of Europe.

The programme covers and offers guidance on a variety of filmmaking styles, including experimental, music videos, hybrid films and documentary as well as various formats such as short films, feature-length projects and series. Our inclusive approach ensures that you will develop the versatile skills needed to work across different mediums and storytelling modes.

Your filmmaking journey will begin the moment you walk through the door, and you will walk away proudly with a body of real-life work and an expansive network of filmmakers, actors, visual effect specialists and sound artists.

Film Production at Catalyst in Berlin

During your time here, you will acquire a full understanding and experience of the process of filmmaking, from conception to distribution, with practical skill acquisition for both production and  post-production. This 360° knowledge will make you indispensable on set while reinforcing the social skills essential to bringing a production to life. The value we place in team building and collaborative practices will in turn provide you with transferable skills that can have a lasting effect in both your personal and career development.

When you study here, you’ll learn by doing. Our curriculum of project-based learning will guide you through the various roles and skills of filmmaking. However, the ultimate goal of technical understanding is to be able to fully express your own authentic creative voice, both on and off set.

“My year [at Catalyst] was insightful and nothing short of phenomenal.”

– Brenda Young, filmmaker and Film Production alumna

“Studying here was nothing short of amazing and to throw all of my talents and passions into one medium was magical.”
– Adam Munnings, filmmaker and Film Production alumnus

Refining your creative skills and artistic voice.

Making work that adds to the current conversation.

Understanding the ‘why’ of filmmaking, not just the ‘how’.

Approaching a problem from a range of angles in order to solve it.

Making work that contains your fingerprint.

Developing an understanding of every ingredient that brings a film to life.

“The privilege of studying Film Production was completely life-changing. It really helped me be able to express myself and pursue my passion. It was also a career decision that really allowed me to forge relationships that I will always have with me.”
– Helena Marinho, producer and Film Production alumna

In the end, it’s our students’ work that counts. Take a look at a selection of recent examples below.

A selection of our favourite work by Catalyst filmmakers, screen actors and visual effects artists.

Catalyst Filmmakers Showcase

Our Film Production programme will help you translate your personal perspectives into film. Join our international community on either 1- or 3-year courses.

Explore, develop, innovate and magnify your capabilities as a filmmaker, director, cinematographer, editor, writer, producer, sound designer or audiovisual artist, whilst building and enhancing an artistic & creative industry profile.

The course provides a clear but flexible framework for negotiated and self-directed learning. Pursue your chosen interest or specialisation through an iterative practice-based research approach supported by seminars, workshops, informal meetings, our excellent film facilities and individual consultation. Our seminars and workshops provide a thorough grounding in practice-led research theory and methodology alongside a wider range of research in audiovisual storytelling and the arts.

The taught component is not intended to give answers to your questions, but to stimulate curiosity, to widen and deepen frames in your field of interest, grow conceptual reference, and most importantly to provide a set of tools with which to explore and develop your personal research ideas and concepts.

During this intensive and challenging year (or 2 years part-time) our team will supervise and guide you through a constant cycle of imagining, creating, critiquing, self discovery and growth. 

Celebrate, explore, develop, innovate and magnify your capabilities as a filmmaker, director, cinematographer, editor, writer, producer, sound designer or audiovisual artist, whilst building and enhancing an artistic and creative industry profile. Our Creative Production (Film) M.A provides a clear but flexible framework for negotiated and self-directed learning. Pursue your chosen interest or specialisation through an iterative practice-based research approach supported by industry experts, seminars and workshops from our excellent studio facilities. 

Malachi Rempen - filmmaker, writer, illustrator, entrepreneur and Film Production Certificate Lead, Juli Saragosa - filmmaker, sound designer and film sound tutor, and Jon-Carlos Evans - screenwriting, production & industry specialist and cinematography tutor; discuss the benefits of self directed learning and joining our creative community at Berlin's historic Funkhaus. 

Find out more: https://www.dbsfilm.net/creative-production-masters

Creative Production Masters Degree in Film

Creative Production is an intentionally broad term that not only encompasses traditional film production and cinematography, but also audiovisual art, interdisciplinary and multimedia works, narrative and world-building, and creative nonfiction.

Convert vulnerabilities into strengths, barriers into new pathways, pain points into pleasure and fears into exciting new frontiers for exploration. It’s a chance to explore all that you are and all that you are…not yet(!) whilst mapping out your future potential and your possible futures.

Collaborate with students across our filmmaking, visual effects, acting and music courses. Gain access to professional film facilities, equipment, software and more. 

Our tutors are industry experienced with a passion for passing on their knowledge to others. Here are a few of the experienced and friendly tutors that will be supporting you throughout your learning process.

Our international creative campus is located at the historic Funkhaus in Berlin – it’s hard to imagine a better location for creative endeavour and learning! Through the lens of an international cohort of students we aim to promote and support the exchange and debate of philosophical, political, social and ethical issues from a range of different cultures and backgrounds. Our engaged postgraduate community are then well-placed to spearhead these conversations and create work that addresses the challenges of a multi cultural but ever more connected world. To see our shared concerns as human beings whilst celebrating our diversity and our mutually enriching differences.

Celebrate and explore your capabilities as a filmmaker, director, cinematographer, editor, writer or producer on our master's degree in film production.

Jon-Carlos Evans is a Berlin-based filmmaker, audiovisual artist and writer from Missouri, USA. He holds a BA in Film Production from Webster University-St.Louis and an MFA in Media Arts Production from the City College of New York. 

Join one of Jon-Carlos' Creative Production in Film Masters Taster Workshops events.

Active since 2005, Jon-Carlos has worked in the television and film industry for such clients as NBC Universal, Animal Planet, ABC, CBS, and more. Under his musical alias Klaas von Karlos, he is also the founder of experimental-electronic music collective ReVerse Bullets, the creative director of the GLITCH performance series/music label, and a member of music projects BIINDS, Naked Sweatshop, and Divan Rouge. 

Jon-Carlos is a recipient of the Eastman Kodak Student Grant (2006), the Aloha Accolade Award (2010), Honolulu International Festival), and the Silver Palm Award (2010, Mexico International Film Festival). His recently completed film, All Tomorrow's Children, continues to play in festivals, after winning the Bronze Remi Award at Worldfest Houston and Best Narrative Film at the 2018 CUNY Film Festival. He currently contributes as a staff writer to the media website Black Nerd Problems.

A self-described “professional multitasker,” Jon-Carlos brings a wide knowledge of all film departments - and an even wider smile - to his role as the Film MA lead at Catalyst. “I hope to inspire and challenge the student filmmakers to first look within, and then without,” he says, “for the inspiration and determination necessary to not only finish their projects, but to also continue the momentum that will lead them into their chosen careers.”

3 Concepts to Explore in Our Hyper-Flexible New Film MA Degree

Get to Know Multifaceted Film Production Tutor Jon-Carlos Evans

Filmmaker, audiovisual artist and writer Jon-Carlos Evans leads Catalyst Berlin's Creative Film Production Master's. Read Jon-Carlos Evans' bio.

Jon-Carlos Evans

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