PRATT INSTITUTE BROOKLYN, USA
Pratt Institute is a private university with its main campus in Brooklyn, New York. It has a satellite campus in Manhattan and an extension campus in Utica, New York at the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute. The school was founded in 1887 by American industrialist Charles Pratt. Pratt has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools since 1950, and the film program has been registered since July 1972. Comprised of six schools, each of which is an umbrella for multiple fields of study (School of Architecture, School of Art, School of Design, School of Liberal Arts & Sciences, School of Information, and the School of Continuing and Professional Studies), the Institute is known in particular for its programs in architecture, graphic design, interior design, fashion, industrial design, and film/video. The curriculum at Pratt strives to blend theory and practice, and weaves creative studio work with critical reflection on social impact. It is a dynamic approach that challenges students to reach their full potential to think and to make, to lead and to collaborate, and evolve continually above all.
Pratt School of Art provides a rigorous, student-centered education that emphasizes risk-taking and exploration. We graduate diverse artists and professionals who use their expertise with insight, enriching culture and the world. Two major objectives guide every department:
● The first objective is an emphasis on professional skills development. The school’s students gain the techniques, skills, methodology, and vocabulary required for success as productive artists, designers, and scholars.
● The second objective—imperative so that the professional expertise is not simply technical training—is the development of the critical judgment and historical perspective needed to become a problem solver. Art and design history, melded with studies in the liberal arts and sciences, provides the context for stimulating intellectual and creative inquiry.
The Film/Video program provides a foundation in nonfiction, fiction, experimental, and other
time-based media practices. Our rigorous, project-based curriculum is centered around the creation of a sequence of films and videos that grow in complexity each semester, culminating in a year-long thesis project.
Each student is offered ample opportunity to grow and advance their conceptual, technical, and professional skills. They are encouraged to take creative risks, and to push the boundaries of conventional forms. They are introduced to a diverse canon of creators and works and are asked to investigate complex histories and contexts as they strive to become reflexive and conscientious artists.
We aim to foster a supportive and collaborative creative community in which differences are respected and celebrated. We value the personal perspectives that each student brings to the classroom, and our goal is to elevate that unique voice to the forefront of their artistic vision.
Rather than specializing and exclusively studying one aspect of film/video, our students all complete a sequence of courses that provides instruction in a wide variety of modalities and skills; with an eye to graduating students who are empowered to join the professional world with a well-rounded set of technical and creative skills at their disposal, a strong sense of their creative point of view, and an ability to collaborate on projects effectively with others. Students produce, on average, 140 minutes of film/video work within our 16 required core courses and 4 required elective courses. Upon completion of our program students are able to:
● Implement all phases of the filmmaking process at a professional level, including pre-production, production and post-production.
● Conceptualize a well-researched project with a distinct point of view.
● Demonstrate professional-level technical and aesthetic proficiency that intentionally supports
the vision of the film or video.
● Responsibly and respectfully engage both independently and collaboratively with co-workers,
community members, and all stakeholders.
The language of study is English and tuition fees for up to 18 credits in a semester is €54,600 plus €1,760 per credit in excess of 18 credits. The number of applicants to the Film/Video Major in 24/25 were 428 (M-195, F-233), and the total number of enrolled students in Film/Video in 24/25 was 223 (M-98, F-115, Gender non-conforming or other reply-10). Pratt’s overall undergraduate enrollment in 24/25 was 3,686. Pratt’s application consists of a portfolio submission, an essay, High School transcript and recommendation letters. Scores on language exams such as the TOEFL are required to be 92 or higher, and a GPA of 3.2 or higher is preferred for admission but may be conditional on the strength of other materials such as the application portfolio. Graduates must complete a total of 126 credits at the minimum, including all required courses for their major, and meet or exceed the minimum GPA requirements for graduation (2.0 for undergraduate students). In Film/Video this includes a capstone short thesis film or video directed by each student in the 4th year. Students are free to develop work in fiction, nonfiction, experimental or hybrid modes. Seniors are eligible to participate in a screening of thesis films taking place in May of each year, with approximately 50% showing at the local arthouse cinema, BAM Rose Cinemas at Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Successful graduates:
John Requa and Glenn Ficarra (1991)
Narrative Filmmaking, Screenwriting, Directing
Requa and Ficarra’s latest television show RABBIT HOLE, was nominated for a CSC Award for Best Cinematography in TV Drama - Non-Commercial. Their feature film catalog includes WHISKY TANGO FOXTROT starring Tina Fey and Margot Robbie, FOCUS starring Will Smith and Margot Robbie, and CRAZY STUPID LOVE starring Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Lio Tipton, and Ryan Gosling. Nominated for a Critics Choice Award for Best Comedy Movie. Ryan Gosling was nominated for a Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0720135/ and https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0275629/
Liz Hannah (2007)
Narrative Screenwriting, Producing
Hannah’s recent screenplay feature LEE, directed by Ellen Kuras, and stars Kate Winslet, premiered at the Munich International Film Festival. Her feature screenplay LONG SHOT stars Seth Rogan and Charlize Theron. Premiered at South by Southwest and was later released by Netflix. Her first feature screenplay THE POST, directed by Stephen Spielberg and starring Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep was released by Sony Pictures for a worldwide release. Nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Screenplay and a Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Original Screenplay.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2176283
Owen Kline (2014)
Narrative Filmmaking, Directing
Kline’s latest feature, FUNNY PAGES released by A24 and screened at Cannes Film Festival, was nominated for a Golden Camera. Nominated for the Gotham Awards Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award, and Daniel Zolghadri was nominated for the Film Independent Spirit Best Breakthrough Performance Award. Won the National Board of Review, USA, 2022 Top Ten Independent Films. Kline was nominated for the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Young Actor and the CFCA Award for Most Promising Performer for his portrayal of Frank Berkman in THE SQUID AND THE WHALE.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0997240/
Mika Altskan (2015)
Cinematography
Mika Altskan is an award-winning cinematographer based in New York and Los Angeles. He is best known for his work on Odds and Ends (2018), Wild Nights With Emily (2019) and Smadar (2022) for which he received the Parajanov Vartanov Institute Cinematography Award. His narrative work has been nominated and awarded at film festivals: SXSW, Independent Spirit Awards, Big Sky Film Festival, among others. His commercial and music video work has been nominated and awarded at film festivals: SXSW, D&AD Awards, Clio Awards, Young Directors Awards, Ciclope, UKMVA, among others.
Scott Weinstein (1997)
Television Filmmaking, Producing
Weinstein co-produced the WEEKEND UPDATE at Saturday Night Live and has been working there for 28 years. He is the author of his book TEAM OF STEVES and a Writer for Nerdist. https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-weinstein-7828965/
Asha Kai Grant (2017)
Television Filmmaking, Producing
Grant has been at Saturday Night Live for 7 years. She is currently Associate Producer for the show and was an Assistant Producer for the Saturday Night Live MOTHERS DAY SPECIAL and a Producer for THAT DAMN MICHEAL CHE.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10415969/
Mackie Mallison (2023)
Experimental Documentary Filmmaking
Mallison’s senior thesis film, LIVE FROM THE CLOUDS, screened at SXSW Film Festival, New York Film Festival, and Palm Springs International ShortFest. His short IT SMELLS LIKE SPRINGTIME screened at the New York Film Festival Currents Program, Seattle International Film Festival, Brooklyn Film Festival, and DOC NYC. His film CHUU CHUU was screened at the BFI London Film Festival. His three shorts premiered on the Criterion Collection. He was named one of Filmmaker Magazine’s “25 New Faces of Independent Film” and is currently a Sundance Institute Ignite Fellow. Mackie is currently developing two feature films with the support of The Gotham and Sundance.
https://www.mackiemallison.com/
Jungah Kim (1986)
Narrative Filmmaking, Producing
Kim is the former CEO of CJ Entertainment in South Korea. She was the first female CEO of any
30-year-old company. She was the CEO of CJ E&M Film Business Division, the CEO of Signal Pictures, the CEO of Eastwave Studio and the Managing Director of Columbia Tristar Pictures Korea.
Harvey Fierstein (1973)
Narrative Screenwriting and Acting
Feirstein's latest work was as a writer for KINKY BOOTS: THE MUSICAL, which won a Golden Telly. He is a Tony Award Winner and has written two award-winning books. His role in MRS. DOUBTFIRE was nominated for the American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture. For TIDY ENDINGS he won a CableACE Award for Writing a Dramatic Special. He won a Casting Society of America Golden Apple Award and a GLAAD Media Visibility Award. For the TORCH SONG TRILOGY, he was nominated for a Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead. He is currently a voice actor in the show BIG MOUTH and has voice-acted and written music for BOJACK HORSEMAN, FAMILY GUY, MILAN, and THE SIMPSONS.
https://www.harveyfierstein.com/
Daniel Clowes (1984)
Screenwriting
Clowes’s latest screenplay feature WILSON was nominated for Columbus Film Critics Association Actor of the Year. His first screenplay feature GHOST WORLD was nominated for an Academy Award in Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published, a Boston Society of Film Critics Award in Best Screenplay, and a Chicago Film Critics Association Award in Best Screenplay. Won Film Independent Spirit Awards Best First Screenplay and San Diego Film Critics Society Awards Best Screenplay Adapted.
https://danielclowes.blogspot.com/
Links to student films:
Yi Xiong (BFA ‘22), senior thesis film (Fiction), A Tortoise’s Year of Fate, (TRT 19:09)
https://vimeo.com/1092835369/a348248d95?share=copy
Becca Anton (BFA ‘25), senior thesis film (Fiction), Sǎrut Mâna (I Kiss Your Hand) (TRT 10:44)
https://vimeo.com/1092829670/67bb56cdae?share=copy
Pranav Dawar (BFA ‘25), senior thesis film (Nonfiction), Karnama (Well of Death), (TRT 13:37)
https://vimeo.com/1092824594/64ac9ac5d3?share=copy
Caroline Lathrop (BFA ‘23), senior thesis film (Nonfiction), Population 11, (TRT 11:08)
https://vimeo.com/1092832683/4870591a16?share=copy
Adam Kuchar (BFA ‘25), senior thesis film (Experimental), Springfield Park District, (TRT 5:44)
https://vimeo.com/1092782919/bd8eef202c?share=copy
Georgia Davidson (BFA ‘26), Fiction II film (Experimental), The Divine Love, (TRT 5:17)
https://vimeo.com/1092827561/b916fc6d01?share=copy