The method of constructing a narrative based on causality in the entrance exam of the Korean Film School
The method of constructing a narrative based on causality in the entrance exam of the Korean Film School
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Hello, my name is Renee Kim.
Today, I would like to talk about how many students, including Hanna joy, who was recently admitted to the Film Department at the Seoul Institute of the Arts, prepared for writing and practical storytelling.
Foreigners aspiring to enter a film program in Korea must prepare a portfolio, which requires studying scriptwriting, storytelling, and filming techniques.
Based on my experience guiding students in creating film portfolios, I will share insights on how foreign applicants can successfully gain admission to Korean universities and structure effective storytelling for filmmaking.
The Core of Film School Admissions: Creativity, Passion, and Determination
Film direced by renee
In film school admissions, the focus is not on technical test-taking skills but on evaluating the applicant's creative abilities, originality, passion, and determination. If students aim for Korea's top-tier universities, other university admissions may feel comparatively easier.
To achieve this, foreign applicants should tailor their preparation to the admission requirements of their target universities. Instead of relying on a single approach, they need to adopt methods that directly enhance their critical thinking and creativity. This can be done by watching and analyzing various works, practicing writing, preparing for interviews, and collecting feedback to improve their skills.
Step 1: Self-Assessment and Meeting Basic Requirements
Film direced by renee
The first step in preparing for university admission is to objectively evaluate oneself and assess one’s abilities. It's crucial to realistically judge one’s situation and plan accordingly for the admissions process in Korean universities.
Factors such as family financial resources, personal health, and finding a good mentor are all significant advantages. In film school admissions, foreign students are often required to submit portfolios and participate in interviews. These oral evaluations require more than good speaking skills; they demand in-depth knowledge of the field, awareness of current social trends, and a demonstration of creativity, critical thinking, and originality, which carry the most weight in evaluations.
Additionally, proficiency in Korean is essential. Without good scores on Korean language tests, admission is unlikely. At our academy, we provide students with extensive study materials to help them acquire as much foundational knowledge as possible. This knowledge is then applied in a variety of scenarios to enhance critical thinking through long-term and intensive guidance.
Creating a Unique Portfolio: Expressing Originality and Individuality
To leave a strong impression on evaluators during admission interviews, students need to prepare a distinctive portfolio that highlights their individuality. This requires choosing topics or themes they are passionate about and designing their work in innovative ways.
Developing the ability to create unique stories is crucial for cultivating individuality and originality. The ultimate goal is to create a personal style that stands out. Moreover, improving technical knowledge in areas such as filming, editing, and sound design is essential to elevate the overall quality of the portfolio.
Enhancing Creativity Through the Principle of Causality
Film direced by renee with famous actor, Do you know him?
One of the unique methods we use at our academy is a 12-step reasoning approach. This method involves analyzing spaces and scenes from an artistic perspective to reconstruct aesthetic elements. Our training focuses on reconstructing beautiful cinematic stories.
With sufficient training, students acquire creative techniques akin to those used in art films, significantly improving their chances of success in admissions. This process helps students understand and restructure the plots and narratives of films or dramas.
By adhering to causality, students reimagine the flow of time artistically. The result is original narratives created through condensed and rearranged sequences that form the story’s plot.
Storytelling: Attention to Detail
When constructing a story, the plot must follow the principle of causality. While mixing the timeline and setting can stimulate curiosity and intrigue, the middle and latter parts of the story must clarify these relationships, allowing multiple interpretations.
This approach can add tension and interest by omitting or summarizing certain content for a faster pace. Introducing past or future events in the middle or later parts of the story can enhance coherence or create unexpected developments, engaging the audience further.
Every scene in a film must have a purpose, with even small dialogue, actions, or visual elements carrying meaning. This meticulous attention to detail not only enhances the story but also highlights the characters’ appeal.
Building Compelling Characters
The most impactful stories emphasize characters’ appeal through carefully crafted narratives based on possibilities, evidence, and reasoning. Popularity and audience empathy often depend on the depth and intricacy of a character’s story.
Considering characters’ backgrounds and how they acquired their key traits allows even minor dialogue or actions to carry deeper significance.
Using the 12-step reasoning process, students can create artistic visuals and sounds while thoroughly analyzing the causes and effects of every scene. They can carefully decide on dialogue, sound design, makeup, special effects, and character development—or choose to omit certain elements selectively—resulting in compelling and unique stories that resonate deeply with audiences.