Masters of Their Craft: Celebrating our MA Students
By MetFilm School
28 February 2025
At MetFilm School, we are always proud to showcase the remarkable achievements of our students and alumni, whose diverse and innovative projects exemplify the creative excellence of our talented community.
As we prepare to welcome our latest cohort of MA Cinematography, MA Directing, and MA Film & Television Production students for the new April start date, we invite you to join us as we celebrate the achievements of our amazing MA students on these courses over the years.
Deep Dish: A Docuseries by MA Graduates Justin Herrera and David Moench
MetFilm School Berlin graduates, Justin Herera (MA Cinematography) and David Moench (MA Directing), took a trip to the Lofoten Islands in Norway in January 2023, and were struck by the community’s unique approach to food, community, and sustainability.
The two filmmakers had an immediate realisation that this was the perfect place for them to begin their ‘Deep Dish’ odyssey. They returned to the Lofoten Islands in May 2023 to shoot the pilot, and now they’re planning out their next seven episodes.
5 String Theory: A Surreal Industry Project
When violinist Alexey Kochetkov went looking for filmmakers to shoot his first music video for the song 5 String Theory, MA Directing student Eli Ramraj and MA Cinematography student Lili Zwirner jumped at the opportunity. The resulting video is a surreal dreamscape oozing with creative innovation, style, and camera wizardry.
“In addition to making choices that best fit the music, aesthetic potential, narrative, and logistical concerns,” Eli explained, “you also have to be hyper aware that you are handling an artist’s image.”
Lili added, “For a smooth and friendly workflow, you need to listen to your clients’ concerns, to understand what matters most to them, and to find creative solutions that respect everyone involved.”
Filming on an iPhone with Sameer Baria
A six-person cast and crew, comprising MetFilm School London MA Directing and MA Cinematography students, filmed The Silence Between Us entirely on an iPhone. The project made the Official Selection for the Lift-Off Global Network and taught the crew some valuable lessons in working within the constraints of different technologies, and how these constraints can be used to your creative advantage.
“Filming on an iPhone certainly presents its own set of limitations and challenges,” said Sameer Baria, the DoP on the project, “but I really appreciated the creative freedom it provides for experimentation.”
CauveryWASI: A Wildlife Documentary Master’s Project
For their MA project, MA Film & Television Production students Shubh Tripathi and Syed Ishaq took to the waters of the Cauvery River in southern India to tell the story of conservation efforts to save the humpback mahseer fish from extinction.
Filming took the pair across 2,000 kilometres of winding waters and forests, tackling filming permissions, camouflage issues, and meeting a huge range of people dedicated to wildlife conservation in the region.
“The [MA] course helped us in so many ways,” said Syed, “brushing up our technical knowledge before the shoot, and making us dig deeper into the subject, to find the story that really mattered.”
Making 12 Films in 12 Months: MA Directing Student Luigi Cogliani
MA Directing student, Luigi Cogliani, set himself an ambitious goal: to create 12 films in 12 months. This personal challenge allowed Luigi to explore various genres, narratives, and filmmaking techniques, resulting in a diverse portfolio of work that showcases his growth as a director.
One of these twelve films, Beyond the Final Line, won Luigi the award for Best Short Film at the 2024 Berlin Indie Film Festival.
Luigi is clearly a passionate and talented director, but he also has a wonderful way with words: “Making a film is like crafting a beautiful painting,” he told us. “Your cast and crew are the tools with which you create your art, but if you don’t find the real story between your actors, you have nothing to paint!”
Interested in taking your passion for filmmaking to the next level?
Apply now to start your MA in Cinematography, Directing, or Film and Television Production this April
