How you are organised into groups, and why it matters
Basic course, level 1 as assistant, speciality as production technician — and how to get started
If you want to work behind the camera, in the editing room or with sound and lighting on a film set or in a TV studio, film and TV production education is the way in. It is a vocational education (VET) under the main subject Technology, construction and transport, and it is structured like most vocational educations: you alternate between going to school and training in a company where you use what you learn in reality.
§The basic course — your first steps
If you come more or less directly from primary school, you start on the basic course, which is divided into two. Basic course 1 (GF1) is a broad introduction where you orient yourself among several subjects within the main area and find your direction. Basic course 2 (GF2) is aimed at film and TV production. Each part lasts about half a year.
On GF2, you begin concrete work with the craft of the subject: camera, lighting, sound, and editing, as well as the way production is planned and carried out. You also learn to think safety and work environment from the start — it is a permanent part of the profession.
§Step 1: film and tv assistant
The education is tiered. The first tier makes you a film and TV assistant. Here you learn to prepare and operate the equipment help with filming and become part of a production team. As an assistant you are the one who makes things flow: rigging equipment keeping track of gear and supporting the more experienced in their functions.
§Specialty: film and TV production technician
If you build further you can aim for the specialism as film and TV production technician. At that level you can yourself plan and carry out audiovisual courses and take greater professional and creative responsibility for a production. This is where you really combine the technical craft with the storytelling craft and getting a team to work together towards a finished product.
§How long does it take altogether?
For a young person starting from scratch phase 1 as a film and TV assistant lasts around 2 years and if you continue on the specialisation as a production technician there is an additional roughly 2 years and 6 months on top. Overall the education therefore spans from around 3 years to around 5 years and 6 months depending on how far you go and whether you take the normal route or a tailored adult programme. School teaching is in separate blocks and the rest of the time you are in training.
| Part | Duration (approx.) | What's happening |
|---|---|---|
| Basic course 1 | a half year | Broad introduction to the main area |
| Basic course 2 | a half year | Targeted film and TV production |
| Step 1 — film and tv assistant | ca. 2 år | Training + school periods; preparation and operation of equipment |
| Specialty – production technician | additional approx. 2 years and 6 months | Independent planning and execution of productions |
§Entry requirements and admission
To start basic course 2 you must have passed primary school's leaving exam and in principle have at least grade 02 on average in both Danish and mathematics. If you don't meet the requirement directly there can be a way in via an entrance exam and interview — ask the school's counselor.
As on all vocational apprenticeships you must have a training place (a training agreement with a company) to be able to complete the main course. In this trade there is limited admission so it is a good idea to be in good time finding a place. If you cannot find a place right away talk to the school about your options.