Werner Herzog Announces First German Rogue Film School

Michele "Izzy" Galgana, Editor, U.S.; New England (@m_galgana)

November 23 2015, 6:30 PM

Everyone's favorite cinematic curmudgeon, Werner Herzog, has announced that he's bringing his rogue film school teachings to Munich. Lucky attendees can learn what that means if they are one of the selected few; 65 students maximum will be admitted. And who wouldn't jump at the chance to learn from a man known for living on the edge of societal norms? This is the guy whose nihilist leanings have been made into pretty, inspirational-looking memes --- lest you forget that he's responsible for several decades of films, such as the mental Nicolas Cage flick Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, Nosferatu the Vampyre, and Aguirre, the Wrath of God.

Because it's not an actual film school (Herzog refutes such institutions and will be ignoring technical advice) he'll be teaching over four days, not four years. It will all take place at a hotel seminar in Munich, Germany on March 18-21, 2016. If you're new to Herzog, it's worth noting that his school isn't for the pretentious. Read the FAQs on the site or look him up on YouTube, but here's a taste from the school's "about page" below:

Related, but more practical subjects, will be the art of lockpicking. Traveling on foot. The exhilaration of being shot at unsuccessfully. The athletic side of filmmaking. The creation of your own shooting permits. The neutralization of bureaucracy. Guerrilla tactics. Self reliance.

Censorship will be enforced. There will be no talk of shamans, of yoga classes, nutritional values, herbal teas, discovering your Boundaries, and Inner Growth.

If this sounds like it's up your alley and you can swing the seminar and application fee as well as the flight, hotel, and assorted costs to feed yourself, find out what it takes to apply at: this link here at the roguefilmschool site.

From the press release:

Acclaimed film director Werner Herzog (Grizzly Man, Fitzcarraldo, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans) will be teaching his 4-day film seminar in Munich, Germany on March 18-21, 2016. This will be the sixth of several long weekend seminars, which will take place in various U.S. and international cities. The seminar will take place in a hotel conference room over four consecutive days, Friday evening through Monday evening, and will be in an intimate classroom setting.

There are no academic requirements, but applicants must fill out a brief written application and submit a short film (via link), which they have directed themselves. Applications will be accepted starting November 23, 2015 and the final deadline for online submission is January 8, 2016.