University Programs

The university offers a range of programs for students looking to pursue a career in film, audiovisual, sound, and animation.

Undergraduate Programs

• ESRA Cinema : A 3-year Bachelor's degree granting diploma in film and television.
• ESRA Sound : A 3-year Bachelor's degree granting program in sound, music, film, and video games, radio, and sound for events.
• ESRA Animation : A 3-year Bachelor's degree granting program in 3D animation.
• Bachelor Filmmaking : A 3-year Bachelor's degree granting diploma in film and television.

Post Bachelor's Degree +3

• DHEC Screenwriting and Directing : A 2-year diploma course (M1/M2) in writing and directing for film and television.
• DHEC Production and Distribution : A 2-year diploma course (M1/M2) in film production and distribution.
• MFA Filmmaking : A 2-year MFA degree granting program in writing and directing for film and television.
• ESRA New York : A 1-year training course in English for film and sound professions.

Professional Programs

• Professional Programs: Long and short programs to retrain or specialize in audiovisual professions.

Specific Programs

• ESRA Junior : Introductory audiovisual workshops for high school students in July.

Admissions

Admission

• Admission process: Competitions, pre-admissions, admissions, and parallel admissions.
• Degrees & Parcoursup: Diplomas, the Parcoursup platform, and key dates.
• Accessibility: Accessibility, furnishings, and personalized support.
• Scholarships and Mobility: Funding and scholarships, scholarship applications, financing solutions, testimonials from scholarship recipients.

The School

Who We Are

• History, the school, and the management team.
• Commitments: Inclusion, diversity, ecology, CSR, ethics, quality charter.
• Partnerships: France 2030, partner companies, and professional recommendations.
• Careers: Apply to ESRA to join the teaching and administrative team.

Resources

Resources

• School News: School news, events, masterclasses, screenings, alumni.
• Alumni News: News about ESRA alumni.
• Student Films: Student films, film recommendations, competition tips, ESRADIO, and job descriptions.
• Alumni Network: Join ESRA Pro, the Alumni network.
• Job Profiles: Discover a selection of the careers of the school's alumni (C廥ar, Oscar, Grammy Awards).
• Events: Come and meet us, all the dates of our upcoming Open Houses, trade fairs, masterclasses, and events.

Campus

ESRA Campuses

• ESRA Paris Campus: A film and audiovisual school in the heart of the capital.
• ESRA C矌e d'Azur Campus: A film school in a unique setting, between Nice and Cannes.
• ESRA Brittany Campus: A film school in a friendly and dynamic setting in Rennes.
• ESRA International: ESRA Brussels Campus, ESRA New York Campus.

Students and Alumni

Students and Alumni

• Students: Student films, associations, the ESRA 48h, film club, and all student activities.
• Alumni: Discover a selection of the careers of the school's alumni (C廥ar, Oscar, Grammy Awards).
• The Alumni Network: Join ESRA Pro, the Alumni network.

Camera Assistant Training

Training Presentation

The role of a camera assistant is essential on a film set. Responsible for ensuring that the camera equipment is properly prepared and functioning correctly, they set up the cameras, monitor the lenses, manage the accessories, and ensure that technical workflows are followed.

Program Details

• Schedule: 7 hours/day In-person.
• Total duration: 7 days (49 hours of training).
• Maximum capacity: 10 trainees.
• Training fee: 3,920 including tax.
• Location: ESRA Paris Campus.

Target Audience and Prerequisites

• Target audience: 2nd and 3rd camera assistants, image technicians, anyone wishing to develop their skills in the camera department.
• Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of photography (exposure, optics), previous experience on a film set is a plus.

Skills Developed

• Preparation and organization of camera equipment.
• Assembly and disassembly of camera configurations.
• Management of optics, filters, and accessories.
• Use of focus and monitoring systems.
• Knowledge of recording formats and metadata.
• Application of safety and maintenance procedures.

Training Objectives

1. Understanding the role and responsibilities of the camera assistant.
2. Mastering the preparation and configuration of cameras and accessories.
3. Managing optics, filters, and focusing systems.
4. Ensuring technical continuity and equipment maintenance.
5. Integrating image workflows from filming into post-production.

Training Program

• Day 1: Introduction to the profession and organization of the set.
• Day 2-3: Camera tests (digital).
• Day 4: Optics and Focusing.
• Day 6-7: Work on fine-tuning.

Teaching Methods

• 100% face-to-face training.
• Alternating theoretical classes and practical exercises.

Tools and Software Used

• Professional cameras (ARRI, Sony, RED).
• Accessories: lenses, filters, follow focus, matte box.
• Camera assistant's jewelry.
• Rushes management software.

Terms and Conditions of Access

• Admission steps: Information and positioning, application form, admission interview, admission decision.
• Registration is possible up to 7 days before the start of the session, subject to availability and depending on the method of financing.

Validation and Evaluation

• ESRA Certificate of Participation.
• Practical exam at the end of the session to validate the skills acquired.

Strengths

• Comprehensive training covering the fundamentals and advanced practices of the profession.
• Handling of professional equipment identical to that used on film sets.
• Practical exercises in real-life conditions for a concrete scenario.
• Supervision by experienced trainers from the industry.
• Small groups for personalized support.
• 100% in-person training.

Career Opportunities and Sectors of Activity

• First or second assistant camera operator.
• Camera assistant for hire.

Overview:

ESRA (École Supérieure de Réalisation Audiovisuelle) is France's leading private film and audiovisual school, founded in 1972. Ranked number one among film schools recommended by industry professionals according to the Figaro 2025 ranking, ESRA has spent over 50 years training the talent behind France's most recognized film, television, sound and animation productions.

ESRA is a family-run institution led by the Azoulay family across three generations, with a long-term commitment to each cohort of students. The school continuously adapts its curriculum to keep pace with industry evolutions, including the growing impact of artificial intelligence on production workflows.

Alumni track record

More than 15,000 audiovisual professionals have graduated from ESRA since 1972. The alumni network includes over 55 César nominations, 1 Oscar, 2 Grammy Awards, and selections at the Festival de Cannes and the Venice Film Festival (Mostra). ESRA alumni have worked on productions for Canal+, Arte and TF1, contributed sound work on recordings by Daft Punk, Beyoncé, A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar and Orelsan, and produced VFX and animation for major international productions.

Accreditation and recognition

All initial training programs at ESRA are recognized by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research. Undergraduate programs are validated at Bac+3 level (equivalent to a Bachelor's degree), and master's-level programs at Bac+5. ESRA holds Qualiopi certification for all professional training courses. The school is also part of the Erasmus+ program and its international programs are recognized by the People's Republic of China.

ESRA is the first ARRI-certified school in France, meaning students train on the same professional camera systems used on actual productions worldwide.

Campuses

ESRA operates across five campuses in France and Europe, each fully equipped with professional-grade production and post-production facilities:

• Paris: in the heart of the French capital
• Côte d'Azur: between Nice and Cannes, at the heart of the southern French film industry
• Bretagne: in Rennes, in a dynamic regional creative hub
• Bruxelles: in the European capital, under the Brussels campus
• New York: in Manhattan, offering English-language film and sound programs

Every campus is equipped with multi-station post-production suites, a professional camera inventory including Sony FS7, Sony F55 and ARRI ALEXA 35 cameras, recording equipment, microphones, portable computers, and the latest versions of industry-standard software for cinema, sound and animation.

Three fields of specialization

• Cinema and television: directing, producing, editing
• Sound and music: audiovisual sound, live sound reinforcement, music recording, radio and video game audio
• 3D animation: animation, compositing, VFX, modeling, and production management for film and television

International reach

Since 2019, ESRA has offered English-language programs open to students from around the world. These programs carry State recognition and are equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in countries including the United States, Australia and across Europe. Notable international partnerships include collaboration with MBC Group (a major Middle Eastern media group) to train young Saudi professionals, a partnership with Parsons The New School for Design since 2022, and an official partnership with the Beijing Film Academy formalized in November 2024.

Commitments and values

• Inclusion and equal opportunity: 25% of students receive bursaries each year, supported by an active scholarship policy worth over 100,000 euros annually; students are also eligible for CROUS grants and housing aid
• Gender parity and diversity: ESRA supports the Collectif 50/50 for gender parity in the audiovisual industry and Divé+, an association founded by alumni to promote diversity on screen and behind the camera
• Ecology: ESRA is a member of EcoProd, integrates carbon footprint measurement tools into production training, and conducts an annual carbon audit in partnership with Greenly; the school recycles over 400 kg of waste per year through Les Joyeux Recycleurs
• Social engagement: since 2017, students have made films with children in care homes, with screenings held at the Grand Rex in Paris
• Quality and ethics: Qualiopi-certified for professional training; signatory of the CPF Ethics Charter in partnership with Les Acteurs de la Compétence

Student life and events

Throughout the academic year, ESRA organizes masterclasses with leading French and international filmmakers, screenings with César-nominated directors, the 48h ESRA filmmaking challenge, a student cinema club, ESRADIO (a student radio station), and an annual student film showcase. Student work has been broadcast on TF1 and screened at international festivals.

Professional training

Beyond initial degree programs, ESRA offers a full range of professional continuing education through its DIXIT department, covering career transitions, software and equipment certification, and advanced specialist training for industry professionals.

Why ESRA

1. France's top-ranked film school by industry professionals, according to the Figaro 2025 ranking
2. State-recognized diplomas at Bac+3 and Bac+5, eligible for CROUS grants and housing support
3. The only ARRI-certified school in France, with professional-grade equipment on every campus
4. A network of over 15,000 alumni active across film, television, music, animation and VFX
5. Five campuses in France and Europe, plus a New York campus in Manhattan
6. Programs in both French and English, with international recognition including China
7. A family-run institution with a 50-year track record of adapting to industry change