"Always direct the whole, not just one scene." Jiří Mádl taught students screenwriting and directing at CME Content Academy

Although he is currently preparing only his third feature film, he is already considered an established creator by industry professionals. From the bittersweet comedy "To See the Sea" (2014), depicting a young boy's perspective on his parents' divorce through his camera, to the comedic drama "On the Roof" (2019), which tells the story of an elderly man forming a bond with a Vietnamese boy, and now the period drama "Waves" (2024), portraying the events of August 1968 through the lens of Czechoslovak Radio. The latter film will premiere this summer.

Jiří Mádl spoke mainly about the experiences he gained at the New York Film Academy. He showed materials for his films that preceded the development of the screenplay. "Always pay attention to structure. You need to know it. If you have it correctly structured, no one can say anything," he advised.

He recommended books that could help students with their screenwriting. "The book 'Save the Cat' by Blake Snyder is good, but it mostly provides the basics. What I definitely recommend are the publications by Robert McKee," he said.

He dedicated a seven-hour workshop to directing. He talked about how, as an actor, he can easily switch from acting to directing and vice versa. Even though he is a director himself, he has no problem respecting another director's wishes when acting in their film or series. "It's important to leave your ego at home," he said, adding that his acting experience helps him empathize better with actors. He advised students to be kind to everyone, even if the experience on set is extremely stressful. "After being emotionally drained by directing a film, the last thing you'd want to do is make another one," Mádl lamented. "But then someone comes up to you after the premiere, praises you, and it pulls you right back in," he concluded.

-Matěj Škop