Boredom is a precious commodity. All too rarely are we able to experience it, let alone enjoy it.
I’m talking about genuine boredom, not that hollow feeling that nothing can capture my attention any more because my receptors have become desensitised due to endless sensory overload.
I remember Sunday afternoons in the late 1960s, when my parents had retired for a short rest after lunch and I lay on the living room floor, bored out of my mind, watching the minute hand on the pendulum clock as it crept agonisingly slowly along (sic). Watching television wasn’t an option; back then, programmes on German television didn’t start until 3.00 pm, even on Sundays.

Nevertheless, those moments were so memorable that I can still relive them, and I have to recognise that they were very important, uneventful event; during such times, an inner strength builds up within you, which then, at the right moment, generates an impulse capable of producing something magnificent.
Interestingly, I needed this time lag; had I had the free time that was dragging me into boredom, I could have used it to create something – I was already drawing quite a lot and enjoyed it back then – or to do something else. This led to the realisation that emptiness defines the capacity of the cornucopia.

Our university is actually discussing the possibility of creating ‘void’ for our students by setting aside time at the end of each semester to be used for individual pursuits. Given the very limited time available for studying, this is quite an ambitious idea. We will discuss it – together with the students.

I’m currently sitting here in Abruzzo, waiting for that one true sense of boredom, but it just won’t set in; my thoughts are still lingering on the past year – the memories and emotions of our recent graduation are still too fresh.

It’s a good cohort – a very good one, in fact. Some remarkable projects were produced, all of which were completed within the specified timeframe. Kat and Marwan, who organise and supervise the graduation process, work together seamlessly; the mentors were focused; and the teams – after a somewhat bumpy start in some cases – were highly ambitious and motivated. Jean and Tim ensured a smooth-running pipeline, whilst Thomas and Marc produced a superb sound mix. The premiere, organised efficiently and silently by Elena, was a full house; the response to the films was consistently very positive, with diversity, originality and technical skill being highlighted. Now the films are setting off on their grand journey to the festivals.

So I’m satisfied.

Of course, the past year also brought with it many uncertainties. Above all, developments in AI dominated the debate. Our fears that the number of applications would fall as a result of the discussions surrounding AI did not materialise; the figures remain at a high level of just over 100 applications, a third of which are from international students. The standard is good, and I expect a diverse yet balanced class in terms of talent and interests.

Overall, the students seem to be quite resilient in the face of an uncertain future; I got the impression that a certain fatalistic optimism is taking hold. It doesn’t matter which subject you study – it won’t be easy for anyone – so you might as well choose what you feel called to do.

AI will shape our everyday lives; we want to have a say in the extent to which it takes over this aspect for animation and its training. Kai Müri will be joining our team from October. Alongside his teaching on CGI – primarily in the first year, but also extending into the Master’s programme – he will introduce our students to AI in animation in an informative, voluntary and playful manner. Our teaching team is also set to engage in an open and critical examination of this topic. These will be decisive years.

In 2027, we’ll be celebrating our 25th anniversary, coinciding with the university’s 150th anniversary celebrations. We’ll be taking this opportunity to send a programme featuring the best final-year projects on tour. Chantal will be contacting festivals worldwide. I’m hoping for a good response. We aren’t planning our own party in view of the university’s major 150th-anniversary celebrations, but an ‘extended premiere’ would certainly be welcome. For that, we’ll need some good films again. The new final-year students are already mulling over their ideas. I’m looking forward to the pitches on 8 September.

And then it’s back to business as usual – the new academic year.

Jürgen Haas