Filmmaking in France – Erasmus+ group mobility

I found this project really exciting because of the topic, which was filmmaking. It was a really useful week for me because I got to use professional equipment such as cameras and tripods. The first part of the week involved icebreakers and fun games to help us get to know each other. We watched a film: Dilili in Paris, which I really liked! The second part of the week focused on the practical side of filmmaking. We learned about stop-motion techniques, how to use the software, how to capture shots, and how to make the little dough figures. I found that fascinating. This was the main focus of the project, but I must also mention the amazing time we spent exploring Paris. Walking around and having a coffee in a nice square felt like a dream. As well as these lovely activities, I also enjoyed the tasks we were given. We had to record sounds and capture videos of the streets, as well as make a short documentary about a chosen topic. I chose bicycles in Paris because there were so many of them. Overall, it was a great week in Paris, and I would love to go back if I had the chance.

Peer Zsombor

Our week began with fun icebreakers and the film Dilili in Paris, which set a friendly tone and offered a fascinating look at early 20th-century Paris, exploring themes like equality, women’s rights, and colonialism. On Tuesday, each group began a filmmaking project; mine created a horror movie trailer—a completely new and exciting experience that required teamwork, creativity, and improvisation. Wednesday took us to Paris for media-related tasks, where we captured photos, videos, and sounds around Montmartre, the Moulin Rouge, and the Opéra Garnier. On Thursday, we edited our trailer, then visited the Eiffel Tower and the Musée d’Orsay, whose impressionist section became my favorite. The week concluded with project presentations, a final stroll through Paris, and heartfelt reflections on this inspiring and unforgettable experience.

Schneider Mihály

We spent a week in France on a media Erasmus+ project. Our task was to explore the world of stop motion and then present the beauty of Paris through photos and videos. For the stop motion, we had some materials. We had other opportunities to make shoots in Paris as we had done in Budapest in March. We watched a film called Dilili in Paris about the Belle Époque and the different kinds of art. Inspired by this animation movie, we had to take similar photos and voice recordings in the places shown in the movie. It was a really fun and creative experience. I enjoyed walking around the city, discovering its atmosphere, and trying to capture its charm through our cameras. The project helped me see Paris from a different perspective and appreciate its art, culture, and elegance in a deeper way. It was definitely one of the best experiences I’ve had. I was very happy to see Paris in many different ways.

Járdány Bori

I got to travel to France for one week for the first time in my life, and I feel like I got the chance to experience how people live their everyday lives there. The two cities where we spent most of our time were Tournan-en-Brie and Paris, and both were great in their own ways. Besides the topic of the project week, we could get some information about a different school. In March, we got to acquire the basics about filmmaking, so now this knowledge was super useful when we made our various kinds of recordings in the city. In Paris, we had cultural experiences, such as visiting the Musée d’Orsay and seeing the masterpieces from the film Dilili in Paris. Here, we had to make some shoots on different topics. It was a wonderful experience, where I could develop my adaptation skills and broaden my perspective of the world.

Maros Rozália

My Erasmus+ project in France was an unforgettable adventure that transformed my understanding of stop-motions and filmmaking. Inspired by Michel Ocelot’s Dilili in Paris, our group created our own stop-motion film while immersing ourselves in Parisian culture. We stayed in Tournan-en-Brie during the week, a charming town that became our creative base. On Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, we traveled into Paris, walking through iconic neighborhoods and discovering hidden gems that fueled our imagination. Every site we visited was related to the animated movie we watched at the beginning of the week. From Montmartre’s artistic streets to the grandeur of the Eiffel Tower, every location offered inspiration for our film. We explored both the city’s famous landmarks and Tournan’s peaceful atmosphere, finding beauty in contrasts. Working with students from a different country taught me patience, creativity, and collaboration. This experience didn’t just develop my technical skills; it showed me how filmmaking connects people and places, creating stories that bridge cultures.

Radó-Kovács Flóra

We spent last week in Paris getting to know the art of filmmaking, photo shooting, and voice recording. We got to use professional cameras and devices for our projects. The base of our week was a French movie made by Michel Ocelot called Dilili in Paris. This animation movie introduces a lot of famous people and places in the Paris of the Belle Époque. After watching the film, we had some discussion about the historical period’s cultural heritage in Paris and world history. It was also great that we could speak about social problems like gender equality and the difference between rich and poor people. These topics were shown in the film in a different way than we see in other types of videos. Later, we tried to find and make a clip with our own twist on it. Our hosts were our guides in the city, so we could see some sites from the film in real life.

Kremlicska Csenge

I spent an unforgettable week in France on this media Erasmus+ project, exploring stop motion and capturing the beauty of Paris through photos and videos. Inspired by the film Dilili in Paris, which made discovering the city even more exciting. We stayed in Tournan-en-Brie, but we had the opportunity to go to Paris to shoot there. We worked in the school too. There we learned some skills about filmmaking and stop-motion making. Our filmmaking lessons really helped us create creative short films. Beyond the project, I experienced local life, culture, and art— from museums to street scenes. It was one of the best experiences of my life, helping me see the world differently, be open-minded, and patient. Thank you for everything.

Bánky Lea

Me and some of my schoolmates went to spend a whole week in France. The journey itself was exciting as we traveled together by plane one way and by trains to go back. Other than getting to know the culture and everyday life there, we did a lot of media-related work. We worked in two bigger groups, and each team completed the tasks differently. It was definitely an unforgettable experience, and I learned a lot from it. We took many pictures and made some interviews as well. My favorite part was probably making a stop-motion with my friends. We spent hours arranging clay and taking hundreds of photos frame by frame. Although the story itself could have been improved, I think it turned out great with a big plot twist and great writing. It was my first time trying out this technique, so it was definitely an adventure and I had to learn to really understand how everything had to be done. Since I study French at school, even though the project was in English, I was still able to improve my French—mainly because there were French texts and signs everywhere.

Paszlavszki Luca

Thanks to the Erasmus+ project, we had the opportunity to spend a week in France. During this time, we explored different forms of filmmaking, such as stop motion. The project was based on the film Dilili in Paris, which gave meaningful context to our activities and helped us understand the artistic atmosphere of the city. While we were in Paris, our main task was to create a portfolio about the city. I found it very useful, as it required us to take many photos and videos that will be wonderful memories later. At school, we worked on our stop-motion film, which was quite time-consuming, but thanks to the professional equipment provided, the process was smooth and enjoyable. It was also a great chance to meet new people and to get a glimpse into their everyday life. Overall, it was a truly inspiring and unforgettable experience.

Csorba Alíz

I had the pleasure of going to France and meeting some really nice people and getting a ton of experience. We explored the world of stop motion and created some really cool portfolios of Paris. I enjoyed exploring the city while working on the media project; we made a lot of photos, and I think our final product was very well put together. Our project was mostly inspired by the movie called Dilili in Paris, and we based most of the activities around this movie. It was an unforgettable experience wandering through the city and seeing all the locations where the movie takes place. I lived with a very kind family who were always kind to me. The school was in a little town, and it was one of the most peaceful places I’ve ever been to; I loved every part of it. In one sentence, this travel was and will be one of the most adventurous things that happened to me. Since we stayed with host families, I was able to get a glimpse into their daily life and lifestyle. It was a very interesting experience that felt much less like an official program, yet I learned a lot about how people live in other European countries.

Aradszki Olivér

Last week I got to spend time in France thanks to our Erasmus+ program. We had many projects and things to do, mainly based around the film Dilili in Paris. My favorite programs were always going into Paris and making films, photos, and anything in between. We also got to make a stop-motion film with an amazing setup provided by the French school. It was amazing to see the cultural difference between French and Hungarian schools and students. I was more than once shocked by this. It was also pretty interesting to see the architectural similarities between Budapest and Paris. Of course, we couldn’t have done this without our amazing hosts who made everything possible. All in all, this was an amazing experience that I’m glad to have been able to take part in.

Beck Simon

I was very excited about the second part of this project. Unlike the March project week, fewer film students from the French school took part this time, creating a different dynamic from the spring session—though equally rewarding. The Paris on the Big Screen project featured a diverse range of creative and educational activities. A key inspiration was on Monday the animated film Dilili in Paris, which brought to life the artistic and architectural landscape of Paris during the late 1800s and early 1900s. The film went beyond storytelling to address significant social issues, including women’s rights and economic disparity. Following the screening, we also reviewed the short films we had collaboratively produced in March. The project aimed to document Paris from multiple angles—using video, photography, interviews, and audio recordings. On Tuesday, participants worked with organizers to produce stop-motion animations. The program offered more than just practical filmmaking skills; it also enhanced participants’ appreciation of French culture, the educational system, and the arts through both the film and a visit to the Musée d’Orsay. All in all, the project proved to be both highly successful and deeply enriching.

Lipták Orsi

The project Paris on the Big Screen included a wide variety of creative and educational activities. Compared to the March project week, this time fewer film students from the French school participated, which made the experience quite different from spring—but just as valuable. One of the main sources of inspiration was the animated film Dilili in Paris, which portrayed the artistic and architectural world of late 19th- and early 20th-century Paris. Beyond the story itself, the film also explored important social themes such as women’s roles and economic inequality. After watching it, we also revisited the short films we had made together in March. The project’s goal was to capture Paris from as many perspectives as possible—through videos, photos, interviews, and sound recordings. On Tuesday, students also created stop-motion animations with the help of the organizers. The program not only allowed participants to gain hands-on filmmaking experience but also deepened their understanding of French culture, the education system, and, through both the film and the Musée d’Orsay, the arts. Overall, it was a highly successful and enriching project.

Német Zalán