Schloss Einstein is a long-running, popular German television series which is designed as a teenage soap opera. It portrays the lives of teenagers in Schloss Einstein (Castle Einstein), a fictional boarding school. The intended audience is 10- to 14-year-olds.
The series combines the genres of comedy, action, drama (e.g., first love, problems with parents and schoolmates), and natural science. Scripts for the series are written by prominent television script writers.
Current air times
New episodes of Schloss Einstein are currently shown on Saturdays at 2:35 p.m. on channel KiKa. Older episodes are shown regularly from Monday to Friday at 2:10 p.m. on KiKa.
History
Schloss Einstein was developed and produced by by order of the ARD under the auspices of the MDR and WDR.
Starting in September 2007, took over production of the series.
Because the show has its own genre as a Kinder-Weekly (children's weekly), the producers had had no experience with this kind of series. Originally, only 76 episodes were planned. ARD went to yearly sequels after they knew it was a success. Since then, each season of production has consisted of 52 episodes, which are shot in 13 blocks of four episodes each.
The first episode was aired September 4, 1998, on channel KiKa. Prior to the show's eleventh season (which began in January 2008), a total of 480 episodes had been produced. Episode 480 was the last episode that was set in the fictional village of Seelitz.
Up to March 2016, a total of 870 episodes in 19 seasons had aired. This was a milestone in German television programming. Worldwide, Schloss Einstein is the longest-running fictional children's television series (among those that employ child actors).
Concept
Schloss Einstein is a television show intended for an audience of children. The show guides its viewers through the entire school year and offers characters with whom children can identify. Because the actors are the same age as their viewers, their actions look authentic.
In its representation of classroom lessons, real knowledge is taught. Thus the show provides both entertainment and instruction. It provides education in a relaxed way. Because it has implemented this concept, Schloss Einstein is unique worldwide and has been made the object of several scientific studies.
Storyline
Dr. Stollberg realizes a dream. He establishes a private school in an old castle and names his school “the Albert-Einstein-Gymnasium, Internat Schloss Seelitz.” The school bears the name of the founder of the theory of relativity because it teaches natural science. Its students shorten the long name, and it is thereafter known as “Schloss Einstein.”
Dr. Stollberg wants to provide an education for his students by using his best strength — personal tutoring. Violence is forbidden in the school. Problems that arise must be solved peacefully and, if possible, by the children themselves. Newcomers are given an older student who acts as a “godparent.” Of course, this does not always go smoothly, but the teachers and students must master their everyday life under a common roof.
At the center of the show are the personal responsibilities of teenagers from class 6 to class 8. Because there are no parents present, the children must make decisions for themselves and be prepared for the consequences. A few adults appear as advisers or counselors.
The students experience problems such as grades, cliques, envy, friendships, puberty, first love, career hopes, alcoholism, and the divorce or unemployment of their parents.
In many episodes, the students have adventures and learn how to manage conflicts. They also have fun with all kinds of jokes and pranks. There is tension between the Schloss Einstein students and the students who attend public schools. They do not like each other but have to get along. Compromise and tolerance are important in these relationships.
In the later episodes, which are set in the city of Erfurt, no public school students are present. However, students who attend other private schools are present from time to time.
Setting and Cast
The first ten seasons were set in the fictional village of Seelitz, near Berlin. With the advent of the eleventh season on January 5, 2008, (episode 481) the setting was transferred to the real city of Erfurt.
In Seelitz
Schloss Einstein was shot from 1998 to 2007 (episodes 1–480) on the grounds of the Babelsberg Studios in Potsdam. The Jagdschloss Grunewald in Berlin served as backdrop. Outdoor filming was done in the Klein Glienicke quarter of Potsdam and in surrounding villages.