The Academy opened its doors in 1992 (in Robert DeNiro’s Tribeca Film Center) on a belief that a top quality education in filmmaking should be accessible to anyone with the drive and ambition to make films. Learning to be a filmmaker, actor, or animator is not done “by the numbers”. It is done by immersion in the process and by knowing the “whys” that teach the “hows”. It is done by hands-on experience, trial and error, feedback and correction, and questions and answers. By working on a series of projects and by working hands-on almost every day, students will learn by doing.

Above all, our students are storytellers. Screenwriters must create the blueprint that is the foundation of every film. Film directors must translate the story into the visual language of cinema. Film producers take the story from a dream into a concrete reality by bringing it to the marketplace.

The New York Film Academy’s workshops encourage students to work through these challenges; to empower students to artfully tell their stories. Filmmaking demands the integration of many kinds of knowledge. It is the integration of knowledge that distinguishes the New York Film Academy from many other film schools. In our filmmaking courses students learn not how to operate a camera, light a scene, or edit film, but they also learn how all the aspects of filmmaking relate to, interact with, and depend upon each other.

The Film Academy is honored to be the film school of choice of many Hollywood filmmakers and their families, including the son of Steven Spielberg; the son of Academy Award winner Kevin Kline; the son of former James Bond, Pierce Brosnan; the daughter of director George Romero (The Night of the Living Dead). Yet, some of the best films to come out of the New York Film Academy are from students with no connections to be the film industry.

Programs

MASTER OF FINE ARTS
Filmmaking
Producing
Acting for Film
Screenwriting
ONE-YEAR
Filmmaking (16MM, DIGITAL, 35MM, HD)
Documentary Filmmaking
Acting for Film
Producing
Screenwriting
Journalism
3-D Animation
TWO-YEAR CONSERVATORY
Filmmaking
Producing
Acting for Film
Screenwriting
8-WEEK
Filmmaking
Acting for Film
Screenwriting
4-WEEK
Filmmaking
Acting for Film
3D Animation
Digital Filmmaking
Digital Editing
Journalism

1-WEEK
Filmmaking
Music for Film
Acting for Film
3D Animation
12-WEEK EVENING
Filmmaking
Acting for Film
Screenwriting
Digital Filmmaking
Digital Editing
Journalism

INTENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL AND YOUTH WORKSHOPS
We offer intensive summer filmmaking, digital, and acting for film workshops for high school students in New York City; Universal Studios, Los Angeles; Disney MGM Studios, Florida; Universal Studios, Florida; Harvard University, London, England; Paris, France; and Florence, Italy.
1-week
4-week
6-week
We have chosen some of the most prestigious and inspiring locations in the world including:
New York City, NY
Universal Studios
Harvard University
Disney MGM Studios
Bilbao, Spain
London, England
Paris, France
Florence, Italy
Milan, Italy
Rome, Italy

SAMPLE SCHEDULE – FILMMAKING FIRST SEMESTER

Note: Daily schedule and hours may vary throughout the program. Curriculum is subject to change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I have no film experience or acting experience. Are these programs for me?
A: Yes, our Filmmaking and Acting Programs were designed specifically for individuals with little or no filmmaking or screen acting experience.
Q: How hands-on are the programs?
A: Extremely. All classes are designed to be of immediate and practical use. Students shoot film in camera, lighting, and production classes.
Q: Do students edit their films digitally?
A: Yes. Students enrolled in all NYFA programs edit on Apple computers with Final Cut Pro.
Q: How much access will I have to equipment?
A: With over 300 16mm and digital cameras and 200 Final Cut Pro editing stations, the New York Film Academy maintains the best ratio of equipment to students of any film school in the world. The editing room is open 24 hours a day in most New York Film Academy locations.
Q: Where will I live during the course?
A: The Film Academy can introduce you to safe, convenient, and affordable accommodations. Contact a Housing Coordinator at the location you want to attend for more details.
Q: Do I own the films I make at the NYFA?
A: Students are the sole owners of all the films they make during the program. The Academy, however, reserves the right to make copies of student work for promotional purposes.
Q: What is the admissions policy at the NYFA?
A: There is a rolling admissions policy for all workshops. Applications are accepted throughout the year until the programs are filled. Successful applicants must have a minimum of a high school diploma or the equivalent for admittance to all programs and workshops. Applicants to the MFA program must hold a Bachelor’s Degree.
Q: What is the minimum age requirement?
A: The Film Academy’s courses are extraordinarily intensive, and demand maturity, commitment and dedication. Our year round programs are designed for students 18 years old and up. Students need to be able to work with others and be responsible to them. (In the summer there are special workshops for high school age students ages 14-17 and younger students ages 10-13).
Q: Is college credit available?
A: All programs at the New York Film Academy are accredited. Students who fulfill graduation requirements will receive an official transcript that they may use to apply for transfer credit at another institution. Please see page 166 for details.
Q: What is the policy for overseas students?
A: The Academy welcomes students from all points on the globe. The diverse background of the Film Academy’s students creates a rich multicultural community which promotes the exchange of ideas and viewpoints. The staff is multilingual and ready to assist overseas students.
Q: What is the average day like?
A: Students should expect to be busy six days a week. Class days may begin at 9am and end as late as 8:30pm. Production days are typically ten/ twelve hours. Additional time will be spent during some evenings for editing.
Q: May I sit in on a class?
A: Yes. Our information offices are open Monday through Saturday from 10–6 pm. Call the office in New York at 212-674-4300, in L.A. at 818-733-2600, or London at (011) 44 207 430 2227 and we will be happy to arrange for you to sit in on a class.
Q: Can I contact a former student?
A: We have many former students who will relate their experience at the Academy. Contact our admissions office by phone, fax or email.
Q: Does the Academy provide financial assistance?
A: Many of our students use a Private Education Loan to cover both tuition and living expenses. You must be accepted into the program before you can apply for a loan. We will guide you through the process. We will expedite any such funds you might find and be eligible for, however, please note we do not process any federal aid at this time.