The New York Film Academy film school programs are designed for a new generation of storytellers: visual artists who share a passion for motion pictures and want to learn by making their own projects in a hands-on, intensive program.

Our students come from across the United States and all over the world to learn and work together in short-term workshops or one and two-year degree programs. In the creation of our curricula, we worked with faculty and professionals from around the world. We adapted the best ideas and elements from the leading film school programs and designed intensive and accelerated alternatives that provide a thorough grounding in the craft.
Click here to see what our alumni are doing

HANDS-ON INTENSIVE 4-WEEK DIGITAL FILMMAKING

START DATES FOR NEW YORK CITY & UNIVERSAL STUDIOS:
March 5, 2012   •   April 2, 2012   •   May 7, 2012   •   June 4, 2012   •   July 9, 2012

In our Four-Week Film School, each student writes, shoots, directs, and edits 3 of his/her own films and crews on 9 others


The New York Film Academy offers special hands-on intensive Four-Week Digital Filmmaking workshops in all our locations in the United States and abroad. Each student directs three projects shot on DV and edited on Apple Final Cut Pro stations. For those unable to commit to daytime course, a twelve-week evening digital filmmaking workshop is offered at regular intervals in New York City, Los Angeles, and Abu Dhabi Film School.

DIRECTING FOR DIGITAL VIDEO

Students are taught the language of filmmaking and the director’s craft as applied to the digital format. Aspects of mise-en-scene, visual storytelling, continuity-style coverage, directing actors and writing visually will be emphasized.

HANDS-ON DIGITAL CAMERA AND LIGHTING

Classes help students master the digital medium including white balance, shutter speed, focus, video latitude, gels, and filters using 24p digital cameras.

DIGITAL EDITING

Students learn to “log and capture” their digital footage into the Final Cut Pro editing system. Creating a timeline, inserting footage, special digital effects, and building a digital soundtrack are among the subjects that are covered. Editing instructors are on hand to consult with students on creative and technical aspects of their individual projects throughout the editing process.

SOUND RECORDING

Students learn to get high quality sound for their projects with boom microphones and accessories.

Continue >>

PROJECT ONE

CONTINUITY STYLE DIRECTING
Students explore film grammar while using the digital camera. Students are taught to plan and shoot “coverage” of a dramatic or documentary subject. Students learn how different camera angles, camera movements, focal lengths, lighting and blocking actors combine to bring the scene together seamlessly in the editing room.

PROJECT TWO

MUSIC FILM
The second project introduces students to the relationship between sound and film, as well as to narrative tools like montage and jump cuts. In this project, students are encouraged to explore a more personal form of visual storytelling.

Students choose a short continuous selection of music. In the editing room, they cut their images to work in concert with, or in counterpoint to, the music. Students should experiment with rhythm and pacing.

PROJECT THREE

FINAL FILM
Project three may be in documentary, fiction or experimental form and up to 7 minutes. The portability and flexibility of digital video make it an excellent format for documentary filmmaking, while the unimposing size of the camera and the ability to shoot in low light levels with small crews allow for a new intimacy working with actors in dramatic projects.

With this project, students explore the unique properties of the digital format. Students plan their projects meticulously, and then improvise and utilize the best aspects of the digital medium. The light weight of the camera makes for great ease of hand-held camera movements. Low light level shooting is possible in such a way that the camera can record very sharp images in a wide variety of environments. Students take their digital cameras into places where film cameras and film crews would not have easy access. Students interested in experimental projects and/or music videos find limitless creative possibilities in digital formats.

Students edit their final digital projects during the last week of the program, which culminates in a final screening open to actors, friends and family. Experimentation in the editing room is encouraged as students explore the advanced functionality of Final Cut Pro.

QUICK FACTS:
Start Dates:
For New York City:
Mar 5, 2012 , Apr 2, 2012 , May 7, 2012 , Jun 4, 2012 , Jul 9, 2012 , Aug 6, 2012 , Sep 10, 2012, Oct 1, 2012 , Nov 5, 2012 , Jan 7, 2013 , Feb 4, 2013 , Mar 4, 2013 , Apr 1, 2013 , May 6, 2013 , Jun 3, 2013 , Jul 8, 2013 , Aug 5, 2013 , Sep 9, 2013 , Oct 7, 2013 , Oct 28, 2013
For Universal Studios:
Apr 2, 2012 , May 7, 2012 , Jun 4, 2012 , Jul 9, 2012 , Aug 6, 2012 , Sep 10, 2012, Oct 1, 2012 , Nov 5, 2012 , Jan 7, 2013 , Feb 4, 2013 , Mar 4, 2013 , Apr 1, 2013 , May 6, 2013 , Jun 3, 2013 , Jul 8, 2013 , Aug 5, 2013 , Sep 9, 2013 , Oct 7, 2013 , Oct 28, 2013
For Harvard University:
Jun 23, 2012
For Florence Italy:
Jun 24, 2012
For Paris France:
Jun 24, 2012
For Paris France:
Jun 24, 2012
For Abu Dhabi:
Apr 01, 2012, Sep 09, 2012, Nov 11, 2012
For Mumbai India:
For Lugano Switzerland:
Jul 9, 2012
For Beijing China:
Apr 1, 2012 , Jul 15, 2012
For Shanghai China:
Jul 15, 2012

Program Requirements: High School Diploma, GED
tuition: $ 3,150* (USD) / €2,406 (EURO)
You Graduate With: Diploma/Certificate, DVD Film Reel

br />Equipment Fee: $500 (€382)*Students will also incur additional expenses on their own productions. This varies depending on how much film they shoot and scale of the projects.