Of all the elements that make a successful movie, often it is the shots and images that an audience remembers for far longer than the performances or script. It is the cinematographer, or director of photography, who creates the unique visual language of a film or television show. He or she works with the director to realize his or her vision while at the same time imbuing a production with a visual style that is wholly that of the cinematographer.
Review Of The Cinematography Program
As one of the best cinematography schools in the world, the New York Film Academy is committed to educating the next generation of cinematographers to develop their own unique visual voice while gaining intensive hands-on experience working with a variety of cameras and film, from Hi-Def to 16mm film, from 35mm film to the RED Epic digital video camera. From the first day of class, students are behind the camera receiving direct instruction from the Academy’s distinguished faculty of professional and accomplished cinematographers. Furthermore, in addition to helping students develop the technical and aesthetic skills required to excel at their craft, the cinematography school also focuses on providing students with extensive on-set experience in order to prepare them for the rigors of professional productions.
Cinematography Courses
Upon enrolling in a cinematography program at the New York Film Academy, students can expect to take the following cinematography courses in the One-Year Conservatory Cinematography program and MFA degree program.
Hands-on Photography
Cinematography: Form and Function
Interior Lighting
Hands-on 16mm & 35mm Cinematography
Editing
Hands-on Digital Cinematography
Location Lighting
Introduction to Digital Post
Assistant Camera Workshop
Directing for Cinematographers
Hands-On Steadicam
Cinematography/Filmmaker Collaboration
Visual Storytelling
Cinematography, Form and Function II
Feature Film Lighting
Post-Production for Cinematographers I
Television Lighting
Lighting and Cinematography I
Directing the Lens
History of Cinematography II
Hands-on Camera
Advanced Camera Assistant Seminar
The Visual Screenplay
Cinematography/Filmmaker Collaboration
35mm Cinematography
Cinematography, Form and Function III
Stage Lighting Workshop
Reality Television, Documentary and Cinematography for the Web
Production Workshop I
History of Cinematography III
Fundamentals of Lighting
Master’s Seminar in Cinematography
History of Cinematography I
Advanced Stage Lighting Workshop
Production Workshop II
Elective: Intensive Camera Movement Workshop
Navigating the Industry
Elective: Cinematography for Digital Effects
Lighting and Cinematography
Cinematography, Form and Function IV
Thesis
Post-Production for Cinematographers II
Cinematography Classes
Students can take a cinematography class at the New York Film Academy throughout the year. To learn more about the start dates and tuition rates, please click here.
Cinematography Degrees
Students have the option to apply the work they completed at the cinematography school in NYC toward credit in the New York Film Academy’s cinematography degree program in Los Angeles.
Designed for students interested in a non-degree cinematography program, the cinematography school at the New York Film Academy offers the following program.
In addition to offering state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, the New York Film Academy is also home to a distinguished faculty of instructors. Unlike other cinematography schools, our faculty members remain active in the industry and each instructor comes from a unique background, providing students with a well-rounded education. In addition, they work one-on-one with students to help them successfully complete the cinematography’s demanding curriculum. The faculty includes the following instructors:
Michael Pessah: Beginning his career assisting top commercial directors of photography, Pessah has gone to film over fifty productions. He was shortlisted for an Academy Award and was the recipient of the LA Weekly Theater Award. His work has appeared on such channels as HBO, MTV, BET, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BBC, and Canal+ and remains active as a cinematographer for television series and feature films.
Salvatore Interlandi: Based in NYC, Interlandi has extensive on-set experience. In addition to working as a director, writer, and cinematographer, he also has worked as a lighting designer, actor, and gaffer working on numerous feature films, television shows, and commercials for over ten years. His cinematography work includes the film Stags, Back Pain, and Make Pretend.
Eliana Alvarez Martinez: Having first started shooting her own films when she was sixteen, Alvarez soon began working as a cinematographer in Spain’s television industry before she had graduated college. Moving to New York in 2008, Alvarez has gone to work on multiple films that include Indebted and the documentaries Strat-O-Matic: The Movie, Gaming the System, I Sing Beijing, and Indian Summer.
Cinematography Alumni
The cinematography school at the New York Film Academy has graduated numerous alumni who have remained committed to realizing their professional ambitions.
Career Opportunities
The New York Film Academy’s cinematography school is focused on helping students realize and achieve the many career options that are available to well-trained cinematographers. Read below to see some of the positions and companies our alumni have worked for.
Cinematographer
Camera Operator
Additional Director of Photography
Grip
Camera Assistant
Video Editor
Videographer
Camera Technician
Additional Camera Operator
Contact Us
If you would like to learn more about the New York Film Academy’s cinematography school, please call us at +1 (212) 674-4430 or follow the links below to obtain more information.
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1-800-611-FILM | 1-212-674-4300 
Cinematography Degrees
