4-Week Online Cinematography Workshop

NYFA

4-Week Online Cinematography Workshop

Learn Cinematography from Anywhere

The 4-Week Online Cinematography Workshop is focused on understanding the basic principles of cinematography with a combination of online lectures, analysis of the history of cinematography, camera and basic lighting technology and techniques, including an introduction to editing and color correction using Davinci Resolve.

Program DescriptionProgram Name: 4-Week Online Cinematography Workshop

Students will test what they learn during the online lectures with 3 exercises that are designed using a digital camera of their own possession, including a cell phone if nothing else is available.

Projects/Exercises

Composition: As directed during the Production Lab prep class, the students will create a series of shots to practice and test their knowledge of composition and the technical elements of cinematography (focus, exposure, color, basic camera movements).
Continuity: The student will create a small scene within the space safely accessible to them, in which they will use different framing, angles of view, and available or artificial light to build the narrative. Could be fictional (ex: a mystery presence in the room) or documentary (ex: a family member/partner baking a cake
Montage: For their final film, the students will pick an abstract concept (e.g.: fear, excitement, love, solitude, etc.) and, within their safe space, film images that will describe it visually either on their own or combined with others. The project focuses less on the narrative aspect of filmmaking and more on the capacity of cinematography to deliver a subtext of significance to otherwise unrelated images.

Prerequisites – This is an introductory workshop, no prerequisites are required, nor is any prior experience expected.

To learn more, request more information.

Class Details

Cinematographer’s Craft
This class will provide the basic elements of Cinematography, including but not limited to the basic principles of Cinematography, an introduction to visual storytelling, an analysis of how shots are used to build a narrative or documentary sequence, the basic elements of Montage and a deeper analysis into painting with lights.

History of Cinematography
This class analyzes the evolution of cinematography along the history of cinema, pointing out trends and historically relevant turning points in style (film noir, the introduction of color, etc.). A list of films, easy to find online and representing a wide range of cinematographers’ styles, genders, and ethnicities, will be distributed to the students for watching on their own time. Each student will choose 6 movies from this list to watch and analyze.

Camera
This class will introduce the basic characteristics of a digital camera and the main settings common to most digital cameras, using a Sony FS5 as an example. Advanced digital cinema cameras will be introduced using a Red Dragon as an example. The course will also provide an overview on the evolution of Digital Cinema.

Lighting and Grip
Lighting and Grip class will present lighting principles and examples via live demonstrations of how to create basic lighting setups. During Guerrilla Lighting, students will be introduced to examples of lights that are easy to build using common materials.

Editing
This class will introduce the digital editing capacities of Davinci Resolve, allowing the students to receive basic editing training, and also will guide the students to understand the basic principles of color correction and postproduction.

Production Lab
This class will guide the students in producing and developing their 3 personal projects with respect to social distancing and isolation rules. During the online course, they will create a Composition, a Continuity, and a Montage project, each one of them following a different set of rules and instructions.

Screen and Review
This class provides feedback to the students on their personal projects and analyzes their choices and approaches.

Times and Breakdown by Week

All classes for this workshop are scheduled for full-time hours.

Class Breakdown

Cinematographer’s Craft – 9 Classes
History Of Cinematography – 3 Classes
Camera – 2 Classes
Lighting & Grip – 3 Classes
Editing
- Editing On Davinci Resolve – 3 Classes
- Basic Elements Of Color Correction – 3 Classes
Production Lab – 6 Classes
Screen And Review – 3 Classes

Computer: Mac, Windows or Linux based computer with the capacity of running Davinci Resolve on it and with webcam
Internet access in order to follow the online classes live and interact with instructors and classmates
Software: Davinci Resolve 16 Lite, free software downloadable at https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/
Camera: Any camera will do for the program, even a cellphone. We suggest, but not require, apps like Filmic Pro to be able to control manually the functions of the video camera of the phone.

Tuition

Dates

NYFA New York, Film, Faculty Interviews, Documentary Filmmaking

NYFA New York Filmmaking Faculty: Interview with Andrea Swift

Film

NYFA Filmmaking Faculty: Interview with Claude Kerven

NYFA New York, Film, Faculty Interviews

NYFA New York Filmmaking Faculty: Interview with Jonathan Whittaker

NYFA Los Angeles, Film, Faculty Interviews

NYFA Los Angeles Filmmaking Faculty: Interview with Ed Timpe

NYFA Miami, Film, Faculty Interviews, South Beach

NYFA Miami Filmmaking Faculty: Interview with Mark Mocahbee

Filmmaking, Alum Highlights, Film, Academic Programs, Student & Alumni Spotlights, Community Highlights

Allan Ungar on Directing ‘Bandit’, an Ode to Toronto

Film, Acting, Film Festivals

New York Film Academy Community Shines at 2022 Tribeca Film Festival

Film, Academic Programs, Student & Alumni Spotlights

NYFA Filmmaking Alum Sidney Esiri’s First Feature Film

Performing Arts, Film, Academic Programs, Student & Alumni Spotlights, Acting

Q&A with NYFA Acting Alum Amanda Azevedo

Film, Headlines

NYFA ALUM & INDIE DARLING, AUBREY PLAZA, RETURNS TO SUNDANCE

Filmmaking

Student Showcase

Please note: Equipment, curriculum, and projects are subject to change and may vary depending on location. Students should consult the most recently published campus catalog for the most up-to-date curriculum.

4-Week Online Documentary Filmmaking And Micro Docs

NYFA

4-Week Online Documentary Filmmaking And Micro Docs

Learn How To Create Nonfiction Films

In the full-time 4-Week Online Documentary Filmmaking And Micro Docs, students learn the fundamental aspects of narrative and documentary filmmaking. Through immersive learning, they are introduced to the arena of digital social media micro docs. Through a series of lectures, in-class screenings, and practicum assignments, award-winning filmmakers shepherd students through the production of three original 1-5 minute documentaries which can be made traditionally or as social media micro docs. Films include an Observational Film, Interview Film, and Final Film.

Workshop DescriptionWorkshop Name: 4-Week Online Documentary Filmmaking And Micro Docs

Production and post-production of all films created in this workshop can be accomplished using a home computer and a smartphone. As each film is completed, students screen their work with their classmates and instructors and engage in feedback sessions and discussions.

Prerequisites – This is an introductory workshop, no prerequisites are required, nor is any prior experience expected.

To learn more, request more information.

Class Details

The 4-Week Online Documentary Filmmaking And Micro Docs Workshop include directing, documentary storytelling, camera & lighting, producing, and editing.

Times and Breakdown by Week

The 4-Week Online Documentary Filmmaking And Micro Docs Workshop typically has full-time hours on Monday – Friday. Additional time is needed outside of class to complete coursework and films.

Program and Software Requirements

This course requires the following software and equipment:

Smart Phone with a camera
Filmic Pro app (additional student cost is approximately $14.99)
DaVinci Resolve Editing Software (no additional student cost)
Laptop or desktop computer with minimum specs for editing

Suggested Resources

External hard drive (optional) would cost an additional $30-$200
Voice Record (PRO) app which is free to download

4-Week Online Filmmaking Workshop

NYFA

4-Week Online Filmmaking Workshop

Learn to Make Short Films from Anywhere

In NYFA’s 4-Week Online Filmmaking workshop, students gain a thorough introduction to the foundations of film craft. Throughout this immersive online workshop, students attend class remotely in an interactive environment, where they will learn from our seasoned faculty of accomplished filmmakers and directors. Many students find the one-month length fits conveniently into their yearly schedules. The workshop is a full-time program with four hours of instruction five days a week and shooting on the weekends.

Workshop Description Workshop Name: 4-Week Online Filmmaking

The 4-Week Online Filmmaking program focuses on how a filmmaker writes, preps for, and directs a short film. Through a series of online lectures and guided exercises, this workshop will cover the tools available to help implement the Director’s vision in the unique narrative structure of the short film they write. Examined in depth, this course covers but is not limited to the necessary elements that make a good scene/story, how a director breaks down the written word into visual shots and creates a point of view, getting good performances from the actors, and designing a visual strategy for their story.

Students participate in a series of lectures, discussions, and in-class screenings to further hone their understanding of the art and craft of directing. This class has a special focus on pre-production and the elements of visual storytelling. A coherent visual approach to each proposed film should be arrived at by course end.

Prerequisites – Because all short-term filmmaking workshops start at the introductory level, no prerequisites are required, nor is any prior experience expected.

To learn more, request more information.

Class Details

Director’s Craft:
The core of the Four-Week Program, Director’s Craft, introduces students to the fundamentals of directing short films. As directors, students will focus on the essentials of visual storytelling. They will learn concepts to help achieve maximum psychological impact by studying the director’s decisions in camera placement, blocking, staging, and visual image design.

Upon successful completion of this portion of the course, students will be able to create a floor plan, shot list, and shooting schedule. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the components of designing a shot and creating and directing the dramatic beats in a script.

Director’s Craft is broken down into subclasses: Directors Craft, Screen & Critique, Directing Actors, Preproduction Meetings, Producing for Directors, and Production Design.

Cinematography:
This course is designed to introduce students to the art of cinematography, enabling film directors to make informed choices. In addition to introducing the students to the principles of photography as applied to the moving image, it will also cover fundamental lighting techniques. Students learn how to support the story with appropriate lighting choices. This includes the use of practical lighting sources such as lamps, flashlights, and china balls in a safe and creative manner.

Editing:
This area of study presents students with multiple aesthetic approaches to editing moving images. Students will learn how to apply concepts such as temporal continuity and spatial and emotional continuity. Not purely technical, this course will also discuss the psychological and emotional effects of editing on the overall story.

Additionally, students will learn to operate DaVinci Resolve editing software that they will use to edit their own exercises.

Open Edit is a time set aside for the students to edit their own footage under the virtual guidance of their Editing instructor.

Editing is broken down into 3 subclasses: Theory of Editing, Working with DaVinci Resolve, Sound Design in DaVinci, and Intro to Color Correction.

Screenwriting:
The Screenwriting portion of the course adheres to the philosophy that good directing cannot occur without a well-written script. The course is designed to lay the foundational understanding of dramatic structure, which is essential to writing an engaging script.

Also included in the course is writing a treatment and logline, developing plot lines, screenplay format, and creating believable characters with complete narrative arcs.

Sound Design:
This film course introduces the student to the world of sound design, detailing the process of sound design by providing concepts, technical information, and examples of how sound is used in cinema.

Times and Breakdown by WeekSessions: Two 2-hour classes each day.

This workshop consists of two 2-hour classes per day Monday-Friday, for the entire four weeks (80 total hours).

All classes are scheduled for 12pm-2pm and 3pm-5pm EST.

Total Course Hours = 80

Weekly Breakdown:

Week 1: Intro to the Language of Cinema
- Practicum: Mis-en-scene
Week 2: Continuity and Shot Design
- Practicum: Continuity Exercise
Week 3: Elements of Story, Pacing & Rhythm
- Practicum: Music & Montage Exercise
Week 4: Putting it all together
- Practicum: Polished cut of Music & Montage Exercise OR Continuity

Program and Software Requirements

This course requires the following software and equipment:

DaVinci Resolve (free download)
Laptop or desktop computer with minimum specs for editing with DaVinci Resolve 16
Smartphone with a camera
FiLMiC Pro App for mobile cinematography (approximately $14.99)

Suggested Resources
As students in the filmmaking classes work with large files and software that may require minimum technical specifications, we ask that all incoming students review our recommended resources:

External hard drive (optional, costs $30-$200)

4-Week Online Filmmaking Workshop

Location	Program Start Date and End Date	Tuition
Online	September 28, 2026 – October 23, 2026	Tuition and Equipment & Technology Fee Tuition:$2,200 Departmental Program Fee:N/A Program Duration: 4-Weeks

Location

Program Start Date and End Date

Tuition

Online

September 28, 2026 – October 23, 2026

Tuition and Equipment & Technology Fee

Tuition:$2,200

Departmental Program Fee:N/A

Program Duration: 4-Weeks

4-WEEK ONLINE DIGITAL EDITING WITH ADOBE PREMIERE PRO

NYFA

4-WEEK ONLINE DIGITAL EDITING WITH ADOBE PREMIERE PRO

LEARN DIGITAL EDITING FROM ANYWHERE

In NYFA’s intensive 4-Week Online Part-Time Digital Editing workshop, students gain a thorough introduction to digital editing techniques, editing theory, and industry-standard software like Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe Photoshop. Students acquire foundational editing skills through hands-on immersion projects and are guided by our seasoned faculty. This 4-week online digital editing workshop allows students to balance the course with daily obligations throughout the workweek.

Workshop DescriptionWorkshop Name: 4-Week Online Digital Editing With Adobe Premiere Pro

Over the course of four weeks, students will gain the necessary technical editing skills and learn foundational editing theory needed to professionally edit footage with Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe Photoshop. In daily meetings, students will acquire critical skills and editing knowledge such as starting a project, making cuts, post-production workflow, sound design, media management, basic effects, and other advanced concepts. Students will learn through immersion and edit various projects throughout the course including a montage and two short narrative scenes.

All classes are geared toward acquiring foundational industry-standard Adobe Premiere Pro editing skills.

Prerequisites – This is an introductory workshop, no prerequisites are required, nor is any prior experience expected.

To learn more, request more information.

Class Details

Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is used for editing videos, commercials, and other film, television, and online video. It is a professional and comprehensive video editing software application. Students will become comfortable or fluent in the software, and learn Shortcuts, Audio Mixing, Color Correction, Graphics and Effects, and Export Settings for various platforms.

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is an advanced digital imaging software, used by photographers, designers, web professionals, and video professionals. The app gives you the utmost power and creative control for 2D and 3D image manipulation and compositing, video editing, and image analysis. Students learn the major functions of Adobe Photoshop and will create usable assets to be imported into Premiere Pro.

**Please note: Students who submit applications later than Thursday at 5 pm (ET) on the week preceding the start date of this workshop may not receive the Adobe Premiere software in time for the first day of class, as the issuance of your NYFA ID and account set-up requires, approximately, 12 business hours.

Creative storytelling, Be a better storyteller

The key to any great piece of content is a story. Storytelling in your video will help you to engage your audience and achieve the results you want. Stories tug at our hearts. They engage our emotions. They make us feel something for the characters and allow us to empathize or imagine ourselves in their place. Creativity is how you grab your audience’s attention. Throughout the program, students will learn how to create engaging content using editing software as a tool to tell their stories.

Screening and Critique

Students screen their work for instructor and classmate feedback upon completion of each film assignment. Constructive feedback is based on the student’s application of technical and aesthetic principles learned during workshop/lecture hours, and on how well those techniques were used to achieve the student’s goals. All instructors are film, TV, and other media professionals and are active in their fields. Their feedback helps students understand what they are doing well and what they could make improvements on. This practice allows students to continually improve and make even more engaging content.

Times and Breakdown by Week

The online 4-week workshop (Adobe Premiere Pro) runs full-time from Monday through Friday. 12-2pm Eastern and 2:30pm-4:30pm Eastern.

Each day consists of 2 classes, including supervised lab time. Lab time is part of the schedule and allows the students to practice their editing skills under the guidance of our expert faculty. Students will need to anticipate extra time outside of class to complete assignments, projects and exercises.

Classes that land on Federal Holidays will be made up on a Saturday.

*Exact weekdays are subject to change due to holidays.

Total course hours = 80

Program and Software Requirements

This course requires the following software and equipment:

Camera (cell phone will suffice)
Premiere Pro and Photoshop – NYFA will provide the software during the workshop
Laptop

Hard drive. Recommended specs are as follows:

Recommended brands: Lacie or G-Drive
7,200 rpm. This is how fast your drive spins, rpm stands for rotations per minute
1tb of space
Another option: SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable external Solid-State Drive (SSD). SSD storage is much faster than its HDD equivalent

Digital Editing

NYFA DIGITAL EDITING FACULTY: Interview with Fabrizio Famá

Digital Editing, Academic Programs, Student & Alumni Spotlights

From Marketer to Production Manager: Q&A with NYFA Editing Alum Alessandra Auster

Digital Editing, Headlines

NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY COLLABORATES WITH NETFLIX IN A SUCCESSFUL ASSISTANT EDITOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE LAUNCH IN INDIA

Digital Editing, Academic Programs, Guest Speakers

Q&A with Oscar-winning ‘First Man’ editor Tom Cross

Digital Editing, Faculty Highlights, Academic Programs, Guest Speakers, Community Highlights

New York Film Academy (NYFA) Screens Oscar-Winning ‘Free Solo’ with Editor and Instructor Bob Eisenhardt

#WomenOfNYFA, International Diversity, Digital Editing, Documentary Filmmaking, Academic Programs, Student & Alumni Spotlights, Diversity, Entertainment News

NYFA Documentary Alumna Anais Michel Joins Editing Team on Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner’s New HBO Series

4-WEEK ONLINE DIGITAL EDITING WITH AVID MEDIA COMPOSER

NYFA

4-WEEK ONLINE DIGITAL EDITING WITH AVID MEDIA COMPOSER

LEARN HOW TO USE AVID MEDIA COMPOSER AT NYFA

A strong editor knows how to piece together a compelling, engaging story. In NYFA’s 4-Week Digital Editing workshop in NYC and Los Angeles, students learn the art of storytelling for film, television, and media and become proficient in editing with Avid Media Composer.

Workshop DescriptionWorkshop Name: 4-Week Online Digital Editing With Avid Media Composer

During this hands-on workshop, students gain an introduction to editing for filmmaking, media, entertainment, and more. It is a full-time, intensive workshop that meets during the day, designed for students from various professional, personal, and educational backgrounds. The workshop is a great fit for students or professionals contemplating a longer-term education in editing or an industry career.

The workshop curriculum balances projects and coursework, teaching students to edit with Media Composer while they learn the theoretical and technical approaches to editing. Students rapidly learn essential skills in making cuts, post-production workflow, sound design, media management, and basic effects through this hands-on approach.

At the end of the course, students keep a reel of the work they edited. They may also take the Avid Certified User exams. To learn more about NYFA’s workshops, see NYFA’s Course Catalog or request more information.

Class Details

Digital Editing Theory & Practice

This course presents students with multiple aesthetic approaches to editing film and video. Students will learn how to apply concepts such as temporal continuity and spatial continuity, as well as less traditional discontinuous editing techniques to their work. The course will also discuss the psychological and emotional effects of editing on the overall story. Additionally, students will learn to operate Avid Media Composer editing software. Advanced technical elements including sound design, color correction, and working with multiple media types will be investigated in depth. Classes are supplemented with individual consultations at the computer.

Times and Breakdown by Week

This workshop runs full-time from Monday through Friday. Each day consists of approximately two to three classes, including supervised lab time. Lab time is part of the schedule and allows the students to practice their editing skills under the guidance of our expert faculty. Students will need to anticipate extra time outside of class to complete assignments, projects, and exercises. Request information to learn more.

Program and Software Requirements

This course requires the following software and equipment:

External hard drive (generally costs $30-$200)
An SD Card

Tuition

Dates

Digital Editing

NYFA DIGITAL EDITING FACULTY: Interview with Fabrizio Famá

Digital Editing, Academic Programs, Student & Alumni Spotlights

From Marketer to Production Manager: Q&A with NYFA Editing Alum Alessandra Auster

Digital Editing, Headlines

NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY COLLABORATES WITH NETFLIX IN A SUCCESSFUL ASSISTANT EDITOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE LAUNCH IN INDIA

Digital Editing, Academic Programs, Guest Speakers

Q&A with Oscar-winning ‘First Man’ editor Tom Cross

Digital Editing, Faculty Highlights, Academic Programs, Guest Speakers, Community Highlights

New York Film Academy (NYFA) Screens Oscar-Winning ‘Free Solo’ with Editor and Instructor Bob Eisenhardt

#WomenOfNYFA, International Diversity, Digital Editing, Documentary Filmmaking, Academic Programs, Student & Alumni Spotlights, Diversity, Entertainment News

NYFA Documentary Alumna Anais Michel Joins Editing Team on Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner’s New HBO Series

15-Week Online Part-Time Digital Editing Workshop

NYFA

15-WEEK ONLINE DIGITAL EDITING WITH ADOBE PREMIERE PRO

LEARN DIGITAL EDITING FROM ANYWHERE

In NYFA’s 15-Week Online Part-Time Digital Editing workshop, students learn cutting-edge digital editing techniques, editing theory, and industry-standard software like Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe Photoshop. Students acquire editing skills through hands-on immersion projects and are guided by our seasoned faculty. This 15-week online digital editing workshop is held in the evening and allows students to balance the course with daily obligations throughout the workweek.

Workshop DescriptionWorkshop Name: 15-Week Online Digital Editing With Adobe Premiere Pro

Over the course of fifteen weeks, students will gain the necessary technical editing skills and learn foundational editing theory needed to professionally edit footage with Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe Photoshop. Students will learn through immersion and will be assigned 4 projects to edit including a Montage, a short Documentary, and a Dialogue project. The final week of the workshop is dedicated to cutting a Reel.

All classes are geared toward acquiring foundational industry-standard Adobe Premiere Pro editing skills.

Prerequisites – This is an introductory workshop, no prerequisites are required, nor is any prior experience expected.

To learn more, request more information.

Class Details

Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Photoshop

Creative storytelling, Be a better storyteller

Screening and Critique

Times and Breakdown by Week

The online 15-week, part-time, Adobe Premiere Pro workshop meets Tuesday and Thursdays 7-9:30pm Eastern. There are classes also on Wednesday during week 14 and 15. Classes that land on Federal Holidays will be made up on another day.

Throughout the fifteen-week commitment, in addition to the class hours, students will have scheduled edit sessions to complete their projects.

*Exact weekdays are subject to change due to holidays.

Total Course Hours = 80

Program and Software Requirements

This course requires the following software and equipment:

Camera (cell phone will suffice)
Premiere Pro and Photoshop – NYFA will provide the software during the workshop
Laptop

Hard drive. Recommended specs are as follows:

Recommended brands: Lacie or G-Drive
7,200 rpm. This is how fast your drive spins, rpm stands for rotations per minute
1tb of space
Another option: SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable external Solid-State Drive (SSD). SSD storage is much faster than its HDD equivalent

Digital Editing

NYFA DIGITAL EDITING FACULTY: Interview with Fabrizio Famá

Digital Editing, Academic Programs, Student & Alumni Spotlights

From Marketer to Production Manager: Q&A with NYFA Editing Alum Alessandra Auster

Digital Editing, Headlines

NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY COLLABORATES WITH NETFLIX IN A SUCCESSFUL ASSISTANT EDITOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE LAUNCH IN INDIA

Digital Editing, Academic Programs, Guest Speakers

Q&A with Oscar-winning ‘First Man’ editor Tom Cross

Digital Editing, Faculty Highlights, Academic Programs, Guest Speakers, Community Highlights

New York Film Academy (NYFA) Screens Oscar-Winning ‘Free Solo’ with Editor and Instructor Bob Eisenhardt

#WomenOfNYFA, International Diversity, Digital Editing, Documentary Filmmaking, Academic Programs, Student & Alumni Spotlights, Diversity, Entertainment News

NYFA Documentary Alumna Anais Michel Joins Editing Team on Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner’s New HBO Series

15-Week Online Part-Time Filmmaking Workshop

NYFA

15-Week Online Part-Time Filmmaking Workshop

Learn Filmmaking from Anywhere

In NYFA’s 15-Week Evening Online Part-Time Filmmaking workshop, budding filmmakers learn the process of creating short films. Through interactive and immersive sessions, students produce their own original content under the guidance of our seasoned faculty of accomplished filmmakers and directors. As this 15-Week Online Filmmaking Workshop is held in the evening, students can balance the course with daily obligations throughout the workweek.

Workshop DescriptionWorkshop Name: 15-Week Evening Online Filmmaking

Over the course of fifteen weeks, students will learn that film directing is all about making informed creative decisions that best serve the needs of the story. In addition to learning how a director communicates with the cast, crew, and, ultimately, the audience, participants will also get a thorough introduction to all roles found on a film set, including Producing, Production Design, Cinematography, Editing, Screenwriting, and Sound Design.

All classes are geared toward providing the building blocks needed to create a compelling short film.

Prerequisites – This is an introductory workshop, no prerequisites are required, nor is any prior experience expected.

To learn more, request more information.

Class Details

Director’s Craft:

At the core of this Filmmaking Program, Director’s Craft introduces students to the fundamentals of directing a film. As directors, students will focus on the essentials of visual storytelling. They will learn concepts to help achieve maximum psychological impact by studying the director’s decisions in camera placement, blocking, staging, and visual image design.

Upon successful completion of this portion of the course, students will be able to create a floor plan, shot list, and shooting schedule. They will also be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of the components of designing a shot and creating and directing the dramatic beats in a script.

Cinematography:

This course is designed to introduce students to the art of cinematography, enabling film directors to make informed choices. In addition to introducing the students to the principles of photography as applied to the moving image, it will also cover fundamental lighting techniques. Students learn how to support the story with appropriate lighting choices. This includes the use of practical lighting sources such as lamps, flashlights, and china balls in a safe and creative manner.

Editing:

This area of study presents students with multiple aesthetic approaches to editing moving images. Students will learn how to apply concepts such as temporal continuity and spatial and emotional continuity. Not purely technical, this course will also discuss the psychological and emotional effects that editing choices can have on the story.

Additionally, students will learn to operate DaVinci Resolve editing software that they will use to edit their own exercises.

Open Edit is a time set aside for the students to edit their own footage under the virtual guidance of their Editing instructor.

Screenwriting:

The Screenwriting portion of the course adheres to the philosophy that good directing cannot occur without a well-written script. The course is designed to lay the foundational understanding of dramatic structure, which is essential to writing an engaging script.

Students will write a treatment and logline for their script and explore plot line development, screenplay format, the creation of believable characters with narrative arcs, and how to write effective dialogue.

Sound Design:

This film course introduces the student to the world of sound design and sound recording, detailing the process of sound design by providing concepts, technical information, and equipment demonstration on a mobile device.

Times and Breakdown by Week

All classes for this workshop are scheduled for 7 pm-9:30 pm EST. For the first thirteen weeks, the course meets two evenings a week for 2.5-hour classes. In the last two weeks, the course will meet three nights a week.

Throughout the fifteen-week commitment, in addition to the class hours, students will have scheduled edit sessions to complete their projects and will participate in directing their own projects – three in total.

*Exact weekdays are subject to change due to holidays.

Total Course Hours = 80

Weekly Breakdown:

Weeks 1-4: Visual Literacy/Understanding the Language of Cinema and shot design for continuity.

Practicum: Continuity Exercise

Weeks 5-9: Elements of Story, Pacing & Rhythm.

Practicum: Music & Montage Exercise

Weeks 10-14: Building Character, Creating POV, Working with Dialogue, and the Importance of Sound.

Practicum: Final Film Exercise Physical Production

Weeks 15: Putting it All Together

Practicum: Post Production on Final Film

Program and Software Requirements

This course requires the following software and equipment:

DaVinci Resolve (free download)
Laptop or desktop computer with minimum specs for editing with DaVinci Resolve 16
Smartphone with a camera
FiLMiC Pro App for mobile cinematography (approximately $14.99)

Suggested Resources

As students in the filmmaking classes work with large files and software that may require minimum technical specifications, we ask that all incoming students review our recommended resources:

External hard drive (optional, costs $30-$200)

15-Week Online Part-Time Filmmaking Workshop

Location	Program Start Date and End Date	Tuition
Online	May 6, 2026 – August 16, 2026 August 31, 2026 – December 11, 2026	Tuition and Equipment & Technology Fee Tuition:$2,200 Departmental Program Fee:N/A Program Duration: 15-Weeks

Location

Program Start Date and End Date

Tuition

Online

May 6, 2026 – August 16, 2026

August 31, 2026 – December 11, 2026

Tuition and Equipment & Technology Fee

Tuition:$2,200

Departmental Program Fee:N/A

Program Duration: 15-Weeks

NYFA New York, Film, Faculty Interviews, Documentary Filmmaking

NYFA New York Filmmaking Faculty: Interview with Andrea Swift

Film

NYFA Filmmaking Faculty: Interview with Claude Kerven

NYFA New York, Film, Faculty Interviews

NYFA New York Filmmaking Faculty: Interview with Jonathan Whittaker

NYFA Los Angeles, Film, Faculty Interviews

NYFA Los Angeles Filmmaking Faculty: Interview with Ed Timpe

NYFA Miami, Film, Faculty Interviews, South Beach

NYFA Miami Filmmaking Faculty: Interview with Mark Mocahbee

Filmmaking, Alum Highlights, Film, Academic Programs, Student & Alumni Spotlights, Community Highlights

Allan Ungar on Directing ‘Bandit’, an Ode to Toronto

Film, Acting, Film Festivals

New York Film Academy Community Shines at 2022 Tribeca Film Festival

Film, Academic Programs, Student & Alumni Spotlights

NYFA Filmmaking Alum Sidney Esiri’s First Feature Film

Performing Arts, Film, Academic Programs, Student & Alumni Spotlights, Acting

Q&A with NYFA Acting Alum Amanda Azevedo

Film, Headlines

NYFA ALUM & INDIE DARLING, AUBREY PLAZA, RETURNS TO SUNDANCE

Filmmaking

Student Showcase

12-Week Evening Filmmaking Workshop

NYFA

12-Week Evening Filmmaking Workshop

Film Workshop at NYFA’s Film School

The 12-Week Evening Filmmaking Workshop is ideal for individuals who want to learn directing, visual storytelling, lighting, and sound in a flexible evening course format. Designed for students with little-to-no filmmaking experience, this intensive workshop is held in the evenings and is suited for working professionals and those who have other commitments during weekdays.

Since the workshop is extremely hands-on, students will build the confidence to lead as directors by creating short films in only a few weeks. Students should expect an immersive experience where they are treated as aspiring filmmakers, as they will dedicate most of their free time to developing and refining their creative and technical skills. Through interactions with classmates and working collaboratively on class projects, students can build horizontal networks for future potential collaborations.

Workshop DescriptionWorkshop Name: 12-Week Evening Filmmaking Program

At NYFA, students learn the four primary elements of filmmaking: writing, directing, cinematography, and editing. Following a lecture-style approach, students attend classes in-person 3-5 days a week for the first 5-6 weeks (may vary). After lectures, students participate in classroom exercises to execute and practice what they learn.

Students write, produce, direct, and edit three original short film projects during the workshop, using cameras, lighting packages, digital editing software, and sound recording equipment (provided by NYFA) to create compelling short films. Student group members rotate roles for each group project, ensuring everyone gains experience in all important functional roles of a film crew, including the Director of Photography, Assistant Camera, Gaffer, Director, and Assistant Director.

As this is a rigorous program students should expect to commit 3-5 evenings a week for lectures, as well as weekends for filming. There will be additional time needed outside of class and during weekends to work on projects. At the end of the course, students screen their final films, which are open to be viewed by cast, crew, family, and friends.

As a benefit of the program, students may meet with instructors for one-on-one consultations to receive critiques and feedback. Students have full access to the NYFA library, online streaming services, screenings, editing labs, prop room, and discounted pricing for Backstage, AVID Media Composer, and Final Draft.

NYFA offers the possibility to learn filmmaking from anywhere through various online filmmaking workshops.

To learn more, see NYFA’s Course Catalog or request more information.

Class Details

Filmmaking
This film course is the core of the 12-Week Evening Filmmaking Workshop. Students are introduced to the language and practice of filmmaking. Students learn the concepts to help achieve maximum psychological impact by studying the director’s decisions in camera placement, blocking, staging, and visual image design. Students are challenged to think comprehensively about their film projects in terms of the economic realities of low budget student production. By the end of this course, students will have prepared, planned, written, directed, edited, and screened three short films.

Hands-On Camera
In this film course, students undergo intensive training in the use of high-definition digital camera, and their accessories. Students learn the basic fundamentals of using a camera for videocapture utilizing the latest in digital technology. This course provides the student with enough knowledge to deal with basic production camera issues and make creative choices that best represent the story.

Hands-On Lighting
Through hands-on workshop and video tests, students learn fundamental lighting techniques. This course presents students with various lighting types including key, fill, backlight, kicker, and diffusion. As students progress through the course, they learn how to support the mood of the story with lighting choices and experiment with expressive lighting styles.

Editing
This film course presents students with multiple aesthetic approaches to editing video. Students learn how to apply concepts such as temporal continuity and spatial continuity, as well as less traditional discontinuous editing techniques, to their work. The course also discusses the psychological and emotional effects of editing on the overall story. Additionally, students learn to operate digital editing software, which they use to edit their own films. Classes are supplemented with individual consultations at the computer.

Screenwriting
This film course introduces the core concepts and language for visual storytelling. The intersection of story structure, theme, character, tension, and conflict is examined through detailed scene analysis and in-class exercises. In-class discussion provides students with constructive analysis and support. Students are encouraged to tell their stories visually, rather than relying on dialogue.

Production Workshop
In Production Workshop, students are split into shooting crews of 3-4 people to work on exercises in the field. Upon completion of each exercise, the instructor screens and reviews the footage and discusses any outstanding production issues that the students may have had. These workshops are designed to facilitate the students’ individual projects.

Screening Films
In this film course, students screen their completed film assignments in class for instructor and classmate feedback. Constructive criticism is based on the student’s application of technical and aesthetic principles learned during in-class hours, and how well those techniques function to achieve the student’s goals.

Sound Design
This is a comprehensive film course that details the process of sound design by providing concepts, technical information, and hands-on demonstration. Students are instructed how to build a soundtrack for their final films.

TIMES AND BREAKDOWN BY WEEK

Our evening workshop is a 12-week intensive program designed for those seeking a part-time yet intensive filmmaking experience. Classes are held on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings, with occasional Wednesday sessions (if necessary, in response to unforeseen circumstances, such as inclement weather, or national holidays occurring during the workshop). Some Saturdays are reserved for hands-on instruction, potentially running from 9 AM to 7 PM.

New York campus: 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM EST
Los Angeles campus: 7:40 PM to 10:20 PM PST

Participants should plan to dedicate significant weekend hours, either in class or actively working on their films. This rigorous schedule ensures a comprehensive learning experience while allowing flexibility for other commitments. To learn more, request information.

PROGRAM AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

This course requires the following software and equipment:

External hard drive (generally costs $30-$200)
An SD Card

12-Week Evening Filmmaking Workshop

Location	Program Start Date and End Date	Tuition
New York City	May 11, 2026 – August 1, 2026 September 14, 2026 – December 5, 2026	Tuition and Equipment & Technology Fee Tuition:$3,899 Departmental Program Fee:$629
Los Angeles	May 11, 2026 – August 1, 2026 September 14, 2026 – December 5, 2026	Tuition and Equipment & Technology Fee Tuition:$3,899 Departmental Program Fee:$629

Location

Program Start Date and End Date

Tuition

New York City

May 11, 2026 – August 1, 2026

September 14, 2026 – December 5, 2026

Tuition and Equipment & Technology Fee

Tuition:$3,899

Departmental Program Fee:$629

Los Angeles

May 11, 2026 – August 1, 2026

September 14, 2026 – December 5, 2026

Tuition and Equipment & Technology Fee

Tuition:$3,899

Departmental Program Fee:$629

Film School
Alumni

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo

Actor

Lucy Luna

Screenwriter | Director

Tracy Oliver

Filmmaker

NYFA New York, Film, Faculty Interviews, Documentary Filmmaking

NYFA New York Filmmaking Faculty: Interview with Andrea Swift

Film

NYFA Filmmaking Faculty: Interview with Claude Kerven

NYFA New York, Film, Faculty Interviews

NYFA New York Filmmaking Faculty: Interview with Jonathan Whittaker

NYFA Los Angeles, Film, Faculty Interviews

NYFA Los Angeles Filmmaking Faculty: Interview with Ed Timpe

NYFA Miami, Film, Faculty Interviews, South Beach

NYFA Miami Filmmaking Faculty: Interview with Mark Mocahbee

Filmmaking, Alum Highlights, Film, Academic Programs, Student & Alumni Spotlights, Community Highlights

Allan Ungar on Directing ‘Bandit’, an Ode to Toronto

Film, Acting, Film Festivals

New York Film Academy Community Shines at 2022 Tribeca Film Festival

Film, Academic Programs, Student & Alumni Spotlights

NYFA Filmmaking Alum Sidney Esiri’s First Feature Film

Performing Arts, Film, Academic Programs, Student & Alumni Spotlights, Acting

Q&A with NYFA Acting Alum Amanda Azevedo

Film, Headlines

NYFA ALUM & INDIE DARLING, AUBREY PLAZA, RETURNS TO SUNDANCE

Filmmaking

Student Showcase

12-Week Evening Acting for Film Workshop

NYFA

12-Week Evening Acting for Film Workshop

Acting for Film Workshop at NYFA

The 12-Week Evening Acting for Film Workshop is a part-time, evening workshop that provides an introduction to film acting. Students learn professional skills and techniques while honing their dynamic style, gradually building their confidence in front of the camera.

Workshop DescriptionWorkshop Name: 12-Week Evening Acting for Film Workshop

The film acting workshop encourages students to break down their inhibitions and find the most effective personal sources to create authentic characters. Students should be prepared to work in hands-on acting classes that convey a film or television shoot’s unique pressures.

The workshop emphasizes the theory and practice of the acting craft’s essential elements, using American acting techniques and scene work. Students will also participate in classes that train actors for the requirements of acting on a film set.

Throughout the evening workshop for acting, students will meet with instructors for a one-on-one consultation. Many evening workshop graduates enroll in longer, full-time NYFA programs, such as our 1-Year Acting for Film Certificate.

NYFA also offers the possibility to learn acting for film from anywhere through a variety of online acting for film workshops.

To learn more about the 12-Week Evening Acting for Film workshop, see NYFA’s Course Catalog or request more information.

CLASS DETAILS

Acting for Film

In this course, students learn the basics of film acting: calibrating performances based on shot size and angle, eye line, hitting marks, emotional and physical continuity, and strength and imagination in acting choices. Students are assigned scenes from produced screenplays, which are then shot and edited together.

Scene Study

This course builds a foundation for acting through the execution of a written scene. By working on sections of plays and screenplays, actors learn the basic concepts of scene study: defining objectives; breaking the scene down into beats; understanding the arc; pursuing the objective; playing actions; and working to overcome obstacles. Students first begin with silent scenes and/or short dialogue scenes. Once the foundation is in place, longer dramatic or comedic scenes are then explored.

Acting Technique

Students will practice the tools necessary to hone and focus their acting skills when they do not have a scene partner on which to rely. Students will work on monologues from theatre and film sources that will help them learn how to command attention at auditions and professional performances. Exercises will be taped for in-class critique.

Voice & Movement

Students learn to access their natural voice through relaxation exercises designed to improve alignment and alleviate habitual tension. They will also experiment with different ways of becoming physically “present” in their work. Elements of various approaches will be taught to help the students find expression and freedom within the physical instrument.

Monologues

Students will work on assigned and chosen monologues to practice text analysis, and character creation skills learned thus far. Students will understand the structure and particular elements that make a successful monologue and prepare pieces to be audition ready.

TIMES AND BREAKDOWN BY WEEK

This is a part-time workshop typically held on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from:

New York campus: 7 PM to 9:30 PM EST
Los Angeles campus: 7:40 PM to 10:20 PM PST

Depending on the program, students are expected to be available to shoot on Saturdays and Sundays. To learn more, request information.

PROGRAM & SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

This course requires the following software and equipment:

External hard drive (generally costs $30-$200)
An SD Card

12-Week Evening Acting for Film Workshop

Location	Program Start Date and End Date	Tuition
New York City	September 14, 2026 – December 5, 2026	Tuition and Equipment & Technology Fee Tuition:$3,899 Departmental Program Fee:$40
Los Angeles	September 14, 2026 – December 5, 2026	Tuition and Equipment & Technology Fee Tuition:$3,899 Departmental Program Fee:$40

Location

Program Start Date and End Date

Tuition

New York City

September 14, 2026 – December 5, 2026

Tuition and Equipment & Technology Fee

Tuition:$3,899

Departmental Program Fee:$40

Los Angeles

September 14, 2026 – December 5, 2026

Tuition and Equipment & Technology Fee

Tuition:$3,899

Departmental Program Fee:$40

4-Week Online Cinematography Workshop

Learn Cinematography from Anywhere

Related links

Program DescriptionProgram Name: 4-Week Online Cinematography Workshop

Class Details

Times and Breakdown by Week

Program and Software Requirements

Locations

Projects

Tuition

Dates

NYFA New York Filmmaking Faculty: Interview with Andrea Swift

NYFA Filmmaking Faculty: Interview with Claude Kerven

NYFA New York Filmmaking Faculty: Interview with Jonathan Whittaker

NYFA Los Angeles Filmmaking Faculty: Interview with Ed Timpe

NYFA Miami Filmmaking Faculty: Interview with Mark Mocahbee

Allan Ungar on Directing ‘Bandit’, an Ode to Toronto

New York Film Academy Community Shines at 2022 Tribeca Film Festival

NYFA Filmmaking Alum Sidney Esiri’s First Feature Film

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Student Showcase

4-Week Online Documentary Filmmaking And Micro Docs

Learn How To Create Nonfiction Films

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Workshop DescriptionWorkshop Name: 4-Week Online Documentary Filmmaking And Micro Docs

Class Details

Times and Breakdown by Week

Program and Software Requirements

Locations

Projects

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The newest member of the ‘ton? NYFA AFA in Acting for Film alum Masali Baduza!

NYC Broadcast Journalism students were treated to a visit from the Emmy award-winning journalist and documentarian Tony Harris.

In June 2023, NYFA and the Beijing Film Academy (BFA) jointly announced an exciting study abroad program for students in China.

4-Week Online Filmmaking Workshop

Learn to Make Short Films from Anywhere

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Workshop Description Workshop Name: 4-Week Online Filmmaking

Class Details

Times and Breakdown by WeekSessions: Two 2-hour classes each day.

Program and Software Requirements

4-Week Online Filmmaking Workshop

Tuition and Equipment & Technology Fee

Locations

Projects

Featured Content

The newest member of the ‘ton? NYFA AFA in Acting for Film alum Masali Baduza!

NYC Broadcast Journalism students were treated to a visit from the Emmy award-winning journalist and documentarian Tony Harris.

In June 2023, NYFA and the Beijing Film Academy (BFA) jointly announced an exciting study abroad program for students in China.

4-WEEK ONLINE DIGITAL EDITING WITH ADOBE PREMIERE PRO

LEARN DIGITAL EDITING FROM ANYWHERE

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Workshop DescriptionWorkshop Name: 4-Week Online Digital Editing With Adobe Premiere Pro

Class Details

Times and Breakdown by Week

Program and Software Requirements

Locations

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From Marketer to Production Manager: Q&A with NYFA Editing Alum Alessandra Auster

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Q&A with Oscar-winning ‘First Man’ editor Tom Cross

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4-WEEK ONLINE DIGITAL EDITING WITH AVID MEDIA COMPOSER

LEARN HOW TO USE AVID MEDIA COMPOSER AT NYFA

Related links

Workshop DescriptionWorkshop Name: 4-Week Online Digital Editing With Avid Media Composer

Class Details

Times and Breakdown by Week

Program and Software Requirements

Locations

Projects

Tuition

Dates

NYFA DIGITAL EDITING FACULTY: Interview with Fabrizio Famá

From Marketer to Production Manager: Q&A with NYFA Editing Alum Alessandra Auster

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Q&A with Oscar-winning ‘First Man’ editor Tom Cross

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Content

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Film School
Alumni