I would like to thank you all for dedicating your time, passion and knowledge to us. My experience in NYFA Miami was great, and I’m sure we’ll continue working together to promote and elevate the film industry in this wonderful city.
I owe so much to this school. There are still essentials I’ve used for 10 years to prepare for roles and still use today.
I had been studying and practicing still photography for over 10 years, and had been a grip on three features by the time I started at the NYFA. I wanted to let you know what I have been up to for the past 10 years in case you ever wondered if anything you taught us actually stuck.
Just this past Friday, I wrapped principal photography (as DP) for my 10th feature film, which was my third feature film for Sony Pictures (as DP). When I left the Academy I purchased an Aaton Super 16mm Camera which had, back then in my opinion, the best Zoom lens available for Super 16mm. With that package, I began to shoot and build a reel. Basically, it was that simple. I shot and spent everything I had, turning what I had just shot into something I could get more work with.
I cannot tell you how many times I heard your voice in my head saying “but it’s money well spent” whenever I would blow everything I had on a new reel. But it worked! I eventually got to shoot a little $25K feature and after a couple of those I shot a $100K feature, then with the reel I cut from that, I landed two $250K features both on Anamorphic 35mm because they could afford it and there was no studio to convince. That way, I would be eligible for Anamorphic jobs down the road.
With the reel I built from all those features, a local production company that produces for Sony in Atlanta was able to convince Sony to let them use me, and I just wrapped my third feature for Sony, all while residing in Atlanta GA! Thank you for everything.
I just wanted to once again thank the New York Film Academy for helping me launch my career. Three months after graduating the one-year program at Los Angeles, I became a producer for Adelphia and Time Warner Cable. For the past two years I have contracted my fellow NYFA classmates for various paying crew positions. I have over 100+ commercials under my belt and I have my choice at any production job I want.
NYFA gave me the confidence I needed to pursue a career in television. Just last week I was offered a producer position for KRCG13 (CBS affiliate) in Columbia, Missouri. The job offer was simply irresistible and I couldn’t refuse the money.
I highly recommend the 1-Year Filmmaking program at Los Angeles. I graduated a year early from high school to attend the program.
By the way, did I mention that I was only 20 years old?
Stephen Susco
Writer of “The Grudge,”
“The Grudge II,” “Pulse”
I have been participating in NYFA events for a couple of years now, and I am always impressed by the caliber of the students and the quality of the teachers. I would recommend NYFA to anyone who is serious about breaking into the industry!
New York Film Academy really gave me the chance to work in front of the camera – a lot! Having that experience makes you comfortable to be in front of the camera. Once you get out of here [NYFA] you know everything. I already knew all the aspects of the camera setup and crew when I was on set – having that prior knowledge was one of my favorite things. NYFA gave me a base upon which to build. For that, I am very thankful.