Filmmaking

Acting is a challenging profession. Amidst competing for roles, long rehearsal hours, and intensive dance routines, you might be surprised by what you see in ...

It’s a common mistake to call a horror movie a scary movie. Not all horror movies are scary, and certainly not all scary movies are ...

As an aspiring moviemaker, perhaps your dream is to one day captivate millions of people across the globe with your own franchise. This is an ...

Whether it’s long-form or short-form content, there are so many different ways to storyboard, direct, write, shoot, and experiment with film. But how does one ...

Winter is awards season in Hollywood, the time of year when actors, directors, screenwriters, and other creatives are honored for their work by critics, trade ...

Learning how to be a filmmaker isn’t just applicable to being a film director, writer, or working on a film set, it’s also about how ...

Njoki Muhoho is a lover of growing organizations to support people and takes pleasure in scripting and producing films, so don’t ask her to choose ...

Here in Los Angeles, where I live and work, the word is out that Hollywood film production will gradually be returning to a semblance of ...

Last year was a great year for New York Film Academy (NYFA) Filmmaking alum Cody Broadway, who added two more trophies to his collection of ...

This summer saw the end of an epic run of films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe ...

Even with all the connections in the world, and the most expensive camera money can buy, you probably won’t go too far in the film ...

The introduction of sound in filmmaking was perhaps the most dramatic advancement in the history of movies. From chilling sound effects and atmospheric music to ...

Who could forget Heath Ledger’s Joker applauding Gordon in The Dark Knight or Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter making the “hsss” sound in The Silence of ...

Most people know the likes of Zack Snyder, Ava DuVernay, Christopher Nolan,  — high-profile filmmakers at the helm of the big budget movies getting all ...

Ah, Groundhog Day — it’s everyone’s favorite holiday, from the cute little mammal to the intermittent time travel.
Time travel?! Yes, that’s right: you may not ...

Anyone with dreams of becoming a successful filmmaker has probably seen a good number of movies in their lifetime — in fact, for many of ...

Whether you are putting together a web series to showcase your comedic talents or nurture dreams of being the next beauty, gamer, or  film vlogger ...

New York Film Academy Filmmaking alumnus Jacob Hayek decided to use his NYFA thesis project as an opportunity not only to tackle tough contemporary issues, but ...

[NOTE: This isn’t spoiler heavy, but if you still haven’t seen “The Last Jedi” and you want to go in cold Porg-y, er… turkey, you ...

“Veep” actress Anna Chlumsky, “S.W.A.T” actor Shemar Moore, and Television Academy CEO Hayma Washington announced the 2017 Emmy Awards nominees were announced at the Television ...

There’s an old saying that goes, “there’s no such thing as a free lunch.” Well, there’s no such thing as totally free storyboarding software. However, ...

Superman was the first superhero to grace the silver screen back in the 1940s. Since then the Man of Steel has had many incarnations, as ...

At the New York Film Academy, students in our filmmaking program learn from the best. Starting on day one through hands-on experience, students learn how ...

Whether you are an actor, a filmmaker or a film geek through and through, writing film reviews can help hone your ability to think critically ...

It’s that time of year again! On Wednesday, May 17th in the seaside town of Cannes, France, the renowned international film festival will kick off. ...

Each May, the entertainment industry turns its eyes to the beautiful resort town of Cannes, France, not only eager to see the film festival’s media ...

With Mother’s Day around the corner (May 14 – don’t forget!), we find ourselves remembering some of the most famous mothers in film. Whether it ...

The diverse, international NYFA community is made up not only of our hard working and hard dreaming students, but also of incredible alumni who have ...

For independent filmmakers and those just starting out, managing production value can be tricky. You want your film to look and sound great, and that ...

April 11 is a red letter day for all pet owners. Whether you’re a dog person or a cat lady or you prefer raising white ...

In the historic city of Florence, your filmmaking opportunities are endless. Florence is where the Renaissance began, a cultural movement that inspired some of the ...

Nothing speaks to the independent filmmaking spirit quite like crowdfunding. Not only can you get your project made without relying on traditional top-down sources, but ...

In a time when everyone wants to be the next great filmmaker, the task of standing out can seem daunting. The following are a few ...

Celebrated annually in the United States and Canada in February, Black History Month is a dedicated time to honor impactful people and events in the ...

As American cinema expands to tell stories from a wide variety of cultural experiences, we’re seeing more and more authentic African-American stories hit the big ...

New York Film Academy 1-Year Filmmaking Program alumna Jessica Myhill recently completed a short film that beautifully expresses her perspective on studying at NYFA. We ...

Through social media and emerging technologies it’s become so easy to connect with friends from all over the world, offering the illusion that the world ...

It’s that most wonderful time of the year, and here at the New York Film Academy, we’re taking a quick look at some of the ...

Every person dreaming of becoming a professional filmmaker had that same special moment: You were watching perhaps one of your favorite films of all time ...

At NYFA, our students come from over 120 countries around the world. So Columbus Day may not be a very familiar holiday for many in ...

Animals with GoPros may not have gone to film school or won any Oscar awards, but they may have something to teach us about filmmaking.
Filmmakers ...

How to Plan an Effective Shooting Schedule
Given that it can quite literally make or break a production, the value of a good shooting schedule cannot ...

Write first, sell later.
That’s the mantra of a spec scriptwriter.
The practice of writing a spec – or “speculative” – screenplay in the hopes that it’ll ...

If you’re about to begin film school, consider this your essential viewing guide. Below is a list of classic and modern films, in no particular ...

2016 has shown no departure, thus far, from the successful trend of adapting social media-exploding, literary best-sellers into ultra hyped, big screen affairs. Consider Room, ...

 
Film business plans. Whether you’ve learned how to make one in film school or not, it’s likely that it’s an essential aspect of your production that ...

Or, more importantly, how do you find the right producer for your film?
It’s a daunting prospect for any filmmaker, let alone for independent filmmakers who ...

Social media marketing.
Few words strike quite as much dread in a filmmaker’s heart than these, save for perhaps “film business plan,” but today we’re going ...

Welcome to development hell. Today, we’re looking at movie concepts that have not just languished for years but decades, but don’t look as if they’re ...

Over the past year, we’ve shared a lot of great tips for those who are just getting started with filmmaking as a hobbyist, along with more ...

Even if you’re at the top of your game or currently getting hands-on at an intensive filmmaking school program, it can pay dividends to do ...

There’s no one ‘true’ path that can lead you to filmmaking success, but there are certainly a lot of best practices that can make the ...

This article is intended as a reference and does not represent a guarantee or implication that NYFA graduates or others reading this article will obtain ...

Using green screen — or chroma keying — is a great way of reducing costs and making your film project fantastic, even if (or especially ...

It’s no surprise that in an age where everything is accessible through the touch of a screen, your existence is basically void without a website. ...

So you’ve worked your way through film school, studied the craft from every angle and thrown everything you’ve learned at your debut film. Over the course of ...

You’ve managed to give up every social occasion that’s come your way in God knows how long; sacrificed all that income and more sleep than ...

It would be disingenuous to pretend that attending film school – or any higher level education, for that matter – isn’t a costly endeavor. At ...

An amazing career in filmmaking often starts with a great education, and prospective students have more than a few options to choose from in this regard. Since ...

By now you’ll have already heard the massive furore that was caused by Seth Rogan’s The Interview, the North Korean-lampooning movie which sparked an international diplomatic ...

Slumdog Millionaire was an expected David that became an unstoppable Goliath during the 2009 Academy Awards, picking up several Oscars, including Best Picture and Best ...

While it’s not uncommon for students at the New York Film Academy to come back to further their studies, filmmaker Tanner Cusumano has the distinction of attending our ...

It’s a big world out there, and Twitter has got it’s fair share of filmmakers and other movie professionals. You can’t possibly find them all ...

The TED conferences have long been a superb source of inspiration in many areas of human advancement, and filmmaking is no exception. Over the years, ...

Note: Since we first published this list of 37 websites over a year ago, we’ve been inundated with numerous suggestions about sites, podcasts, and other resources ...

Filmmaking is a strange beast, and there’s no other artform quite like it. It involves the culmination of not just creative prowess but also technical ...

Taking part in any creative hobby with your kids is a great thing for all parties involved, and making films together is no exception. Not ...

NYFA: Would you mind telling us a bit about your background and what drew you to film criticism?
Rob Ager: As a child I was introduced ...

NYFA: Tell us a little bit about your background and what drew you into film production?
Julie Pacino: I’ve always had a passion for filmmaking. As ...

Although filmmaking is a highly technical discipline involving a variety of skills, making a short film is a good hands-on way to learn about filmmaking. ...

NYFA: Could you tell us a bit about your background and what drew you to filmmaking?
Paquita Hughes: I grew up in a small town in ...

Over the past decade, The Tribeca Film Festival has become one of the most prestigious international film festivals for aspiring filmmakers. It’s an honor when ...

Let’s try an experiment. Hop on Facebook and look at your friends’ photos. Open up your family album and look at the eyes. Do you ...

Journalism began as a print media and remained as such until the invention of radio and television in the 20th century. Journalism that provides information ...

Cinematography is the photography of moving pictures, and one of the most revolutionary changes in the technology of cinematography is the move from analog to ...

The motion picture industry came into being in the 1890s, and the technology of making movies has changed dramatically since then.
In the late 1920s, movies ...

In an industry based on the ability to write consistently and well, it should come as no surprise that there are countless blogs available online ...

An effective technique for actors to sharpen their acting skills is duet acting. In duet acting, two actors pair off and act out a short ...

While not all games employ a narrative structure to provide their plot, for a lot of gamers, story is vital for getting your teeth into ...

Author: Brian Dilg, Chair, Photography Department, New York Film Academy

The last fifteen years have been giddy ones for photographic hardware and software manufacturers. The acceleration ...

Q: What is the first lesson to learn in becoming a successful photographer?
BD: Photography is a highly technical medium, but every aspect of your technique ...

Author: Mark Olsen, Chair, Musical Theatre Department, New York Film Academy

In past eras, musical theatre trends were predominantly linked to styles of music and the ...

Author: Mark Olsen, Chair, Musical Theatre Department, New York Film Academy

To sing a song in the musical theatre is to move beyond the simple presentation ...

Author: Neal Weisman, Co-Chair, Producing Department, New York Film Academy

The world of film distribution has literally blown up in the last few years. The traditional ...

Q: What is the first lesson to learn in becoming a successful documentary filmmaker?
AS: Story. Story. Story. Tell a good story well—and cinematically—and the film ...

Author: Andrea Fumagalli, Documentary Alumnus, New York Film Academy

Editing an interview is not ...

Author: Bill Einreinhofer, Chair, Broadcast Journalism Department, New York Film Academy

There was a time, not so long ago, when it was relatively easy to define ...

Author: Bill Einreinhofer, Chair, Broadcast Journalism Department, New York Film Academy

Q. What is Broadcast Journalism?
A. Today the term “Broadcast Journalism” encompasses a wide variety of media ...

Author: Mark Sawicki, Co-Chair, Animation Department, New York Film Academy Los Angeles

One of the most challenging effects to recreate in animation is live action lighting. This ...

Q: Do I need to do Storyboards for my animation?
TF: While storyboards are not an absolute requirement to tell good stories, they provide an essential ...

Author: Matthew Ladensack, Filmmaking Department, New York Film Academy Los Angeles

There are a lot of different crowd funding sites out there including the two most ...

Author: Salvatore Interlandi, Interim Chair, Cinematography Department, New York Film Academy

A covered wagon is a homemade soft light that is basically light sockets mounted to ...

Author: Chris Swain, Chair, Game Design Department, New York Film Academy

First, the good news: the game industry continues to grow as more and more people ...

Author: Michael Sandoval, Co-Chair, Filmmaking Department, New York Film Academy

Let’s say you’re between the ages of 16 and 30 and you’ve never made a film. ...

Author: Mark Sawicki, Co-Chair, Animation Department, New York Film Academy Los Angeles

Q. What will I learn in the Animation BFA program?
A. The full program will ...

Q: What are some lessons to learn in order to become a successful producer?
NY: Realizing that this isn’t a 9 to 5 job: it is ...

New York Film Academy instructor and filmmaker Abraham Heisler provides an in-depth look into creating the visual feel of his short film “The Typist.” In ...

Author: Glynis Rigsby, Chair, Acting Department, New York Film Academy

From personal experience, professional casting notices are well thought out and built specifically to streamline the ...

Q: What is the first lesson to learn in becoming a successful game designer?
CS: Games are playable systems. Successful game designers understand how to prototype, ...

When you’re an amateur filmmaker or just starting out as a film student, budget often guides your decisions. For instance, unless you have substantial financial ...

November is Native American Heritage Month, or as it is commonly referred to, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. The month is a time ...

If the Black character always dies first in a horror movie, what happens when all of the characters are Black?
It’s a question that NYFA Alum ...

For many, Thanksgiving is an opportunity to gather with friends and loved ones and be thankful for what we have — and of course, to ...

One of the biggest discussions in modern discourse is representation on the big screen. Who we see being included in the stories we tell and ...

For some people, the fall season means sweater-wearing weather, pumpkin carving, hayrides, and snuggling under the covers in the morning. For other people, autumn means ...

Stranger Things started out as a Netflix Original that featured cute references to the famous tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG), Dungeons and Dragons (D&D). Since then, ...

 It’s a very exciting time for Star Wars fans. Ever since Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, there has been a clamor for ...

When you think of iconic actors, who is the first to come to mind? Now this question can obviously vary with respect to one’s ...

Everyone’s favorite shady lawyer is back (or about to be at least). Unfortunately, Season 6 of AMC’s Better Call Saul will be marking the ...

Well Potterheads, the time has almost come. In a couple of weeks, the next installment in the Fantastic Beasts series, The Secrets of Dumbledore will ...

If you’re a fan of the Halo video games, then you know that this has been a long time coming. Originally, the franchise was slated ...

Sometimes, there is a very real fear among parents that they themselves will turn into their parents. Apparently, the prospect of such a notion was ...

In need of a wholesome pick-me-up film? In the mood for that film to be beautifully animated? Look no further than Disney and Pixar’s latest ...

Depending on who you ask, you’ll either get a giddy sense of excitement or a groan of disdain when you ask someone about historical fiction. ...

Death on the Nile, a film starring Gal Gadot and a host of other actors, Kenneth Branagh, Armie Hammer, and Letitia Wright to name a ...

Look alive folks, voting for the 94th Academy Awards has opened up. Despite how tough this year has been on the movie industry, some pretty ...

In the year 1999, a film was released that would change the world. Perhaps one of the most iconic movies of all time, The Matrix ...

There’s something about revisiting a story you know and love that is truly satisfying. For some, it could be the ever-popular Marvel movies. For others, ...

This January, we once again celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day and take the time to remember to reflect on his life and legacy fighting ...

Once again, Marvel is looking to take the movie industry by storm with a slew of content that further expands their ever-growing cinematic universe (MCU ...

Spider-Man: No Way Home probably has to be one of the most anticipated Marvel movies, rivaling the likes of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. ...

The festive time of year has finally returned. The time where you kick back and get ready to receive guests, conk out on the couch, ...

In the United States, a special time of year is settling in where we visit family or a close-knit crew of friends and celebrate what ...

A film telling the story of the Gucci family just dropped. Naturally, if you’re someone who not only follows fashion trends, but also follows what ...

For Native American Heritage Month, we have a pretty cool bit of news to share. A couple weeks back, A Fistful of Dollars, starring Clint ...

In the world of both streaming and gaming, the streaming wars look like they’re getting taken to the next level.  This month, Netflix launched a ...

Marvel season is back, after fans of the franchise have eagerly waited for new content following the end of the Infinity Saga. Since Marvel made ...

A well-known Broadway production, Dear Evan Hansen now has its own film adaptation. The show turned movie tells the story of a high school senior ...

Many many moons ago, HBO put itself on the map by running a show by the name of The Sopranos, created by David Chase. It’s ...

It may seem like a very simple premise, but it is often an important one to keep in mind when it comes to filmmaking. Last ...

Dune is one of those franchises in the sci-fi community that is a time-honored classic. Over the years, there have been attempts to adapt it ...

Recently released is a story most people are familiar with. For those that aren’t, a documentary focused on civil rights activist Malcolm X and one ...

In a few days, a film by the name of Blue Bayou will be getting its theatrical release in the United States. Blue Bayou was ...

Marvel is back at it once again, with an extensive slew of projects set to release in theaters and their streaming platform Disney+. Among Marvel’s ...

Warner Bros. has not had the best track record when it comes to expanding its live-action DC cinematic universe (DCEU). One can make the case ...

Over the course of these past few days, Scarlett Johansson has locked horns with Disney in a legal dispute. Johansson claims that Disney breached her ...

The G.I. Joe movies do not have the best track record, with movies G.I. Joe Rise of Cobra and G.I. Joe Retaliation not being very ...

It is not farfetched to say that, for many, the year 2020 was riddled with one turbulent event after another. Thankfully, an announcement made in ...

Before Captain Marvel (2019) was released and the upcoming release of Marvel’s Black Widow (2021), it is pretty fair to say that Marvel wasn’t doing ...

The Purge series asked an essential question, which gave life to four movies, and now, a fifth come July 2nd. The question these films ask ...

Fast and Furious 9 (or F9) is part of a series of films that spans nine movies as well as one spin off film. Suffice ...

Learning how to be a filmmaker isn’t just applicable to being a film director, writer, or working on a film set, it’s also about how ...

New York Film Academy (NYFA) recently enjoyed virtually sitting down with two of its esteemed colleagues, Eric Brown and Michael Kunselman, to learn more about ...

Njoki Muhoho is a lover of growing organizations to support people and takes pleasure in scripting and producing films, so don’t ask her to choose ...

In 2018, Somasekhar “Som” Kovvuri decided to leave his job and pursue his dream of finally becoming a filmmaker. With a younger son in Berklee ...

Ester Nunes has always been a creative person. Growing up, Nunes would always draft short stories and as a teenager would create homemade videos and ...