Category Archives: Acting School Reviews

New York Film Academy Acting Student

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I am from Romania. I moved to LA basically to attend the New York Film Academy Universal Studios Acting program, because of the professionalism they offer and the decision of being an actor. ‘Hey, where is a better place to pursue this career than LA?’

I graduated from the one year acting program on October 20, and I have to say the time spent in school this year was one of the best I’ve ever had. I learned a lot in Acting for film, Meisner, Acting Technique  and Scene Study. I saw many opportunities in school and in LA; and I am looking forward to a second year in acting to receive my AFA degree. One advantage of being a NYFA student or alumni is that you get to attend a lot of screenings, Q&A’s, and showcases. You also get good discounts at Universal City Walk. Being an international school you make a lot of new friends from all over the world and learn a lot from their cultures.

You also get to learn and work exactly like you would on a professional set; so you get a good taste of what awaits you out there. If you study hard, audition, work hard, with a bit of luck you can make your dreams come true.

-Ovidiu Alexandru Cojocaru

New York Film Academy Acting and Screenwriting Student

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I have been a student at New York Film Academy for 3 different programs. I first came here when I was 19 to do the 8 week acting for film course. All my life I had been doing some form of acting but considering where I grew up, there were no proper film opportunities so I wanted to go to NYFA for a shorter course to ensure that it was the path I wanted to take in life before dedicating everything I had to it. Needless to say, it did the job and I ended up coming to an 8 week screenwriting class before heading back here for the year long program.

This school is unlike any other in a number of ways. I’d have to say the one thing that really sets NYFA apart from other schools I’ve been to etc, is the trips to the backlot. You get to film on REAL sets with real camera crews that are also a part of various programs at NYFA. The school also offers a vast range of different courses that contribute to an all around acting experience. In all of the school’s courses and workshops I had done previous to coming back for the year long program, I had never taken a meisner class. I have to say that Anne Moore who was my meisner teacher is one of my favourite acting teachers to date. She spends equal amounts of time with each student and goes out of her way to make sure that we really understand. She was also always available at a moments notice to do a one on one session if we needed more help.

The acting for Film Class with Bruce Ducat was also fantastic because we learned a lot of tips and tricks that really came in handy when it came time to getting in front of the camera. Things like eye line and angles which really ended up coming in handy. Valorie Hubbard was our Scene Study teacher and she is one of the most knowledgeable people I have personally met on the subject. She really challenged us and taught us how to get in character and gave us different tips and tricks to get into those difficult ones that occasionally test us to the limit.

These are just a few of the great aspects that NYFA has to offer. They keep students interested in what they’re doing and offer a number of challenges that end up pushing us to the limit to ultimately become our best.

-Jesse Brandes

New York Film Academy Universal Studios Acting Student

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I had the best three years of my life. I got to experience Film and acting on a basis I could not even dream about. To be able too actually go on sets of movies you grew up with, was just magical.

I had teachers who actually worked as actors in their private lives.
People such as John Henry Richardson and Anthony Montes, show you nothing but passion. They take their time to get you where you need to be. Their words inspire you to work harder, and give you joy in a business that can and sometimes will rip you apart.

Meisner was my favorite class – it took me deeper into the art of acting.
It taught me to LIVE TRUTHFULLY, UNDER IMAGINARY CIRCUMSTANCES.
With Meisner classes, I have to mention Maria Gobetti and Tom Ormeny.
They will push you harder than you thought you could be, and make you feel comfortable at the same time.

The staff at New York Film Academy took me into their arms and let me really enjoy life.
Any issues or problems I had, I took up with Jean Sherlock. He immideatly sat me down and talked it through and he always came through.

NYFA is not only about teaching the industry of Hollywood – they care about you as an individual as well.

Anybody who is interested in studying here, and are willing to work hard, should not think twice about joining.

It’s an experience of a lifetime and its waiting for you.

-Kenneth Thomassen

New York Film Academy MFA Acting Student

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Oddly enough, after researching all the best film and acting schools world-wide, what closed the deal for me was a very beautiful musical student film I’d fallen in love with on the New York Film Academy website. If NYFA could do that, then that was where I wanted to go. I’ll never forget the first day on the Universal Studios backlot with a screen-test, headshots and then an Improv class. School registration was never like that before. Within a few weeks the coursework was consuming. For me NYFA was an overhaul of workshops and acting classes I had accumulated over the years. We started with the basics, learning all the diverging methods, from Shakespeare to Stanislavski to Meisner. And we were on our feet, with Improv, Speech, Movement, and production workshops, trying out all the techniques. As soon as we had film footage, editing and post production was added. Every class included one-on-one tutoring.

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New York Film Academy 4 Week Acting Student

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On set of Michael Staininger’s “The Tomb”

About ten years ago I arrived in New York City as a twenty to year old boy from Vienna, Austria, and entered the classroom of the 4 week intensive acting workshop at the New York Film Academy. In the first session, without even having been introduced to my peers, I was asked to pick a song, and perform it in conjunction with a repetitive physical action in front of the entire class. Talk about being thrown into the cold water. This experience set the tone for the twelve months to come, and it is what makes the New York Film Academy’s approach to learning the craft so different from other teaching philosophies.

Hands on, full immersion. This is the key principle to when your desire is to actively work in the industry. Imagine going to the zoo and watching a lion in a cage. You could come very close and would still be protected in your comfort zone. You could get away with many things. Now cross the bridge from the zoo out into the African Savannah, the open battleground where it is up to your skills whether you make it or not. No bars, no protection. This is exactly what happens when you first step on set of your feature film directorial debut; you are used to the cage but suddenly it is not there anymore and you have to face the lion with determination, bravery, wit and a solid dose of self-belief and confidence. If you don’t bring these along, you’ll be eaten alive.  Self-confidence comes from uniting your talents with experience. But what if there is no previous experience on the battlefield of a feature film set? Well, then you have to do your best to replicate the real world scenarios in a protected environment, where mistakes are allowed and encouraged.

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New York Film Academy 1 Year Acting for Film

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New York Film Academy was definitely a great choice for me. I didn’t know I could learn so much about myself in such a short time. The school is very intensive, and packs about 2 years worth of knowledge into 1 year and that’s what I love. The instructors are always able to answer any question you ask, and they actually care whether you improve. For them, it’s not about the paycheck, they love seeing you progress. I noticed my acting improve each and every week, and that felt amazing. I would go back to New York Film Academy in a second!

-Jason Ellis

New York Film Academy BFA Acting School

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Over the course of the last 2 years, I have been a student of the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles. Throughout my time here I have had the opportunity to learn about acting in the most unique and intriguing ways possible. The New York Film Academy has become a second home to me. The administration has always been helpful with my requests and needs, and the teachers are some of the most respected and successful people in the business today. The teachers have become like parents to me, and they have made my experience here the best that it could possibly be. From technique classes to business classes, this university has given me all of the necessary tools to polish my craft and apply the skills learned to the regular world of entertainment and film. I have had not just the opportunity to become a better actor, but a better person as well. NYFA has always been there to ensure my education is the best that it could be and provide me with opportunities that go beyond what is necessary to be successful.

At New York Film Academy, we also get the amazing opportunities to listen to guest speakers. These speakers are the top tier of success stories in this industry and it is an amazing opportunity to hear them speak about their lives, experiences, and the ways that they have attacked their careers with nothing but honesty and advice to help us out in our future successes as well. From course curriculum to the projects we do outside of class, I have had numerous chances to practice my craft as well as find ways to succeed as a human being. Assistance has always been provided with finances and student aid, along with assistance from instructors outside of the normal class hours. This school gives us a chance to showcase our talent and progress by giving us live performances and film screenings to the general public. Each individual staff member of this school brings a unique approach to the industry and encourages all of the students to find their own paths. The school has given so much to its students, and I think that it will only come as no surprise to see myself and other students pay that forward through the success we share in our careers ahead of us. Thank you NYFA for an unforgettable experience and many more still to come.

-Daniel Snyder

New York Film Academy Associates Degree Acting Student

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I started at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles back in 2010. Upon entering, I fell in love with the craft and the school instantaneously. Every one of my classmates was as excited to be there as I was. We were from all over the world. I’m from Canada and I thought it was going to be hard to meet people and make friends, but when you are all brought together for the love of the same craft, getting to know people is pretty easy.

The thing that is unique about this school is that it is all hands-on training. Of course there is in class work, but you learn and hone your skills by physically getting up and doing what we came here to do. Without a doubt, the teachers are what made my experience here a beneficial one. Not only does this school have a staff that is more than capable of teaching the classes, they are also working in the business themselves. I don’t think that there was a better way to learn than to be working beside those teachers that were working themselves. They don’t only teach, but they inspire us. We go on a journey at this school. We learn the craft and grow in it as well.
The classes at this school train us in every aspect of this business. Whether it be ‘Scene Study,’ where you put together scenes and polish them up for a performance, or Stage Combat: where Jack Huang teaches Tai Chi and how to fight for stage combat. With many different types of teachers, (some working with Shakespeare, others working with commercials, and sitcoms.) you learn all aspects of the business. This school also has seminars all of the time. Whether it be a seminar from a celebrity guest to show a screening of one of their films, or one of the staff members (like Chris Devane) who are just so passionate about what they do and want to pass on all of their knowledge onto their students. You have access to a never ending field of knowledge at New York Film Academy.
I spent two years at this school and received my Associates Degree, and I loved every day of it. The skills that I obtained from my lessons are what helped me to become the working actor that I am today. I am proud to be a New York Film Academy graduate.
-Adam Shirley

New York Film Academy MFA Acting Student

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My experience at New York Film Academy was phenomenal. The teachers really care about their students and they know the industry extremely well. Caitlin Muelder taught me so much about acting and how to be a true actor. Valerie Hubbard taught me the craft of the art as well as the business side of how to pursue acting. Maria Gobetti taught me Meisner and really helped me get to the core emotions needed for this art. Suzanne Kent helped me gain improv skills and pushed me beyond what I thought I was capable of doing. Acting is a passion of mine. I would be lost without the teachers at New York Film Academy that really try to help you grow as an actor and actually get work in Los Angeles.

Thank you!

-Moriel Adimor

New York Film Academy Acting for Film Program

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New York Film Academy is an excellent academy that promotes professional and personal growth of the student. I made this conclusion from my own experience – studying Acting within its walls.

First, I want to mention the most important thing for me – the human relationship. I asked the American students if all the schools in the U.S. are the same as New York Film Academy. They replied that they never met such a high level of interaction between staff and students. Administration at New York Film Academy helped and supported me greatly in my difficult life situations, which I did not even count on. In any situation where I have a question or problem (not even about NYFA), or if I needed advice and/or concrete help – I was always being helped, guided, and supported. New York Film Academy saved me many times, and if it were not for the administration of the Academy, I do not even know how I would have gotten out of difficult life situations.

All teachers at New York Film Academy are working professionals. Their expertly constructed lessons, guidance of our professional development, and caring and considerate participation of Administration of the Academy made my learning experience unforgettable. I stress this because international students, cut off from home and family, in a foreign country where they speak a different language, have a very hard life! And NYFA for me, as for many other foreign students, is home!

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