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