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New York Film Academy 1 Year Filmmaking Student

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I am studying at the New York Film Academy because I want to expose myself to all the different roles that make a film possible. I want to find my niche as a filmmaker and also build my technical background.

The school has a very hands-on approach that I find to be the most valuable teaching method.

New York Film Academy is better than other schools due to their hands-on technique. I find no better way to learn than actually physically immersing yourself in the project. Attending school here allowed me to live in New York City.

I recommend this school to others trying to get in the industry because the teachers are very accessible, the classes are small, and the training is hands-on.

-Ivy Arce

New York Film Academy 1 Year Filmmaking Student

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I am studying at the New York Film Academy to expand my options. I am a stand up comedian and filmmaking gives me the opportunity to tell stories in a visual format. I’m open to future opportunities in television or film.

The school provides a lot of valuable information that I find essential to making a film. I recommend this school over other schools in the industry because you get to work with other like minded individuals that creates a positive environment conducive for success. The teachers want you to learn and comprehend the things they teach.

-Gerald Torregosa

New York Film Academy 1 Year Filmmaking Student

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I graduated at the Academy of Fine Arts in Milan as a graphic designer and art director. I chose to continue my experience abroad in New York City, which I love; and it inspires me so much.

I recommend New York Film Academy to others because I love this academy and it’s a great place to learn.

-Daniel Zagaevschi

New York Film Academy Producing Student

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I can honestly say that my time at the New York Film Academy enhanced my skills and improved my knowledge as a film producer. Before I had enrolled at the New York Film Academy, I had been working in the film industry in Europe and even though I had experienced real industry practice by having had the opportunity to work in various high profiled European productions, I hoped that the additional knowledge I would gain at the New York based Academy would help advance me in my ambition of becoming a leading film producer.

I enrolled in the 4 week producing intensive course. The lectures were well constructed and our professors guided and helped us understand every phase of the film producing process; and even more important, the role of the producer!

Unbeknownst to me, most of my classmates, who came from Asia, Europe, South America, Africa and of course America, already had some producing experience; whether in film, television, video or music. This was another great benefit because we all had the chance to share information about each other’s film industries and how markets work in those particular countries. This enhanced our learning process to a more international level.

Overall my experience was outstanding and the knowledge I gained at the New York Film Academy improved my present understanding of the film producing practice by making it a solid foundation to continue building my career as a film producer.
-Elena Stanisheva

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 1 Year Documentary Student

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I moved to New York from Canada in 2010 to study Documentary Filmmaking at the New York Film Academy.  After graduating from university with a Biology degree, I had a difficult time deciding whether I should pursue teaching, public health or film – something that I’ve never thought would be possible. Since I was young, I worked towards becoming a health professional like my father, so I tried to find an outlet for my creativity in high school art classes or English projects. While I enjoyed the arts, I never saw myself as artsy enough to fully dive into it and felt the pressure to find a career that was more “stable.” It was only after my 4-month internship in Bangladesh in 2009 that I mustered the courage to make that transition from Biology to film. At the end of my internship , I put together a short 16-minute documentary about my research there and it was one of the most exciting things I had ever done.

Sarah’s documentary film “Newtown Creek”

The 1-year Documentary Program I took at NYFA was intense, but exhilarating.  As someone who enjoys both in-class and practical training, I think I took the most out of the program by being committed to my coursework, investing in my film projects, while taking the full advantage of studying in New York City by attending outside film screenings in my spare time. I learned a great deal from my instructors as they shared their wisdom from years of personal experience in the industry, as well as the guest lecturers who came in for our Master classes. The fact that we started filming our projects within the first month of the program and worked together in small crews of 4 helped me to learn the craft of filmmaking in its true collaborative nature. Through trial-and-errors, I learned firsthand how to produce, shoot, and edit better while, critique sessions with my classmates and instructors enabled me to take my films to the next level.

I would definitely recommend NYFA to those looking to pursue filmmaking – documentary or narrative. This school has equipped me to become the filmmaker that I am today and has set me on the path to grow as a documentarian when I did not know anything about filmmaking only two years ago. I have met many mentors and friends that I still collaborate with at this school and was able to produce two short documentaries that have been screened at film festivals. I am grateful for my experience at NYFA and stand as a proud alumnus of the school.

-Sarah Choi

New York Film Academy 8 Week Screenwriting Student

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Hello Rachel. My name is Ita Hozaife. I took the 8 week screenwriting workshop last year (Sept-Nov 2011). The class schedule, workload, and deadlines are best described as torture. I loved it! And I want to do it again! What I had been trying to write, with not much success for two years, you got me to do in 8 weeks! Thank you!

I was looking for a short advanced screenwriting class but you don’t offer such. Sad. So I’ll go with the 12 week screenwriting workshop coming up in January 2013.

-Ita Hozaife
Ink Marks Ltd

New York Film Academy Student

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Hey Farah,

I’d be happy to share a little feedback concerning my attendance at New York Film Academy, and maybe contribute in encouraging a hesitant student to venture into the creative world of New York Film Academy.

I attended the New York Film Academy in February 2012, in order to take the 12 week directing workshop.

Being a filmmaking graduate, and having been in different workshops around the world, I had plenty of expectations given how renowned NYFA is. But to my surprise, I learned first hand that not only does the ENTIRE staff of NYFA dedicate itself to help their students learn, but also they are genuinely concerned about the students growth and direction.

In the most supporting and welcoming way, I was transferred three weeks after the workshop began to the SCREENWRITING workshop, where I found myself needing that particular direction to take my skills as a filmmaker to the next level. And I couldn’t have done it without NYFA’s honest intention and care.

Because of that workshop, I am now focused on Screenwriting, and I am taking the next step by acquiring my Masters in Screenwriting for Film. I have no one else to thank but the amazing team/family of NYFA.

I guess that’s what I have to say about NYFA.
And I do mean it.
Thank you Farrah.
You’ve been amazing.

New York Film Academy BFA Filmmaking Student

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My name is Joy Zhou,  and I’m from Shanghai, China. On September 2010, I got the chance to learn filmmaking at the New York Film Academy, as an exchange student from Shanghai Theater Academy.

I’ve been here more than two years now. I think what I got the most from New York Film Academy was the experience in the real film industry. Not only practicing on school projects, but also having the chance to see the filmmaking world. And that’s what New York and LA  have taught me too. Besides that, I also made some true friends in the industry, and got a great chance to know Hollywood.

Love, patience, and trust. That’s what I learned from NYFA. Thanks for the past two years, I’m now looking forward to the future.

-Qianying Zhou