Mentorship & Hands-On Learning

Transcript

Now we are heading over to the famous Universal Studio’s back lot to meet two students, Hanna and Lara. Hanna, an Acting for Film major from Germany, learns from a diverse faculty who actively work in their respective fields. Lara, a Filmmaking major from Brazil, has dreamt of being a filmmaker since she was a kid. Here, students are given the tools, the resources, and knowledge to bring their dreams to life. Lights, camera, action.

– Thank you so much, Alex. Hollywood. That was my nickname everyone used to call me growing up. My place was and is in front of the camera. Acting is my passion and it’s almost an obsession. That’s why I enrolled at NYFA. Now I’m studying to be an actor in Hollywood. At NYFA, every teacher has worked in the entertainment industry. They exchange their stories with students and share their knowledges and experiences. It is so thrilling to hear from someone who has walked the same path as you and learn about all of their projects. I’ve watched guest speaker events with NYFA alumni like Aubrey Plaza, Bill Hader, and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, who all came back for NYFA interviews. We learn by doing from experts who have done it. As an actor, this is especially important. You need a horizon and that’s why NYFA provides us with a support system. Through film screenings, Q and A events, and film festivals, NYFA gives us a chance to see where our future could take us. Our classroom cohorts are typically very small, which means our educational experience is special. NYFA teachers can focus on each and every student so we all feel supported. Our instructors can really get to know us and what kind of artists we are so they can guide us better as we learn and practice our craft. Because of that, our relationship with our teachers is collaborative and they are our mentors rather than authority figures. I’ve learned so much about myself as an actor and as a performer while at NYFA, and I hope once I’ve graduated that I can utilize my skills to land on my dream roles in movies like “The Greatest Showman” or television shows like “Friends” or “Breaking Bad.” That was my journey, and now Lara is gonna tell you about the world behind a camera.

– Thank you, Hanna. Hi, everyone. Making films started out as a hobby and I remember making up little stories with my dolls as a kid. By the time I started high school, I knew I wanted to study filmmaking. And what better place than New York Film Academy? Their hands-on approach to learning was perfect for me. At first, I wasn’t sure about where to study, so I started with NYFA’s eight week filmmaking workshop. The experience I had was amazing and I learned so much in so little time that I had to come back for my bachelor’s. We shot our first class project on a set in Universal Studio’s back lot. Absolutely no other college could offer that kind of experience. From the very first day in class, we worked with professional equipment such as cameras, lighting, and even industry standard editing software. Filmmaking students have the freedom to write, direct, and shoot their projects in their own style. This emphasis on creativity combined with practical learning only pushes students to be their best. I have already directed 10 short films and participated in the production of many others. There’s nothing more valuable than this hands-on experience we get every single day in class. At NYFA, you learn by doing. There’s some things that lectures just can’t teach you. You can only get real world experience while actually making films on sets. You have the freedom and support to try new things and even make some mistakes while learning from everything you do. NYFA’s range of programs and diverse community only makes the experience even better. I could have never imagined learning so much in such a short time. After learning filmmaking, screenwriting, directing, and producing, students are ready to set up a creative portfolio of work. And by the time we graduate, we’re ready to take the next step towards our careers. And I can’t wait for that. Now back to you, Alex.

– How cool is it that students get actual on set experience at the Universal Studio’s back lot? With the hands-on learning that NYFA offers, students can feel comfortable making mistakes, taking creative risks, and challenging themselves to be the best possible filmmakers, performers, and visual artists. Thanks again.