ACTING & FILM SCHOOL

Why I Chose To Go to Film School at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles

Deciding where to go to film school is a very hard decision for most young filmmakers. There are literally thousands of film schools throughout the world and finding the best one for your needs can be quite a challenge. One of the best ways to determine if a school is right for you is to ask alumni and students of the school you are intersted in. We asked former film student Yana Gorskaya why she decided to enroll in film school at that the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles. Here are her reasons…

• I receive intensive hands-on instruction and production experience
• It is the collaboration of the best things; to create the curriculum NYFA distilled the essential elements from the world’s best programs
• Developed especially for imaginative and ambitious people
• Limitation of the class size
• Open door policy - meet with instructors and school administration anytime
• Students from diverse backgrounds, from all countries which results in different art visions, rich cultural mix
• The most prestigious and inspiring locations in the world. New York - crossroads of the world. Culture pot… Hughes, Pollack; Andy Warhol, Marilyn Monroe; Coppola, Scorsese, Allen; Actor’s Studio, SoHo, Broadway, Tribeca, Times Square, Central Park, 5th Avenue; Holly Golightly, Carrie Bradshow …The setting of choice to the most distinguished TV shows and films. City itself helps to shape the artistic vision, invigorates your imagination, motivates your creative enthusiasm; it is the perfect training ground for any art form. LA - the heart of movie land, the entertainment capital of the world; Back to the Future, American Beauty, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind; Desperate Housewives, The L Word… The city with the whole world inside it; Hollywood walk of Fame, Kodak Theatre, Sunset Strip, Mulholland drive, Malibu beaches, Beverly Hills… Further more, the unique backlot of Universal Studios, where the movie magic happens, literally made up of the neighborhoods of the world: a Mexican Villa, a Roman square, New England street, a Renaissance courtyard… It is a chance to network with the entire city devoted to film production. Los Angeles itself with all these Studios around is the place which inspires, stimulates and at the same time disciplines you.
  Just mere being in these cities would help me to move forward, make me evolve as an artist
• Attitude towards students: open door policy with mentors and tutors
• Immersion in process
• Guest lectures in classes => plenty of time to ask for advice
• Total freedom of one’s creativity
• Students’ projects are treated as actual productions
• The integration of many kinds of knowledge (I learn how they interact with each other and drive the production) and professional experience in all aspects of the given subject; collaborative roles. All that gives student flexibility - immeasurable value for the future career
• Comprehensive real-life studies; dozens of programs to actually make movies not just talk about it
• High quality equipment to my disposal
• Hands-on opportunities to engage in interviewing, contract negotiations etc.
• Learning-by-doing philosophy which enables one to put himself into the real-world context
• Celebrated professionals as guest speakers
• The knowledge and skill the student attains is of great value for his future career in producing
• Students are encouraged to develop professional network
• The Academy gives an opportunity for students to showcase their talents for their reels
• It is a great chance for an international student to enter the world of ‘real’ filmmaking near the most famous Studios in the world; the backlot of Universal Studios presents the filmmaker (and producer) with locations as varied as their imagination
• A chance for my production to take part in the film festivals and for me to try to get a demanding but highly exciting job afterwards

When I read about the opportunities offered in the Academy my hands are trembling. I like the collaboration of creative, artistic vital aspects of producing with more technical side; as well as the combination of seminars and lectures with intensive hands-on film shoots. Otherwise it could be a boring program.
It’s the unique educational institution to provide the most focused producing instruction in the world; the most intensive& hands-on film school.

By Yana Gorskaya

Media Producer, Independent Media - Conde Nast