ACTING & FILM SCHOOL

The New York Film Academy Two-Year Producing program is a four or five semester conservatorybased, full-time program. The first two semesters follow the curriculum outlined in the One-Year Producing Program. During the second year, students will be challenged to hone the skills learned in year one. By combining seminars and lectures with intense hands-on film shoots, students acquire a sound understanding and appreciation of motion picture arts, and learn to integrate knowledge and professional experience.

All Two-Year Conservatory students must complete a series of highly specialized classes, participate in multiple film productions, deliver a thesis project of their own creation, and complete all graduation requirements in order to successfully complete the program.

Semester Three overview

At the beginning of Semester Three, students must form a thesis- committee and determine which Thesis Option they will pursue over the course of Year Two. Students must meet regularly (at least once per week) with thesis committee members in order to ensure compliance with New York Film Academy standards, and to seek assistance in the realization of their respective creative visions.

Semester Three classes are infused with an emphasis on perfecting craft, exposing students to emerging media and technology, and exposing them to the realities of the film industry and the business of filmmaking. The focus of the semester is on “professionalism.” It is designed to prepare Two-Year Conservatory students for their thesis projects, as well as for a life in the industry after graduation.

SEMESTER FOUR overview

In Semester Four, students devote a majority of their time to their thesis requirements. Faculty meets one-on-one with students in an extensive series of advisements to assist them and coach them through the successful completion of thesis requirements.

SEMESTER FOUR OBJECTIVES

Learning Goals
1. Learn postproduction workflow.
2. Further study of the strategies of financing, marketing and distribution
3. Historical analysis of entertainment law
4. In depth study of documentary production

Production Goals
1. Produce Thesis Project

Year two COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Situational Comedy Development
In this exploration of television Situation Comedies from the Producer's point of view, students participate in an in depth analysis of the Television Sitcom industry and develop a fulllength pilot of their own. From the initial concept and pitch to finalized script and budget, students prepare a sitcom script.

Line Producing II
Line Producing leads students through the entire process of pre-production (including scouting and securing of locations, permits, and casting), and production (managing the chaos of a bustling film set and keeping on schedule and under budget). Students also analyze budgets and schedules of films and television shows that have already been produced to gain an understanding of these two key elements in preparing a project for production. In later sessions, students prepare a budget and a schedule and learn how these two elements interact and drive the production.

EP Budgeting/Scheduling
EP Budgeting/Scheduling is the industry standard in budgeting and scheduling software. The budgeting format allows users to create and edit comprehensive budgets of all sizes for all types of productions, while automating the scheduling strip board process. Producers, production managers and assistant directors use this script breakdown and scheduling software.

Entertainment ACCOUNTING
This course provides an overview of the financial, cost, and managerial accounting functions specific to the film industry, with general application to all other areas of media production, including television, commercials, music, videos, and game development. Students will analyze techniques and control procedures for accurate preparation of financial statements. Specific topics include production budgeting, management reporting, film accounting terminology, amortization of film cost, and studio distribution contacts.

PRODUCER'S CRAFT II
This course continues the study of the essential roles, tasks, and obstacles faced by film and television producers in Hollywood and in independent production. Students also track feature films and new television shows as case studies. The class serves as the core of the first year of study and is essential in conveying fundamental producing skills including optioning and developing material, film festivals, networks and ratings, pilot season, studio distribution and marketing, independent film financing, and the pitch.

Cinema Studies I: Historical Perspectives
This course is an intense film studies seminar in which students are taught to identify the techniques used by cinematic innovators throughout the history of filmmaking. The course explores ways that the crafts of directing (particularly shot construction), cinematography, acting, and editing have developed. Through screenings and discussions, students grow to understand how filmmakers have approached the great challenge of telling stories with moving images from silent films to the digital age.

Entertainment LAW II: CONTRACTS NEGOTIATIONS AND DRAFTING
A survey of legal issues pertaining to contract negotiation and conflict resolution in the entertainment industry, this course, teaches students contract negotiation and contract drafting skills through mock negotiations and contract drafting exercises. It provides students hands-on opportunities to engage in interviewing and legal business practices.

Students will gain a historical perspective of entertainment industry culture, including the rise of modern mass mediated culture and cyber culture. Students explore the link between entertainment culture and our usual categories of aesthetics, politics, culture, identity, ethics, and value. Various perspectives on ethical decision-making and ethical business practices specific to the entertainment industry will be studied.

Cinema Studies II: Historical Perspectives
A broad cross-section of the film community is represented in this screening series, including directors, producers, directors of photography, editors, screenwriters, production designers, post-production coordinators, and casting directors. Students are exposed to multiple avenues for potential employment in the film industry. All lectures are followed by Q&A sessions.

ELECTIVE: New Media
In the ever-changing world of the entertainment industry, it is essential for a producer to keep abreast of evolutions in new media technology and the many new outlets for distribution that continue to emerge on an increasingly rapid basis. In the digital age, ipods, webcasts, even cell phones have become viable modes for distribution. The war between HD formats, the dynamic possibilities of multimedia tie-ins and Alternate Reality Games, and the anti-piracy aspirations of digital 3-D projection are only a few of the topics that are covered in detail.

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