6-WEEK ACTING

4-WEEK ACTING

3-WEEK ACTING

1-WEEK ACTING

WEEKEND ACTING

4-Week Acting Camp

In addition to providing students with a thorough foundation in acting for film, the New York Film Academy’s Four-Week Acting for Film Camp offers high school students the opportunity to have a tremendously rewarding hands-on summer experience that fits conveniently into his or her summer schedule.

Offered in the Summer

The Acting for Film Camps are held several times every summer at numerous locations both in the United States and abroad, typically housed at top-rated institutions of higher learning or notable film studio locations. Please see the locations section for a detailed description.

Format

Classes emphasize the practical application of acting technique as it applies to screen acting. Using a variety of techniques ranging from Stanislavski’s "System," "the Method," and "Meisner Technique" as starting points, students develop scenes and monologues for the camera. In conjunction with these classes, students participate in exercises aimed specifically at training the actor for the arduous requirements of acting on a film set.

Please see the Acting for Film Curriculum in previous pages for a detailed description.

Upon the successful completion of the course, students receive a New York Film Academy diploma.

Classes
• Acting for Film
Students learn the basics of film acting: calibrating performances based upon shot size and angle, hitting marks, emotional and physical continuity, and strength and imagination in acting choices. Students are assigned scenes from produced screenplays, which are then shot with a crew and edited together.

• Acting Technique
Acting teachers throughout the ages have developed many different techniques for teaching the craft to aspiring actors. Since actors oftentimes are required to draw from many facets of their training to meet the demands of a role or a director, this class draws from a range of techniques which may include "Meisner Technique," "the Method," and other variations on Stanislavski’s "System." This eclectic approach helps actors best prepare for any role they are given to play.

• Scene Study
Working on scenes from published plays and screenplays allows actors to learn all of the basic concepts of approaching a scene: defining objectives, breaking the scene down into beats, understanding the arc, pursuing an objective, playing actions, and working to overcome obstacles.

• Film Craft
Acting students rarely have the opportunity to immerse themselves in other aspects of filmmaking. However, we feel it is crucial that an actor develops strong collaborative skills by gaining a working knowledge of the film medium and how each member of a film crew contributes to making an actor’s performance shine. Therefore, we provide all of our students with master classes taught by the NYFA Filmmaking faculty who give a broad outline of the mechanics, language, and production of film.

• Monologues
Screenplays oftentimes incorporate monologues into their dramatic structures, but more importantly actors must learn the self-discipline to work individually, without relying on a scene partner for inspiration. Techniques include: choosing monologues that are truthful, meaningful, and revealing, performing script analysis on monologues, staging and directing oneself, and developing both outer and inner focal points.

• Movement
An actor’s movement is an important tool to convey emotions and nuances of a character personality. Therefore, it must be tuned to perform expertly whenever and however needed. Movement classes, in addition to expanding body flexibility and developing the actor’s ability to relax and tense when needed, focus on breaking down inhibitions, building ensemble spirit, and providing the necessary tools to bring physical dimension to all of his or her roles.

• Voice
Students gain insight into the power of their voices and learn how to nurture and control their voices by exercising various resonators and muscles, which enables them to release emotional impulses. In addition to breath work, classes focus on singing, relaxation, phrasing, and posture as a way of supporting and developing the actor’s instrument.

• Improvisation
The ability to improvise can never be underestimated, especially on camera where there is often very little rehearsal. Through games and exercises, students learn how to let their imaginations run free, how to play well with others, and how to live "in the moment"—free from anticipating or planning what to do next.

• Audition Technique
The ability to audition well is not only critical if you want to embark upon an acting career, but it is also a skill that can help you develop your confidence and technique. This class focuses on making strong acting choices with little or no preparation as well bringing your "best self" to the audition room. Other topics may include preparing a resume, selecting a headshot, and pursuing a career. Casting sessions may be held with NYFA Filmmaking students to give students an opportunity to participate in ‘live’ auditions.

Students
The Acting for Film Camps attract students from all over the world with backgrounds and experiences that are as varied as the countries from which they originate. Each class is limited to an average of twelve students. The compressed length of the course and the focused level of study requires commitment and intensive collaboration.

In most of our summer locations, supervised housing is available. Please see the Room and Board section of this brochure