aaron_wade
Well-known member
anyone have any advice on these workshops? im looking at new york film academy and the international film & tv (rockport,me). any advice?
nyfa vs. intl. film/tv workshops
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J_Barnes
Veteran
Having known several people who have attended NYFA, and having taken a class personally at the Rockport workshops, I can say without question or reservation that you would be burning your money if you chose NYFA over a class at Rockport.
It's not cheap, but there's a distinct difference between the two. NYFA is an education mill, they just cram students in and turn out half-assed aspiring directors. The graduates are generally unsuited for professional work in the NY industry and they pay though the nose for an education you could get at Amazon.com. The cost is great, the program is very lack-luster in my opinion.
Rockport, is very expensive, but they have a far greater program available. Their teachers for level 3 and up are generally all professionals currently working in the industry. They have very nice equipment available, a lovely campus and surrounding town, and relatively good food and accommodations, and where else could you someday take a class from Michael Chapman?
The other thing that was surprising about taking a class there was the quality of the other students there. I took the feature film lighting workshop and there was a professional visual effects DP with a resume as long as my arm. A couple commercial directors, a music video director and a number of educators from respected colleges.
Your experience might not be the same as mine, but I wouldn't even consider NYFA an option. Any ideas of what you'd like to learn specifically?
It's not cheap, but there's a distinct difference between the two. NYFA is an education mill, they just cram students in and turn out half-assed aspiring directors. The graduates are generally unsuited for professional work in the NY industry and they pay though the nose for an education you could get at Amazon.com. The cost is great, the program is very lack-luster in my opinion.
Rockport, is very expensive, but they have a far greater program available. Their teachers for level 3 and up are generally all professionals currently working in the industry. They have very nice equipment available, a lovely campus and surrounding town, and relatively good food and accommodations, and where else could you someday take a class from Michael Chapman?
The other thing that was surprising about taking a class there was the quality of the other students there. I took the feature film lighting workshop and there was a professional visual effects DP with a resume as long as my arm. A couple commercial directors, a music video director and a number of educators from respected colleges.
Your experience might not be the same as mine, but I wouldn't even consider NYFA an option. Any ideas of what you'd like to learn specifically?
mikegrasso
Well-known member
WOW, I was planning on taking the 4 week digital filmmaking program with NYFA in Orlando this summer. After reading this post I am thinking different. I was looking into NYFA and Full Sail, and NYFA had much better reviews than Full Sail. I want to go to Orlando and work for MGM or Universal, what other training/workshops would you recommend. How should I go about getting a job with MGM or Universal.
J_Barnes
Veteran
Well, I feel very strong at advising you then. I attended full sail, I've taken a workshop at Rockport and I worked for about four years in NYC...three of them in close proximity to NYFA.
My question is then, what it is you'd like to do at MGM or Universal? When I was leaving orlando, there was quite a lot of cable TV starting to grow there, but the filmed television production was drying up. I honestly don't know what the scene is like down there now with regards to Indie film. What would you like to do exactly?
My question is then, what it is you'd like to do at MGM or Universal? When I was leaving orlando, there was quite a lot of cable TV starting to grow there, but the filmed television production was drying up. I honestly don't know what the scene is like down there now with regards to Indie film. What would you like to do exactly?
Thomas_E_SP
Active member
I totally disagree with J Barnes.
NYFA does have a great program, at least in NY, where I took the one year direting. What happens is this: they DO receive a LOT of students, most of them, obviously won't dedicate their time and effort to the program, some will, a few I should say. So, you'll team up with people like you, to crew and study together, if you're a slacker you'll get a slacker crew and teachers, if not, you're on with good people.
I attended the screenwriting course first, and that's what I was told by a former student/friend in my class. So, from the very first day, long and intensive days, I put the effort to get together with the good people. It becomes part politics, part talent, and it IS competitive.
At the end of the year, we were far ahead ( in productions, resources and results ) than all of the crews in my class, because we were working our asses off! And that showed at the screenings. The other crews were always fighting, they had worse teachers ( they wouldn't show up to all of the classes, that's fair ) and complaining they were being left behind.
We had the right to have as many classes as we'd want! Yes, if we wanted an exclusive audio class, we'd have it, you name it. Producing classes, a lot! 2ks, 2 dvxs, 5 lavs, whatever, all equipment we needed.
I am sure the other crews left NYFA bitching it, as much as I'm sure my crew/friends could not. It all comes down to who you are, and will be.
About Barnes comment about the teachers, I won't waste my time answering or naming the people I came across.
NYFA does have a great program, at least in NY, where I took the one year direting. What happens is this: they DO receive a LOT of students, most of them, obviously won't dedicate their time and effort to the program, some will, a few I should say. So, you'll team up with people like you, to crew and study together, if you're a slacker you'll get a slacker crew and teachers, if not, you're on with good people.
I attended the screenwriting course first, and that's what I was told by a former student/friend in my class. So, from the very first day, long and intensive days, I put the effort to get together with the good people. It becomes part politics, part talent, and it IS competitive.
At the end of the year, we were far ahead ( in productions, resources and results ) than all of the crews in my class, because we were working our asses off! And that showed at the screenings. The other crews were always fighting, they had worse teachers ( they wouldn't show up to all of the classes, that's fair ) and complaining they were being left behind.
We had the right to have as many classes as we'd want! Yes, if we wanted an exclusive audio class, we'd have it, you name it. Producing classes, a lot! 2ks, 2 dvxs, 5 lavs, whatever, all equipment we needed.
I am sure the other crews left NYFA bitching it, as much as I'm sure my crew/friends could not. It all comes down to who you are, and will be.
About Barnes comment about the teachers, I won't waste my time answering or naming the people I came across.
Thomas_E_SP
Active member
J_Barnes said:
Right, so, why should I be defending nyfa? Ask someone who's been to both, he will tell you.
mikegrasso
Well-known member
Well, I am looking for any film/tv production job. I just want to work in the industry.
J_Barnes
Veteran
Mike, I don't think the "any" film/tv job is a real strong career path. Not that you can't take your time and decide, I just think it can be a little easier if you target exactly what you want to do.
My advice for anyone looking to get into the industry is to get the most basic education you can and spend the rest of your education budget interning for free anywhere that will have you. There are just too many things that can't be taught in a class room, so I like to think that no matter what your education is, plan for a year of unpaid interning and crewing onto your expectations.
My advice for anyone looking to get into the industry is to get the most basic education you can and spend the rest of your education budget interning for free anywhere that will have you. There are just too many things that can't be taught in a class room, so I like to think that no matter what your education is, plan for a year of unpaid interning and crewing onto your expectations.
mikegrasso
Well-known member
Thanks, I realy want to be a cameraman for different film and tv projects. I love filming on location and that is what I want to do. I want to work for a large production company, and gain as much camera work as I can.
Sean Michael
Well-known member
I will say a few words in defense of NYFA, having attended the 5-week "digital filmmaking" workshop last year.
As Thomas states, you get out of it what you put into it. It's not UCLA or NYU, it's a pay-and-go a la carte film school. As Captain Kirk once said, "we learn by doing." In the digital program, you get your hands on a DVX almost immediately, and each student shoots & edits three short films before the end of the month.
It is what it is... a way to jump-start your knowledge. If you give it everything you've got, you'll be going all day, every day, for a month. You'll learn a great deal.
As Thomas states, you get out of it what you put into it. It's not UCLA or NYU, it's a pay-and-go a la carte film school. As Captain Kirk once said, "we learn by doing." In the digital program, you get your hands on a DVX almost immediately, and each student shoots & edits three short films before the end of the month.
It is what it is... a way to jump-start your knowledge. If you give it everything you've got, you'll be going all day, every day, for a month. You'll learn a great deal.
hvpz
Well-known member
If you're alone in the dark, NYFA could be an interesting experience. It was my case and I've done a 6 weeks workshop. It's great to be fully immersed in filmmaking all the time. No rest even the sunday with people really involved.
I made :
-2 shorts (16 mm) as a director (5mm and 13mm).
-2 as a dp
-2 as an actor (aha)
And our main teacher was Mitko Panov (Golden Palm for best short film at the Cannes Film Festival in 1991). His courses were just incredible.
Now some years after, i'm not sure I'll have redone it. I'll have certainly preferred to buy an camera. "Et Hop". But all experiences can be good.
I made :
-2 shorts (16 mm) as a director (5mm and 13mm).
-2 as a dp
-2 as an actor (aha)
And our main teacher was Mitko Panov (Golden Palm for best short film at the Cannes Film Festival in 1991). His courses were just incredible.
Now some years after, i'm not sure I'll have redone it. I'll have certainly preferred to buy an camera. "Et Hop". But all experiences can be good.
aaron_wade
Well-known member
dvpixl
Veteran
NYFA in NY was "ok" when I attended. I loved the people I met, the crew I worked with- they had no idea how to make films. They never held a camera before, they didnt know how to use final cut pro. I became their editing buddy- goodtimes. I wish they had a DVX then but I was there the year before the DVX's came out so I was making real films.
sadly enough, it cost too damn much to finish my final film on film so I went canon GL-1 on it. I guess I should have expected it... I ended up editing all my films at home because my system is freakin better than theirs... so much for immersive experience. at least now they have the DVX and it can compensate for their dumb 16mm classes. in fact, they should get rid of it. those old cams will benefit no one- seriously.
I realize from reading this post, that their digital classes do really well. I should have taken that instead.
That was the only time I used film- and it was quite a sad experience. I can gladly say that aside from having to worry about distributing movies on film for festival releases or what not, I will never use film again.
and like one of you said, it's all about determination. If you could wake up everyday to push yourself to educate yourself on filmmaking, that's as good as any of these classes will get.
sadly enough, it cost too damn much to finish my final film on film so I went canon GL-1 on it. I guess I should have expected it... I ended up editing all my films at home because my system is freakin better than theirs... so much for immersive experience. at least now they have the DVX and it can compensate for their dumb 16mm classes. in fact, they should get rid of it. those old cams will benefit no one- seriously.
I realize from reading this post, that their digital classes do really well. I should have taken that instead.
That was the only time I used film- and it was quite a sad experience. I can gladly say that aside from having to worry about distributing movies on film for festival releases or what not, I will never use film again.
and like one of you said, it's all about determination. If you could wake up everyday to push yourself to educate yourself on filmmaking, that's as good as any of these classes will get.