NYFA is one of the leading schools in singing, acting, dance, film and performing arts in the US. Classes are intense but super helpful, and graduates get a solid preparation for a future on Broadway or in the movie business as actors or director alike. everyone is very helpful and supportive towards each other and right now, it's maybe one of the "Covid safest Schools" in NYC that I'm aware of. the administration is excellent and extremely responsible, making sure that everyone can be/stay safe and healthy while learning. A must school for every artist 👍🏼
Excellent Professional Conservatory to learn Film, Acting and Musical Theatre. Awesome teachers, wonderful environment. Pic is from one of NYFA's room.
I was a former summer student at the Teen Animation Program and made wonderful friends and had great lectures. The program itself was a great experience
Did a filmmaking workshop. Loved some teachers and learned a lot, but the administration its just been awful. Since my first day. When I arrived due to a ridiculous covid protocol that I haven't been informed, I couldn't attend my first day of classes. I lost many hours and they just left me outside the door even though I crossed the world to get to nyc.
And now, I finished the workshop four months ago and still haven't get my diploma. I keep writing to them but nothing gets done and it just keeps wasting my time. I paid around 5 thousand dollars to take that workshop and I just can't believe I don't have the proof of the classes I took.
Report this rating
NF
Nicholas Frazier (Nick)Local Guide
23 Sep 2021
The (limited) number of students that actually care is the only reason this school gets 2 stars. I attended the Masters Cinematography program in Los Angeles, and I am here to tell you that for that program- I can't speak to the others with as much in depth knowledge- the school is a joke, and serves to print money for itself.
I was to attend for two accelerated semesters, and during the first, I found work doing what I was going to school to study and basically checked out mentally. When time came for my second semester, I had done very little for my classes, and went to our instructor to tell him I was leaving. The part that confused me was when he said that I was one of the best students in class, which made me laugh, as I had been working on set for the proceeding two months, hadn't attended class, or screened any projects for the class.
I pointed out these facts to him, went to the bursers office with my story, and within 5 minutes I was holding a check for 40 thousand dollars: a complete refund of my tuition for both the previous semester, and the upcoming semester.
My question is this: if they don't know they are scamming all their pupils, why were they so eager to hand over so much money and bid me farewell? Seems like an admission of guilt, and an effort (which admittedly worked) to prevent me from commenting on my experience.
All you need to do is look at the top 5 most common jobs for degree holders from NYFA. The most common is elementary school teacher. The rate of alumni body working in thier field of study is a jawdropping .008%.
Yea. Not worth it. Do yourself a favor, and watch all the films on AFI 100 greatest films list, then learn how blender and composition work, buy yourself a camera, and make a film.
Report this rating
RW
Rachel WoodyardLocal Guide
27 Nov 2018
I love this place. Great staff, TA’s and great people it is such a positive place attracting the most positive people. I had a great time here! Learned so much more than I imagined and they really have perfected their courses/ have hired incredible teachers. The best part is they want to stay involved with you after you’ve finished your course. You will have the best experience here. Did I mention I love this place.
I just graduated from NYFA's MFA Producing program. I attended the Los Angeles campus. Here's my advice for anyone considering this school (more specifically the Los Angeles campus)
This school puts the producing, filmmaking, and screenwriting students on a pedestal. The school does so much for us, but not so much for the students in the acting programs. My roommate (who graduated from the MFA Acting program) constantly complained about their lack of regard for him and his former cohort members. During my time there, I never had an instructor who didn't know what they were doing. With most of the instructors being former USC, AFI, or NYU students (and now seasoned industry professionals), they are pretty knowledgeable about the craft. Barbara Weintraub, who is the industry outreach director, does a hell of a job with helping students secure internships and even jobs post-graduation. Yes, this is a for-profit institution, but it's really what you make of it. Personally, I believe that since the school doesn't really reject anyone, you have a lot of people attending, thinking that they're going to become wealthy movie stars overnight, but aren't really willing to put in the work. When they realize how hard it actually is, they drop out and claim it's a scam. Believe me, I had my reservations about the school prior to attending, but I'm extremely happy I did.
Again, this is ONLY for the Producing, Filmmaking, and Screenwriting Departments in LOS ANGELES. For acting, do NOT waste your time.
I can't speak on the NYC campus because I know nothing about it.
Stay active and you'll learn a lot. In my personal experience, I had great teachers, every single one of them were awesome. I wish it was not that expensive. I would definitely recommend this school to anyone.
I haven't actually attended the academy but I did go to a free workshop run by them and it was AMZING! I am so excited because it sounds and looks amazing and everyone was so nice and easy to talk to and I really REALLY want to go there! It sounds like they give you so many amazing opportunities that I would be an idiot to miss out on
Best place to learn film in NYC. At least it might be. :)
Beautiful historical building at first, great source of knowledge and inspiration at second glance. I enjoyed the year I've been studying there, I learned the great deal of stuff. Some teachers are great and can become a mentor for your life, some are just wasting your time. It's all luck, but I strongly believe, that it's true for any school. Knowledge and experience are priceless, rooms are comfy, equipment is great, stuff is helpful. Internet is horrible, but it;s the only downside. :)
