From the very first day of class, the focus of the workshop is to learn through making films. Each student writes, produces, directs, and edits his or her own films, and rotates among crew positions when his or her classmates shoot. In the Four-Week Filmmaking Workshop, each student will make three film projects of increasing difficulty, culminating in a film of up to four minutes. Six-Week Filmmaking Workshop students will make four films of increasing difficulty. The final film will be up to six minutes.
All programs have full-time daily schedules every week.
The filmmaking program will be comprised of hands-on exercises in shooting and lighting, film screenings, lectures, and special activities. In addition, students shoot and edit approximately a film per person each week. Films will be shot on 16mm film. All equipment, editing, class supplies, and film and processing costs are included in the NYFA workshop fee. Although the workshop's daily schedule is demanding, students will have time to explore Cambridge's wealth of attractions in organized evening and weekend activities.