The New York Film Academy Summer

[QTFan1989]

I was wondering if anyone, besides me, was going to The New York Film Academy this summer. If you are, what program are you entering. Also, I have a few questions:

1. Should I go to the film or the digital video camp
2. What does sync/non-sync mean?
3. Out of the film/digital video, do you think dv will overpower film soon?

Thanks.

[adamjohnson]

Well with the money you spent on going there for the summer you could have gone to film school for two years and actually work towards a degree....


Though I do think the experience of that place is probaly pretty good.

[JonPulliam]

Actuallyl, NYFA is NOT as expensive as two years of film school. The original poster is only going during the summer, as well, so that is not nearly as bad. NYFA is worth the money. GOOD film schools (NYU, etc) are hard as hell to get into, and NYFA is for beginners, so go for it!!

1. Go to the film camp. Digital is a joke. Anyone can shoot with digital (concpet is almost same as film). Go film, I personally belive it will set your stage for future movie development, be it digital or film.

2. Sync / Non Sync means synchronous / non synchronous. Sychronous film is a picture that has corresponding audio (like most movie dialogue). Non sychronous just means audio without precisely mathcing visuals. Both styles are important to understand when mastering film making.

3. Soon? No. As DV video quality increases it may replace film. But until then film stock has too many things about it that make it better than DV. Film I think will always be an important medium in filmmaking. However, it will be like VHS vs DVD, where VHS would represent film and DVD will represent DV. Within 10 years I think we will see a large increase in feature length mainstream DV movies. Until then stick to film... Old school rocks.

Hope this was helpful, enjoy NYFA its a great program.

[QTFan1989]

Thanks, and BTW, since I'm not that old, my mom is paying. Is anyone else going there? Anyone?

[Ronaldinho]

I took a look at the web sight, to see if I could offer any advice.

Neither of these programs look bad (although they are expensive.) I suspect you will learn more in the six-week film program than you will in the 5-week DV program. However, you will be limited to doing nonsynch stuff-- no dialog.

This is going to be a major creative challenge. That's not a bad thing-- in fact, it's probably a good thing. I suspect that because the DV workshop lets you do dialog projects, there is a lot less rigor and discipline involved. It's probably more fun. The students may even come out with something that looks better than the stuff the students coming out of the film program come out with.

But I think you'll probably learn more in the film program, and in the long run you'll advance more as a filmmaker.

Could be wrong. A lot of it has to do with what you expect to get out of the program. Good luck.

[QTFan1989]

Yea. That's the problem. All of the movies of short things I had in mind for the projects require dialogue. Is there a way to get dialogue with non-sync cameras? I know you'd need a mic but do they use them you think?

[Ronaldinho]

The problem is that a non-sycnh camera is either too loud to record dialog with or doesn't run at a precisely consistent speed, which means that dialog recorded may drift slightly during playback.

But you're missing the point. If you're dead set on doing a dialog project, do the DV class. To attempt to do dialog in the film class would, IMHO, undercut the whole purpose of a class like that.

[QTFan1989]

I see. So, I should do the film if I want to become a film maker right? I have 1,000,000,000,000 (give or take) ideas. I could defanitly make a non-dialogue film. Thanks for the advice.

[Cyd V]

Originally posted by QTFan1989
Yea. That's the problem. All of the movies of short things I had in mind for the projects require dialogue. Is there a way to get dialogue with non-sync cameras? I know you'd need a mic but do they use them you think?

Yeah you can use non sync camera's to record dialogue. All you have to do is record the dialogue after you film, using what ever sound equipment you want, then match it up in the editing room. If you do this though make sure you film allot of coverage so you have stuff to cut away to if the dialogue doesn't match up with what you film. This is the best way to go because D.V is more suited for fast paced movies that use allot of cut aways. But if you do want to film allot of dialogue with D.V than check out the movie tape. The movie is all dialogue, and was filmed with a simple Sony 8mm Cam corder, it should help you make a decision whether to use film, or video. I prefer D.V, but not for a drama.

[Ronaldinho]

Well, basically, from what I read, my best guess is that the DV class is more about making the stuff you want to make with their help, and the film class (which sounds a lot like the first-semester production class at a lot of major film schools) is more about their curriculum.

[QTFan1989]

by that, ronaldinho, which is better for an amateur. WAY amateur?

[JonPulliam]

I'm telling you. Film is the way to go. Netheir class is about filming whatever you want. In both DV and film classes you will be working with other people and making movies that you create and structure at the academy.

For way, way, way amateur, like you have never even held a video camera, I guess go DV. You will more likely use a video camera before film in every day situations. So learning the uses and techniques (of film and video making) with a DV camera is more practical. But, if you want a - like it has been said - a first semester undergrad level film education class (if you are truly serious about making movies) then take the film class. You can use what you learn (regardless of synch non-synch) and make your own movies at home. I'm telling you, you will take alot more away from the film class. I shot with DV in the second best TV Production high school in the country for three years. It is easy and very fundamental. The style, technique, and equipment associated with film is much more fun to learn, use, and grow with.

If you are interested in making dv movies with dialogue, it would cost less to buy a G4, and Powerbook, and Final Cut and teach yourself... Don't get me wrong when I shoot movies independently with my "crew" we use digital - its practical and simple like I said. But the six week film course will give you a much better base of understanding for movie making technique and process.

I think I know what I am talking about, I have been to the six week and one year film courses at NYFA, I took the three years of DV movie making and tv pro in high school, and I am enrolled at NYUs film school for Fall 2004 because of NYFA and subsequent personal experience.

Email me at IndependentlyMade@hotmail.com if you have questions about what NYFA is like.

[QTFan1989]

by amateur, i mean film. I am a DV pro. thanks for the info. but is anyone going?

[Cyd V]

Well if your a d.v pro, stick to d.v. Your probably used to things being shot simple, film will just frustrate you. It's allot more technical, and the first finished product you turn out will look like shit compared to the things you shot with d.v, and you'l probably wind up switching back to D.V. Besides every studio loves d.v, it's a cheaper faster way to make movies, in the next few (not 10) years everything will be filmed in d.v...:eek:

[QTFan1989]

I didnt mean THAT pro. I'm only 16 so I'm not that good. But is film the way to go. My mother, who is paying, says that I should experience more aspects of film. so i guess I'll do film Thanks.