Associate of Fine Arts in Producing

The AFA Degree Program in Producing allows students to focus exclusively on their professional and artistic development. Unlike a standard undergraduate program students are able to focus on the field they wish to pursue immediately and without the usual array of distribution requirements.

The New York Film Academy Associate in Fine Arts (AFA) in Producing is a conservatory-based two year program designed for full-time study over the course of four or five semesters. The New York Film Academy provides a creative setting with which to develop, challenge and inspire the talents of dedicated prospective producers in a total immersion, professional environment. By combining seminars, lectures and intense hands-on film shoots, students acquire a sound understanding and appreciation of motion picture arts and learn to integrate knowledge and professional experience. Our prescribed four semester producing curriculum serves to address the following core competencies:

• Introduction to the roles, tasks and obstacles faced by film and television producers.
• Gain understanding of the physical and post production processes.
• Master storytelling concepts of elements, conventions, structure and style.
• Understand basic principles of entertainment law.
• Introduction to filmmaking from the perspective of the screenwriter, director, actor and cinematographer.
• Develop a foundation in English composition and literature and basic computing.
• Continue to analyze and master key elements of effective producer's craft.
• Develop and write original film and television pilot treatments.
• Introduction and practice of effective pitching and public speaking skills.
• Learn critical elements of effective feature film business plans and television show bibles.
• Explore story and storytelling through an in-depth study of the elements, conventions, structure, style and traditional forms of the art.
• Identify the techniques used by cinematic innovators.
• Explore the post production process.
• Case study analysis of successful feature film business plans and television show bibles.
• Further advanced study of cinematic innovators.
• Advanced hands-on study in camera, lighting and sound.
• Undertake a study of basic physical and mental health.

During the first half of the program, students will take a variety of general education courses which focus on communications, analysis and deductive reasoning. Students will practice critical thinking, analysis, scholarly research, writing and reading. These courses will build the foundation for more specialized subjects requiring advanced written and oral communications skills.

Further, students undergo a thorough regimen of class work and film production that lays the groundwork for a professional life in the film arts. The curriculum is extremely comprehensive, teaching students the creative aspects of producing, as well as the more technical side of line producing. Students gain a practical understanding of the entertainment industry and the tools needed to successfully navigate it.

During the second half of the program, AFA in Producing candidates must complete a series of advanced classes and deliver a completed and well-executed Thesis Project in order to successfully complete the program and graduate with an Associate of Fine Arts in Producing. Students are required to pursue one of three thesis options for the remainder of the degree program. While the thesis options differ in length of time for completion, they are equivalent in scope and content. All students are expected to have a role in multiple thesis productions besides their own. Those who select Thesis Option C will also be required to enroll in a paid fifth semester to complete their project.