Academy of Film Arts

For the aspiring moviemaker with no time to spare, the Academy of Film Arts (AFA) is the ideal film school. In as few (or as many) as eight days, the AFA teaches students the basics of producing, directing and cinematography.

The school originated in 2005 as an aid to disadvantaged youths in the Los Angeles area. The young and innovative academy, according to president Monica Ortiz, was started to help the students “focus on their dreams and give them real-life experience in making movies.” Two short years later the film school has achieved impressive growth. Expansion includes a campus in New York, a one-month course duration and new program that focuses on the ins and outs of movie sound.

Currently, two- and eight-day intensive courses are available for working professionals with limited vacation days. Ortiz describes them as “exhausting” yet “extremely rewarding.” Except how can a student learn in eight days, never mind two, what others spend years studying? Mostly, Ortiz credits the high instructor to student ratio, which allows each student “to receive the individual attention [he or she] need[s] in order to grow in [his or her] respective creative field.” Moreover, the Academy doesn’t attempt to make its students hone in on a single moviemaking style. Instead, AFA builds the tools needed to discover this style over the course of their moviemaking careers. With this philosophy, the Academy of Film Arts understands that providing knowledge is the most important duty of any film school—it’s up to the student to make a career out of this knowledge.

For more information, visit www.academyoffilmarts.com.

SOUND OFF QUESTION: The Academy of Film Arts is expanding its range to include a one-month course for prospective moviemakers. Would you prefer to attend an eight-day intensive course, getting your hands dirty immediately, or a relatively relaxed month-long instruction? Talk back in the comments section!