BFA Producing

Overview of our BFA in Producing

Our bachelor's degree program is for highly motivated students who would like to enter an intensive hands-on course of study. By completing the Bachelor's degree in three-years, students save time and one year of expenses.

The Academy makes this accelerated schedule possible by creating an extended academic year allowing students to complete three full-length semesters in each calendar year.






The role of the producer is often misunderstood but always integral to the successful execution of a film or television series. What does a producer do? What are the differences between creative producing and production management? In the New York Film Academy Bachelor of Fine Arts in Producing program, students delve into these questions and gain an immediate understanding of these differences. Through extensive coursework, study and practicums, students will develop the knowledge and skills of effective collaboration and producing.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Producing is a three-year, eight-semester program intended to educate students in all aspects of creative producing and production management for film, television and other visual media. Areas of creative producing the students will be introduced to and will master are story and script development, creative collaboration methods, the ever-evolving ways to secure financing and the various and ever-changing distribution options available to producers. Production management functions that will be introduced and practiced are physical production management and line producing.

During their first two years of study, students will learn creative producing and production management skills while developing and expanding their breadth of knowledge through extensive coursework in the liberal arts. These liberal arts studies include courses in Foundation Studies, Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences and Natural Sciences. In their third year, students will round out their educational experience through advanced specialized courses in producing as well as upper level liberal arts electives.

Through a variety of courses, each designed to focus on one of the many specialized areas within the discipline, students will be introduced to and instructed in the mastery of tools and techniques critical to successful producing and production management.

SEMESTER ONE OBJECTIVES

In the first semester, students are introduced to key principles of producing for film and television and will develop the tools required for effective producing. Through coursework in directing, cinematography and editing, they will develop, shoot and complete two short films. Students will round out their learning with Foundation Studies English Composition and Computing. Students will be introduced to Film History.

SEMESTER TWO OBJECTIVES

In the second semester, students will continue to challenge their production abilities artistically and technically. Students are instructed in the craft of screenwriting and will learn storytelling concepts of structure, formatting, style, conventions and character development through writing an original short narrative script. They will learn of the variety of creative collaborations that are formed in developing and producing film and television. They will be introduced to finance, marketing and distribution principles integral to the entertainment industry. They will develop and produce a short documentary or news segment and put into practice their increased production skills. Foundations Studies allow the students to continue building their educational foundation and develop analytical skills through courses in Critical Thinking and Physical and Mental Wellness. Students will be introduced to Critical Film Studies.

SEMESTER THREE OBJECTIVES

In semester three, students will research and analyze newsworthy and relevant topics pertaining to the entertainment industry. They will analyze common pitching styles and practices employed by producers. They will write an original reality television series proposal. They will undertake the development, prep, production and completion of a short narrative film. They will round out their Foundation Studies with courses in Public Speaking and Mathematics and they will be introduced to Art History.

SEMESTER FOUR OBJECTIVES

In semester four, students will advance their line producing skills through collaborations with NYFA filmmakers whereby students will line produce a longer form short narrative film for NYFA filmmakers. They will learn to craft professional resumes. Students will develop and write an original television series pilot treatment and an original feature film treatment. They will seek and secure an ongoing collaboration with a screenwriter for the purpose of developing an original feature length script. They will learn the basic principles of entertainment law. They will learn the components of effective feature film business plans for investors and for studios, as well as the elements of standard television series show bibles. Students will expand their liberal arts studies to include coursework in Environmental Biology as well as the choice of two Social and Behavior Sciences electives.

SEMESTER FIVE OBJECTIVES

During semester five, students will develop an articulate and effective pitch of an original film or television treatment. Students will write a first draft television pilot script. They will be introduced to producing alternative media, including commercials, web series, and music videos. They will learn the principles of entertainment accounting and cost management. They will analyze picture, sound and music editorial and will be introduced to visual effects and their usage. Students will be exposed to acting techniques and methodologies. They will study production design, wardrobe and makeup artistry and will create a look book of images for an original project idea. Studies in the History of Art, Culture and Society as well coursework in the Natural Sciences will give more depth to students’ learning.

SEMESTER SIX OBJECTIVES

In this semester, students will develop and write an original first draft screenplay. They will learn principles of business affairs relevant to the entertainment industry. They will develop and complete a new media piece. They will interact with industry leaders in a seminar setting to learn their varied beginnings and paths to success. They will participate in an industry internship for practical, supervised experience or will prepare a scholarly research paper on a topic of relevance to the entertainment industry. Student will continue their studies in the Social Sciences and the Natural Sciences.

SEMESTER SEVEN OBJECTIVES

In this semester, students begin to synthesize their coursework to date and begin to position their thesis efforts for the final two semester of the BFA program. They will continue their creative collaboration with a screenwriter. They will identify techniques used by past and current cinematic innovators and their impact. Students will build upon their entertainment law coursework with the analysis of legal cases. Students will begin to develop full producer pitches for a varied audience. They will participate in an industry internship for practical, supervised experience or will prepare a scholarly research paper on a topic of relevance to the entertainment industry. Coursework in Arts and Humanities and one upper level elective round out this semester.

SEMESTER EIGHT OBJECTIVES

During the eighth and final semester, students focus primarily on their thesis projects. They will continue to research, develop and finalize the multiple components of the thesis requirements. Students practice goal setting, workflow management, and adherence to productive work habits and deadlines. They will continue their creative collaboration with a screenwriter. They will undertake an advanced directing practicum that exposes them to advanced directing techniques. They will learn advanced cinematography and lighting techniques. Students will learn advanced sound design.

They will participate in an industry internship for practical, supervised experience or will prepare a scholarly research paper on a topic of relevance to the entertainment industry. Students will build upon their knowledge of cinematic innovators and study cinematic movements past and present. Students will develop producer branding techniques and will build a production company website. Students will take one upper level elective in their liberal arts to round out their undergraduate studies.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Producing program culminates in an evening with industry representatives invited to participate in the BFA in Producers Pitch Fest. Students will present their thesis work in film or television to the industry guests in individual pitch sessions for critique and feedback.