Although this school is a community college, the training actors receive at this academy is world class, according to Chambers Stevens, Hollywood acting coach. The program is intense and requires a serious commitment by students. Many classes can be transferred for credit to a four-year university or added to other courses to earn a two-year degree. Students completing the L.A. City College theater program earn a vocational certificate. It is very affordable, costing only $26 per credit for California residents as of 2010. Students learn movie acting, stage acting, costuming, set design and other related skills, and are well prepared to move on to a career in movie acting or in a related field.
L.A. City College Theater Academy
855 N. Vermont Ave.
Hollywood, CA
323-953-4000
lacitycollege.edu
The philosophy of the New York Film Academy is that learning by doing is the best way for students to grasp the concepts of filmmaking and acting. Rather than spend time in classrooms being taught a lot of theory, students are quickly given hands-on tasks that let them gain real-world experience. The school has campuses at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, California, and New York City. It also holds seminars worldwide during the summer months. Students can pursue an Associate of Fine Arts acting degree, a Master of Fine Arts degree in acting, or take a one- or two-year certificate program. Workshops from one to 12 weeks long are also offered. Students will act in original films, gaining on-camera experience that begins almost as soon as classes begin.
New York Film Academy
100 E. 17th St.
New York, NY 10003
212-674-4300
nyfa.com
The Conservatory has two program directions from which actors can choose. Both paths have students taking platform courses the first year, which include such courses as speech, movement and improvisation. Actors who wish to learn stage acting move on to the second of three years, taking classes related to the special requirements for stage actors. In their third year, these students will study film and television acting. Actors who do not wish to learn to perform on stage move straight to studying film and television techniques in their second year, after which this program is complete. Upon completion of either program, students will be prepared to seek careers as actors in a variety of fields, including the movies.
New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts
39 West 19th St.
New York, NY 10011
888-645-0030, ext. 4080
sft.edu