Travelling to the Middle East for three years. The first year was spent setting up Jordan's first diploma program in filmmaking. Later I produced a documentary for the United Nations, and then my own feature film.
It was always an amazing experience with a diverse and great group of people; friends, faculty, students and colleagues. A thrilling, challenging, and incredibly rewarding time in my life.
During my time at NYFA I've gained a greater sense of how to guide diverse personality types on their journey of learning, so that they tap into their strengths as a story teller.
As a result, I have learned a great deal too. Being invested for so many years in helping students improve their work, in turn exercises a kind of critical thinking that benefits a teacher. It becomes easier each time to help a student discover the strengths and shortcomings of their work, and how to best approach it next time.
That the experience here at NYFA changed their life for the better, and left them inspired and capable of gaining success in the industry.
I would choose a program that allows me to learn more about independent distribution. It is an aspect that is rapidly changing and provides emerging filmmakers with incredible opportunities to make a successful living from feature films.
Our hands-on approach to filmmaking with small class numbers. All students learn differently yet they all learn when this simple rule is applied - make lots of films, and get lots of feedback. All of our teachers are industry professionals who know how to articulate the most complex of concepts, simply.
They are truly passionate about helping our students gain insight, direction and inspiration in this exciting industry.
Putting the students first.