Digital Film Academy

Digital Film Academy

Type	Film school
Established	2001
Founder	Patrick DiRenna
Administrative staff	20
Students	200
Location	Manhattan, New York and Atlanta, Georgia
Campus	Urban
Website	www.digitalfilmacademy.edu

The Digital Film Academy (DFA) is a for-profit art and design college with locations in Manhattan, New York and Atlanta, Georgia, founded in 2001.[1][2][3]

History

DFA was established in 2001 by filmmaker Patrick DiRenna in the historic Film Center Building in Manhattan. DiRenna was inspired by the evolution of digital cameras which he saw as a democratization of filmmaking.

Digital Film Academy offers 16-month associate degrees in digital filmmaking, as well as one-year-long (12-month) conservatory programs both open to beginner and advanced level students.[4][5] In April 2020, a new branch was opened in the downtown area of Atlanta, Georgia.[6]

As of 2018, the school has over 200 students every year which includes both American students and international students. (International students can apply for Curricular Practical Training, Optional Practical Training and STEM OPT, thus granting them up to 4 years of work authorization in the USA[7]). The school is also authorized to enroll veterans as students under the GI Bill. DFA was also named as Best Film School in NYC by Village Voice.[8]

Admission

Admission is rolling, with new programs opening three times a year in Fall, Spring, and Summer terms.

Curriculum

DFA offers both full-time and part-time programs. In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, in March 2020 the school switched to an online remote delivery method to prevent any interruption to the student learning experience.[9] The core classes include screenwriting, directing, cinematography, sound recording, production management (see Unit production manager), pre-production, video editing, sound editing & design and applied post production.[10][11] The elective classes include After Effects (motion graphics and visual effects), Maya 3d animation, Web TV production, D.I.T. (Digital Imaging Technician), Documentary film, color correction, steadicam.

Notable alumni

• Chadwick Boseman, actor[12][13][14]
• Alex Felix Bendaña, Screenwriter of The Gateway distributed by Lionsgate whose script was included in the 2013 The Black List[15][16][17]
• Phuttiphong Aroonpheng, Director of Manta Ray (film), Venice Film Festival winner 2018[18][19][20]
• Brad Bailey, Student Oscar winner 2017 for documentary 'Hale' [21][22][23]

• Jamal Solomon, Director of Photography of movie 'Angelfish' starring Princess Nokia[24][25][26]

• Ranvir Shorey, Indian actor known for classic movies like Mithya(a Black Comedy), Titli and Sonchiriya.

References

1. "Digital Film Academy, New York USA | College and University Search". College and University Search. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
2. "Top 8 Film Schools in New York City". Insider Monkey. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
3. "Finanzen Net - Digital Film Academy NYC / Atlanta". Finanzen Net. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
4. Lipinski, Jed (January 18, 2012). "Keeping Film Dreams Intact While Building Sober Life". The New York Times. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
5. "Digital Film Academy Launches Associate Degree in Media". Daily Herald, Suburban Chicago's News Source. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
6. "Digital Film Academy NYC / Atlanta Moves to Online Learning". ASK Market Watch. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
7. "Digital Film Academy - International Students". Digital Film Academy site. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
8. "Digital Film Academy, New York USA | College and University Search". College and University Search. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
9. "Coronavirus and Digital Film Academy: Statement from Patrick DiRenna, School President". Digital Film Academy Blog. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
10. "Digital Film Academy (DFA), New York, New York State - StudyUnitedStates". www.studyunitedstates.eu. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
11. "Digital Film Academy Review - Universities.com". www.universities.com. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
12. "Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman reflects on education at Howard, Oxford - Study International". Study International. February 26, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
13. "Hollywood's higher power". Insights Magazine. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
14. "Behind The Black Panther: Film School Founder Recalls Early Days Of Chadwick Boseman". Forbes Magazine. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
15. "'The Gateway' With Frank Grillo, Olivia Munn, Taryn Manning & Shea Whigham Sells To North America, UK, Oz, Germany — Cannes Market". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
16. "It ain't about how hard you hit". Digital Film Academy Blog. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
17. "The Gateway (2021) - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
18. "Phuttiphong Aroonpheng at IFFR". IFFR. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
19. "Innovative Curatorial Projects". Lowave Artists. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
20. "Film Review: Manta Ray". Variety. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
21. "44th Annual Student Academy Awards". Documentary. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
22. "DFA Graduate Wins Academy Award". Digital Film Academy Blog. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
23. "Film School Founder Recalls Early Days [...]: Alumni like Brad Bailey win awards for documentaries like Hale". Forbes Magazine. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
24. "Angelfish: Film Review". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
25. "Review: Angelfish". Variety. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
26. "Angelfish: Film Review". Remezcla. Retrieved February 21, 2020.

40.7600°N 73.9912°W / 40.7600; -73.9912

External links

• Official website