NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY

Learning to be a filmmaker is not done "by the numbers." It is done by immersion in the process and by knowing the "whys" that teach the “hows.” It is done by hands-on experience, trial and error, feedback and correction, and questions and answers. Filmmaking demands the integration of many kinds of knowledge. It is the integration of knowledge that distinguishes the New York Film Academy from many other film schools. In our filmmaking courses, students learn not only how to operate a camera, light a scene, or edit film, but they also learn how all the aspects of filmmaking relate to, interact with, and depend upon each other.
We believe a top quality education in filmmaking should be accessible to anyone with the drive and ambition to make movies. The student provides the talent; we provide great instruction, equipment, and structured curriculum. It is the students' drive and creative ability that carries them forward.

A Personal Message from Vincent Oduor Ochieng'

Josphat Keya and Vincent Oduor filming in Kibera

My name is Vincent Oduor Ochieng’. I live in Kibera, the largest slum in East Africa.  I am 19 and currently I’m studying filmmaking at Kibera Film School.

I want to share about a close friend of mine - Josphat Keya, the Program Manager of Hot Sun Foundation, who is a great influence of my life. He is that one person who has made my passion in filmmaking grow to the level that it is now. Just recently Josphat selected me to be one of  the trainees that were taking part in a movie set. In that set I was to be a set runner. After some days with the pieces of advice and motivation Josphat was giving me daily, I worked hard to an extent where I was elevated from just being a set runner to a third Assistant Director! When Josphat heard of this he congratulated me and told me to forge ahead.

In class Josphat was my first script teacher. He also gave me directing tips while I was doing my first project which he was my main character too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1BXz0UJacQ. The project came out to be the best.

Josphat started influencing me by drawing me closer to him first and creating that friendship bond. After which he took me through life practical examples of successes and failures, we discuss this together. I still need his guidance in my daily life.

To me Josphat is my role model. The responsibilities that lie in front of him daily at Hot Sun Foundation are so much that they need someone who can be able to steer everything well without rocking the whole organisation. I have seen him handle difficult situations that I thought he’d give up.

Now that he has this scholarship to Ghetto Film School, New York, it is a great opportunity to him. And through him it is a great opportunity to me too. Josphat has given up many things for the sake of this filmmaking industry. He has total belief in it. One thing, whenever Josphat talks about his future in filmmaking he doesn’t think of it as him alone, but also how he can help other fellow youth learn and be transformed. This is going to be a great opportunity for Josphat as a filmmaker, being that he is a promising writer and director. He is disciplined to make it through. Josphat is exceptional.

Josphat and Vincent at Hot Sun Foundation offices