Digital Film Academy Explained

Digital Film Academy
Established:	2001
Type:	Film school
Founder:	Patrick DiRenna
Students:	200
City:	Manhattan, New York and Atlanta, Georgia
Campus:	Urban
Administrative Staff:	20

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

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Notes and References

1. Web site: Digital Film Academy, New York USA College and University Search. College and University Search. en-US. 2018-11-05.
2. News: Top 8 Film Schools in New York City. Insider Monkey. 2018-11-05. en-US.
3. News: Finanzen Net - Digital Film Academy NYC / Atlanta. Finanzen Net. 2020-04-22. en-US.
4. News: Keeping Film Dreams Intact While Building Sober Life. Lipinski. Jed. The New York Times . 18 January 2012 . 2018-11-05. en.
5. News: Digital Film Academy Launches Associate Degree in Media. Daily Herald, Suburban Chicago's News Source. 2020-04-21. en.
6. News: Digital Film Academy NYC / Atlanta Moves to Online Learning. ASK Market Watch. 2020-04-21. en.
7. News: Digital Film Academy - International Students. Digital Film Academy site. 2020-02-20. en-us.
8. Web site: Digital Film Academy, New York USA College and University Search. College and University Search. en-US. 2018-11-05.
9. News: Coronavirus and Digital Film Academy: Statement from Patrick DiRenna, School President. Digital Film Academy Blog. 2020-04-11. en-us.
10. Web site: Digital Film Academy (DFA), New York, New York State - StudyUnitedStates. www.studyunitedstates.eu. en. 2018-11-05.
11. Web site: Digital Film Academy Review - Universities.com. www.universities.com. 2018-11-05.
12. News: Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman reflects on education at Howard, Oxford - Study International. 2018-02-26. Study International. 2018-11-05. en-GB.
13. News: Hollywood's higher power. Insights Magazine. 2018-11-05. en-us.
14. News: Behind The Black Panther: Film School Founder Recalls Early Days Of Chadwick Boseman. Forbes Magazine. 2019-11-06. en-us.
15. News: 'The Gateway' With Frank Grillo, Olivia Munn, Taryn Manning & Shea Whigham Sells To North America, UK, Oz, Germany — Cannes Market. Deadline.com. 2021-06-24. en-us.
16. News: It ain't about how hard you hit. Digital Film Academy Blog. 2021-07-20. en-us.
17. News: The Gateway (2021) - IMDb. IMDb. 2021-08-02. en-us.
18. News: Phuttiphong Aroonpheng at IFFR. IFFR. 2019-11-06. en-us.
19. News: Innovative Curatorial Projects. Lowave Artists. 2019-11-06. en-us.
20. News: Film Review: Manta Ray. Variety. 2019-11-06. en-us.
21. News: 44th Annual Student Academy Awards. Documentary. 2019-11-06. en-us.
22. News: DFA Graduate Wins Academy Award. Digital Film Academy Blog. 2019-11-06. en-us.
23. News: Film School Founder Recalls Early Days [...]

    Alumni like Brad Bailey win awards for documentaries like Hale]

    . Forbes Magazine. 2019-11-06. en-us.
24. News: Angelfish: Film Review. Hollywood Reporter. 2019-11-20. en-us.
25. News: Review: Angelfish. Variety. 2019-11-20. en-us.
26. News: Angelfish: Film Review. Remezcla. 2020-02-21. en-us.