New York Film Academy

Aura Wharton-Beck is attending a 6-week filmmaking cohort at the New York Film Academy (NYFA) during February, 2026. She will be posting photos and updates throughout the experience.

Aura’s filmmaking class has gotten of to a great start. The first week has flown by and the team has already completed the first of four documentary films!

COURSE DESCRIPTION

During the New York Film Academy’s Six-Week Documentary Workshop, students are trained in the fundamental principles, techniques and craft of documentary filmmaking through both study and hands-on practice. Each student learns how to develop, direct, shoot and edit documentary films of varying styles.

Students make four short documentary films and shoot one series of photographs: an Observational Documentary, a Cinema Vérité Documentary, an Interview Documentary, and a Final Documentary Film. An ability to create non-fiction films using these varying techniques is essential to success as a documentary 2025-2026 NYFA New York Course Catalog filmmaker or production team or crewmember.

During teacher-supervised production workshops, the processes of non-fiction storytelling, producing, directing, shooting, and sound recording are put into practice prior to going out into the field. Students begin shooting during the first week. This hands-on approach continues throughout the program, building on knowledge and gaining experience.

No previous documentary filmmaking experience is needed. Yet, those who arrived with significantexperience have also benefitted significantly from the program. All should be ready, willing, and able towork hard and learn within a fast-paced and focused environment.

My new filmmaker friends! This is a cohort of 9 students from around the world- Australia,Germany, Spain, Denmark, United Kingdom, and USA.

Our first location - THE ORPHAN GUITAR SHOP -  Brooklyn, New York!