Expert: Phil Nemy - 9/2/2009

Question
Hello,
I read one of your answers which mentioned New York Film Academy didn't have a very good reputation, your were answering a question about acting. However, my son is interested in attending NYFA for screenwriting, the 1 yr program. We really haven't found any other schools that offer complete courses in screenwriting. Can you tell me anything about the screenwriting program at NYFA?
I welcome your response.

Answer
Amy,

Thanks for writing. I'm surprised to hear that you haven't been able to find any programs that offer screenwriting courses or degrees. Independent

Independent Media Publications, the publisher of Independent Magazine, aims to inform, promote, encourage and mobilize the independent and grassroots media arts movement. They recently published a list of what they thought were the ten best academic programs for aspiring screenwriters. Their top 10 list:

1. University of Southern California (USC)
2. The University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)
3. Loyola Marymount
4. The New School
5. Chapman College
6. NYU Tisch School for the Arts
7. Emerson College
8. Boston University
9. University of Miami
10. The University of Texas at Austin

You might also look into The American Film Institute and Columbia University, as I hear their screenwriting programs are excellent as well. In comparison with the NYFA, these schools are like night and day. I have been told by former students in the NYFA as well as former instructors that the NYFA does not have a very good reputation regardless of career path.

Hope this helps.

Phil