Angelo, a Screenwriting major and US veteran from Indiana, is gonna share how he is using his experience in the military to write a new chapter for himself. At NYFA, every student has a story and can tell it through their unique talent, whether that be film, performance, photography, 3D animation, or even video games. Let’s hear Angelo’s story.
– Thanks for the intro, Alex. Hi, everyone. I’ve always wanted to be a writer, but life took me in a different direction when I joined the military at 18 years old and continued to serve for over 20 years. After leaving the military, I realized that my dream of becoming a storyteller was still possible and that now I had life experiences to draw from. That’s when I decided to enroll at NYFA. I was kind of intimidated about going back to college, but NYFA staff and faculty made me feel accepted from day one. The school has a strong environment of diversity and long-standing support for veteran students. At NYFA, I learned it’s important to build rapport along horizontal and vertical networks. NYFA students collaborate with classmates, attend guest speaker lectures, Q and As, film screenings, and theater productions to learn different ways to tell stories. At NYFA, we are storytellers. We are encouraged to share our unique perspective and bring our stories to life through our art to inspire and engage with others. Whatever discipline you pursue at NYFA, you won’t just study the history and theory of it. You’ll experience the practical application of executing the work while also exploring your creativity. That’s my story. Back to you, Alex.
– NYFA has enrolled approximately 3,000 veteran and military dependent students, and all three domestic campuses participate in the Yellow Ribbon program which supports college access for veterans and dependents. It’s just one way that NYFA makes it possible for aspiring storytellers from all backgrounds and experiences to learn the process of bringing a creative idea to life. Thanks for sharing your story, Angelo. NYFA students come from all backgrounds and experiences.
Erick, an Acting for Film student, relied on NYFA’s experienced admissions team to guide him from his hometown of Mexico City to NYFA’s Miami campus. At NYFA, international students can trust that their transition will be as smooth as possible, as the school welcomes students from over 160 countries that add to and benefit the diverse NYFA community. Here’s Erick’s story.
– Hey, Alex. Thank you for that. Erick here, originally from Mexico City. I’ve always knew I belong in film and multimedia world. I got a huge opportunity to be a TV host and a TV reporter in my country, but that wasn’t enough. I knew I needed to aim higher and study at a big league school. That’s why I drove 2,400 miles to attend NYFA South Beach campus in Miami, Florida, located at Lincoln Road where you can do tons of things after school, and of course with the perfect weather. As an international student, I had second thoughts about attending college in the United States, but NYFA’s academic advisors helped me throughout the whole process in my native Spanish tongue. It doesn’t matter where you’re from. There is a place for you here. All that matters is your willingness to take your shot, work hard, and learn. One of the things I love most about NYFA is that our teachers know how the entertainment industry works because they’re actively working in their fields. They guide students step by step, which helps us learn so much. NYFA challenges you just like in real life. To be great at what you do, you have to keep practicing, even if you make mistakes. That’s why NYFA is a perfect place for international students who are new to the country to learn without fear of judgment or failure. It doesn’t matter if you’re here to study filmmaking, acting, screenwriting, producing, or anything else. You leave understanding your craft because you have practiced that many times before. NYFA gave me the chance to live in a different country while working toward my goal. While here, I shared film screenings and segments and perspectives with people from all over the world. I’ve learned about other cultures from my peers. Just like having creative differences, it makes a film more interesting, or with different student perspectives make us a better school. Thank you for letting me share my journey with you. Alex, back to you.
– Thanks, Erick. International students eager to learn film, media, or performing arts will find an energetic artistic community at NYFA. Whether you decide to study at the college’s Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Australia, or Italy campus, if you’re an international student, you’ll get the resources and support you need to feel at home. Cheers, Erick.
Laila, a 3D Animation and Visual Effects student from North Carolina, experienced two NYFA campuses. NYFA Los Angeles was named one of the top 50 safest college campuses in America by niche.com, one of the top 25 schools for animation on the West Coast by “Animation Career Review,” and one of the top 50 schools for game design by “The Princeton Review.” Take it away, Laila.
– Thanks, Alex. Hey, guys. I went to a performing arts high school. And while the other students knew they wanted to sing, play instruments, or study photography, I wasn’t sure what to study. After getting compliments on my animation work, which is what I enjoyed doing the most, I realized that was my passion. I absolutely fell in love with NYFA’s 3D animation and PFX program. I learned not only the basics of 3D animation but how to create a character from scratch. I even got the opportunity to learn how the animation process is conducted through drawing, sculpting, and motion capture classes. I first studied at NYFA’s New York City campus on a one year certificate program but wanted to continue. Now I’m pursuing my BFA at the Los Angeles campus. This school has campuses all over the world in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Italy, and Australia. They also offer workshops and programs in Paris, Beijing, and Harvard. NYFA offers a welcoming environment no matter the campus. In both New York and LA, each professor was patient and encouraging with my work. This motivated me much more to wanna engage in my classes and improve my skills. NYFA helped me realize my lifelong passion, and because this school is so diverse, it feels amazing to represent someone like me sharing the same passion with everyone else. If you think about it, there’s not that many African American people in the animation industry, let alone women of color. So I’m here to tell you that as long as you put your mind and your heart into it and a lot of hard work, you can do this too. Throwing it back to you, Alex.
– NYFA offers a variety of ways for students like Laila to have a bicoastal or international campus experience with study abroad and cross-campus programs. Whether you decide to attend NYFA in Los Angeles for digital editing, photography at NYFA New York, or acting in film programs in Miami, Australia, or Italy, students have the resources and support they need to feel at home at NYFA.
Mario, a Musical Theater major from Germany, has always been drawn to the stage. He got the opportunity to perform in musicals under the guidance of award-winning performers who have worked on Broadway in touring productions, top rated regional theater, opera, and hit movie musicals, as well as in television and film. Let’s hear more about it. Take it away, Mario.
– Thank you so much, Alex. I’ve been performing my entire life. My grandma is a big inspiration. She was an actress and ballet dancer. I’ve put on shows for my family as a kid, joined theater clubs also as an exchange student in France, and got cast in a big public German theater production. I’ve always wanted to dive deep into performing. I just didn’t really know I could do it at first. After high school, I earned a business degree and worked in consulting, but I realized that I needed to pursue my childhood dreams, which is why I’m here now. NYFA’s musical theater program is my ideal environment to explore the artist I want to be. The program is incredibly diverse, both in terms of the students who are from the US and all over the world, and also the curriculum. Your fellow students will bring in their own unique perspectives and talents as singers, dancers, actors, and filmmakers. As you work with them, you grow together. The entire student and faculty body is passionate and friendly, which makes connecting and learning easy and fun. You are making friends with students from all over the world. It’s honestly amazing. Our faculty are working professionals in the performing arts industry, most of whom work and have worked on Broadway. At NYFA, student work comes first. You build a solid foundation in your craft. For me, that’s acting, dancing, and singing in a variety of styles. We get to perform in high quality musical theater productions, learn from teachers who love and know what they’re doing, and also collaborate with students from all other departments. I’ve been in student films, photo shoots, music videos, voiceover projects, and even new works. I’ve found a second home in New York City, built new friendships, and learned a new culture. Switching career paths to join the performing arts industry is a difficult but beautiful experience, and NYFA is helping me make the switch. See you in the front row. Back to you, Alex.
– NYFA provides aspiring visual storytellers and performers with the resources to develop a strong creative portfolio. NYFA’s musical theater programs, for instance, give students like Mario essential stage training and chances to audition for fully produced main stage musicals, culminating in an industry showcase, all while studying right in New York City, home to Broadway. Thanks for sharing, Mario.
Now we are heading over to the famous Universal Studio’s back lot to meet two students, Hanna and Lara. Hanna, an Acting for Film major from Germany, learns from a diverse faculty who actively work in their respective fields. Lara, a Filmmaking major from Brazil, has dreamt of being a filmmaker since she was a kid. Here, students are given the tools, the resources, and knowledge to bring their dreams to life. Lights, camera, action.
– Thank you so much, Alex. Hollywood. That was my nickname everyone used to call me growing up. My place was and is in front of the camera. Acting is my passion and it’s almost an obsession. That’s why I enrolled at NYFA. Now I’m studying to be an actor in Hollywood. At NYFA, every teacher has worked in the entertainment industry. They exchange their stories with students and share their knowledges and experiences. It is so thrilling to hear from someone who has walked the same path as you and learn about all of their projects. I’ve watched guest speaker events with NYFA alumni like Aubrey Plaza, Bill Hader, and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, who all came back for NYFA interviews. We learn by doing from experts who have done it. As an actor, this is especially important. You need a horizon and that’s why NYFA provides us with a support system. Through film screenings, Q and A events, and film festivals, NYFA gives us a chance to see where our future could take us. Our classroom cohorts are typically very small, which means our educational experience is special. NYFA teachers can focus on each and every student so we all feel supported. Our instructors can really get to know us and what kind of artists we are so they can guide us better as we learn and practice our craft. Because of that, our relationship with our teachers is collaborative and they are our mentors rather than authority figures. I’ve learned so much about myself as an actor and as a performer while at NYFA, and I hope once I’ve graduated that I can utilize my skills to land on my dream roles in movies like “The Greatest Showman” or television shows like “Friends” or “Breaking Bad.” That was my journey, and now Lara is gonna tell you about the world behind a camera.
– Thank you, Hanna. Hi, everyone. Making films started out as a hobby and I remember making up little stories with my dolls as a kid. By the time I started high school, I knew I wanted to study filmmaking. And what better place than New York Film Academy? Their hands-on approach to learning was perfect for me. At first, I wasn’t sure about where to study, so I started with NYFA’s eight week filmmaking workshop. The experience I had was amazing and I learned so much in so little time that I had to come back for my bachelor’s. We shot our first class project on a set in Universal Studio’s back lot. Absolutely no other college could offer that kind of experience. From the very first day in class, we worked with professional equipment such as cameras, lighting, and even industry standard editing software. Filmmaking students have the freedom to write, direct, and shoot their projects in their own style. This emphasis on creativity combined with practical learning only pushes students to be their best. I have already directed 10 short films and participated in the production of many others. There’s nothing more valuable than this hands-on experience we get every single day in class. At NYFA, you learn by doing. There’s some things that lectures just can’t teach you. You can only get real world experience while actually making films on sets. You have the freedom and support to try new things and even make some mistakes while learning from everything you do. NYFA’s range of programs and diverse community only makes the experience even better. I could have never imagined learning so much in such a short time. After learning filmmaking, screenwriting, directing, and producing, students are ready to set up a creative portfolio of work. And by the time we graduate, we’re ready to take the next step towards our careers. And I can’t wait for that. Now back to you, Alex.
– How cool is it that students get actual on set experience at the Universal Studio’s back lot? With the hands-on learning that NYFA offers, students can feel comfortable making mistakes, taking creative risks, and challenging themselves to be the best possible filmmakers, performers, and visual artists. Thanks again.
We’re now going to introduce you to Karli, a senior biology major, who is also on the ABAC softball team. ABAC has great tradition in athletics, and Karli will tell us how she’s pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinarian while getting it done on the diamond. So, Karli, I’m throwing it over to you. You’re on.
– Nice throw, Alex. It’s a pleasure to be here. Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to be a veterinarian. When it was time to pick a school, I wanted to find a college that would allow me to play softball and still pursue my dream. The coaches here at ABAC told me that I could do just that. When I came on a campus tour, I knew ABAC was home for me. Playing softball at ABAC has been one of the best decisions I have made this far in my life. From 5:00 AM runs, to singing at the top of our lungs on long bus rides and cheering on from the dugout, my teammates and coaches quickly became my family. Girls who were once strangers will now undoubtedly be lifelong friends of mine, thanks to this round yellow ball. The athletic teams here at ABAC are unlike any other, from baseball and golf, to tennis and cross country. You can always count on another Stallion to be cheering you on in the stands. One of the coolest parts about ABAC is that all of our athletic fields are located right next to one another. Oftentimes, we would cheer on the women’s soccer team while having afternoon practice. There’s no greater feeling in the world for a team than knowing that we are a part of something much bigger than ourselves. To say I am thankful that God saw fit for me to come to ABAC would be the understatement of a lifetime. Now, from all of the sports teams here at ABAC, heads up, Alex.
Whoa, I’m feeling the love from all of ABAC’s athletic teams. It is evident that the ABAC teams have found success in sticking together. I hope there’s plenty of room left in that trophy case. Great job, Karli. All right, y’all.
Let’s head over to Daniel, a senior majoring in business. ABAC’s Stafford School of Business has produced graduates who have pursued careers all over the country and Daniel found it was just the right fit for him. Take it away Daniel.
– What’s going on peeps? Lemme tell you why I chose to come here to ABAC. Now, ABAC has students from all over the world, but I grew up right down the road and I knew that this was the place I wanted to be. Now, the college experience is all about what you do and the people you meet along the way. Like most freshmen, when I started college, I was shy and didn’t want to come out my shell, but a special shout out goes to the Stafford School of Business and ABAC Housing Team for building my confidence and helping me grow as a business professional. One of my favorite place to hang out is the student lounge at Lewis Hall, which is home to the ABAC’s Business School. Whether networking with fellow business students, developing professional skills or making plans to pursue an MBA, all ABAC’s faculty and staff are here to help you become the person you want to be. In addition to the business school, working as an RA that has helped me apply what I have learned. As an RA, I love creating events for the residents on campus, like the Fall Festival, Spring Fling, and so many more. Another major benefit is forming new relationship with the students who live on campus, whether it’s playing sports, socializing, hosting events. The job is just a vibe. Let me stop right there before I give my whole life story, but that’s my time at ABAC in a nutshell. Now, how about we give Alex, some more screen time?
– Thanks, Daniel. But I have to tell you, I can’t imagine you as shy in any way. You found your groove as a business student and as a resident assistant, and I can tell you love being right in the middle of the action. Keep up the great work.
TJ is a sophomore planning to become a teacher. TJ actually grew up right here in Tifton, so he didn’t have to live far to find a homing college. Now that he is here, TJ is involved in so many different campus activities. We were just glad to slow him down for a few minutes to tell us all about it. It’s all yours, TJ.
– Thank you for that awesome introduction Alex. Growing up in the beautiful city of Tifton, I always knew that ABAC was an amazing opportunity for me to grow and become a better member of society. ABAC is known for its prestigious programs in agriculture and nursing. And when I first arrived here I thought that was the track I had to take. But when I got to campus and met with my advisor, she showed me all different programs that I could find interest in and that would allow me to grow. On campus, we are home to over 60 different clubs and student organizations, including multiple fraternities and sororities. Fortunately, I have the honor of leading a few of those campus clubs, like Residents Hall Association and our peer support group. I’m also part of the Campus Activity Board. We plan huge events for our students, so if you see stuffed bears in the meadows or arcade games in the library, that’s probably us. Every semester, ABAC hosts a club rush event, where each club and organization comes together to showcase all the amazing things they have to offer and recruit new members. You can also stay active by joining one of our intermural sports teams, hitting the gym in Thrash Wellness Center, or just enjoying some time by the water at our heated Foundation Legacy pool. When I’m not having fun with friends on campus, I’m actively pursuing my dreams to become a teacher. With the skills that I’m learning in my clubs and organizations, I am confident that I will have a fun and engaging class for my future students. Thanks for listening everyone and Alex, take it back.
– Great job, TJ. You’ve proven that there is something for everyone who wants to get involved on campus. That’s such a huge part of the college experience and a great way to meet people and learn more about your own interests. Thanks so much.
Let’s meet Laura. Her story is a little different, because Laura is a high school junior who is earning college credits as a dually enrolled college freshman. And at ABAC, she has found a perfect place to pursue her passion for music. That’s one of several departments in the School of Arts and Sciences. Take it away, Laura.
– Thank you, Alex. Hey, y’all. Welcome to Edwards Hall. Music is my whole life and I’m happy to report that this little agricultural college has given me so many opportunities to pursue my passion for music. One of my absolute favorite things about ABAC’s music program is how welcoming they are. If you have any interest in music, they’ll find you a place to help you expand your musical abilities, no matter your major. This past semester, the ABAC Jazz Ensemble gave me the chance to be their vocalist, which was the highlight of my semester and an incredible learning experience. When I’m not in Edwards Hall, you can find me with the school’s media production team, here in Studio three. Studio three provides all students with access to a fully equipped audio recording booth and TV studio. Working with the studio, I’ve produced my own show and hosted a campus wide open mic night. Studio three has taught me how to turn my ideas into reality. School of Arts and Sciences offers everything, from music to criminal justice to biology. I can confidently say that no matter your major, no matter your dreams and no matter where you want to end up in the future, ABAC will welcome you with open arms and guide you towards achieving those goals. I couldn’t be prouder to be an ABAC Stallion. Lights, camera and back to you Alex.
– And that’s a cut on Laura sing. Nice job everybody.
– Wow Laura, you are one talented young woman and so smart to get a jumpstart on your college career through dual enrollment. It’s great to see that ABAC has so many options, so students combine their passion just like you. Thanks a lot.
Sarah grew up in a small town and wanted to go to college somewhere that offered a close-knit community and small class sizes. And she wanted to follow her passion for helping people in the healthcare field. She found it all at ABAC School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Let’s go Sarah.
– Thanks Alex. Growing up in a small town, I always loved having that close-knit community and wanted to find a college that felt like home. After taking a tour of ABAC on Stallion Day, I knew I found the place. The ABAC Nursing Program has opened so many doors for me. The program offers so many great events for us to attend throughout our semesters. Outside the classroom, I service as the Vice President of the Georgia Association of Nursing Students Club, where we give fellow nursing students a chance to come and listen to guest speakers from all different types of nursing specialties. ABAC also hosts a career fair every fall semester for healthcare students. Here, we get to come and see hospitals from all across the state and see what type of job opportunities they have to offer. Not only has ABAC provided me with the best classmates and lifelong friends, but they have also given me prime examples of what type of nurse I want to be. From time spent studying here, to clinical rotations at the local hospital and to hours logged in our simulation lab, ABAC nursing will make sure that you are prepared to save lives. With our smaller class sizes, we are able to have a more personal relationship with our professors, all line for better communication over the material. When I first started looking for colleges, I had no idea if I would find a place for me, a place that felt like home. Here at ABAC, not only have I found a home, I have found my friends, my mentors, and myself. All right Alex, that’s a long enough study break. Back to the books.
– Thanks, Sarah. Nursing and Health Sciences at ABAC is so impressive, because it has so many options and especially in nursing. Getting that individual attention with small class sizes is so important and you have figured that out. Great job.