Location

New York, NY, USA

Program Description

This program is a six-credit, four-week intensive film boot camp in New York City. The program provides SMAD students the opportunity to spend three weeks in New York City and one week of online prep coursework prior to leaving for NYC.

Students in the NY program have a choice of three courses and they choose two!

Each student will work in a group to write, direct, shoot and edit a short narrative film. Prior to leaving for New York City there is a required masterclass with a professional cinematographer on lighting and cinematography. Scripts chosen have mostly been workshopped in SMAD 251: Introduction to Screenwriting class. Scripts workshopped in this class will receive priority. Students have the opportunity to work with professional actors. This year we had Cathy Curtin who was in Orange is the New Black and Stranger Things act in one of our students films.

The lighting and cinematography masterclass is separate from the one week of online coursework. Additionally, I have students meet to workshop their screenplays prior to departing from NYC.

This program is intensive and while it is open to students who are non-SMAD, be mindful that making a film is a lot of work. Additionally, this is award-winning program; student's work have won awards at film festivals from this program. Home of the Brave written & directed by Ian Welfley won Best Narrative Short at the Virginia Film Festival.

Some students have stayed on after the program is over in New York City to do internships for non-smad credit.

The course gives the students the opportunity to shoot on location in New York City. This past summer students shot at the Jim Kempner Art Gallery, Nublu Jazz Club and we even has a scuba diving film which was party shot on a boat.

Additionally I take the students to a Broadway Play, this past summer we saw Hell's Kitchen on Broadway. The students will gain skills on learning how to work with one another while making a short narrative film. You will learn directing, screenwriting and cinematography. Additionally you will develop skills of delivering a short film in three weeks. The films then get screened at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan. You also get to meet industry professionals I usually have a talk back with people who are working in the business including working professionals. This past summer we had the producer of Goodfellas Barbara DeFina.

After this program is over you will have built friendships and industry connections and a way of working with fellow JMU students. Additionally, you will have something for your reel when you graduate to help you get employment. You will be mentored through the process of making a short narrative film. Many of the students films have gone on to win awards.

Other highlights of the program include:

• The lasting friendships you build and community in the film industry.
• You get to work with professionals in the industry while you make a short narrative film.
• You are in the heart of Manhattan at the Fashion Insititute of Technology.

SIZZLE REEL For 2025 - https://vimeo.com/1095413242?p=0s

Location Description

The program is located at The Fashion Institute of Technology in the heart of Manhattan. The dorms are roomy and some have nice views of NYC. The Fashion Institute of Technology is a major fashion school. This is where we host our JMU in New York Program.

Director

Imelda O'Reilly | oreillix@jmu.edu | School of Media Arts and Design

Accommodations

Students will be in shared double rooms at the Fashion Institute of Technology. If you do need a single room, it can be provided but it might cost more.

Students receive a card with a meal plan per day.

Additional Items to Consider

One week of online instruction is required prior to departure, in addition to a required lighting and camera workshop at JMU.

There are also three required meetings for the selection of screenplays prior to leaving for NYC.

Applicant Criteria

Applicants must have a GPA minimum of 2.0

Prerequisites: SMAD 202 or talk with program director

Open to freshmen

Open to non-JMU students

Open to all majors