film & television performance program
Your Stage. Your Story. From Studio to Set.
The Film & Television Performance Program will give you the tools to develop the technique, discipline and business knowledge required to succeed in on-screen and multi-media acting/performance/story telling. Learn how to craft a personal and authentic performance with movement and voice technique, grow your spontaneity, responsiveness, and presence with the Meisner and Stanislavsky acting techniques, and ground your work through understanding of the technical aspects of working in front of a camera and the professional protocols of being on a set. You will be mentored by experienced industry professionals, meet casting directors, make important networking connections, and learn how to build a successful, sustainable career in the business of acting on camera and beyond.
Program Pathways
The Film & Television Performance Program is offered as:
A Two–Year Associate Degree Program with classes starting every September and January
Click here to learn more about the Film & Television Two-Year Associate Degree Program
Click here to apply for the Film & Television Two-Year Associate Degree Program
Can be added to your Two-Year Degree in Musical Theatre, Media Production for the Actor or Theatre Performance as a Plus One Degree Program with classes starting every September
Click here to learn more about the Film & Television Plus-One Degree Program
Click here to register for the Film & Television Plus-One Degree Program
A Four–Week Summer Intensive with classes starting every June and July for students 14 and older
Click here to learn more about the Film & Television Summer Intensive Program
Click here to register for the Film & Television Summer Intensive Program
Program Focus
Film & Television Performance: On-camera acting, on-set experience.
Motivated actors who journey to New York City are provided with the unique combination of solid actor training and practical business opportunities. Movies and shows are being filmed on the streets and in the studios of New York’s five boroughs every day. Here, you’ll have access to connect with industry professionals on exciting projects as you pursue your acting career.
Our business classes and mock auditions offer you face time with casting directors and talent agents. Our professional training prepares you to ace your live audition or self-tape, to show up on set confident and prepared to act, to promote your own unique brand, and to be a multi-hyphenate with offerings like web series development, stand up and sketch comedy and dialects.
Small class sizes offer you the chance to work closely with faculty mentors currently working in the industry who will help keep you focused on your dream. You’ll work all day, every day on your craft.
Two-Year Associate Degree Program Overview
The first year in the Film & Television Performance Program will provide a strong foundation for your acting. Voice, movement and improvisation will prepare the actors instrument for Meisner and Stanislavsky based acting techniques. Intro to the Camera focuses on the technical aspects of working in front of a camera, and the professional protocols of being on set.
The second year provides a bridge to your professional life. You’ll engage in real-world experiences like Final Reel, Jury and Business Classes with industry professionals and artists that will provide you with a head start as you launch into the industry.
Final Reel
A game-changing opportunity to experience filming a scene with a professional creative team and crew on-location in New York City. This footage will provide content for your professional "actor's reel" - an invaluable tool to secure representation and work.
Jury
An opportunity to perform a prepared scene for a jury of casting directors for feedback on your material selection, performance and presentation. Selected students move onto "Super Jury," a call-back for industry professionals looking for new talent.
Business Class
A practical opportunity to develop a clear business strategy for your unique actor brand. Classes focus on preparation of materials: resumes, reels, websites and social media platforms, how to network, get an agent or manager and do your taxes.
The Film & Television Program is also available as a Plus-One Degree Program
Now, more than ever, it’s essential for professional actors to be multifaceted in their training: you’ll want to be ready to sing, dance, act, produce, create, promote, and more.
At the New York Conservatory, you can evolve your brand, diversify your training, build your actor’s toolbox and add on to your two-year Associate Degree.
We have designed the Plus One Degree Program to build upon the training in your first two years at The New York Conservatory. Once you complete an initial two-year Associate Degree in any of our programs, you can continue your education to earn a second Associate Degree by adding on one year of Film & Television Performance, Media Production for the Actor or Theatre Performance.
Four-Week Summer Intensive Program Overview
The Summer Intensive Program in Film & Television Performance offers actors of all levels a challenging workout as they engage in coursework that prepares them to act both on stage and screen. While the curriculum emphasizes on-camera technique in both single- and multi-camera performance, foundational support in movement and voice work is also offered. An Industry event with a casting director and agent/manager are included during the four-week session.
Hear from New York Conservatory Students
Learn a student’s perspective on the Film & Television Program and Final Reel