Films are part of Indian culture and they are in its DNA, says Kitty Koo of New York Film Academy. By Team Viva
Moviemaking is an art in itself and a reputed film school helps the students to get acquainted with fundamentals of filmmaking and provides them with hands-on training of a real-world experience to prepare them to achieve a successful film career.
The New York Film Academy (NYFA) marked their 25th anniversary by zeroing down on India to open the first campus in Asia.
Kitty Koo, Director, NYFA Mumbai and Vice-President for South-East Asia said that the students who have enrolled in the campus hail from various set of backgrounds, agegroups and cultures but they are woven together by the sheer passion for the craft.
On how was the decision made to open a campus in Mumbai, she said, “India is the first country I developed for NYFA back in 2010. India is the biggest film producer in the world, films are part of Indian culture and they are in its DNA. During my years of working with the students belonging to this country. I observed that they demonstrate enormous passion when coming to motion pictures.”
Koo added, “The academy specialises in film, acting and other related field. We would like to have the opportunity to collaborate and share our knowledge, know-how, and skill to educate the next generation of filmmakers.”
Koo divulged details about the plans of expansion. “We would like to bring in more workshops to NYFA’s Mumbai campus in future for producing, screenwriting, editing, photography, animation, cinematography, documentary, broadcast journalism, graphic design, musical theatre, virtual reality filmmaking and a summer teen workshop.”
NYFA is a global institute, all the offshore campuses offer the same programs as per their US campus.
Koo revealed the reason behind it, “We believe in maintaining the same philosophy, syllabus and intensity of our programmes. Why should we offer less if we can offer the best regardless of which country we are inIJ”
Added she, “When it comes to narrating a story, the heartbeat remains the same — be it flow of tears or the emotions, they are same in every culture. The different cultures only project or infuse varied set of conflicts or obstacles to their stories but it still remains a story to be told by the storytellers. The country is not going to make one a better storyteller — it’s the story and its content.
Koo commented on the diversity she witnessed among the students who have enrolled in NYFA, Mumbai. “India is one of the most vibrant countries possessing a dynamic as well as a diverse culture. Our students in Mumbai come from various backgrounds such as filmmakers, novelists, costume designers, makeup artists, actors, writers, photographers, UG students or fresh out of high school but they all share one thing in common that is immense passion for motion pictures.”
“Salman Khan’s find for his upcoming film loveratri, Warina Hussain was among our first batch of acting students from May last year.”
She said that in the Mumbai branch they will continue the legacy it has managed to achieve over the years by sharing the latest techniques, best knowledge and know-how with the students. “We are committed to educate the next generation of filmmakers and provide them with the best support on how to become a storyteller, actor, cinematographer, screenwriter, editor, producer and much more.”
On the three things an aspiring Indian filmmaker should keep in mind before enrolling in the film academy, Koo said, “We cannot teach a student if they lack passion. We cannot teach a student if he/she is not fully committed. We cannot teach a student if they are unable to speak English.”
The students will be hired in the industry based on their skill set and talent. Also, it depends on their ability to contribute something towards the project.
When asked how will this institute guide them to be better equipped to venture into the professional world, she replied, “A school is merely a tool to sculpt the students, we help them discover their talent, give them the confidence, teach them the skills and techniques but a film school is not a place that provides them with a job. In the art industry, no one can be placed until they prove their worth. By the end of each workshop, we have sessions to discuss about the future after NYFA — we provide students with the option of how to walk the path because from here to where one wants to go depends solely on them.”