The longing of Nigerian film practitioners and potential members to attend the New York Film Institute
It is no longer a secret that Nigerians place great importance on quality and are willing to part with cash just to get the same. This growing trend has also made its way into Nollywood, where filmmakers who have made films with such qualitative content boarded the national flight to fame and fortune. Nollywood has currently been ranked as the second largest film industry in the world (based on quantity), but not quality. It’s worth noting that filmmakers in the mid-90s (during the heyday of Nollywood) simply produced movies just to make money and not because they were passionate about it.
Tunde kelani, however, stood out from the rest, and his regular quality production propelled him effortlessly into the spotlight. His prowess with the camera and subsequent productions stems from the knowledge he acquired at London film school. You can get most of his works in one of my articles “Tunde Kelani: A Legend in Nollywood”. Steve Gucas, who filmed “Keeping in Faith,” is said to have also attended.
Despite the presence of the National Film Institute, Jos, Nigeria, the new generation of filmmakers and those in other spheres of cinema, thirsty for the skills needed to produce world-class films, have found their way to the prestigious Film Institute. from New York. Those who have made the Alumni list include Kunle Afolyan (Irapada, The Figurine, araromire), Stephanie Okereke (Through the Glass), Chineze Anyaene (Ije), Daniel Ademinokan (Omo Iya Kan). Due to its resounding success, others have begun to look to the New York Film Institute (“NYFI”)
“NYFI” offers courses in Filmmaking, Digital Filmmaking, Acting, Cinematography, Broadcast Journalism, Documentary Filming, Film and Television Production, Digital Film Editing, Photography, 3D Animation, Game Design, Screenwriting, among others. Their practices (internships) from the first day to the last is a very important factor for them, and people from different parts of the world converge there to learn. They are taught by the best and are located in New York, London, Italy, Abuja, China, Japan, Korea, Colombia and other areas.
Some of his former students have gone to make good movies in Hollywood. Notable people and their family members who have attended the institute include Steven Spielberg, Kevin Kline, Al Pacino, Jamie Foxx, Pierce Brosnan, among others. The use of state-of-the-art equipment is the hallmark of the institute. Flexible courses for various domains are also available. Although the fees are expensive, however, the knowledge gained at the end of the day and the ability to implement what has been taught and instilled in various projects undertaken, resulting in outstanding work will make up for it.
It is certainly a great place to study the art and intricacies of film making. It doesn’t surprise me in the least that our filmmakers and aspiring filmmakers are in droves there.