Special Programs

Directing the Actor

NYU Tisch is collaborating with the National Film and Television School (NFTS) in the United Kingdom for a new program to train film and television directors and screenwriters. NFTS has been a leader in film, television, and new media since its inception in 1971. It is the only U.K. film school with its own film and television studios and post-production facilities that rival those of professional companies.

Photo by Paige Dillon

Program Overview

Directing the Actor in London is only offered in the spring and it is open to NYU and visiting undergraduate students who meet the prerequisites.  

Core Curriculum

Students take the following course for 3 units and select courses offered through NYU London to complete the 12-18 unit program. 

Please Note: Students studying abroad on a Tisch track are not eligible to pursue an internship (except for Theatre in Ghana and Television Writing in London). Tisch programs do not provide work visas.

Directing the Actor: London

IFMTV-UT 1069 | 3 units | Instructor: Joseph A. Adesunloye

Prerequisites: See Admissions section below.

NYU Tisch is offering the course Directing the Actor in colloboration with the prestigious National Film and Television School (NFTS) in the United Kingdom. Located at Beaconsfield Studios outside of London, NFTS  is one of the world’s premier film and television schools. Alumni include directors Lynne Ramsay (Ratcatcher, We Need to Talk About Kevin) and David Yates (Harry Potter) and Academy Award-winning cinematographer Roger Deakins (Blade Runner 2049, Sicario, Fargo). 

Directing the Actor is a practical workshop that explores the relationship between actor, director and script. The course will focus on the methods directors use in analyzing and rehearsing scenes. Students will work with professional actors, as well as a casting director, and will be able to shoot their final scene on NFTS’ state-of-the-art sound stages. Students will also be able to enroll in the array of courses offered by NYU London.


Note: Part of the class schedule for Directing the Actor: London includes one full weekday. One weekend is also devoted to production.

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Photo by Paige Dillon

Photo by Paige Dillon

Photo by Paige Dillon

Photo by Paige Dillon

Photo by Paige Dillon

Photo by Paige Dillon

Photo by Paige Dillon

Photo by Paige Dillon

Program Dates

Spring 2026

Student Arrival: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Student Departure: Saturday, May 9, 2026

Arrival and departure dates are subject to change.

Admissions

Prerequisites:

Film/TV majors: Freshman Colloquium: Performance Strategies (FMTV-UT 46) OR Performance Strategies for Transfers
(FMTV-UT 146). No exceptions will be made for the prerequisites. Prerequisites will not be waived.

Collaborative Arts majors: Performance Practice: Voice and Text (COART-UT 6) and Performance Practice: Body and Movement (COART-UT 5)

NYU and Visiting students: Acting for the Camera (OART-UT 1908) or Acting I (OART-UT 1906)

The spring 2026 application is closed. 

For more information please view our Admissions Calendar.

Application:

Please read the following application requirements before starting your application.

Due to UK visa rules, students intending to do an internship while in London are unable to enroll in Directing the Actor. If you plan to do an internship course through NYU London, be eligible to work, or are returning to the UK for Spring after having attended for the Fall semester, you would need a Tier 4 visa and are thus ineligible for this class. Please contact the Office of Global Services if you have questions.

Note: Students should wait to receive their admissions notification and confirmation that the program is running prior to purchasing airline tickets. Students accepted to the program should purchase refundable airline tickets and/or travel insurance in the event the program is canceled or program dates are changed due to world events. It is strongly recommended that students purchase insurance for trip cancellation, flight cancellation, luggage loss or damage, as well as medical and accident coverage.

Expenses

Spring 2026*

  • Academic Year 2025-2026 Full-time Tuition, Undergraduate Tuition and Registration and Services Fee: $36,041*

Additional Fees Include:

  • NYU Housing: Visit the NYU London website for housing options and costs

  • Commuting Expenses: Rail fares vary depending on the time of day you are traveling, zones, and one-way vs. two-way tickets. A round trip ticket may range from £19.50 ($22.40) to £27.50 ($31.60). It is recommended that you look into purchasing a 16-25 Railcard, which gives 1/3 off rail fares, e.g. the fares listed here can go down to as little as £12.85 ($15.00). Details on this will be provided at your orientation. It is suggested that you budget for $35/£30 a week (without railcard) or $23/£20 a week (with a railcard). Please note that these rates are only estimates and ticket prices will fluctuate during your time in the program.

 

Please review the Tisch Special Programs cancellation policy.

Visit the Office of Global Programs for additional study abroad costs.

APPLY

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are opportunities for financial assistance to study abroad.

Please review the Scholarships and Financial Aid for Study Abroad page for more information.

Housing

Visit the NYU London website for housing options and descriptions.