Special Programs

Directing the Actor

NYU Tisch is collaborating with Brian Gilbert, director of numerous films such as Wilde, Not Without My Daughter, Tom and Viv, and 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.

Studio at the National Film and Television School

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. 

Directing the Actor: London

IFMTV-UT 1069 | 3 units | Instructor: Brian Gilbert

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. The course will be taught by NFTS faculty member Brian Gilbert, a director of numerous films including Wilde, Not Without My Daughter, and Tom & Viv.  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

Group photo of the spring 2019 class with a statue of Gromit in front of the Channel 4 Rose Building

Photo by Paige Dillon

External shot of the National Film and Television School

Photo by Paige Dillon

The Oswald Morris building at the National Film and Television School

Photo by Paige Dillon

Beaconsfield Studio at the National Film and Television School

Photo by Paige Dillon

Indoor studio at the National Film and Television School

Photo by Paige Dillon

Indoor studio at the National Film and Television School

Photo by Paige Dillon

London skyline at sunset

Photo by Paige Dillon

External shot of the National Film and Television School

Program Dates

Spring 2021

Student Arrival: Wednesday, January 27, 2021 (not earlier)
Student Departure: Friday, May 21, 2021

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)

NYU and Visiting students: College-level acting or equivalent experience 

Spring 2021 

Application Deadline: EXTENDED to Friday, September 25, 2020 at 5 p.m. ET

For more information please view our Admissions Calendar.

Application:

Please read the following admissions information 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.  

Expenses

  • Academic Year 2019-2020 Full-time Tuition, 12-18 unit flat rate per term: $27,964

Additional Fees Include:

  • Nonrefundable Registration and Services Fee: $1,312
  • NYU Housing: Visit the NYU London website for 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 £14.00 ($18.00) to £25.20 ($33.50). You may be able to reduce the cost of commuting by purchasing a 16-25 Railcard which gives 1/3 off rail fares. It is suggested that you budget for $34/£25 a week (without railcard) or $21/£16 a week (with a railcard). Note that ticket prices will fluctuate and these are estimates.

Please review the Tisch Special Programs cancellation policy.

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

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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.