About

NYU’s Online Filmmakers Workshop is a four-week, for-credit summer course offered through the Tisch School of the Arts, designed to introduce high school students (including rising seniors) to narrative filmmaking fundamentals. Over four weeks, from July 6 to July 31, 2026, participants earn 4 college credits while exploring storytelling techniques, visual grammar, camera language, and basic editing workflows. The curriculum balances synchronous live instruction with asynchronous workshops on the Smashcut platform, allowing students worldwide to collaborate in virtual crews to produce a documentary, a music video, and a final narrative short film. Instruction is delivered by experienced Tisch faculty who guide students through the artistic, technical, and organizational aspects of digital storytelling.

Admission requires an online application, an unofficial transcript (3.0 GPA recommended), a personal statement, and a creative résumé; notably, no audition or portfolio is required for this online track. For the Summer 2026 session, the priority application deadline is May 11, 2026, with a final deadline of June 10, 2026. Tuition for the 4-unit course is $8,008. Technical requirements include a reliable internet connection (Chrome browser required), a computer with a webcam, and a smartphone or digital camera capable of high-quality video. Scholarships are available through Tisch Special Programs on a competitive, need-based basis, with a dedicated scholarship deadline of May 18, 2026.

Embedded within the Tisch School of the Arts—one of the U.S.’s preeminent creative arts schools—the Online Filmmakers Workshop reflects NYU’s longstanding emphasis on narrative craft and mentorship from working professionals. Tisch’s identity as both a conservatory and research institution informs a curriculum that privileges artistic experimentation alongside disciplined craft. Participants emerge with foundational skills in visual storytelling, 4 transferable college credits, and a portfolio of finished short films suitable for college applications or further study.