Academy for Careers in Television and Film

Every year in New York City, film and television production generates over $5 billion and supports an estimated 100,000 jobs. Three years ago, members of the New York Production Alliance (NYPA), an industry advocacy organization, approached New Visions for Public Schools with an idea for a high school in western Queens that would connect students to industry employment opportunities. In April 2007, a team of industry professionals and educators began to define how private industry and public education could collaborate to support a small and rigorous Career and Technical Education (CTE) school. The Academy for Careers in Television and Film (ACTvF) is unique in providing students with meaningful entry points into a range of career paths, including a variety of “below-the-line” positions almost entirely neglected by existing high school programs. The membership of NYPA, the school’s lead partner, represents a cross section of the industry and includes the owners of New York’s major studios, top producers and directors, unions, and scores of other industry businesses and organizations. Through this partnership, students benefit from unprecedented opportunities to work alongside industry professionals and gain valuable experience to support their career and academic aspirations.