The Filmmaker Behind the Lessons
Ben Ducoff's journey from Boston University's College of Fine Arts to becoming a working filmmaker and educator in New York City is driven by one conviction: filmmaking should be accessible to everyone with the passion to create.
What sets Ben apart isn't just his festival-screened work like Yaniv, though that speaks to his creative capabilities. It's his commitment to bridging the gap between professional filmmaking and accessible education. You don't learn filmmaking from someone who reads about it in textbooks—you learn from someone who's actively creating, screening at major film festivals, and bringing real-world industry knowledge into the classroom.
Ben's Story
Ben Ducoff's journey into filmmaking began at Boston University's College of Fine Arts, where he discovered his passion for visual storytelling and the power of cinema to move audiences. Those early years in Boston were formative—learning the technical craft while developing a deep appreciation for films that challenge, inspire, and connect with viewers on a human level.
From Boston to New York
The natural next step was New York City. Moving to the heart of American filmmaking, Ben immersed himself in the vibrant independent film scene. He worked on various productions, honing his skills as a producer, screenwriter, and actor. Each project taught him something new about the collaborative nature of filmmaking and the discipline required to bring a vision to life.
Creating Yaniv
The turning point came with Yaniv, Ben's co-written feature film. Working as both screenwriter and actor on the project, Ben experienced firsthand the challenges and rewards of independent filmmaking. Seeing Yaniv screened at major Jewish film festivals—Miami, Austin, San Diego, and Boston—validated years of hard work and creative risk-taking. It proved that original voices and authentic stories could find audiences.
The Call to Teach
Success in production brought a realization: the filmmaking journey shouldn't be accessible only to those with connections or resources. Having worked in the industry, Ben understood both the technical skills and the creative mindset needed to succeed. He became a Licensed CTE Instructor, bringing his real-world experience into the classroom at Motion Picture Technical High School in Queens.
Teaching allowed Ben to connect with young filmmakers in the Bronx and across New York City—students who might not otherwise have access to mentorship from someone actively creating and screening films. There's a special energy in showing students that their dreams of making films aren't distant fantasies; they're achievable through dedication, skill-building, and authentic creative practice.
Creating and Nurturing
Today, Ben operates at the intersection of two passions: creating compelling films and nurturing the next generation of filmmakers. These aren't separate pursuits—they're interconnected. Every film project deepens his understanding of craft, which he brings to his students. Every student conversation reminds him why original storytelling matters. The work as filmmaker and educator reinforce each other, creating a virtuous cycle of creative growth and community impact.
Learn by Doing
Filmmaking isn't learned from textbooks—it's learned by creating. As a Licensed CTE Instructor and working filmmaker whose films screen at major festivals, I teach the techniques and workflows used in professional productions, not theoretical concepts disconnected from real-world practice.
Industry-Relevant Curriculum
You'll master equipment and techniques used on professional film sets, from camera operation to post-production workflows that matter in the real world.
Credentialed Instructor
Licensed CTE Instructor teaching at Motion Picture Technical High School in Queens. My credentials are backed by active filmmaking—my work screens at festivals nationally.
Accessible Education
Filmmaking should be accessible to everyone with the passion to learn. I'm committed to bringing hands-on film education to communities that deserve it, particularly in the Bronx.
Nurturing Creativity
Beyond technical skills, I help you develop your creative voice. You'll learn not just how to operate equipment, but how to tell stories that matter and express your unique perspective.
"The best education comes from someone who's actively doing the work. I don't teach theory—I teach what actually works in professional filmmaking."
Mission & Values
Filmmaking isn't just about creating beautiful images—it's about empowering people to tell their stories. That's what drives everything we do.
Our Mission
To make filmmaking education accessible to everyone, especially in underserved communities. We believe that creative tools and professional mentorship shouldn't be locked behind expensive institutions or exclusive networks. Every aspiring filmmaker—regardless of background or circumstance—deserves the chance to learn from someone actively making films in the industry.
Authenticity
You learn from real experience, not theory. Every lesson comes from actual production work, festival screenings, and industry practice. No shortcuts, no pretense—just honest filmmaking craft.
Hands-On Experience
You don't watch filmmaking from a distance. You pick up cameras, write scripts, direct scenes, and solve real production problems. Learning by doing builds muscle memory and confidence that classroom lectures alone can't achieve.
Community Impact
Filmmaking education belongs in the Bronx, in neighborhoods where young people have brilliant stories to tell but limited access to professional resources. We're committed to building pathways in underserved communities, not just affluent ones.
Creative Empowerment
We don't just teach filmmaking techniques—we unlock creative confidence. When you learn to tell stories visually, you gain a voice that extends far beyond film. You develop the ability to communicate, persuade, and inspire.
Why This Matters
The film industry has long been an exclusive club. Access to equipment, mentorship, and industry connections was determined by geography and privilege. We believe that's changing, and we're committed to accelerating that change.
When you learn filmmaking from Ben Ducoff, you're not just learning technical skills. You're learning from someone who has screened work at major film festivals, who continues to create and evolve as a filmmaker, and who genuinely believes in your potential. That combination of active practice and dedicated mentorship is rare—and it's powerful.
Our values aren't aspirational statements on a wall. They're reflected in every decision we make: who we teach, how we teach, what we prioritize, and who we serve. Accessible filmmaking education isn't a side project—it's the core of what we do.
Ready to start your filmmaking journey with someone who actually practices what they teach?