In a classroom at a brand-new high school in Queens, freshmen are getting hands-on training from film industry pros. 

It's Motion Picture Technical High School — in a temporary space this year, but moving to a state-of-the-art building it will share with three other schools next year in Woodside.

“I always wanted to become an actor, because I was in plays from school and outside of school, and this school — no matter what job you'll become as, it just has great opportunities, and great things to learn from,” freshman Alexandros Tampakis said. 

The school is surrounded by giants of the city’s film and television industry, including Silvercup Studios and Kaufman Studios. That allows founding principal Kevin Lopez to bring in industry partners to teach students.

“We're calling it HollyWoodside. And it's strategic to be nestled in this community, which is really the birthplace of cinema,” Lopez said. 

“Students can then, through work-based learning opportunities, have the chance to go work at these facilities during school hours, and certainly after school. Being in close proximity for an industry that's still very much relationships-based is important for us,” Lopez added. 

The school is unscreened, meaning students do not have to submit a portfolio or take an exam to get in. That’s by design.

“It's important for us at Motion Picture Tech to really open up the doors to other students that would have never had this opportunity, especially if we're trying to build a pathway for an industry that wants to include more diverse voices,” Lopez said.

On a recent visit, students were working with professionals from the virtual production company WLab, to test out filming in front of a cutting-edge curved LED display. Tampakis was one of the actors for one scene.

“It was very fun. I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it. And I'm not nervous of big crowds, so it was just fun for me,” Tampakis said. 

Students take all the typical high school classes, with film production added on. In one class, they were learning to use editing software. Next year, they’ll be able to choose a pathway: production, post-production or craft design.

“Coming here has made me want to go even more into film than I was before I came here,” freshman Dalen Scantlebery said. 

The school currently serves only freshmen, and will phase in a new grade each year until it reaches nine through 12.