DCTV

In the past 3 summers the DCTV community has become my family. I am so grateful for the DCTV Youth Media programs. This youth program has truly been life-changing. It’s not just a place to go—it’s become like a second home to me. The leaders, Johnny, Jesse, and Kira, are more than mentors—they’re like family. They genuinely care, always show up, and have created a space that’s welcoming, supportive, and full of love. Whether it’s deep talks, fun events, or just being there when you need someone, they go above and beyond. I’m so grateful to be a part of this community. If you’re looking for a place to grow, connect, and feel seen, this is it.

It's been so great to be welcomed into this community! I came as a Youth Media student back in 2012. I never saw myself as a filmmaker but they opened my eyes to what it means to be a multimedia artist! I now work with that same Youth Media department teaching the next generation of filmmaking.

DCTV is a true New York City treasure. Although I haven’t attended any courses there yet, I’ve visited the Firehouse Cinema for more than a dozen timely, compelling, and thought provoking documentaries. While viewing the films themselves in such a wonderful setting is a powerful experience, it’s the Q & As with the directors, producers, and subjects that are truly memorable. If you live in NYC, get a membership now.

I needed to digitize a 20-min. NTSC U-Matic tape from 1990 and was promptly given an appointment at DCTV's picturesque Fire Engine House offices within days of my query. The transfer was attentively monitored in our studio station by the technician Erik, who was courteous and informative. I got a 33% discount from their standard 30/60 min. fee of $150 because of the tape's length. Prices seem to have gone up a lot from when I had similar work done at a fine studio in Philadelphia seven years ago, but that is not surprising and the discount was helpful. Note: Some of the *other* studios in Manhattan are astounding rip-offs. For example, schizoid Rafik Video continues to be a nearly decade-long debacle to avoid--this time it was the notorious staff there saying that my U-Matic tape would have to be "baked" first for $200-300 before digitization because of hydrolysis over the years, but DCTV said it wasn't necessary and the result was excellent. Even if DCTV had decided it was necessary to treat it first the fee would have been only $75. To sum up: The equipment was in excellent shape, the location in SoHo is convenient, and the service was excellent. DCTV seems to deserve its fine reputation!

DCTV is an absolutely amazing place to be and it’s a great place to teach if you’re a teaching artist! The staff here is super supportive and encouraging and it always feels like family when I’m here. I’d always recommend to take work their workshops as well as they have plenty to take and you can learn so much!

I hope to experience some of DCTV’s educational classes/workshops in the future, but this review is strictly in praise of their Firehouse Cinema movie programming. The films I’ve seen there never fail to disarm me, show me something new about humanity, and send me back into the world feeling more alive than I was when I walked in. I appreciate the convenient showtimes that a 9-5 person could fit in on their way home, and I’ve LOVED having a membership that pays for itself quickly and reduces normal movie tickets to $8 (which is what they cost when I worked at a movie theater in high school in the early 2000s, lol). Such a special gem in the city—take yourself to see three films there and I’ll be shocked if you don’t stay forever.

School event was held in this space and it was very comfortable and nice.

If documentary filmmaking were a house, DCTV would be the kitchen *and* the living room — the places we gravitate to, where real talk happens. I’m so grateful for the workshops I’ve taken at DCTV, for the experienced instructors who care about craft and the community of filmmakers. The screenings at Firehouse always leave me feeling engaged and alive. The DCTV vibe is grassroots, supportive soul.

I can't believe it took me so long to finally come to an event here! I went to see some of the Academy Awards' shortlisted documentary shorts and was surprised that tickets were free. I was even more surprised when I got there and they had a panel discussion with someone from each of the three films after, plus a complimentary drink and complimentary catered food. I should have gotten tickets for all four (different) showings for the day. I will definitely come back.

Wow. What can I say. First, gotta love the FDNY. New York's Bravest baby! Never forget. And I'll never forget the experience I had at this one of a kind theater. The light show before the movie was awesome. Then the movie. Wow. Great sound. Crisp image. Whoever's working in that dark room in the back should get a raise and get contracted out by all the other theaters in the city. You don't get quality like this at AMC!

Firehouse Cinema is a documentary lover's dream. A fun lobby with the front of an actual fire truck. Great seats, sound, lighting. My fave art house cinema .

I loved this place. I went here for their screening of the 95th Academy Awards Ceremony. For a $10 ticket, you get admission to the event, a drink, a bag of popcorn, and eligibility to enter into the contest for who can guess the most winners. Inside the venue, it was extremely elegant and put-together. The staff was welcoming and fun. The bathrooms were extremely clean and well-kept. One of my only critiques is that their snack and drink selection is a bit barren. They have speciality drinks and snacks that you wouldn't typically find at a movie theater, like my guest's rose lemonade. We then entered the auditorium and it was so nice. There were just enough seats placed perfectly, a beautiful screen, and stunning sound. During the commercial breaks, they would put Oscar trivia and fun-facts up on the screen which was a great touch. I had a great experience watching the broadcast and I think this was most definitely worth it. While this cinema specializes in showing documentaries, unlike a typical cinema, this place is definitely worth a visit. I recommend that everyone pops in and watches an interesting documentary so they know exactly the experience I'm talking about. P.S. I ended up being tied with two others in first place for the guess the winner contest!

Came here for the Forever Free Film and the set up was a bit wonky, you couldn't properly see the screen. Not into this venue - just a bit weird.

Indie filmmakers find a "home" at this downtown center. Rent equipment, take classes to learn more about the craft or bring your footage in and have them help you with post-production. Members get competitive pricing on all services.

Took a Premiere video editing class here and have nothing but good things to say about it. Booked through Course Horse and wasn't cheap, but didn't break the bank (also keep an eye out for CH coups). There were 3 other people in the class (a max of 6), so there was plenty of time to get individual attention and to ask any questions you might have without feeling like you're holding everyone up. While there were lots of demos, there was less straight 'instruction' and more hands on learning, which I think is better for creative software. Thank you for not reading the manual to me, DCTV. Overall, I walked out of there with a solid grasp of the application and I'm 10 steps ahead of where I would be trying to use it on my own. Would return for future classes for sure.

Great resource for those in the film and media industry. They offer reasonably-priced production workshops and services. Members have access to a small rental facility where the equipment is well taken care of and the staff is organized and helpful. I've taken Photoshop and After Effects workshops, both of which were very intensive. Will return for the HVX crash course.

I took a workshop there in 2013. Documentary intensive. Well, 400 was spent for nothing. Really, it's a waste of money. Stuff is unfriendly (a guy who was telling me about the workshop there couldn't wait I stop bothering him). I don't think I know a lot, but the teacher hardly told anything new about their old cameras and was not prepared for classes (wanted to show dvd but didn't know how to turn it on). Maybe other classes are better. Well, that was my impression. My piece of advice it's better to buy a book or your camera, you'll save a lot.