Film School Blog -

Director of ‘The Office’ Speaks at NYFA

Published on June 18, 2013

Ken Kwapis with Tova Laiter

Last week, the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles hosted a full house at Warner Bros’ Screening Room with special guest Ken Kwapis. Students watched The Office, Season 2´s FINALE “CASINO NIGHT”- directed by Ken – followed by a 25 minute reel of Ken’s work. The reel included bits from (TV) The Office, Freaks & Geeks, Outsourced and (FILMS) Big Miracle, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, He´s Just Not That Into You, and License to Wed. Producer Tova Laiter moderated the Q&A with the long time film and television director/producer, who has also worked on hit shows like, The Larry Sanders Show, Malcolm in the Middle, and The Bernie Mac Show.

Ken discussed the recent growth in popularity for directing television, admitting the role wasn’t as “prestigious” when he first started out. “Films were the rage and television was seen as secondary,” said Kwapis. “The big screen allows you to expose things in a way where images tell a story,” whereas television “is a largely verbal medium.” He did note, however, that television series gives more time for depth on certain issues. He considers himself “blessed to be able to keep one foot in both worlds.”

Ken also spoke about working on The Office with Steve Carrell and how he allowed the crew to experiment or “make certain mistakes” to enhance the show´s style. He encouraged struggling filmmakers to go out and make their own shorts. He likes to focus on the heart of personal stories and thinks it´s “important to focus on the process while filmmaking.” Notably, he stressed how important it is to “not get distracted by the noise in the business, so that you don´t stop hearing your own voice.”

Reserve Your Tickets to Paul Warner’s ‘Women: The War Within’

Published on June 17, 2013

A DANCE – THEATRE OPERA BY DU YUN, MATTHEW MAGUIRE, AND PAUL WARNER

Screen Shot 2013-04-22 at 1.28.39 PM New York Film Academy students and alumni are invited to a sneak preview of selections from Women: The War Within, a new dance-theatre opera with direction and musical staging by NYFA instructor, Paul Warner, a spring 2013 Princess Grace Foundation-USA Works in Progress resident artist at the Baryshnikov Arts Center. Collaborating with Warner are a team of renowned artists – including internationally-performed composer and musician Du Yun, Obie Award-winning librettist Matthew Maguire, internationally acclaimed choreographer Stephen Petronio, New York City Ballet’s premiere ballerina Wendy Whelan (Cleopatra), Obie Award-winning actress Ching Valdes-Aran (Aung San Suu Kyi), Drama Desk Award Nominee Jennifer Lim (Empress Wang), Obie Award-winning performer and director Winsome Brown (Hillary Clinton), the talented American mezzo-soprano Abigail Fischer (Cleopatra) and one of the leading performers of the Kunju style of Chinese opera Qian Yi (Wu Zeitan).

In this new multi-disciplinary work that explores the rise of female consciousness in the pursuit of power, four of the most powerful women in history meet: Empress Wu, the only female Empress of China, Cleopatra, the last Pharaoh of Egypt, Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist of Burma, and Hillary Clinton, American stateswoman. The ancient ones are haunted by the murders and seductions by which they forged their path to power. Encountering their warlike ancestors in a parallel universe, how will Aung San Suu Kyi and Hillary Clinton confront the war within? How does power transform us?

Works-in-Process Showings will be held at:

The Baryshnikov Arts Center in the Jerome Robbins Theater
450 West 37th Street
New York, NY 10018
[Between 9th and 10th Avenues]

Wednesday, June 26 at 2PM (Preview Performance)
Thursday, June 27 at 6:30PM
Friday, June 28 at 3PM

The running time is approximately 45 to 60 minutes.
(The showing on June 27th will be followed by a brief reception )

To make a reservation, please RSVP to womenthewarwithin@gmail.com with the date when you would like to attend and the names and e-mails of the attendees by June 21st.

Seating is limited. We kindly ask you to make your reservation on time.

Admission: Free

For the Love of a Goldfish

Published on June 14, 2013

MFA Filmmaking graduate Elin Grönblom

Elin Grönblom and a friend had written a song called “Goldfish Love.” They liked it so much, they decided to adapt it into a short film. Since then the 14-minute piece has been winning over audiences at festivals worldwide, recently winning Best Comedy in the student shorts category at the International Family Film Festival.

Though she had already received a BA in Film and Television in her home country of Finland, Elin says she “wanted more hands-on experience in filmmaking.” A quick Google search led her to New York Film Academy’s MFA Filmmaking program. She finished her first year at the school’s New York City campus, and her second year at the Los Angeles campus. During her time at NYFA, she worked on what would become Goldfish Love. The film is about a goldfish named Gandhi who longs to swim in the ocean. His owner is a struggling musician who longs to make it big. The two develop a special friendship along the way.

The film has played the Toronto Short & Sweet Festival and H2K Festival, and was chosen as Official Selection at ÉCU – The European Independent Film Festival, The Finnish Tampere Film Festival, HollyShorts Festival, The UK Film Festival, Providence Children’s Film Festival, and the prestigious Newport Beach Film Festival.

Since her graduation, Elin has been working in London, working on film sets and music videos, and doing a lot of writing. “If you can write, it’s a good way to stay busy and creative,” she says. “But do something that’s you, that you like, and that you can be proud of two years later.” Elin is currently working on a feature length black comedy she hopes to get made soon.

Check out Goldfish Love when it plays at the WMM Fest on Thursday, June 27, as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival. Also check out the trailer below!

Check Out ‘The Empress Dowager’ Playing Now in NYC!

Published on June 14, 2013

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Be sure to check out The Empress Dowager going on now at the Theater For The New City! The play was adapted and directed by Joanna Chan and includes a cast of New York Film Academy alumni. Among them are Xiren Wang, who studied in the 1-Year Acting for Film Conservatory and Musical Theatre in the Summer of 2010, ZiLong Pu and Andrew Hsu.

“Director Chan has fashioned her chronicle of CiXi for the large, Mandarin speaking company of the Yangtze Repertory Theatre, a theatre group she helped found twenty years ago in New York City, and the actors give their all.” – Eugene Paul, TheaterScene.net

The Empress Dowager (through June 23, 2013)
Theater for the New City, 155 First Avenue, East Village at 10th Street, in Manhattan
Tickets: call 212-254-1109 or visit http://www.theaterforthenewcity.net

Student Interviews Pedro Almodovar at LA Film Festival

Published on June 14, 2013

BFA Filmmaking student Enrique Pedraza with Oscar-winning ‘Amour’ writer/director Michael Haneke

If you are looking for BFA Filmmaking student Enrique Pedraza this week, you will find him on the red carpet at the Los Angeles Film Festival, interviewing acclaimed writer/director Pedro Almodóvar. While finishing his last year at New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, Enrique has also been interning for Film Independent, working as their main editor.

We previously shared his accomplishments on our blog, including when his short film, Yellow Card, won Best Student Documentary at the Columbia Gorge International Film Festival. Since then, he shot and co-produced a music video for schoolmate Nayantara Roy called Free, which has been making the festival circuit, recently playing the Kashish International Film Festival.

After completing a 4-Week Acting Workshop at the school’s New York City campus, Enrique decided it was the place for him, and that he wanted to learn more. He chose the BFA Filmmaking program because it would give him the chance to learn about all aspects of film craft, including directing and writing. He says, “Writing is what comes easiest.” And he does quite a bit of it. He writes almost daily for a film blog called “The Rolling Can.”

Since beginning his internship at Film Independent, Enrique has been brought on as their main editor. He has also worked on the Film Independent at LACMA screening series, worked the red carpet at the Spirit Awards, and will now be the key editor and main shooter for the Los Angeles Film Festival. The festival opens with the North American premiere of Pedro Almodóvar’s newest comedy, I’m So Excited.

“The most important thing in film school is finding your voice as a filmmaker,” says Enrique. “The more you work, the better. It’s essential to finding people you trust.”

NYFA Awards Cayman Through My Eyes Winners

Published on June 13, 2013

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The New York Film Academy is pleased to announce Mark Westin and Harriet Richardson as the winners of the 2013 Cayman Through My Eyes Competition! Mark will be attending this July’s teen summer camp and Harriett will be attending next year.

Cayman Through My Eyes is an initiative through the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism to help bring awareness to tourism and a sense of pride about the Cayman Islands in our youth through film. The program is geared towards students ages 10-17. The 2013 theme was “Capturing our Culture: Dats who we is.” Ten students were selected from the Preliminary Round of the competition to move on to the final round and participate in video basics workshop with film professionals offered to students to improve their films and provide tools for future projects. Final films were posted for public voting and deliberation by a panel of judges.

In the end, Mark and Harriet were announced the winners of the NYFA scholarships at a red carpet premiere.

‘La Migala’ A Festival Favorite

Published on June 13, 2013

Migala_2

The short film La Migala, directed by New York Film Academy graduate Jaime Dezcallar, has become a favorite among the festivals. His film manages to capture suspense and emotion all within the confines of a simple apartment. La Migala was an official selection at the New York Film Festival, Palm Springs, Seattle International Film Festival, Zinebi, SHNIT, Brussels International Short Film Festival, and many more. It won Best Short Film at Boston Film Festival, The Mélies d’Argent in Strasbourg, and was even a Vimeo Staff Pick!

Based on the short story by Mexican magical realism author Juan José Arreola, the film was shot on a RED Epic in Madrid City after Jaime graduated from NYFA. “I read the short a long time ago and it got stuck in my head forever,” said Dezcallar. ”It’s a great story and the family of Juan José Arreola was very kind to me when I contacted them.”

Jaime came to NYFA from Spain, where he had studied law and was working as a P.A. on a Spanish TV show called Camera Cafe. On set, Jaime befriended the director and became really interested in experimenting with the camera. After a family tragedy, Jaime realized life is too short not to pursue his dreams. “New York City seemed like the perfect city for its energy and recent history. It’s the ‘super-city,’ and one should live there at least once in his or her life.” Jaime took up the One-Year Filmmaking Program where he shot his first short film, The Last Moments of Leopoldo Berenguer. ”I learned so much from creating that short film. The most important thing that I learned is that it’s not about the visuals, it’s about creating an emotion for the audience. I learned by trial and error – I learned by doing.”

LA MIGALA (The Bird Spider) from jaime dezca on Vimeo.

A Word From Musical Theatre Chair Mark Olsen

Published on June 12, 2013

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The following is a post from New York Film Academy’s Chair of the Musical Theatre Conservatory Program, Mark Olsen. Mark is a professional actor, author, and director – currently working as a movement consultant on two Broadway shows. His students are working on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in major films, television shows, and in regional theatres, both here and abroad.

First, it is important to recognize that the previous Chair, VP Boyle, worked diligently and with great verve over the past four and a half years to bring this program to a level that is attracting such extraordinary young talent. I am honored to be given the task to not only serve that original mission, and greatly energized to take the program boldly forward. With the great faculty we have and the amazing students from all over the world, we are poised to do great things.

I find it very interesting and appropriate that as I assumed this new position, numerous students of mine were joining other former students and fulfilling their dreams of performing on the Broadway stage. (And in Tony nominated productions no less!) In addition, one student just got the lead in the national tour of Evita and another just informed me yesterday that she was cast in the upcoming musical, Soul Doctor. Add to that the fact that a few months ago I was brought on to do some movement consulting for Cicely Tyson, who is starring on Broadway in Trip to Bountiful, and it certainly seems like this is my special Broadway season.

However, what I really need to share with you is the incredibly big news: We have moved into our glorious new building in Battery Park! We are inhabiting the fifth floor for now, while the fourth floor finished its last stages of construction. The studios are extraordinary, the dance rooms exquisite, the views of the Hudson bay – breathtaking.

Mark at NYFA doorway Of course, I could not have made this transition and taken on the sudden task of this new position if it weren’t for the hard work and quick study of the new Musical Theatre coordinator, Megan Nilon. Together we have kept the ship steady and have navigated the various storms to land us safely and happily into our elegant new facility.

Kevin Duda, who is in Book of Mormon, just recently directed the Movie Musical for the second year class who graduated last Friday. It was a rousing success. After final edits, it will be submitted to festivals thither and yon and the amazingly good looking cast will have that credential, great footage and photos for their professional reels.

All in all it has been a terrific ride so far. We are experiencing a lull for a few weeks, with only one class in residence, but we all thrill with anticipation because July promises to be quite a mash up of Musical Theatre activity. When that hits, the summer season will kick off in earnest. All hands on deck, dedicated to giving the very best training to these students, these wonderful young singers, dancers, actors.

Let’s make some good magic!

-Mark Olsen

If you’d like to learn more about NYFA’s Musical Theatre Conservatory Program, click HERE!

Jamie Lee Curtis Cheers On NYFA Graduates

Published on June 11, 2013

Students at New York Film Academy’s Los Angeles campus were thrilled to receive a rousing commencement speech from Jamie Lee Curtis on Saturday. The actor and author is best known for her memorable roles in Halloween, A Fish Called Wanda, True Lies, and Freaky Friday. The daughter of Hollywood legends Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, Jamie Lee Curtis has spent over 35 years in the industry, garnering two Golden Globes, a BAFTA, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She delivered a touching speech to graduates of MFA and AFA Acting, MFA and AFA Producing, MFA and AFA Screenwriting, and MFA Photography programs.

In her commencement address, Curtis spoke about her life in show business, saying, “This isn’t about a show. It’s about truth and integrity and honesty and communication, bravery and risk, and adjectives that should make you get out bed in the morning, excited to be what it is you choose to be.” She went on to share lessons she had learned throughout her career, as well as a passage from John Steinbeck, and tips from her husband, writer/director/actor Christopher Guest. “I am proud of all of your hearts,” she concluded, “and I hope that what you all do with them transforms the universe.” Congratulations to our new graduates, and special thanks to Jamie Lee Curtis!

Congrats MFA Photo Grads!

Published on June 10, 2013

Congratulations to the new Master of Fine Arts in Photography graduates from New York Film Academy! The grads celebrated with an exhibition at the New York Film Academy’s pop-up gallery in the heart of Gallery Row in downtown Los Angeles. Featuring new work from Maria Fernanda Fuentes, Amber Kirkwood, and Bonnie Rodriguez, the opening reception was a great success with a huge turnout.

Students of the New York Film Academy Master of Fine Arts in Photography program finish their education in four short semesters at the school’s Los Angeles campus. Their instruction includes visits to world-class museums, galleries, and studios, as well as guest lectures and portfolio reviews by leading photojournalists, artists, and curators. Degree students also receive a free Canon 6D or Nikon D600!

The MFA Photography graduate exhibition runs through June 23 at 101 W. 5th St., on the corner of 5^th and Main. The gallery is open Wednesday-Sunday from 1 p.m.-6 p.m.