Film School Blog - Student and Alumni Spotlights

Miss Prison

Published on November 14, 2012

New York Film Academy Documentary graduate, Bianca Zanini (’11) just checked in from Brazil where she’s shooting the beginning of her first feature documentary, Miss Prison. The film will be shot in a maximum security prison. Priscila Vittelli (’10) has joined the production as a Camera Operator.

This documentary offers a unique peek into a bizarre and fascinating world behind bars – where crime meets beauty, guilt meets glitter, and reality meets dreams. Somewhere between a comedy and a drama, combining verité footage and interviews, Miss Prison deals with a prison beauty pageant. But the story goes much beyond this, touching on basic human themes like hope, change, forgiveness and a way out.

For one day each year the prisoners of the maximum security prison, Talavera Bruce, get to compete for the prestigious title of “Miss Prison.” The contestants, usually serving long sentences for homicide, drugs and/or violence, are judged on their beauty, general knowledge and good behavior record.

Veterans Day Parade

Published on November 13, 2012

In honor of Veterans Day, some of New York Film Academy’s veteran students were asked to march in New York City’s Veterans Day Parade on 5th Avenue in Manhattan. Acting Student Yamileth Palacios and Vincent Rodriguez had a wonderful time this past Sunday, celebrating a day of remembrance for all those who bravely served their country.

If you’re a veteran interested in studying at the New York Film Academy, NYFA’s Veterans Affairs Office can assist you with your VA benefits. For more information visit our NYFA Military page.

Featured Documentaries at NYFA

Published on November 12, 2012

Don’t miss Andrea Picco’s (’11) New York Film Academy Documentary thesis film in the Big Apple Film Festival on Nov 15, 2012 9:30 PM. Co-Produced by Priscila Vitalli (’09), The Girl Next Door is on a roll!

Last week Picco won Best Student Film and Best Editing at LA Women’s Independent Film Festival. Her terrific festival run had a very auspicious launch in October as an Official Selection at the prestigious Heartland Film Festival.

Nov 15, 2012
9:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
The Girl Next Door – 25 minutes
Dir. Andrea Picco
Synopsis: In 1982, Theresa was 15 years old, a virgin from an American-Irish Catholic family, and a straight-A student. Two years later she had sex with hundreds and hundreds of men as a sex slave – part of a billion dollar industry that still exists today. Instead of turning to drugs or committing suicide, she turns her horrifying past into her calling, travels the country and helps people who are being trafficked. This film tells Theresa’s story from her recovery to her triumph as a public speaker and abolitionist.

It screens just before Indian Summer, directed by NYFA Docs prof, Mridu Chandra, Director of Photography, Eliana Alvarez NYFA Docs Cinematography prof. Indian Summer launched Friday November 9th as an Official Selection of the Rising-Star Festival, DOC NYC.

Indian Summer – 17 minutes
Dir. Mridu Chandra
Synopsis: Indian Summer follows Indian American kids, ages 9 to 16, at the Hindu Heritage Summer Camp near Rochester, NY as they pursue a course that offers exposure to meditation, yoga, and the opportunity to learn how to practice Hinduism in a largely Christian country. Through a lively and entertaining weave of footage shot by young campers, interviews, and verite footage, Indian Summer brings together first generation Indian American kids with similar feelings of alienation to document their religious and cultural point of view. They demystify the basic tenets of Hinduism for themselves and for us, they express a deep need for community, and they show us what it takes to be a Hindu in America.

One ticket, two great NYFA Docs shorts!

TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED HERE.

In fact, why not make a day of it and catch the US Premiere of RAFEA: SOLAR MAMA at DOC NYC. NYFA Docs prof, Alexandra Johnes served as Consulting Producer and Muhammed Hamdy (’09) was Post Production supervisor. It plays at 5:15 PM, Thu. Nov. 15, 2012 - IFC Center. RAFEA: SOLAR MAMA made its world premiere at the prestigious Toronto Film Festival in September and is en route to its European Premiere at the equally prestigious IDFA (the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam) where it opens on Sunday, November 18th. The documentary also won the Hilton Worldwide LightStay Sustainability Award at the Sundance Film Festival while in progress.

Synopsis: Rafea is a Bedouin woman who lives with her daughters in a village near the Jordan-Iraq border. She is given a chance to travel to India to attend the Barefoot College, where illiterate women from around the world are trained in six months to be solar engineers. If Rafea succeeds, she will be able to electrify her village, train more engineers, and provide for her daughters. But can she overcome all the obstacles that stand in her way?

NYFA Grad Produces Turnpike Killer

Published on November 1, 2012

New York Film Academy 2011 Producing School graduate and native New Yorker, Nik Taneris, was recently covered on The Huffington Post for his movie The Turnpike Killer and his film festival, The New York Horror and Exploitation Film Fest. The Turnpike Killer, which was directed by Evan Makrogiannis in 2009 and released this year, is billed as a thriller where “all roads lead to death.”

“The film was made for only $6,000 and was shot in spurts, usually weekends when the unpaid actors didn’t have to show up for their day jobs. Evan’s ‘very supportive wife,’ who works in the corporate world, has been footing the bills for the family while Evan shoots for the stars.” — Huffington Post

The New York Horror and Exploitation Film Fest, which runs Saturday and Sunday at Hellgate Social in Long Island City, is the first in New York to focus on independents, or as Evan calls them, “The little guys like me who get overlooked.”

Be sure to support NYFA Grad, Nik Taneris’ productions this weekend at The New York Horror and Exploitation Film Fest.

Castlevania: Hymn of Blood

Published on October 29, 2012

John Henry Richardson has been Senior Instructor in Acting for Film at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles for ten years. He created the original syllabus and lesson plan for the one year course, followed by the two year, the AFA, the MFA, and many others. Not only that, John has directed over 150 final student films, one of which won Best Short Film at the Los Angeles Film Festival.

His recent acting work can be seen in the brand new, popular online series Castlevania: Hymn of Blood, created by IGN Entertainment and Warp Factor 2 Productions. The series, based off the extremely popular Castlevania video game from the 90s, takes us deep inside Dracula’s Castle. Simon Belmont, the unholy heir to the Count, is born in secret and stolen away before Dracula can christen him with his dark powers.

The first episode was released on October 23rd and already has almost 57,000 views on its YouTube channel. John’s character, Reinhart Belmont, will be introduced on Episode #2, October 30th, and will be in all subsequent episodes until the conclusion of the first season.

“I auditioned for the role of Reinhart Belmont, the last knight of the Brotherhood of Light. They offered me the role and I grabbed it because it’s a great part – lots of reveling, sword play, horseback riding and derring-do,” said John. “With upcoming episodes it is expected to go viral and will hopefully move to HBO or Showtime.”

Be sure to support John in his exciting new series by checking out Castlevania on YouTube!

Italy’s ‘Clio Make Up’ Shoots in New York

Published on October 22, 2012

Reality television has caught on all over the world and Italy is no different. One of its popular shows Clio Make Up on Discovery Italy recently finshed shooting its second season. In the second series, the famous makeup artist Clio Zammateo continues her journey into the wonderful world of cosmetics. This time from New York City. In each episode, Clio shows two women how to apply makeup in a professional manner, erasing the small imperfections and creating the perfect look for a special occasion.

This past season, New York Film Academy Documentary graduate, Marco Vitale was Media Manager of the popular Italian show. Marco wrapped prouduction on the second season on July 2nd of this year. “It was my first TV experience and it was awesome,” said Marco. “I had the chance to work closely with the director, Angelo Vitale, who directed the first 5 seasons of Big Brother in Italy and many others TV shows.”

While living in Italy, Marco was in search of a prominent documentary school in New York City. Though uncertain of New York Film Academy’s Documentary program in the beginning, Marco was convinced to join the program by Documentary Chair, Andrea Swift. “I decided to apply for the One Year Documentary Program and after a year since graduating, I’m quite sure that it was the best decision of my life.”

If you’re interested in learning more about NYFA’s Documentary program, click here.

Room 237 To Screen at Abu Dhabi Film Festival

Published on October 16, 2012

ROOM 237 is a major award winning documentary about Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, and was written and directed by New York Film Academy’s own Instructor of Advanced Editing, Rodney Ascher. ROOM 237 was a huge hit at the Sundance Film Festival and received accolades as well at Toronto and Cannes. It has garnered universally superb reviews from around the world and has also been bought for International distribution by IFC for release in March of 2013.

If you are a fan of The Shining, or even if you are not, this is a film absolutely worth seeing. Especially as aspiring filmmakers. If you intend to study in NYFA Los Angeles in one of our degree programs, you may even have Rodney as your instructor.

Rodney has been on the faculty of NYFA Los Angeles for the past five years and this work represents his first feature film documentary as writer and director.

ROOM 237 plays:

Thursday, October 18 at 7:00 PM at the VOX 1
Saturday, October 20 at 1:30 PM at the VOX 1

For more information on the Abu Dhabi Film Festival screening, click here.

Actors Can Never Stop Learning

Published on October 12, 2012

After dreaming of studying acting in New York for ten years, South African native, Donnalee Roberts made her dreams come true with New York Film Academy’s 8 Week Acting for Film Program. However, Donnalee came to NYFA with an already blossoming career in acting and filmmaking back at home. Roberts is a regular on the popular South African soap, 7de Laan, where she plays the vibrant young waitress, Annelie. “It is amazing to play this part,” said Donnalee. “A lot of young girls can relate to the character.”

In addition to her work on the popular television show, Donnalee will star in the feature film, Klein Karoo. The film plays off the central location of the South African town, Klein Karoo. Landing the role was another dream of Donnalee’s, rewarding her the opportunity to work with a director she’s always admired and respected. Though, she wasn’t always lucky in her career. Donnalee spoke about perserverance and maintaining a positive attitude in the highly competitive field of acting. “You can go on 100 auditions and never get the part. It just means the part wasn’t meant for you, but don’t give up.”

Next, Donnalee will be playing the lead in a new romantic comedy, Pad na jou HART (Road to Your Heart), which she co-wrote and is co-producing. “I’m very excited about where the South African film industry is going.”

Aside from her passionate acting and filmmaking work, Donnalee is heavily involved with a charity called Children of Fire. The charity aids young burn victims in South Africa. For more information on how you can help in this cause visit their website: http://www.firechildren.org.

‘Smiley’ Opens in Theaters This Friday!

Published on October 10, 2012

NYFA graduate Michael Gallagher at the premiere of ‘Smiley’ at Universal Studios

Just in time for Halloween, Michael Gallagher is getting ready for the release of his horror flick, Smiley. Just 23 years old, Michael’s film will be released in AMC Theaters across the nation this Friday, October 12.

At 14, Michael attended a six-week filmmaking camp at New York Film Academy’s Universal Studios campus, getting hands-on experience while directing on the legendary Universal backlot. Since then, he’s been hard at work on his debut feature. The trailer for Smiley has already gotten over 17 million views on Youtube. Check out the trailer, and get ready for a scare.

NYFA Alum Nominated for Latin Grammy!

Published on October 2, 2012

Congratulations to New York Film Academy graduate Alexis Morante for his Latin Grammy nomination! Since his graduation in 2010, he has worked on a dozen music videos, racking up over 10 million views on Youtube. His most recent video, Licenciado Cantinas, is a 25-minute film with Spanish rock star Enrique Bunbury. It played in movie theaters and on television in 10 countries, and was nominated for Best Music Video – Long Format last week. “I’m very proud of the whole team, made up of several friends and fellows from NYFA,” says Alexis. “I hope this nomination, along with hard work and perseverance, will help me to develop a better career as filmmaker, especially in the American industry.”

Alexis is no stranger to success. His first-year thesis film, Voltereta, was an official selection at over 70 festivals worldwide, winning over 20 awards. Alexis’ second-year thesis film, Matador on the Road, has played over 50 festivals, winning over 10 awards.

But he wasn’t always so sure about a career in the film industry. Alexis was in law school in his native Spain when he decided to make his first short film. Soon after, he decided to pursue a degree in Communications. Then he travelled to Cuba and Sweden for short-term filmmaking courses. He chose New York Film Academy to earn his MFA in Filmmaking, doing his first year at the school’s New York campus, and the second year at the Universal Studios campus. “None of this would be possible without NYFA and the students here,” he says. “I’m still working with the students on a professional level.”

Though he is thrilled to have success working on music videos in Spain, Alexis hopes to expand to more work in the U.S. “I see myself concentrating on movies, doing advertising and music videos in between. I also love documentary and travel documentary.” He is currently developing a feature length script, and will be ready to take it to market soon.