Page 110 – NYFA

New York Film Academy (NYFA) and The Actors Fund Helps Young Students “Look Ahead”

On Friday, April 12, New York Film Academy hosted a filmmaking workshop for students participating in “Looking Ahead,” a program under the umbrella of The Actors Fund which provides education planning, counseling services, leadership, community service and social opportunities for professional young actors. “Our program’s all about giving students the opportunity to learn about the industry in a hands-on environment—beyond acting—to see what happens behind the scenes and broaden their perspectives,” shared “Looking Ahead” youth services specialist, Vy Nguyen.

NYFA’s collaboration with The Actors Fund and “Looking Ahead” is part of our community outreach program, which strives to give young adults who are not typically given opportunities to express their voices and realize their dreams the chance to do so.

The workshop, led by NYFA Filmmaking instructor Bart Mastronardi, provided a full overview of all the technical elements of shooting a scene, from lighting to camera operation to sound to set decoration and continuity. The students were enthusiastic learners and were complimented multiple times for their respectfulness and adaptability. Mastronardi was very impressed by the group; he informed them that their focus and politeness would take them far in the entertainment industry.

Harry White, age 13, acted as a director during the workshop; he got to call “Action!” and “Cut!” as well as help out the lighting team. “I had a lot of fun today,” he said, “I learned a lot about how the camera works and the calls and what all the stuff means.”

Justin Claiborne, age 12, had one of the most technically complex jobs onset: camera operator. When asked about his experience with “Looking Ahead,” he said, “I thought it was amazing; I always wanted to be one of the [camera operators]; it was really cool to have that experience.”

KylieRae Condon, age 14 and one of the most inquisitive students in the group, performed another technically complex role—focus puller; it was Condon’s job to make sure that the actors were always in focus during shooting. “I had a lot of fun,” she said, “and I thought it was very informative and hands-on.”

The New York Film Academy congratulates the bright group of young students on their successful completion of our filmmaking workshop and thanks The Actors Fund and “Looking Ahead” for all their assistance in the collaboration.

Q&A with Oscar-winning ‘First Man’ editor Tom Cross

On Friday, March 1, the New York Film Academy hosted a screening of First Man (2018) followed by a Q&A with Academy Award-winning editor Tom Cross, moderated by NYFA Filmmaking instructor, Paul Yates.

Cross began his editing career in 1997 as an assistant editor, contributing to a number of projects including We Own the Night (2007), Crazy Heart (2009), The Switch (2010) and the Emmy Award-winning drama series, Deadwood. He came to worldwide prominence in 2015 when he won the Independent Spirit Award, BAFTA Award, and Academy Award for Best Editing for his work on the critically acclaimed film, Whiplash (2014). Cross was also nominated for an Academy Award in 2016 for the film, La La Land.

Yates opened up the Q&A by asking Cross about how he started. Cross shared that, when he was a kid, his father took him to the public library to see a screening of the 1953 French film, Le salaire de la peur (Wages of Fear); the film fascinated Cross; he noted that he was able to follow the story and the character arcs despite not knowing the language. Cross said that, from that point on, he “loved going to the movie theater and escaping.” Once he was in high school, he was able to go to video stores and rent movies that were no longer in theaters and got the chance to expand his cinematic repertoire. “That’s kind of what led me to want to try to make my own movies,” said Cross.

Yates steered the conversation to Cross’ editing process; he asked Cross what he does if he disagrees with a director’s editing idea. Cross shared that, in that instance, he waits for the director to see that an editing idea they suggested isn’t working rather than arguing against it in the moment, “I try to trust the process,” he said.

One of the students in the audience asked how Cross approached editing First Man, a film about the first moon landing in 1969, because the audience knows going in that the protagonist is going to successfully land on the moon. Cross shared that he and the director, Damien Chazelle, wanted to focus on what most people didn’t know so that it would still be a story with drama and character development; “It was about making it more personal and intimate,” said Cross.

Another student asked Cross how he approaches editing different types of stories; Cross said that what’s most important is the characters because the audience connects with them and follows their journeys. Cross said that, in Whiplash, he sought to highlight the relationship between the protagonist and his music teacher by finding the right close-ups of each actor to create a sense of tension.

The New York Film Academy would like to thank Academy Award-winner Tom Cross for sharing his industry experience and editing techniques with our students!

Q&A with New York Film Academy (NYFA) Screenwriting Instructor Matt Harry

With his debut novel published last October and development underway for his animated pilot, New York Film Academy (NYFA) screenwriting instructor Matt Harry is making waves in the industry. A multi-hyphenate, Matt’s not only a writer—he’s an editor, director, and producer. Matt took some time to chat about his career, teaching, and the time he made a fool of himself in front of Tom Hanks.

NYFA: Where are you from originally?

MH: I was born in West Virginia, but my parents moved around a lot. We ended up in Cleveland when I was in sixth grade.

NYFA: Growing up, what did you want to be?

MH: I wrote a novel in seventh grade, so I wanted to be an author from a young age. Later I became interested in theatre, then filmmaking, but eventually I went back to writing.

New York Film Academy (NYFA): What’s your professional background?

Matt Harry (MH): After I graduated, I spent 12 years working as an editor on shows like The Bachelor while continuing to write. I’ve written screenplays for various production companies and my feature film Fugue, which I wrote and produced, was named Best Horror Film at the Mississippi International Film Festival. My short Super Kids, which I wrote and co-directed, has over 3.7 million views on YouTube and is being developed into a feature by Temple Hill and Fox 2000.

NYFA: What brought you to NYFA?

MH: A chance encounter with my former USC classmate Eric Conner at a coffee shop led to me to NYFA.

NYFA: What are you working on right now?

MH: My novel Sorcery for Beginners was released last October, so I’ve been busy promoting that. I’m also developing a TV adaptation of Sorcery as well as an animated pilot I wrote called Monster Cops. I also have a couple new book projects I’m finishing!

NYFA: What was the most satisfying project you’ve created or worked on in your career so far?

MH: My short film Super Kids was the first project I worked on where the finished product looked almost exactly like what I imagined it could be.

NYFA: What is your favorite course to teach?

MH: The thesis screenwriting workshops.

NYFA: What is one piece of advice that you would give incoming or current students?

MH: Keep working. I’ve met very few artistic geniuses, but my own career is a testament to the fact that if you keep pushing, working and revising, you’ll improve.

NYFA: What is your favorite aspect of teaching?

MH: Frequently I’ll be discussing a student’s project, and I’ll have a realization about not only their work, but mine as well. Thanks to the students, I’m constantly learning and improving.

NYFA: What is most challenging about teaching for you?

MH: Finding enough time. I could talk about story development all day, but with less than three hours per class, we have to set timers to get to everyone!

NYFA: What is the most helpful advice you’ve received?

MH: “Stick with it. Even if you don’t make it, eventually everyone you know will make it, and you make it by proxy.” I have absolutely found this to be true.

NYFA: Who has influenced you the most in life?

MH: My wife Juliane. Her work ethic, morality, and positive attitude inspire me to be a better person.

NYFA: What creators have influenced you the most?

MH: Ray Bradbury, Kurt Vonnegut, George Orwell, David Lynch, Edgar Wright, Colin Meloy, Madeline L’Engle, Stanley Kubrick, Philip Pullman, and Wes Anderson.

NYFA: What do you do to take a break from work and teaching?

MH: Video games, going to restaurants, and hanging out with my family.

NYFA: What is an interesting fact about yourself your students and fellow faculty might not know about you?

MH: I interviewed Tom Hanks for the Cleveland Plain Dealer when I was 15 years old. I had no idea what I was doing, but he was incredibly gracious. I remember shouting out some inane question about Madonna, but he treated me like every other adult journalist there.

New York Film Academy (NYFA) Broadcast Journalism Student Covers ‘Game of Thrones’

The world premiere of the final season of mega hit HBO series Game of Thrones took place last night, and fans of the fantasy series all over the world could not be more excited. HBO is using this excitement to promote the show in every way possible. That included installing “iron thrones” (like the one in the show) in a number of remote places around the world, then tweeting hints so people could search for them.

NYFA News – Game of Thrones from Bill Einreinhofer on Vimeo.

One was in New York City. Well, in a very, very remote part of New York. People rushed to Fort Totten Park in Queens to have their 30 seconds with the throne. New York Film Academy (NYFA) Broadcast Journalism student Nicole Abebe made the journey—on the subway from Manhattan to the last stop on the 7 line, then another 45 minutes by bus—to see why people were willing to come from across the city, and beyond, then spend hours on line, just to shoot a selfie on the “throne.”

Fernanda Mueller is a graduate of the Fall 2018 8-Week Broadcast Journalism workshop. Recently, I contacted her to get some feedback about her NYFA experience. And, in addition to sending me an email, she put together a short video! It is truly delightful, and not just because I make a brief “guest appearance.” You don’t even need to know Portuguese to understand it…

Thanks, Fernanda!

New York Film Academy (NYFA) Students Visit the Getty Villa

New York Film Academy (NYFA) students visited the Getty Villa recently, and came away with some very positive experiences. As part of their studies in filmmaking, acting, and other visual and performing arts, NYFA students must take liberal arts courses in order to complete their Bachelor of Fine Arts studies.

The students taking Art History this semester were able to take advantage of the unique cultural opportunities available to the Los Angeles region, including the Getty Villa on the Malibu coast.

The Getty Villa is a one-of-a-kind museum experience that launches students deep into the world of ancient Greece and Rome. After spending class time looking at the artwork and discussing the culture and history of ancient societies, the students were able to absorb the art they’ve been analyzing as closely as possible to its original context.

Here are some of the reactions NYFA’s Art History students had after their trip to the Getty Villa:

“It was really amazing that I can see in the Getty what I learned in the class about Greek & Roman art—it made me understand the lectures that we had in the class more.”

“I learned a lot of things, like about how the ancient people brought tributes to their gods and how they portrayed them on almost anything. The coins were something that shocked me—to see how they where handmade and it was so elaborate despite being so small. Also that art was something expensive and considered for upper classes and how you can even see that on the thumbs of the people.”

“It has changed and has showed me some things I would love to have in my house one day.”

“Seeing these works in person is really valuable for students—it made me understand and remember what we learned in the class.”

NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY (NYFA) ACTING FOR FILM ALUM ALBERTO FREZZA JOINS SHONDALAND’S ‘STATION 19’

The population of Shondaland grew by one more when New York Film Academy (NYFA) Acting for Film alum Alberto Frezza joined the cast of Grey’s Anatomy spinoff, Station 19.

Frezza was born in Milan, Italy though he was raised in Ethiopia. At a young age, he wanted to grow up to be a soccer player, but seeing River Phoenix’s star-making turn in the 1986 film Stand by Me inspired Frezza to become an actor.

Eventually, Frezza moved to the United States and enrolled in the Acting for Film program at New York Film Academy, where Frezza trained intensively in screen acting and modern on-camera acting techniques through a hands-on, practical curriculum.

After several roles in short films and television series, including Criminal Minds on CBS, Frezza landed a lead role on Station 19, the firefighting action-drama from Shonda Rhimes. Rhimes also created medical drama and television fixture Grey’s Anatomy, which takes place in the same city and same cinematic universe as Station 19. In the series, Frezza plays a Seattle police officer who has a close relationship with the show’s lead, played by Jaina Lee Ortiz.

Frezza recently spoke with NYFA about the casting process for the series. “It took almost a month with four audition/callbacks, one test audition, and a chemistry read with Jaina Lee Ortiz. By far the longest audition process I have gone through for a role.”

In addition to acting, Frezza also enjoys diving and photography, and has applied both hobbies to another passion: environmentalism. Frezza cites his upbringing in Ethiopia and its Lake Langano area for his interest in nature and advocating for the conservation of animals.

His Instagram account is filled with photos of exotic animals he has come across in his travels, and who he strives to protect through environmental endeavors. As his star power grows, Frezza’s pictures and passion for the environment reaches more and more followers.

The New York Film Academy congratulates Acting for Film alum Alberto Frezza on his sizzling new role in the Shondaland television drama Station 19, which airs on the ABC network.

Please note: NYFA does not represent that these are typical or guaranteed career outcomes. The success of our graduates in any chosen professional pathway depends on multiple factors, and the achievements of NYFA alumni are the result of their hard work, perseverance, talent and circumstances.

New York Film Academy (NYFA) Acting for Film Alum Alberto Frezza Lands Lead Role on ‘Station 19’

ABC has cast Alberto Frezza, New York Film Academy (NYFA) Acting for Film alum, in a lead role in Station 19, a spinoff of Grey’s Anatomy. Frezza plays Seattle police officer Ryan Tanner, who has a close relationship with the show’s lead, played by Jaina Lee Ortiz.

Before landing the role, Frezza previously made several appearances in short films and television, including Criminal Minds on CBS. Firefighting-action dramaStation 19 is the latest show from Shonda Rhimes, creator of popular medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. It takes place in the same city and cinematic universe.

Born in Milan, Italy, Frezza was raised in Ethiopia. As a child, he hoped to become a soccer player, but after seeing River Phoenix’s 1986 film Stand By Me, he decided to become an actor.

In addition to acting, Frezza also enjoys diving and photography. He applies both hobbies to another passion: environmentalism. Frezza cites his upbringing in Ethiopia’s Lake Langano area for his interest in the conservation of animals.

His Instagram account documents the exotic animals he comes across in his travels, and who he strives to protect through environmental endeavors. As his star power grows, Frezza’s passion for the environment reaches more and more followers. The New York Film Academy congratulates Acting for Film alum Alberto Frezza on his new role in the Shondaland television drama Station 19, which airs on the ABC network.

Q&A with New York Film Academy MFA Alum and Instructor Justin LaReau

Justin LaReau had a pretty cool job. He was the head basketball coach at Southeastern Illinois College. But he was temporarily living in a hotel, reevaluating his life, and reconnecting with his love for movies. So while he was working on his playbook, he was simultaneously reading screenwriting books and began sketching out the idea of what would become his first feature.

Eventually, he made the difficult decision to leave coaching behind. Justin came out to Los Angeles and got an internship at Underground Film and Management—which led to his career writing, directing and producing films. New York Film Academy (NYFA) spoke with LaReau about his movies, experiences, and his next projects.

New York Film Academy (NYFA): Recently you produced and directed A Demon Within, a horror film. How did that come about? What was it like directing a feature film for the first time? What were the biggest challenges– and what was the learning curve like?

Justin LaReau (JL): I started writing it when I was coaching basketball, but it really initiated as a kid when my friends and I would ride by a haunted house that was widely talked about in our community. The house had been abandoned. We stopped our bikes and I saw some movement in the upstairs window. It could have been wind moving the curtains but as a 12 year old, we assumed it was a ghost. My hometown has a documented case of possession that dates back to the 1800s. Knowing that story, I wanted to tap into the personal connections I had as a kid. I felt like it would be a fun experience, plus I believed as a first feature I could get a horror film at a 100K budget fully distributed.

And in terms of the learning curve, it was tremendous. Whether you are directing or producing, there is nothing like making a full feature. I heard Jon Favreau speak and he said whatever you do or however you have to get it done, make a full feature. Short films are great for trying to find your voice, style and developing the skills, but telling a narrative for 90 minutes or more is like no other. I tell people that I spent summers in 100 degree heat building bridges and overpasses while I was in undergrad. That’s hard work. But making a full-length movie is much harder. And unless you have, you can’t comprehend it nor can you learn as much as doing.

NYFA: How did your experiences as a producer inform the decisions you made as a director?

JL: Because we were operating on a microbudget and I was constantly tracking the spending as a line producer would. It made me eliminate waste and only spend on items that would be seen on screen. We secured free locations, free lodging, free cars/trucks for transportation, discounted food as well as many other resources. Because of that, it allowed an extra shooting day which is so vital. Time as we know is so precious in general and in filming, an extra hour goes a long way in allowing actors the opportunity to act, take direction, and deliver the performance that works for the film.

Additionally, the script had to evolve. The team and I were rewriting throughout prep to pull off a full feature. Many elements that would have created more value had to be removed because there just wasn’t enough money. And that is a tough pill to swallow.

NYFA: Can you talk about your upcoming projects? What are you working on right now?

JL: My producing partner Lydia Cedrone and I recently launched a production company called Tidal Wave Entertainment, LLC. As producers we currently have a slate of eight movies in development. They range from comedies to dramas to thrillers. I’m the writer and attached to direct two of the films: Fallen Lands, a post-apocalyptic drama and The Riddle Maker, a thriller.

NYFA: You earned your MFA from NYFA in Producing. What’s it like to be a former student on the other side of the classroom—and how does that inform your teaching?

JL: I had been teaching for 10 years and had already completed a graduate program. I went from standing in front of the room to sitting in the seat again. What I enjoyed about NYFA besides the hands-on experience and the location was the wealth of experiences instructors brought to the classroom. And that is what I try to draw on now. I have been where the students are and I have been through the same program. This allows me to truly connect with them.

NYFA: What’s your favorite class to teach and why?

JL: My favorite class to teach is Pitching. It is a skill/craft that all producers, writers, or directors need to develop. My mom would probably say that I like pitching because I am full of it, but selling an idea starts with the way you present it. We may have the next Oscar-winning idea, but if you can’t excite someone about it, it probably will never get made.

NYFA: Speaking of, what advice do you have for students who might be looking to produce and direct?

JL: I am a believer that if you want to do something, then go do it. But students should know that your drive and commitment has to be greater than you can imagine. You have to be able to grind through the times when things get tough. This is not an easy industry. But you need to be like Paul Newman in Cool Hand Luke. You don’t have time to feel sorry for yourself. So get your hands dirty and get to work!

New York Film Academy (NYFA) Photography Alumni Win & Place in International PHOTOgraphy Competition

Two New York Film Academy (NYFA) Photography Alumni were recently honored at the 2018 International PHOTOgraphy Competition, run by Latitude Life APS. Lotta Lemetti won in the Culture section of the contest, as well as the overall competition, while Nipun Nayyar placed second in the Nature/Architecture Category.

Latitude Life APS is an International Think Tank based in Italy. According to its own mission statement, Latitude Life APS is the “first international operative think tank of the culture sector” and focuses on interests within art, culture, and scientific research.

The second edition of their International PHOTOgraphy Competition received hundreds of submissions from across the world, including the US, Australia, Canada, Cuba, India, Japan, and Europe. The categories of the competition included Culture, Intimacy, Nature/Architecture, and Street Photography.

Lotta Lemetti is from Finland and graduated NYFA’s 1-year Conservatory in Photography in New York City before enrolling in the BFA program at our Los Angeles campus, and won Best of the Best – Photographer of the Year for her contribution to the Culture category. She was awarded a Sony 4K camera for her efforts. Nipun Nayyar won second place in the Nature/Architecture section for his overview shot of the Gordon Dam in Tasmania.

The winners were announced March 30, 2019, while the awards ceremony will be held on April 25 at New York Film Academy’s New York City campus at Battery Park. The competition is co-sponsored by NYFA, as well as Sony, Fujifilm, Nikon, and others. The International Jurors Committee includes NYFA-New York Chair of Photography David Mager, Professor Saul Robbins, Dr. Davide Andretta, and Professor A. Patron.

The New York Film Academy congratulates Photography alum Lotta Lemetti on her win, as well as alum Nipun Nayya and everyone else who was honored in this year’s competition!