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NYFA Doc Alumnus Working as Associate Producer at NBC

After four years as a middle school teacher, CJ Ferroni noticed his students would often have laser focus when watching a documentary on a subject he was teaching. His fascination with documentaries and the production process that goes into each project grew exponentially until the point where decided to pursue the field as a potential career. His passion led him to study at the Documentary Program at the New York Film Academy and he is now an alumnus of the program working as an Associate Producer at NBC.

As Associate Producer, Ferroni has worked on season 8 of the true crime doc-series, “Disappeared”; a 6 hour documentary pilot series called “Reasonable Doubt” about current wrongfully convicted people in the process of exoneration; and a 4 hour doc series called “SEAL Team 6,” chronicling the history of the now infamous SEAL team.

We caught up with the former school teacher to find out more about his career change and his current position at NBC!

Once you decided on pursuing documentary filmmaking, what made you chose the Documentary Program at NYFA?

I chose the documentary program at NYFA after spending four years as a middle school teacher. As a teacher, I often used documentaries to supplement lessons. Students had laser focus when watching a documentary on whatever subject we were learning about, and I found them to be great tools in the classroom. Prior to teaching, I was always amazed at how many names were in the credit reels of films and just how much man (and woman) power went into making a 90 minute piece of content. I was fascinated by the filmmaking process, specifically documentaries, but didn’t have any hands on experience. I had stories I wanted to tell and believed that the visual medium is the most effective form of story telling today, so I needed to put some tools in my tool box. That’s where NYFA came in. They stood out to me among various film schools around the country because of their intensive hands on curriculum, a faculty of real filmmakers, and a strong network of employed alumni.

How did the Associate Producer position at NBC come about?

This position came about like most do in my experience, good timing and word of mouth. Your reputation and the networks you create as you climb the production ladder are everything. This is a big city but nonfiction filmmaking is a small world. Work hard, show up early, be nice, and be fun to work with and you are already more hire-able than most people.

Was NYFA’s Doc program useful in terms of getting the job?

NYFA’s Doc program was definitely useful in getting hired by NBC. If I look back at the path that I took from graduation to right now, everything stemmed from the bridges built at NYFA. Also, through classmates’ critiques and my successes and failures at NYFA, I have a foundation of experience and confidence in my abilities as a storyteller that I use every day.

Was NYFA useful in terms of what you’re currently working on at NBC?

NYFA gave me technical skills with editing software, cameras, lighting, and sound that directly apply to every job I’ve had since graduation, including my current job. Obviously, I don’t do all of those things at NBC, however, the knowledge of those areas helps me understand the needs of those departments, and helps me communicate, write, and plan shoots efficiently and accurately. Anyone who has been through the doc program at NYFA has also been taught the importance of having a good story. The ability to structure and portray a compelling story is everything in this line of work. The last thing I want to mention is planning. NYFA taught me how to plan my own shoot, figure out what gear I want to use, what crew I want to work with, and how to effectively write a call sheet. I had no idea how often I would be writing call sheets after graduation…

Which specific projects at NBC are you most proud to have worked on?

I think the project that I’m most proud to have worked on at NBC is a 90-minute documentary on Alexander Hamilton. It was a great experience in the field. We shot at different museums and historical houses around NYC with a crew of 75 people, and an additional 17 actors. I also had the chance to do some camera work and meet and interview some incredible authors, CEOs, politicians, and popular journalists. I had a big role in planning every aspect of those shoots and it was a lot of fun… plus, we didn’t break anything in the museums.

Is there a specific project that you’re currently working on that you’d like to share?

Currently, I’m working as an Associate Producer for season 5 of the doc-series “Deadline Crime” with Tamron Hall. We are investigating the unsolved murder of a 12-year-old boy, Garrett Phillips, that made national headlines from 2011-2016.

NYFA Alumna Produces Six Feature Films in Three Years

Producing six features in three years since graduating from film school sounds impossible. However, New York Film Academy graduate, Mariietta Volynska, proved that you can do it as long as you have the true desire to set that goal and accomplish it.

Her first notable break into the industry was when she won the Best Commercial at the Tribeca Festival with her NYFA thesis project, an American Express Spec Commercial.

Since graduating in 2013 she has produced numerous shorts, music videos, commercials and several feature films including “El Freeman” directed by Eljazz Rakhimbekov and Antonio Chavez Trejo, “Summer of 8” and “Still Life” directed by Ryan Schwartz, “Bornless Ones” directed by Alexander Babaev, starring Michael Johnston, and most recently the independent thriller “Culture of Fear” starring Malcolm McDowell, Steven Bauer, Edoardo Costa and Kayla Tabish.

We recently spoke with Mariietta Volynska and asked her what she thought helps her start and keep the ball rolling on so many projects.

“1% talent and 99% hard work will get you there. The competition is huge, pure talent is not enough. Don’t be lazy.” Every day Volynska wakes up at 6am and goes to bed around midnight. This schedule allows her to have more working hours.

Experience. “You learn while you are doing and NYFA provides you with all of the opportunities to get solid experience. Be on set while in school as much as you can, do not avoid participating in a project, because there is only a PA position left or no budget. Work for free. Work as a PA. Just be on set, observe! Get valuable, strong experience.” Before producing her first feature Volynska already had about 30 shorts under her belt.

Reputation. “Start building your reputation from the first day of classes. You have to click together with your peers. You see who you will work with in the future.” Half of Volynska’s crew are NYFA alumni. They help each other. They recommend each other and always try to get hired as a team. But it’s not only the New York Film Academy that they have in common; all of them are hardworking, trustworthy, and passionate.

Broad knowledge. “I’m very happy that I got my BFA in Filmmaking,” said Volynska. “During this program I studied every aspect of filmmaking. I know the equipment and how to use the equipment. I know how to work with actors. I know editing and I know the responsibilities of each crew position on set. All of this knowledge helps me tremendously in line producing and saves a lot of time on all stages of production.”

Be prepared. If you take a look in the trunk of Volynska’s car you will find everything that could possibly be missed or forgotten on set. Her experience has helped her build a kit, so that no production will be stopped and no set will ever be missing the tools needed to keep working.

And of course communications. “As a producer you have to know how to deal with every personality to make it work. You need to know how to make your crew a team.”

“In another life I probably would be a car racer,” said Volynska with a smile on her face. “But in this one I am the producer and I love every moment of producing, every single problem, every hour I didn’t sleep — everything!”

Mariietta Volynska goes far and beyond with her passion of being a line producer. As a true problem solver she recently launched a new locations website, which certainly looks to be an asset for many people in the industry. All locations have special rates for students and independent filmmakers.

NYFA would like to thank Mariietta Volynska for sharing her experience and wish her luck with the launch of her new website. We hope to see more of her movies on screen very soon.

NYFA Grad’s “4 Quarters of Silence” Doc to Premiere at ReelAbilities Film Festival

Under his label of Broadway Productions, New York Film Academy Filmmaking alumnus Cody Broadway will be premiering his new documentary short film, “4 Quarters of Silence,” at the ReelAbilities Film Festival in New York City, which takes place March 2-8 2017. The ReelAbilities Film Festival is the largest festival in the country dedicated to presenting films made by and about people with different disabilities whether physical, developmental or psychological.

“4 Quarters of Silence” chronicles the day-to-day lives of student athletes enrolled at the Texas School for the Deaf. The school is located in the heart of Texas, Austin which is also home to one of the largest deaf communities in the nation. This compelling story highlights the raw emotion and unique challenges faced by players, parents and coaches as they take part in one of the biggest sports in Texas, high school football. From practice to the Friday Night Lights, the shear grit and faith that embodies these players is showcased in striking form.

“I’m honored and excited that the film has gotten great reviews and I want to thank Cody and his team for the great work they’ve done,” said Texas School of the Deaf, Head Football coach, John Moore Jr.

“Our football team is so proud to be featured in this film, it is a wonderful showcase of what deaf people can do,” added The Texas School for The Deaf.

Mr. Broadway has received numerous awards and accolades for his work in short films and television. His web series, “I Have a Voice” was awarded the prestigious Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Jury Prize and also the Best International Web Series Short from the Wendy’s.

“Learning from these athletes has been an eye opening experience for me,” says Broadway. “As a filmmaker I sought to gain a greater understanding of their day-to-day lives, but what I was able to capture was a story that transcends age, ability and personal background. It has been my honor to root for this team both on and off the field.”

NYFA FILMMAKING ALUM ERIC DEMEUSY WINS EMMY FOR “STRANGER THINGS” TITLE DESIGN

If you’re one of the millions of viewers who’ve had the “Stranger Things” theme stuck in their head at some point in the last two years, New York Film Academy (NYFA) filmmaking alum Eric Demeusy is partly to blame. Demeusy worked on the now-iconic title sequence before the Netflix series debuted in 2016, and now he’s got an Emmy to show for it.

The 69th Creative Arts Emmy Awards were held in September 2017 alongside the televised Primetime Emmys, awarding statues for technical and behind-the-scenes artists like production designers, costume designers, editors, cinematographers and casting directors. “Stranger Things” picked up the Emmy for Main Title Design, beating out nominees from “American Gods,” “Westworld,” “Feud: Bette and Joan,” and another Netflix hit, “The Crown.”

The competition for Main Titles has only gotten harder as TV production has hit an all-time high and the industry is seeing more creative innovation than ever before. Demeusy’s work on “Stranger Things” stands out from the crowd however, as the moody, synth-heavy, old-school title sequence evokes the 1980s nostalgia that helped cement the show as a fan favorite.

The show was a perfect fit for Demeusy, who grew up in California and made two 20-minute “Star Wars” fan films while still in high school. He then studied filmmaking at the New York Film Academy’s Los Angeles campus, graduating in 2006. Located in the heart of Hollywood, Demeusy was able to learn skills in directing and editing as well as gain the hands-on experience needed for a career in the film and television industry.

It wasn’t long after finishing his time at NYFA before Demeusy found work on music videos with Kanye West and Sammy Hagar. He also worked for major creative studios, including Prologue, Imaginary Forces, Elastic, and A52 — where he worked on the opening title sequence for HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” another Emmy winner in the same category.

Outside of television and music videos, his filmmaking credits include work on “Tron: Legacy” and “Pacific Rim,” directed by Golden Globe winner Guillermo del Toro. Demeusy has also worked on his own short films, which have premiered at London’s Raindance Film Festival and the Los Angeles Film Festival. He has plans to work on his own feature film as well.

It’s no strange thing that Eric Demeusy is gaining the recognition he deserves. The New York Film Academy congratulates Eric on his Emmy win, and looks forward to seeing his work in the future!

NYFA Producing Department Students Tour NBC Studios At 30 Rock

A group of One Year Producing students recently toured the NBC studios at legendary 30 Rockefeller Plaza led by NBC and MSNBC on air talent and editorial consultant Col. Jack Jacobs. Colonel Jacobs is the Chair of the NYFA Veterans Advancement Program, and is one of our nation’s most decorated military servicemembers—including being a recipient of the Medal of Honor, which is the nation’s highest military award.

NYFA producers and Department Chair Neal Weisman got a behind the scenes look at the various newsroom and studio sets for such iconic television shows as the “Today Show,” “NBC Nightly News,” “Morning Joe,” “AM Joy,” “The Rachel Maddow Show,” and a glimpse of the famed “Saturday Night Live” studios. Already familiar with multi-camera studio broadcast techniques from their television production classes at NYFA’s New York City Battery Park campus, students got up front and personal with the state-of-the-art professional control rooms, switchers, robotic cameras, and other equipment that bring NBC shows into the nation’s living rooms every day.

Mr. Weisman stated, “in keeping with the Producing Department’s philosophy of emphasizing practical and pragmatic knowledge, skills, and tools — nothing beats observing world class professionals at work. This has been an invaluable experience for our producers as they get ready to enter the Industry.”

Jonathan Shaw Presents “Finding Noah” to NYFA LA

shaw and barbara — Jonathan P. Shaw with NYFA LA Chair of Documentary Barbara Multer-Wellin

On Wednesday, Jan. 6th, Jonathan P. Shaw presented his documentary “Finding Noah” for students at the New York Film Academy Los Angeles campus. NYFA LA Chair of Documentary Barbara Multer-Wellin hosted the evening.

Shaw has balanced a career between documentary and narrative. He is best known as an editor. His greatest hits include “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey”, “Blue Velvet,” “Twin Peaks,” and “Disneynature: Wings of Life.”

His latest project, “Finding Noah,” which he produced, wrote, and directed, is an intense documentary following a scientific exploration into the whereabouts of the fabled ark.

Shaw was raised Catholic and has been fascinated by the story of the ark for years. He traced the history throughout different religious texts and oral histories. Multer-Wellin wanted to know how Shaw towed the line between controversy, faith, and telling the story.

Before he left, Shaw had one final piece of advice for students, “I really feel blessed to do all the projects I do. It’s not like it’s not a struggle. Going freelance there’s a risk. But I’ve been able to maintain a marriage for 37 years and send two kids to college. My advice to you is just keep on going.”

The New York Film Academy would like to thank Mr. Shaw for taking the time to speak with our students. “Finding Noah” is now available for rent on Amazon Video.

NYFA GRAD’S ‘THE SQUARE’ NOMINATED FOR AN OSCAR

The Square, shot and co-produced by New York Film Academy graduate Muhammad Hamdy, has been nominated as one of five documentaries for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. The film, directed by Jehane Noujaim, originally premiered at The Sundance Film Festival where Hamdy ultimately accepted the Audience Award for World Cinema Documentary.

“I am proud beyond words,” said NYFA Documentary Chair, Andrea Swift. “Both of his excellent work on The Square, and on Hamdy, personally.”

The Egyptian Revolution has been an enduring ordeal over the past few years. In the summer of 2013, the country overthrew its second president in the span of just three years. Egyptians, particularly their youth, displayed to the world how a population demanding change can drive an entire nation to revolution. The result was a profound movement toward democracy that is still evolving across the Arab world. The life-and-death struggle between the people and the power of the state is still playing out.

The Square gives viewers an intimate look at the daily, harsh realities faced by Egyptians working to build that new democracy. Propelling us into the action, the documentary provides a colorful, visceral experience of the struggle. Cairo’s Tahir Square is the heart and soul of the film, which follows several young activists armed with values, determination, music, humor, an abundance of social media, and sheer obstinacy.

Hamdy filmed over 500 hours of the Tahir Square revolution as he lived it, and subsequently became the cinematographer and co-producer of Noujaim’s award-winning documentary. “He spent three years on the front lines of his country’s revolution – literally on the front lines – his camera was shot and he was wounded,” said Swift. “He kept coming back, using his camera to help make the world a better place, and training fellow revolutionaries how to do the same.”

The 86th Annual Academy Awards will be held on Monday, March 2nd at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California.

NYFA Australia Gold Coast Acting for Film Grad Rubs Shoulders with Aussie A-Listers at the AACTA Awards

New York Film Academy Australia, Gold Coast Acting for Film alumnus Tyson Brown had the fortune of being a guest of this year’s Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards held at The Star in Sydney. Tyson had the pleasure of meeting and mingling with Australia’s industry elite including Isla Fisher and Mel Gibson.

“What you learn in one year, it’s just incredible how ready you are for the industry,” said Brown of his preparedness to enter the working world of entertainment after graduation.

Tyson, a fan of comedy and character, most enjoyed his Text Analysis subject, explaining, “I love analyzing the script, knowing the whole story and building a character up from it.” His advice to aspiring actors: “Do what you want to do before it’s too late and don’t let anyone stop you!”

Brown is currently appearing in the “Kevil Hill Zombie Evilution” attraction at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast and has auditioned for roles at Universal Studios in Singapore, the Disney Channel, and for several pilots being pitched to Netflix in the USA.

NYFA Animation and VFX Students Visit California Science Center

Last week, with stops in Santa Monica and downtown, a group of New York Film Academy Animation and VFX students got to go behind-the-scenes at SideFX Software and take in the sites at the California Science Center.

If you don’t know SideFX, well, it’s rapidly taking over the VFX and interactive world with its powerful procedural cg animation and VFX tool Houdini. Gabriel Fernandez and Ujala Saini are one year students in the Animation and VFX program and they made the most out of meeting the people that know Houdini best — the people that make it and use it everyday — and asked lots of great questions.

Tiffany Victor, a student in NYFA’s Animation VFX BFA program, jumped at the chance to be the first to beta test a new UNITY game built with the powerful Houdini Engine in the Htc Vive Virtual Reality System. Big CG thanks to Ben Mears, Rob Stauffer, Genesis Lee and the rest of the team at SideFX for opening their doors to the NYFA Animation and VFX students here in Los Angeles.

After that, the trip headed downtown to the California Science Center with its Science of Pixar Exhibition, and the Space Shuttle Endeavour for the cherry on top. The Pixar show was full of over-sized interactive learning stations that brought the nuts and bolts of CG animation to life. The exhibition gave everyone a chance to see how the tools they use for homework today are the same tools they will use in their careers tomorrow.

With only time for one last stop, the group took the opportunity to check out NASA’s Space Shuttle Endeavor.