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NYFA Veteran Students’ Sports Nights: Veterans Week

The Veterans Day “Week” of celebrations in honor of the Nation’s Servicemembers began last week at the LA campus of the New York Film Academy College of Visual and Performing Arts (NYFA).

Thanks to a generous donation by the Los Angeles Clippers to NYFA veteran students, approximately 25 students enjoyed an evening of veteran camaraderie and fun, while watching the Clippers defeat the Detroit Pistons by a score of 114-82.

‘Military Mondays’ are held on the first Monday game of every month during the regular season. The games are a small way for the Clippers organization to say ‘thank you’ to the men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Services, and to offer appreciation for their sacrifices in serving the country. During the game, they pay recognition to a ‘Hero of the Game’ in which they honor a servicemember on the court and share their story.

NYFA student and U.S. Army veteran, Maurice Roberson had the honor and privilege of singing the National Anthem in front of approximately 19,000 fans on Monday night. Maurice is currently pursuing his Bachelors of Fine Arts in Acting for Film.

The following evening, the Los Angeles Lakers hosted 20 NYFA veteran students for their “Salute to Our Troops” to enjoy the matchup between the LA Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks. At the start of the 2^nd quarter the LA Lakers spotlighted the NYFA veterans on the jumbo tron, as the crowd cheered and applauded our veterans for their service.

Retired Army veteran and Photography Department student Vance Pritchett had this to say about the event; “Being at the game surrounded by my fellow veterans and classmates made me feel greatly appreciated. Being publicly recognized for my time in service let me know that the time that I was serving my country away from home is very much appreciated.”

The New York Film Academy is extremely grateful for the opportunity that the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers have provided to our veteran students. The NYFA Offices of Veteran Services will continue to provide professional and social opportunities to the NYFA veteran students.

FOUR NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY DOCUMENTARY THESIS FILMS SCREEN AT DOC NYC

For the second year in a row, the New York Film Academy Documentary Department held a screening at the prestigious DOC NYC at the IFC Center in New York City. Brainchild of the Toronto International Film Festival’s celebrated programmer Thom Powers, DOC NYC has been voted one of MovieMaker Magazine’s “five coolest documentary film festivals in the world.” It’s also one of the most respected, and America’s largest. Based at the West Village’s IFC Center, Chelsea’s SVA Theater and Bow Tie Chelsea Cinema, the eight-day festival showcases new achievements in documentary film along with panels and conversations.

“We are the few, the proud, the documentary program,” said NYFA Documentary Chair Andrea Swift, who introduced the four student thesis films that screened at the festival. “Whether breaking your heart, opening your eyes or keeping you laughing for 16 minutes straight, these four films announce the arrival of a group of fast rising new Doc-Stars. And they are but the tip of an iceberg. We couldn’t be prouder to see them premiere at one of the top documentary festivals in the world.”

The four remarkable films screened in the following order:

“COACH MIKE”
Directed by Anais Michel

Story: Coach Mike instills strict Russian discipline, expects perfection and relentlessly demands that his boxers deliver — even though they are only 6 years old and mostly just want to get through elementary school in one piece.

Words from Anais on why she chose Coach Mike as her subject:

“For me it was about finding a character, and I found Coach Mike. I clicked with him and the kids. The kids were so spontaneous. I had an amazing crew. I was so lost and the teachers supported me. I had to get rid of more than half of my footage to make a 15-minute movie. I had to sacrifice my baby.”

Advice from Anais:

“Don’t be afraid to ask people to tell their story. They’re actually flattered.”

“LEAVE-TAKING”
Directed by Laura Snow

Story: When Laura was five years old, her father moved out of the home and into a trailer in the backyard. Twenty years later, Laura sets out to discover why in this unsentimental, unvarnished family mystery. For anyone who grew up with a father just out of reach, and for veterans and their families still haunted by the horrors of war.

Laura on making the film:

“There’s a lot of support from the faculty and my classmates. I had support as I was crying over my Final Cut Pro. Cutting the story was difficult and sometimes painful.”

Advice from Laura:

“My advice is to forget what you think you know about a subject and try to listen to your interview subjects and your research.”

“MOKSHA”
Directed by Pavan Kumar Indla

Story: There’s a hotel in India where people go to die. Here, Narayan seeks Moksha above the roar of the giant ritual fires that cremate the ceaseless stream of dead brought to Varanasi to enter the sacred river Ganges. If one can leave the body behind in Varanasi, it is believed they will be released from the cycle of birth and death, achieving Moksha. Narayan’s is a deep, intimate spiritual journey toward that end.

Why Pavan chose his subject and location:

“My intention was to convert philosophy through story. I still don’t fully understand the Indian philosophy. I think I began to feel it.”

Advice from Pavan:

“Stick to what you feel is right and do what you want to do.”

“UNWELCOME”
Directed by Ida Myklebost

Story: Six year-old Menwar and his family live in a tent at a gas station in Greece. Having fled the Syrian Civil War, they now face the biggest decision of their lives: Will they follow the other refugees to a prison-like government camp or break all the rules and make an illegal run for the border?

A few words from Ida on her film, “Unwelcome”:

“To make a film in a language I didn’t speak was a big challenge. I had really researched it. I had a contact person at all of the camps, which really helped. I also had a lot of help from my team and my D.P.”

The New York Film Academy would like to congratulate our documentary students and the documentary filmmaking department for their fine work at DOC NYC.

A Talk with NYFA Alumna Bayan Yerimbet

NYFA alumna, Bayan Yerimbet is a well-known producer in Kazakhstan, as well as a businesswoman, wife and mother of two. She has a very creative family. She has worked on two feature projects with her husband, Askar Bissembin, who is a filmmaker and producer. Her sister, Bota Yerimbet, is a screenwriter and director; and her brother, a 19-year-old student who studies marketing, Darmukhamed Yerimbet, was recently invited to make a teaser music video for a film that will soon be released. Bayan Yerimbet found a moment to tell us about her creative family, and how she manages her time for both family and work.

Bayan, you started out working in the banking sector. What made you decide to work in the film industry?

Oh, it’s a very interesting story. I have a law degree. I worked in a law field, and my last job was in the bank. I felt I had reached the highest position at bank that I could at that time, and I thought that I wanted something in my life to change. I realized that I liked both law and film. So I started my research, and then found that these two spheres are crossed in producing. I found it interesting, and we started to look for a film school to study at. We wanted to know how to create a movie, and that’s how it started.

Your film “The Wedding for Three Persons” was very successful in Kazakhstan. What are you working on currently?

It was my first film. The second one is “Nauryz.KZ,” and it’s in the post-production phase. It will be released in March because it is dedicated to the national holiday, Nauryz – which means Kazakh New Year. I can say that it is the story about love, spring and the awakening of nature! My husband is the director and I am a producer on this film.

Is it easy for you to share the set with your husband?

I realized that it is very difficult. We knew that we would work together on our first project, because we both liked the thesis film that I was developing when I was a NYFA student. But this second film was an order from investors; they found us and paid for it. Our friends sponsored our first film; you know the rule of the three F’s- only Friends, Family or Fools will sponsor your first project. It was more difficult to work with our second film. Even with my husband, we had more responsibility. There were different situations, but we made it. I can say that if you have strong relationships, you can do anything. It is hard, but possible; we passed this exam (laughs).

Can you tell us the secret of how you have time for everything? You have two children, work in the film industry with your husband, and run your production studio.

I honestly don’t know. I have to do it. Of course it is difficult. You have to be in constant movement because, with children, everyone needs you both at home and at work. There is no secret. You must do everything and be an active person.

From the time my daughter was three years old, she has been involved in the film industry. We took her to the US where she spent a lot of time on set and played in the movies. But, most of all, my daughter likes to write. She wrote some stories. We’re planning to publish them one day, following her desire to become an author. And maybe she will find it interesting to write screenplays when she’s older and will become a screenwriter, like her parents.

You studied in the Producing program at NYFA, and your husband studied in the Filmmaking program. Please tell us about your favorite teachers, and what has changed in your life after graduating from NYFA?

We were looking for a film school in Los Angeles, because this city is the heart of the film industry. We knew the New York Film Academy representative in our native city in Kazakhstan. It was easy for us to discuss our enrollment and to learn more about the school. We were surprised, but everything was arranged in the best way and we received the state grant for the school. We realized that NYFA was what we needed.

I cannot say that some teachers are better than others; they are all good. I liked Raf Green, he taught us writing for TV. I liked his way of explaining materials. I would also like to speak, separately, about the Director, Dan Mackler. He is great. He helped me with my thesis film when I had some location problems. Dan solved this problem over night. It sounds strange, but there are no limits in America. Students may ask teachers for help, and NYFA instructors are always ready to give you time.

Everything changed after graduation. My rhythm and lifestyle were changed. Previously, I had a job with a strict schedule, but now I live with the creative process day and night. The film industry doesn’t adhere to strict rules and regulations. It’s not the routine work I had before. Now, I have more creativity. Everything is more interesting. We have more friends and more interests. Everything has become better in our lives. We became more confident and we use this knowledge.

What are your plans for the future?

We will shoot films not only in Kazakhstan, but also in other countries. My husband shot four projects here; I want to expand our territory. The world is large; there are a lot of sets. I want to make a feature film in another country, maybe in Russia, the US, Canada and so on. I would like to have more experience. We need to go and try to do more.

Also, as you already know, my sister, Bota Yerimbet, graduated from the NYFA Filmmaking Program in 2012. And we have an idea to come up with a collaborative project in the near future.

New York Film Academy thanks Bayan Yerimbet very much for her time. We wish her success in her creative career.

Broadcast Journalism Students Cover Election Day

There were certainly a lot of surprises last week on Election Day. And New York Film Academy Broadcast Journalism students were on-the-scene to chronicle the amazing events. Both our short-term and long-term students participated, with production teams sent to the Trump and Clinton HQs, as well as Times Square to capture public reaction.

It was an opportunity to shoot stand-ups for their Resume Reels that reflected their participation in a story that had national, even international implications. It also meant working way past midnight, as the Presidential election wasn’t “called” until the early hours of Wednesday morning.

“The NYFA brand carries credibility,” said Broadcast Journalism student, Amanda Salvato. “Many other notable news channels noticed and networked with us.”

“It was a great opportunity to watch history being made,” added Broadcast Journalism student, Farai Makoni. “We had great equipment and we had to seize the right moments. I feel very privileged to be a part of it.”

If there was an award for persistence, it would go to Patrick Simmons. Patrick didn’t get to sleep until 6am Wednesday. But his hard work paid off, with an exclusive interview with Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway. Given the number of media outlets looking to talk with her, this accomplishment is nothing short of amazing. Once more, NYFA News is on-the-scene of a major story. Great work, Patrick!

New York Film Academy Los Angeles Hosted First Annual Merit Badge Event

Recently, the New York Film Academy College of Visual and Performing Arts hosted the first annual Boy Scout Merit Badge Event at its state of the art facilities in Burbank, CA. The event provided opportunities for the Scouts to earn the Movie Making, Photography, Animation and Game Design Merit Badges.

Following in the footsteps of award-winning directors and Eagle Scouts such as Steven Spielberg and Michael Moore these young men gained an insight into the film and entertainment industry. Steven Spielberg’s first film was to earn his Photography Merit Badge, The requirement called for “telling a story with pictures.” The young Spielberg made a three-minute film called “Gunsmog.” Michael Moore’s Eagle Scout Service Project was a filmstrip documenting the pollution around Davison, MI. Time will only tell when one of our NYFA Scouts will add their name to this list.

New York Film Academy is committed to sharing our opportunities with the community and is happy to be part of this Scouting and filmmaking legacy. More than 40 Scouts and Scouters participated in the four merit badge opportunities. The event featured the opportunity to operate a camera and to animating a bouncing ball. The Scouts were extremely excited about the hands-on training and the instructors were thrilled to support these efforts.

Lecture from Prolific Boston Photographer Lou Jones

This past Wednesday, November 9th, the New York Film Academy Photography program welcomed Boston-based photographer, Lou Jones. Mr. Jones specializes in advertising and corporate photography. His career ranges from photojournalism covering Central America warfare and humanitarian causes, to sports photography documenting 12 consecutive Olympics, and his jazz portraits include legendary musicians like Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Charles Mingus.

His commercial clients have included IBM, Major League Baseball, Federal Express, Peugeot, Museum of Fine Arts, Paris Match, KLM, National Geographic, People Magazine, Nike, Price Waterhouse, and Aetna.

In 2000, the International Photographic Council (United Nations) presented him with the Professional Photographers Leadership Award. Jones is a Nikon “Legend Behind the Lens” and a Lowepro Champion.

Jones graciously spoke in depth about his incredibly successful career, which began for him as a struggling photographer in Boston. Jones first recalled his work as a young adult, pursuing and photographing popular jazz musicians like Miles Davis and Charles Mingus, at a time when his competitors were all vying for rock groups like The Who and The Rolling Stones. It wasn’t long before his perseverance and creativity was recognized by ad agencies, publications and brands, eventually propelling him to the one of the top professional photographers in Boston.

lou jones nyfa — photo by Stephany Fernandez

“Change the perspective and you change the point of view,” advised Jones. “Find the things that you’re really interested in and think about how to incorporate that into your work.”

Jones recalled a risky time in his life when he intentionally had himself captured by rebels in Central America. After explaining his unusual situation, the risk paid off and Jones captured what he needed for National Geographic.

While he recommends photographers spend time preparing and thoroughly planning their shoots, he concluded, “What is happening on set is what really makes or breaks the project.”

For more information about Lou Jones and his incredible work, visit his website at www.fotojones.com.

New York Film Academy Moscow Workshops with Paul Brown and Lydia Cedrone

The long awaited event has happened. New York Film Academy returned to Russia with two special workshops. With excitement in the air, eager students were fully immersed in producing and screenwriting workshops throughout the weekend. With a strong emphasis on hands-on learning and practical exercises, the workshops allowed students to immediately apply the knowledge they gained throughout the weekend.

Moscow Screenwriting Workshop, an Inside Look:

NYFA screenwriting instructor, Paul Brown, an award-winning writer, director and producer, conducted the screenwriting workshop. Brown has worked in film and television for over twenty-five years. He has produced over one hundred television dramas, pilots, and movies, working on such series as “The X-Files,” “Quantum Leap,” “The New Twilight Zone,” “Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Enterprise.” He won the Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for Best TV Drama, and has been nominated for three Emmy Awards and three Golden Globes.

During the Workshop Orientation, students delved into the secrets of great stories and paired up to work on monologues.

Day One: Brown explained how to hook audiences with exciting movie concepts by showing scenes from popular films. He stressed the importance to wake up certain emotions in the audience. Students learned to develop characters with use of curiosity, compassion, charm and complexity. They examined the structure of the inner story and the inner story’s need, movie climaxes and examples of key scenes.

Day Two: Brown explained how to combine internal and external relationships of the characters, thematic storylines, dialogue and the importance of subtext.

The workshop culminated in the final presentation of the projects. Professional actors were invited to participate in the students’ short screenplays. Throughout the presentations of scenes, with no scenes longer than three minutes, the audience laughed, cried and cheered.

Student Feedback: “We had a chance to try ourselves not only as writers, but as directors and were able to work with professional actors. It was a very interesting experience. The classes were so valuable, not only in terms of receiving new information and practical skills, but also from a psychological point of view. Paul Brown made us thoroughly delve into ourselves and face our ‘skeletons in the closet’. It helped to release our fears and reconsider many things. I thank him for it!” said Wagina Yevgeniya.

Producing Workshop Highlights:

Lydia Cedrone, NYFA Head of MFA Feature Productions and former longtime Chair of Producing, taught the Producing Workshop. Cedrone is a film producer with credits including the MGM release, “The Betrayed,” and was an executive at The Walt Disney Company, Trimark Pictures and Savoy Pictures. She managed finances on more than two-dozen studio films, and oversaw company operations for filmmaker Michael Mann’s production company and finances for the film “Ali,” starring Will Smith, Jon Voight and Jamie Foxx. She urged producers to maintain a balance between finance and creativity. From her lecture, students learned that the producer is the driving force behind the project who manages all stages of the project’s lifespan, from developing the script to determining the necessary budget and securing investors, and from hiring the film’s cast and crew to guiding the project through distribution.

Many of the students in the Producing Workshop were working producers or had a background in the local film and television industries. These students participated to deepen their knowledge and to apply that knowledge to the U.S. standards and practices outlined in the workshop.

At the Workshop Orientation, students began to develop the concepts for their own projects.

Day One: On the first day, students learned about the roles of producers in film and television, producer hierarchy and project workflow. Private investors and funding independent films were discussed at length. Cedrone stressed a balance between financial transparency and the producer retaining full control of the project. She also covered, in detail, the main points of a independent film business plan for fundraising, as well as how to create a television series show bible, along with many other topics.

Day Two: Students learned the U.S. standard rules and practices of scheduling and budgeting. Cedrone led several interactive class exercises, along with a lively Q&A session. On the final evening, students presented their project loglines, along with a short project pitch, during this Mini Pitch Fest. Students clapped and cheered their classmates during the Pitch Fest, and the workshop ended with many friendships forged, along with the promise of many future collaborations.

“I am an actress, and NYFA gave me the opportunity to expand my vision of the film industry. I know how the industry works through the eyes of the artist, and these workshops showed me the production process from a different angle. I learned a lot of useful and interesting information in a short time! I am happy that I met Lydia Cedrone, she’s wonderful!” said Valeria Koltsova, one of the Producing Workshop students.

Another participant, Vasilyeva Margarita, added, “Despite the fact that I currently study producing at the University, the NYFA workshops were very useful for my professional growth! We talked about the producer’s responsibilities, finding funding, and about the world in which producers live. We discussed, in detail, the steps of implementation for different television and film projects, both independent and studio. Lydia Cedrone is a brilliant person and teacher, who knoews her subject and how to present it. It was amazing to spend the whole weekend in the classroom. We had a very warm, family atmosphere. I believe this course can be suitable to all, regardless of the previous level of training. Everyone will feel at ease.”

We thank the student participants in Moscow who made these recent Producing and Screenwriting Workshops such a great success!

NYFA South Beach Attends National YoungArts Foundation Film Series

On Saturday, November 5th New York Film Academy South Beach was invited to the premiere of the National YoungArts Foundation “Transformations” film series on the YoungArts campus in the historic Bacardi building in Miami.

“Transformations” is a new commissioning initiative that celebrates the unique, collaborative, and interdisciplinary nature of our program by pairing YoungArts alumni across artistic disciplines to create new works documented on film. The five films that screened in the series were: “Tyler,” “Variations on Breathing,” “To and From,” “Hell You Talmbout,” and “Solitude, Darkness, Light.”

The event was the first Outside the Box of the season and featured five collaborative short films created by YoungArts alumni. The Outside the Box event series features performances by YoungArts alumni on the YoungArts Plaza. The multidisciplinary series brings original performances and new works to YoungArts’ campus.

The National YoungArts Foundation identifies and nurtures the most accomplished young artists in the visual, literary, design and performing arts and assists them at critical junctures in their educational and professional development. Notable alumni include actors Viola Davis and Kerry Washington; Academy Award winning screenwriter and director John Ridley; Tony Award winner Billy Porter; president and chief executive officer of the Music Center in Los Angeles Rachel Moore; recording artists Josh Groban, Judith Hill and Chris Young; and many more.

NYFA Films Special Veterans Day Message with Col. Jacobs and DVS Commissioner, Brigadier General (ret.) Loree Sutton

Members of New York City Department of Veteran Services (DVS), including the DVS Commissioner, Brigadier General (ret.) Loree Sutton, gathered at the New York Film Academy’s (NYFA) state-of-the-art facilities at 17 Battery Park to film a special Veterans Day message to salute, and thank those veterans who have served in our Armed Forces. The message marks the first official Veterans Day message from the City of New York’s newly created Department of Veterans Services.

Commissioner Sutton was joined by Colonel Jack Jacobs, Medal of Honor recipient and Chair of the New York Film Academy’s Veterans Advancement Program (VAP) to send a message to both New York City veterans and the civilians who support them. They both spoke about how important the NYC community is to veterans, and how the strengths of the City’s nearly 250,000 veterans adds tremendous value to the NYC communities. Both retired servicemembers asked that— on this 2016 Veterans Day— citizens do more than simply thank veterans for their service, but also to let veterans know what a powerful asset they are as they continue to make invaluable contributions to making this the greatest city— in the greatest country— on earth.

“There’s nobody more creative than veterans,” said Col. Jacobs. “They’re the one’s who bring life experience and creativity to a profession that requires both of those attributes.”

“To see these students working at the New York Film Academy is really a thrill and an affirmation of the strengths we know our veterans have,” added Brigadier General, Sutton.

jacobs and sutton — NYC Department of Veteran Services Commissioner, Loree Sutton Brigadier General (ret.) and Colonel Jack Jacobs, Medal of Honor recipient and Chair of the NYFA’s Veterans Advancement Program (VAP) during taping of the 2016 Veterans’ Day Message.

“It means a lot to know we’re appreciated in our community,” said NYFA Acting for Film student and veteran, Labrena Ware.

“It feels great to have a sense of brotherhood,” added NYFA student and veteran, Pavlos Plakakis, who found his acting calling in the military after being told he had a talent for boosting morale amongst the troops.

Veterans from nearly all branches of service had the opportunity to meet and speak with Commissioner Sutton and Colonel Jacobs during the filming. Those in attendance reflected about the diversity and spirit of the “Big Apple,” and also symbolized the passing of the torch from one generation of American service members to the next.