Page 238 – NYFA

MFA Photography Grad Nominated as Top 15 Best National Cosplay Photographer of 2016

MFA Photography Alumnus, Alify Nasution, has been nominated by Cosplay Gen Magazine as one of the top 15 Best National cosplay Photographers of 2016. Nasution is a fine art photographer, specializing in conceptual portrait photography. He’s been shooting since 2009 but found a passion for photographing costume enthusiasts, otherwise known as cosplayers.

Cosplay is a design driven art form where fans create costumes based off their favorite characters. Media from which characters are pulled range from anime to video games, comic books, and even real people. Sometimes cosplayers take two characters and create a singular hybrid. This new age art form allows fans to demonstrate their incredible creativity and innovation.

The costumes can take hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars to create. For many in the community, it’s more than just a hobby; it’s a lifestyle. Before turning to photography Nasution was a cosplayer. His first costume was Rogue from Ragnarok Online.

Back in 2005, when Nasution was getting started, there was no such thing as cosplay photography. Photographers would simply go to conventions and take ‘documentary-style’ photographs of the convention goers.

This is when Nasution realized all of the efforts poured into making costumes and role-playing characters could be better appreciated if photographed professionally. He saw how he could combine fashion photography, fine art photography, and portraiture to properly document these unique pieces of art.

In 2015 Nasution began his journey to become a professional photographer. He moved from Indonesia to Los Angeles to study Fine Art Photography and in 2016 he graduated from the New York Film Academy receiving his MFA in Photography.

While at NYFA his knowledge of photography increased tremendously, both technically and theoretically. During his studies he was able to explore vast concepts from political to fantasy, eastern and western culture, every race, creed and nation. Nasution remains steadfast in his goal to introduce cosplay photography to a global audience. He doesn’t just take a beautiful photograph; he preserves a story.

Sony Chair Michael Lynton Says Now is the Best Time to Make Movies

With Sony’s new Ghostbusters film coming out this Friday, the timing couldn’t have been any better to welcome Chair of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Michael Lynton, to the New York Film Academy’s Guest Speaker Series.

Lynton leads SPE’s global operations, including motion pictures, television and digital content production and distribution, as well as home entertainment acquisition and distribution, operation of studio facilities, and the development of new entertainment products, services and technologies.

Under the leadership of Lynton, The Sony Motion Pictures Group has garnered Best Picture nominations for American Hustle, Captain Phillips, The Social Network, Moneyball and Zero Dark Thirty in addition to blockbuster franchises such as The Amazing Spider-Man and James Bond.

Lynton also oversees Sony Pictures Television (SPT), which produces and distributes award-winning programs such as Breaking Bad, Justified, and The Blacklist.

At the Q&A event, moderated by producer Tova Laiter, Lynton provided invaluable insight into the business, especially from a studio standpoint. His overall look on the current state of Hollywood and the business was very positive, especially for our theatre full of filmmakers and actors.

“I think the studio model at moment is in pretty good shape,” said Lynton. “We are hungrier than ever for talent and new projects. This is a better time than ever to get a movie made and seen.”

Lynton says that more than anything, it is a persons hustle, wits, and ability to make things happen that gets them in the door and climbing the ladder faster than others. As for how to get started, he says, “Get a job any place you can on the outset. You want to get noticed very quickly.”

As for our acting students in the audience, Lynton said, “Go out on auditions as often as you can and have a thick skin. And don’t be particular about your first few jobs.”

After an hour conversation, students left the theatre motivated and felt very encouraged about the outlook on their future careers. We’d like to thank Mr. Lynton for taking the time out of his incredibly busy schedule to let our students and recent graduates pick his brain on the many subjects of the entertainment business.

David Bowers Speaks with Summer High School Students

This week, director David Bowers brought his latest project, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days, the third installment in the Wimpy Kid franchise, to screen at the New York Film Academy – Los Angeles Campus. Flanked by NYFA Cinematography Chair Tony Richmond and moderator Eric Conner, Bowers spoke about his long career in animation, working his way up the ladder, and navigating big Hollywood studios.

Students from the popular NYFA Summer High School Program were in attendance for the screening and were excited for the opportunity to speak with him about his successful career. Bowers had an illustrious career that began as a kid making Super 8 Claymation films. When he was twenty he began working as an animation artist on Who Framed Rodger Rabbit. Bowers said in the Q & A he was only hired because, “…they were desperate for anyone who could hold a pencil.” He went on to explain that this stroke of luck set him on a challenging and rewarding career path. Since the work on Rodger Rabbit was so new and complicated he was learning as the technology was being created. With the knowledge gained he was able to launch his career.

Bowers continued to ascend the ladder as an animator in American Tale: Fievel Goes West and the 90’s revival of Danger Mouse. Other works include FernGully: The Last Rainforest, We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story (produced by Steven Spielberg), and The Prince of Egypt.

But it wasn’t until he began work at the legendary production company, Aardman, that Bowers began his foray into storyboarding. First he worked on Balto and then The Road to Eldorado. Bowers recommended every film professional practice storyboarding, stating, “It’s an opportunity to make mistakes before you shoot.“

When Aardman and DreamWorks teamed up to do joint features Bowers was the obvious choice to direct. Students erupted when Flushed Away, Bowers directorial debut, was brought up. The director broke down his time on the nearly four-and-a- half-year project.

After the massive success of Shrek, DreamWorks’ first tentpole project, the expectations of Flushed Away skyrocketed. The American based DreamWorks wanted to push for a universal project. They wanted less British and more standard American English. However, Aardman, the UK based company, felt the cultural touches made the film distinct. In the end, the British cultural touches gave the film a certain truth of character that made it a favorite of children on both sides of the Atlantic.

Through the trying process of filming Flushed Away, Bowers learned what he liked and what he didn’t like about the animation process. The yearlong wait between storyboarding and viewable animation always felt too long. The teamwork and collaboration, on the other hand, were invigorating. Bowers shot one final animated feature film, Astro Boy, before moving to live-action properties.

When asked if there was one thing he could go back and change about his career, Bowers stated, “I’d launch into live-action sooner.” Later adding, “Live action is thrilling because you’re making things all the time.” Within just 8 months Bowers had shot and released the second Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Roderick Rules. “Even on your worst day when everything’s gone wrong… it (film) is still fun.”

Richmond, who shot the film, remarked at the onset movie magic they were able to create as a team. The luxurious country club is actually a very old community pool. Richmond described it as being “…rather dirty.” But with fabulous set dressing and a carefully placed camera they were able to convince the audience they were at a ritzy club.

A student asked the pair if they ever had trouble working with a director or cinematographer. Tony stated that a cinematographer’s job is to make the director’s vision come to life. He’s never had a problem working with a director.

Bowers said his greatest challenge was learning that there are times when your confidence will be knocked or you believe in yourself and other don’t. “Astonishingly,” he added with a laugh. “It’s not that you get knocked down. It’s that you get back up.”

New York Film Academy would like to thank Mr. Bowers for taking time out of his schedule to sit down and discuss his cinematic career with student. He did inform the audience that he was working on a fourth film in Diary of a Wimpy Kid franchise. We look forward to seeing where Greg Heffley’s adventures take him next.

CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT MICHAEL LYNTON SPEAKS AT NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY

The New York Film Academy New York had the honor of hosting an exclusive question and answer session with Michael Lynton, Chair of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Lynton has quite an extensive and impressive background, which began in publishing. Early in his career he joined The Walt Disney Company, where he started Disney Publishing. He subsequently served as president of Disney’s Hollywood Pictures from 1992 to 1996. From 1996 to 2000, he was chairman and chief executive officer of Pearson plc’s Penguin Group, extending the Penguin brand to music and the Internet. In 2000, he joined Time Warner as CEO of AOL Europe, president of AOL International, and president of Time Warner International.

In 2004, Lynton became chairman and chief executive officer of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE). He leads SPE’s global operations, including motion pictures, television and digital content production and distribution, as well as home entertainment acquisition and distribution, operation of studio facilities, and the development of new entertainment products, services and technologies.

At the NYFA Q&A event, moderated by producer Tova Laiter, students and alumni were treated to a full hour discussion with Mr. Lynton. Among the various topics of conversation, a lot of the dialogue focused on advice for breaking into the business and getting a movie made, especially at a large studio like Sony.

Lynton had a very positive outlook on the current climate in Hollywood and the prospects of young filmmakers and actors breaking into the business.

Lynton admitted that the main challenge that his studio often has to deal with is the fact that a movie will either be a massive hit or a complete failure at the box office. They’re rarely in between anymore.

“Either an audience really wants to see something or it’s a wipeout,” he said. “That schizophrenia makes it very nerve racking.”

With many students and recent graduates anxious to break into the professional world, Lynton advised them to, “Get a job any place you can on the outset. You want to get noticed very quickly.”

As for our actors in the audience, Lynton said, “Go out on auditions as often as you can and have a thick skin. And don’t be particular about your first few jobs.”

Overall, the talk was very informative and encouraging for future filmmakers and actors in attendance.

We sincerely thank Mr. Lynton for his time and perceptive conversation and wish him the best of luck at Sony!

Former Student to Present Photo Exhibition at Cloud Gallery in NYC

Born and raised in Hong Kong, the New York based photographer and former New York Film Academy Photography student Stone Wong has been featured in Gothesque Magazine and Nam Magazine.

With a focus in fashion, beauty and portrait photography, Wong is especially strong in capturing the emotional moments of people, and he has a keen sense in presenting a blend of Chinese and Western culture in his works.

Beginning this Thursday, July 14, 2016, Wong will be presenting a Solo Photo Exhibition “In Search of Hong Kong” at the Cloud Gallery in New York City (66 W Broadway). His exhibition will run until July 28th.

Recently, NYFA had a chance to catch up with the busy photographer before his upcoming exhibition.

Would you mind telling me a little bit about yourself and your background?

My name is Huang Ka Kit. You can call me Stone. I was born and raised in Hong Kong. I grew up in a very normal family with my parents in the fashion trading industry. After I graduated from high school, I started helping them out while working as part-time photographer at the same time. It wasn’t until I turned 29 years old that I decided to chase my dream as a photographer.

What drew you to study photography at NYFA?

I fell in love with photography when I first owned a camera at the age of 17. When I turned 29, I realized life is not all about making money, so I decided to put a hold on my work in the fashion trading industry and pursue my dream in photography.

When I think of photography and fashion, New York is always the first city that pops up in my mind. I always wanted to live and study in New York at least once in my life. I’ve been learning photography on my own for a few years but I’ve never received any professional training. New York Film Academy provides the most hands-on program as far as I know. That’s why I decided to come to NYFA to improve my skills.

What was your favorite aspect of your Photography Program at NYFA?

What I truly enjoyed the most was the close connection between our instructors and the students. It goes beyond class hours. Whenever I had any technical questions, regardless of time and distance, I could always ask for guidance and advice from my teachers during and after the class. For example, they guided me through the way of exploring and figuring out what photography means to me both as a photographer and an audience through my own efforts. Students have to rack their brains to express their feeling towards photographs and critique them in a professional way under instruction. Among all the courses, I love “Vision and Style” the most.

I also love the way students work as a team just like in a real work environment.

Before joining NYFA, I learned all of my technical skills from the Internet. I took photos based on whatever ideas or concepts popped into my mind. NYFA’s program helped me put my “scrapped” techniques and knowledge together in a more systematic and structured way, further improving my understanding of the art and technique as a photographer in a profound way. It also gave me a clearer direction of where I’m going to in terms of personal artistic style and career path through teaching me how to develop a concept, compose an image, use color, interact with models and eventually tell a story.

What’s your favorite work that you have produced thus far?

My final project “Lost in Chinatown” is my favorite work produced out of the NYFA program. In my opinion, photographic work should not only appeal to our eyes but also to our minds, which means I expect these visual images to influence people in a more meaningful way.

As a New York based Hong Kong photographer, I’m very proud to have a Chinese identity with strong experience in culturally diverse environment, which enhanced my reflection of China. From this “Lost In Chinatown” series, I want to create a peculiar yet coherent collection that challenges people’s perceptions on Chinese beauty. By having an American stylist, a Japanese make-up artist and a Chinese model to collaborate in this project, I tried to present vivid visuals of China in its new era.

"Lost in Chinatown" by Stone Wong — “Lost in Chinatown” by Stone Wong

What has been the greatest challenge you’ve faced during the production process and how did you solve it?

It’s all about leveraging between creating a high quality photograph and dealing with the difficulties encountered all the way through pre-production to post-production: the limited time and resources to conceptualize a creative idea, setting up everything for shooting, controlling the unpredictable circumstances on set, and the necessary technical skills to polish your work and develop it into something you desired. I want my work to be perfect, so I will spare no effort to achieve what I want.

In what ways do you think NYFA helped you to develop the business skills needed to succeed as a professional photographer?

The program itself is very practical and inspires me a lot. The techniques and theoretical knowledge that I obtained from classes have been applied to some of my favorite photographic pieces.

Which artist influences you most and why?

Annie Leibovitz is one of my favorite artists. She is a great storyteller. Her photographs are just like condensed romantic films appealing to her audience emotionally. We have all the necessary recipes including lighting, scene, mood and subject — now you just need to blend everything together into a decent and delightful meal. That’s something I’ve always been looking for and working on.

Can you tell us about your solo fashion photography exhibition coming up this July?

Yes, I’m going to have my first ever solo photography exhibition at the Cloud Gallery in New York City. It’s called “In Search of Hong Kong Vision.” It will showcase some of my favorite pieces of work, including “Lost in Chinatown,” “Film Noir,” “The Lady,” “Fear,” “Deviate in Murk,” “The Gentlemen and Dark is Coming.” I want to present a harmonious blend of Chinese and Western culture while sharing a special view for China’s rapid development, Hong Kong and international vision, and humanity issues.

Hong Kong is my root, but I travelled and lived in different cities in China and the U.S. in order to widen my perspectives and culture inspirations. There is no definite answer for Hong Kong Vision. By understanding through thinking and discovering through experiencing, I attempt to define this unique view of Hong Kong Vision, and present his distinctive sense of Chinese and Western culture into his fashion photography and portrait works. I love the saying that “Photography is not only about the moment of pressing the shutter, photography is nothing but eternity.”

This exhibition will open on Thursday, July 14th, 2016 with a public reception at 7pm for the artist.

Please find out more information from the following link.

Where do you see yourself as a photographer in five years?

I want to be a full-time fashion and commercial photographer without compromising. I will keep working on my “In search of Hong Kong” project. I hope a couple of years later when I look back on today’s work, the quality of my work grows simultaneously with the increase of my age and accumulation of life experiences.

Any additional advice you would like to give to NYFA photography students?

If you love photography and decided to devote yourself to this industry, you should get started as early as possible. Photography cultivates your life in an artistic and educational way. It teaches you to appreciate the world and the fine parts of it by concentrating it into a tiny little image. But before you choose this career path, you should be aware that it’s a road with no turning back. It’s the enthusiasm and hard work that support you at the end of the day, so just be prepared to face all the challenges and the endless efforts you should make on your road to success. If you are not quite sure about it yet, you probably should enter schools like New York Film Academy and figure out who you want to be and where you want to go.

If you would like more information about Stone and to see his portfolio, please check out his website, Facebook & Instagram.

NYFA Doc Grad Directs Award-Winning Feature “Gazelle: The Love Issue”

Gazelle: The Love Issues, directed by New York Film Academy One-Year Documentary graduate Cesar Terranova, started as a five minute short project. It then grew into a feature documentary and became one of the most awarded festival recipients.

Since its premiere at the Brazilian Film Festival, critically acclaimed Gazelle: The Love Issue has won numerous awards including: Best Brazilian Feature Film by Jury at the Festival Mix Brazil (Nov/2014), Best Documentary Feature at the Mexico International Film Festival (Apr/2015), Gold Award for International Documentary Feature at the Documentary and Short International Movie Award in Jakarta/Indonesia (Mar/2015), Special Festival Award at the Rio Festival Gay de Cinema (Jul/2015), Best Cinematography in a Documentary at the Tenerife International Film Festival (Jul/2015), Best LGBT Film at the QCFF: Queen City Film Festival in Maryland/USA (Oct/2015), Jury Special Mention at the Cine Detour On The Rouad in Rome/Italy (Nov/2015), Best Professional Feature at the IAFOR Documentary Film Festival in Kobe/Japan (Nov/2015) and, most recently, Best Documentary Feature Award at the North Hollywood International Film Festival (Apr/2016).

Congratulations on winning so many awards with your movie! Where did you find inspiration for the initial idea?

Thanks! Before going to NY to study I was living in French Polynesia and started to buy online magazines. Then I found this strange magazine named “Gazelland” with lots of colors and odd creatures…but it was beautifully crafted and assembled with amazing photos. And when I started the program at the New York Film Academy, Gazelle Paulo, was the first person I approached to make a doc about. First, I asked if he would be willing to be a part of my 5 minute short… then it became my thesis film, and I continued working on it until I achieved a full length feature doc.

What was the most challenging part in the creation of this project?

The editing process. It felt like it would never have a real ending. After graduating from NYFA, I travelled around the world, following the character, and then I got back home and sat for almost two years editing all the footage and materials I collected for over the course of three years.

New York Film Academy’s Chair of Documentary Department, Andrea Swift, who is a two-time Telly winner and three-time Emmy nominee, helped me so much by giving me feedback and pushing me to keep working on the editing until I got the satisfactory material that I submitted to a Festival in Brazil. Once it won the Best Brazilian Feature Film Award…only then, was I convinced I had a film ready.

How did you fall into documentary? Was it something you had always wanted to do?

My grandmother was married to a filmmaker, which was always a major inspiration. I was born and grew up in the middle of sets. At 16 I got involved in the business as a Dubbing Actor, at 24 I became a photographer working on cruise line ships. Step by step I got money and equipment to produce music and I became a DJ as well. Then with my first Canon 5-D, I decided it was the time to try filming. Docs felt like they would be cheaper to make, so it was my choice to begin making documentaries before stepping into the scripted films.

Would you say your training and experience at NYFA was useful in terms of making Gazelle: The Love Issue?

I tried to make a short film before attending the program and it was a huge mess. From my first short at NYFA until my achievement of the feature Gazelle: The Love Issue, NYFA gave me the skills and basic techniques I needed to organize my knowledge to be able to become a documentary filmmaker. The school helped me get to the point where I could make my film happen.

Do you have any advice for anyone interested in entering the documentary industry?

Take a month for tourism. Start your program focused on finding subjects that you may consider good for pilots. Use the strength of the program to produce shorts that may become your feature films. Make everything useful for your life! It will be forever in your creative personality.

“GAZELLE -THE LOVE ISSUE” VISUAL TRAILER from Cesar Terranova on Vimeo.

It’s been a pleasure to talk to Cesar Terranova. He is currently working on a film about Brazil and is also developing a trilogy about NY Artists. After Gazelle, he will start filming Scooter LaForge and Fernando Carpaneda.

NYFA wishes him nothing but good luck and success for the future!

NYFA Docs’ “Freya” Selected to Screen at G2 Earth Film Festival

New York Film Academy Documentary Department is proud to announce that Freya is an Official Selection of the G2 Green Earth Film Festival. Last November, the film premiered with four other NYFA student documentaries at the prestigious DOC NYC at the IFC Center in New York City.

Filmed by seven students during a NYFA filmmaking expedition to Belize, Freya follows the story of an endangered loggerhead sea turtle fighting to survive a shark attack against the odds.

The students who worked on Freya spent a week filming and helping the local volunteers. The expedition focused on the imperiled Mesoamerican Reef including coral reef conservation, endangered sea turtles and manatees.

“Following Freya’s story has been the opportunity of a lifetime,” says director, Rachael Peltzer.

On the expeditions, young filmmakers explore threatened ocean worlds and raise a call to activism through the power of documentary storytelling—all in collaboration with some of the top marine conservation organizations. Expedition collaborators include Mission Blue, Healthy Reefs for Healthy People, Oceanic Society, Ecomar, Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association, Sea to Shore Alliance & Coastal Zone Management of Belize, Hawksbill Hope, and the Belize Fisheries Department.

“It’s exciting to see the expeditions spark a deep love for the oceans in young filmmakers; and a passion to tell stories that can help save them,” says Andrea Swift, Chair of the Documentary Department at NYFA.

“The ocean is in great danger,” says producer and former student, Gary Bencheghib, who is currently working on another documentary called Recycled Mississippi. “We are hopeful that stories like Freya’s will help increase awareness of such critical environmental issues.”

NYFA’s Ken Lerner Appears on HBO’s “Silicon Valley”

Mike Judge’s HBO comedy, Silicon Valley, which surrounds the lives of young computer programmers who head out to Northern California to succeed in technology, has been a wild success thus far. Now in its third season, those of us at the New York Film Academy may recognize Acting for Film Instructor Ken Lerner in a few episodes.

Lerner has been playing the character of Arthur, who is Nelson “Big Head” Bighetti’s Business Manager.

In addition to his teaching at NYFA, Lerner has acted in many major film and television productions, including his most recent appearance on the FX’s mini-series The People Vs O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. He’s also appeared in The Mentalist, NCIS, In Plain Sight, Two and a Half Men, Desperate Housewives, Castle, Weeds, CSI, Without a Trace and Buffy The Vampire Slayer. He has had over 40 film roles, including Unlawful Entry, The Doctor, The Fabulous Baker Boys, The Running Man, The Story of Us, Immediate Family, Irreconcilable Differences and Project X. In addition to film and television, Ken has starred in productions at The Pasadena Playhouse and Garry Marshall’s Falcon Theater and off-Broadway.

“My experience in the industry seems to be the biggest factor in my ability to be trusted that I know what I am teaching them, especially about auditions,” says Lerner. “I constantly use my acting jobs as reference for my students’ learning.”

Mr. Lerner is just one of the many examples of how our students have the privilege of working with current industry professionals who can provide unparalleled insight into the business.

NYFA Welcomes Hong Kong Director Adam Wong

New York Film Academy welcomed Hong Kong director Adam Wong as part of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETONY) program, which showcased nine distinguished Hong Kong films in New York. The program is an integral part of the current New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF), which is celebrating its 15th anniversary.

Wong shared his debut feature film, When Beckham Met Owen, which is about two thirteen-year-old boys, David and Michael, who are brought together by their mutual love of soccer. United by their obsession with the game and idolization of British soccer stars, the boys build a strong friendship. But as puberty brings about changes, the boys start to grow in separate directions. While David loves to talk about sex and other raunchy topics, Michael tries to avoid such conversations. Eventually, Michael must face what he’s been avoiding for some time—that his feelings for David are becoming increasingly complex.

Wong shot his first feature of off a $30k budget, which he was able to raise from actor Eric Tsang while working on set of Infernal Affairs 2. From there Wong moved on to his second feature, Magic Boy, a Mongkok-set youth romance that takes place in the world of amateur magicians. Wong spent the next four years after Magic Boy looking for an investor to finance his third feature, The Way We Dance, which also captured the spirit of youth with its tale of hip-hop street dancers. It was an unexpected box office hit on release in the summer of 2013, scoring more than HK$10 million (US$1.3 million) at the Hong Kong box office.

Over the years Wong says, “I’m trying to be more patient and believe in my initial intention.”

With his latest film, She Remembers, He Forgets, Wong enters a more mature phase of his career.