Page 252 – NYFA

NYFA Industry Lab Creates Video for Che’Nelle’s Youtube Channel

Che’Nelle, a Malaysian Australian recording artist, signed with Universal Music Japan with her 2015 hit single “Fierce,” and is now giving back to the community by working with the Nashville based organization Soles4Souls. The non-profit global social enterprise is committed to fighting poverty through the collection and distribution of shoes and clothing.

Recently, the New York Film Academy’s Industry Lab filmed Che’Nelle’s charitable cause, donating from her own closet with the help of Los Angeles based celebrity stylist from NBC’s Fashion Star and Eva Longoria’s Ready for Love, Daniel Musto, a current member of E! Style Collective and the Costumer Designers Guild.

The concept for the video was written by New York Film Academy alumnus Todd Lien and directed by alumna and Director of Les Femmes du Ciné (New York Film Academy’s Women’s Club) Mariana Thome.

Other notable crew members from New York Film Academy’s Industry Lab are alumnus producer, Davin Tjen, cinematographer Alejandro Talens, and sound mixer Steve Johnson. Along with current students, gaffer Jiaqing “Vince” Ge and sound mixer Anastasia Reinhard.

Be on the look out for the video, which should be going live soon on Che’Nelle’s Youtube Channel.

Advice from Channing Tatum’s Agent, Louise Ward

A very full theatre of NYFA students in Los Angeles welcomed Talent Agent Louise Ward to speak to them this past week. Her clients include Channing Tatum and Oscar Isaac. Producer Tova Laiter and Chair of Acting Lynda Goodfriend moderated this event.

Louise Ward spoke to NYFA students about her work as a talent agent, about starting out and skipping the usual first few steps to become an agent—becoming a manager rather than starting out in the mailroom and working her way up. At the time, being a manager was seen as being a “hand holder” for an actor.

Now she works as a talent agent. She said she “doesn’t do favor meetings”—she likes to get recommendations from directors who have worked with an actor, or have seen the actor in a play or a film at a festival. She even likes to call up casting directors and ask about the person who came in second for the role. All the other agents are swarming on the person who got the role, Ward said.

Louise Ward said that her job was to help actors and actresses to take their “aspirations and make them less lofty, more transactional…to give [their] career a trajectory.”

A student asked Ward about her advice for international actors. Ward said that they should stick with their own accent for auditions, otherwise the casting agents would spend more time focusing on the accent, rather than the acting choices made. But this doesn’t mean that actors shouldn’t work on their accent, in general, allowing them to have more options. Ward also said that the western entertainment industry was finally looking a little more globally, slowly.

Ward advised the students in the crowd to never stop working. “Even when you aren’t [acting], you should be working,” Ward said. “Work on accents, on cold reading, on forming relationships with people. Get your teeth cleaned.”

“You need to know your superpower,” Ward told the students about going into the industry.

Former NYFA Student Andrew Nazarbekian Featured on American Idol

New York Film Academy is thrilled to announce that former Acting for Film student, Andrew Nazarbekian, was accepted into the “Top-51” on Season 15 (the farewell season) of one of the most popular shows in the history of American television—American Idol! It’s worth mentioning that in the history of the show he is only the second participant from Russia who has made it to the audition round.

Andrew has been singing all of his life. From early childhood, he sang in the popular Russian ensemble “Neposedi,” which gave him the opportunity to perform on the same stage with such stars as Luciano Pavarotti, Kylie Minogue, Pink, Sarah Brighton, and many others. At 17 he become a semi-finalist on the second season of the Russia version of “The Voice.” At 20 he heard a desirable “yes” from Jennifer Lopez at the American Idol audition, adding: “I think we are all going to say probably the same thing that you have this naturally beautiful voice. You obviously are a really great singer. It’ll be interesting to see what happens along the way. I’m going to say – YES!”

Now Andrew is finishing his Bachelor’s degree at Moscow State University and getting ready to move to Los Angeles. Despite his busy schedule of concerts and photo shoots, he has kindly agreed to answer a few questions for the New York Film Academy.

Please tell us about your audition for American Idol. How did it all come about?

I’m very practical, and right after I finished the 4-Week Acting for Film Workshop at NYFA last summer, I wanted to realize everything that I’ve learned in reality. And because I have some decent singing skills I’ve started looking for auditions in the field of music/acting and found out that American Idol started its castings for the final season.

But the audition in California was scheduled for September and I had planned to go back to Russia in August. The audition in Arkansas was the only one I could make, so I decided to try my luck. But luck passed me by and I did not get accepted. Shortly before that, I sent an online application, but did not have serious hopes. And suddenly, the day I was supposed to depart for Moscow, I received a call from FOX. They invited me for an individual casting in their television office, which for me, in turn, proved to be successful.

What was the most difficult part of the project?

I went through five qualifying rounds of the project, and for three of them we were shooting during one week. Therefore, we had to get up at 4:30 am and at 5:30 am had the meeting. We usually finished at midnight, so by the end of the week, during a rare break, it was normal to see the participants sleeping in piles on the floor. Perhaps this was the most difficult. After all, you also need to look good and fresh, and to sing. Fatigue primarily affects the vocal cords.

How was participation on American Idol impacted your career?

Perhaps the result is that I now have job offers not only in Russia but also in the United States. There were two offers from Las Vegas; I was invited to participate in musical stage performances. I’ve also been getting a lot of calls from modeling agencies.

In your opinion, what qualities must a person possess in order to succeed?

Have standard qualities. Be hard working. Have perseverance. But actually, I do not know yet…I’ll tell you once I succeed!

The New York Film Academy is very proud of Andrew Nazarbekian and we wish him the best success in continuing to pursue his career in entertainment.

NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY HOSTING WORKSHOPS IN SAUDI ARABIA

In cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the New York Film Academy Foundation, in collaboration with the New York Film Academy College of Visual & Performing Arts (NYFA), is facilitating a series of filmmaking educational activities supported by the Saudi American Education and Cultural Grants Initiative Grants Program. The NYFA programming commences in mid-March 2016.

“The New York Film Academy has been the academic institution of choice to numerous students from Saudi Arabia, many of whom have returned to their country and are deeply attached to the Kingdom’s blossoming creative community,” said NYFA President, Michael Young. “We are very proud to be part of their achievements as visual storytellers, and we are honored to partner with the U.S. Embassy to develop the exceptional talent emerging from Saudi Arabia today.”

To continue its close association with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s education, arts, and cultural communities, NYFA will be hosting a series of workshops at the 3rd Annual Saudi Film Festival (“Dammam Film Festival”) held in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia from March 24th – 28th. Working with the Saudi Arabia Society for Culture and Arts (SASCA), Mr. Jonathan Whittaker, NYFA Chair of Short-term Programs and Professor of Director’s Craft, Screenwriting, and Cinematography, will be conducting a three-day intensive and hands-on Master class workshop in Cinematography for up-and-coming Saudi filmmakers attending the Film Festival. At the closing ceremony of the festival NYFA will be presenting the “NYFA AWARD FOR EMERGING TALENT“-a full tuition scholarship to NYFA-to the winner in the “Best Student Film” category.

In partnership with renowned King Saud University (KSU) in Riyadh, NYFA will hold a Master class workshop titled, “Cultural Identity: Through a Lens,” which intends to have young Saudi filmmakers, selected by KSU, to make short films that portray a personal view of some aspect of Saudi culture. Mr. Whittaker, along with the workshop’s associate faculty instructor, Mr. Aymen Khoja, a Saudi filmmaker and NYFA alumnus, will work with 20 participant-storytellers through a six day program that aims to provide students with the opportunity to write, produce, shoot and edit his or her own film, and will finalize with four final productions that will be shared through social media.

NYFA will support the launch of the “1st Youth Film Festival,” and on March 30 will conduct a “Directing the Performance” class and lecture to approximately 70 Embassy youth club members at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh.

Throughout all of NYFA’s March program activities in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Whittaker and Mr. Khoja will be assisted by a group of Saudi teacher assistants who are alumni of NYFA. A documentary short film will be shot and produced so that this exciting initiative can be shared with the world.

Matt Kohnen Wins Best Director at LA Indie Festival

Most of us aren’t too fond of attending funerals, but in the case of New York Film Academy instructor Matt Kohnen’s film, The Funeral Guest, the main character, Emily, feels a connection to mourners in the emotionally raw atmosphere. Produced and co-written with his brother, Sean, Kohnen’s dark comedy has been getting terrific responses from the festival circuit. Coming off its premiere at the Shanghai Film Festival and screening at festivals in Carmel and Bahamas, The Funeral Guest recently won both Best Actress for Julianna Robinson and Best Director for Kohnen at the LA Indie Festival.

“Initially, The Funeral Guest was not written, just a vague idea,” said Kohnen. “But we hustled up and wrote a draft in a month and helped get it financed through the Eyde company, which does real estate in Lansing, MI, where we shot. It was a small budget, and a quick prep time, but we did it; and premiered at the Shanghai Film Festival, where I went and did some work with NYFA, talking to student groups.”

Kohnen’s first feature as a director, Wasting Away/Aaah! Zombies!! was a horror/comedy that won the Audience Award at Screamfest LA, Best Picture Midnight Extreme at Sitge International SciFi/Horror Fest, Audience Award/Best Screenplay/Best Comedy at the Zompire Genre Fest, Best Picture at the Festivus Film Festival, and has been the hit of a host of other film festivals including the well-regarded London Sci Fi Festival and Lund Fantastik Film Festival, gaining Worldwide distribution.

Repped by Verve Agency and Writ Large Management, Kohnen has also written for producers such as the aforementioned Rob Fried and developed with a wide array of companies such as Gold Circle Films (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), Spring Creek Productions (Blood Diamond), and Dark Horse Comics (Hellboy).

With his brother Sean, he is currently working with Producer Michael Shamberg (Django Unchained, Erin Brockovich, Pulp Fiction) on a TV pilot set in the world of illegal arms, and has recently sold a pilot about money laundering to Universal Studios, with Omar Epps (House, Resurrection) attached.

Next on the festival circuits for The Funeral Guest is the Capitol City Film Festival (Lansing, MI) and the Julian Dubuque Film Festival, and more to come!

Screening of “Dirty Grandpa” and Q&A with Producer Barry Josephson

Last week, New York Film Academy students were invited to a theatre in the Warner Bros. lot to view the recently released, still in theaters, Dirty Grandpa, starring Robert De Niro, and Zac Efron, followed by a Q&A with Producer Barry Josephson. De Niro plays the titular “Dirty Grandpa,” a recent widower who convinces his straight-laced grandson (Zac Efron) to take him to Florida for Spring Break. The Q&A was moderated by producer Tova Laiter and NYFA instructor Stephanie Lindquist.

Josephson spoke to the importance of always hunting for new material to work with, saying, “I don’t create intellectual property, I find it.” He cited books as a common source, including for his hit television series Bones and AMC’s TURN: Washington’s Spies. He also told students that “a lot of it is going out there, talking to agents” to get new projects—not just waiting around for a great idea.

One student asked what Josephson had done to set himself apart early on. Josephson cited his attitude, advising students that “I think as a guppy in this business, you want to have good ideas. You want to have a positive attitude—[other people] have their own problems—always [be] a problem solver.” He said that people don’t like to work with others who are negative.

When asked about what it’s like to be asking for money for a project, Josephson talked about how important it is to have a lot of confidence for the project, and to not ask for money until you truly believe in it. He let the students know that they should “go in with as much confidence as possible…[you have to believe] you know better…[and] invest yourself.”

NYFA Hosts Exclusive Screening of “The Unknowns”

Last week, the New York Film Academy College of Visual & Performing Arts (NYFA) Veterans Services department held an exclusive screening of the documentary “The Unknowns” in collaboration with the organization Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). More than 50 veterans and guests from IAVA, Wounded Warrior Project, and local community colleges joined NYFA veteran students for the screening. Following the film, NYFA Veteran Service team member and US Navy veteran, Michael Kunselman, moderated a Q&A with “The Unknowns” Producer, Ethan Morse, Director, Neal Schrodetski, and Cinematographer, Matthew Noren. Mr. Morse and Mr. Schrodetski both served as Tomb Guard sentinels during their military service.

nyfa veteran staff — NYFA Veterans Staff with the “The Unknowns” Director, Neal Schrodetski, Producer, Ethan Morse, and Cinematographer, Matthew Noren with representatives from IAVA (Steven Padilla)

The documentary focuses on the history of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and gives an in-depth overview of the grueling selection process that soldiers undergo to obtain the prestigious honor of becoming a US Army Sentinel Tomb Guard. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier—located in Arlington National Cemetery—represents the unidentified soldiers from World War I, Korean War, World War II and Vietnam who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Since 1937, Army sentinels selected for this duty are tasked with guarding the Tomb 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, regardless of weather conditions.

The Director, Producer, and Cinematographer of “The Unknowns” discussed the process of filming the documentary. Veterans in the audience asked panel members about their time in service as US Army Sentinels. Many attendees in the audience were fellow veterans and enjoyed learning the history of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

“The film really showed the detail and nuances that go into developing a soldier into a Tomb Sentinel. I really enjoyed seeing the process that the soldiers go through to guard such an important military memorial,” said Navy veteran and MFA Screenwriting student, Bartosz Tomaszewski.

Cinematographer Julio Macat Talks Comedy with Students after ‘Horrible Bosses 2’ Showing

Last week, New York Film Academy welcomed Julio Macat, a cinematographer known for his work on comedies such as the Home Alone series, Wedding Crashers, and Pitch Perfect, for a Q&A after screening Horrible Bosses 2. Horrible Bosses 2 features an ensemble cast of Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day, Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, and Chris Pine. The discussion was moderated by Dean of Students Eric Conner and Associate Chair of the Cinematography Department Mike Williamson.

Macat arrived before the film started to introduce the film and let students know what to be watching for. He specifically talked about style when shooting comedy, saying that when he first started in the industry, “comedies were shot in kind of a bright way, less contrast. I’ve been able to do comedies that are less bright, more rich,” he added. He also talked about how it isn’t just music that affects the pace of a film, it’s “figuring out when the camera should be moving and when it should be static.”

After the film, Dean of Students Eric Conner introduced Macat, and started the Q&A. Macat opened up about his personal attitude toward filming, telling students that they should always be flexible and go with the flow when filming and that “the worst thing to do is to fix yourself, 100%, this is what you’re going to do—most of your best work is going to be happy accidents.”

Macat asked the students about themselves when they came up to ask questions, and when one student expressed a nervousness about lighting, Macat reassured them, saying that, “it took me years to get a hang of lighting. What helped me most about lighting [was] observing real light.”

His final word of advice to our students was to “work with something they’re passionate about.”

“The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus” Screening & Discussion

Last week, students at New York Film Academy’s Los Angeles campus spent an evening with the creators of The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus, one of the most celebrated films of the English rock music scene of the 1960s. Director Michael Lindsay-Hogg and Cinematographer (and NYFA LA Cinematography Chair) Tony Richmond regaled the students with tales of a wild 30-hour shoot that took place in December, 1968.

Featuring performances by The Who, Jethro Tull, Taj Mahal, Marianne Faithfull, John Lennon, Eric Clapton, and The Rolling Stones themselves, The Rock and Roll Circus was a one-time event staged by the Stones to offer local fans an intimate concert experience set in a tawdry European traveling circus tent. The idea was to celebrate the music and not the trappings of the glamorous rock and roll life. The attendees of the concert were witness to music history as they watched a gathering of rock superstars playing for the fun of it to a crowd of about 300 people. The students at the film screening witnessed a document of one of the most creative and influential musical scenes—namely, London in the late ‘60s.

Michael Lindsay-Hogg, who directed the film, is a music video and documentary pioneer. He made (with Tony Richmond), the Beatles’ final feature film, Let It Be, as well as Simon and Garfunkel: The Concert in Central Park; Paul Simon, Graceland; and Neil Young in Berlin, among many others. Michael also directed many seminal music videos including videos for the Stones’ songs “Start Me Up,” “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” “Angie,” and “It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Michael also directed many Beatles music videos, including “Paperback Writer,” “Hey Jude,” and “Revolution.” All this, in addition to directing many critically acclaimed feature films including Master Harold and the Boys, Nasty Habits, and Frankie Starlight, and television series such as “Ready Steady Go” and “Brideshead Revisited (for which he won the BAFTA award).”

Anthony Richmond was a camera assistant on Dr. Zhivago, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, From Russia With Love, and Francois Truffaut’s Farenheit 451. Tony then went on the be the cinematographer of dozens of films, including The Man Who Fell To Earth, Don’t Look Now (for which he won the BAFTA award), The Sandlot, Stardust, Legally Blonde, and Ravenous. Tony was also responsible for lensing many seminal rock and roll films, including Sympathy for the Devil (for director Jean-Luc Goddard), The Who’s The Kids Are Alright, and Glastonbury Faire.

NYFA Dean of the College, Sonny Calderon, who moderated the evening’s Q&A, encouraged the students in attendance to take Michael and Tony’s lead and do what they love. “After speaking with these two legends, I was impressed by just how much they love telling stories. They cannot imagine a life where they weren’t constantly creating films, videos, and shows, and they do it for the love of sharing stories.”

When asked what he hoped NYFA students would take away from the screening, Tony responded “We were veritable kids when we filmed the show. We were inventing techniques as we went along in order to accomplish our vision. We even engaged a French camera company to fashion a system for us that enabled Michael to direct the film like a live show, thus preserving the energy of the performance. These cameras were regular TV studio cameras but had beam splitters installed into them so that 50% of the light coming in through the lens would be funneled to Michael in the control room, and 50% went to a built-in 16mm camera that served as our image capture medium. Michael was cutting on the fly like a live TV show in a control truck, calling the shots to the various camera operators. To my knowledge, this was the first time film had been used for a live show in this way.”

About the screening, Michael says “Under Sonny Calderon’s alert questioning, Tony and I were able to re-create for the students the making of ‘TRSRNRC’ and also about those times, the middle 1960s, when the world was changing under our feet and before our eyes. London then was a terrific place when all these extraordinary musicians were exploding and sending their shards of brilliance around the globe. But we hoped the students didn’t just see this as a trip to Lake Nostalgia, but also as something made by a group of people who were passionately involved with what they were doing, and wished to encourage them to find their own heroes and heroines and projects to go for and things which may seem at first daunting but with application and wit, will soon be theirs.”

Many of the insights shared by Michael Lindsay-Hogg can be found in his recently-published memoir, “Luck and Circumstance,” which details his fascinating life growing up and working with many of Hollywood’s greatest talents.

New York Film Academy thanks Michael Lindsay-Hogg for speaking with our students, and we very much look forward to more conversations with him to come.