Page 262 – NYFA

NYFA Participates in Burbank YMCA Turkey Trot

This Thanksgiving, New York Film Academy students lent their talents in support of the Burbank YMCA’s 6^th annual Turkey Trot. The 5k/10k event is held each year to raise funds for scholarships that allow area kids and adults to join the Y. As an official sponsor of this year’s event, the New York Film Academy sent a group of eleven students led by the Los Angeles Chair of Photography, Michele Kirk and the Photo Coordinator, Kristine Tomaro, to document those running, walking and pushing strollers in support of physical health and fitness.

The New York Film Academy is proud to be a strong supporter of our community here in Burbank and even more proud of the student leadership that brought us to become a sponsor of this event. Two years ago photography student and now graduate Joseph Bornilla, (Jan. ’13 MFA Photography) volunteered to cover the event as a single person with a camera.

As a military veteran and no stranger to service, Joseph selflessly volunteered his Thanksgiving morning to support less fortunate members of his community. The following year, Joseph organized a team of photographers to cover all aspects of the event, and when Joseph moved on to Fall ’14 class of MFA Cinematographers, the directors of the Burbank Turkey Trot came looking for the services of NYFA’s highly talented photographers to capture the heart and soul of this event.

It is a great honor to continue the service begun by Joseph and we hope to be a proud supporter in Burbank for a long time to come.

Award-Winning Journalist Bob Dotson Lectures at NYFA

It was a great honor for our Broadcast Journalism school to welcome guest lecturer Bob Dotson, who has over 1,500 news stories under his belt as a correspondent for NBC’s Today Show. The exclusive event was moderated by New York Film Academy Chair of Broadcast Journalism, Bill Einreinhofer.

Dotson has found success in the world of journalism over the past few decades, even as new technologies changed every aspect of how news is reported.

“I try to do stories about seemingly ordinary people, who do something extraordinary,” said Dotson. “The people who are just quietly working behind the celebrity mirror.”

As an eight time Emmy Award winner and New York Times best-selling author, Dotson was able to chronicle his long career as well as discuss the essence of what makes a good story, and how those stories can best be told.

“It’s how you structure your story that’s important,” stressed Dotson. “Whether you know how to write very well or even if you’re still struggling with the visuals or the technical things. And it doesn’t make any difference if it’s going to be a tweet.”

People will come back to you if they like the way its written—they’re looking for the best storytellers.

So what are some tips for improving your storytelling skills? Dotson says,”All good storytelling begins with questions. How you ask questions make your stories deeper.”

Indeed, the value of pre-production is something to keep in mind when preparing a news stories. Those who are well prepared on their subject will have a much easier time of capturing the essence of their piece and the true heart of the story.

We sincerely thank Bob Dotson for taking the time out to provide our young journalists with invaluable advice.

NYFA Grad’s ‘Get Happy’ Wins Best Comedy at Manhattan Film Festival

A much deserved congratulations goes out to former New York Film Academy student Manoj Annadurai, whose romantic comedy Get Happy won Best Comedy at the 2015 Manhattan Film Festival. The film stars Chris Riggi (Gossip Girl), Adam LaVorgna (7th Heaven), Jordan Lane Price (All My Children), Rebecca Blumhagen (Other Plans) and Lauren Sweetser (Winter’s Bone). Also on the team is producer Sania Jhankar, as well as NYFA alumna Molly Calliste—who was an associate producer. The film was shot entirely in New York and was completed in just under a year.

Get Happy is about a perpetually miserable man who finds happiness when he starts dating a manic pixie dream girl, to the befuddlement of his cynical best friend.

This marks the first feature film from the Indian-born director Manoj Annadurai. As an innovative entrepreneur in India, Annadurai began his career as a successful technology maven before shifting gears to his true passion, filmmaking.

“NYFA education is structured in such a way that says ‘Yes, you too can make a movie’,” said director Annaduarai. “The wonderful teachers who taught with so much passion, help you understand what it takes to make a great movie. That gave me the confidence to shoot Get Happy.”

manoj — Director Manoj Annadurai on set of “Get Happy”

In Get Happy, Annadurai explores the idea of happiness. He says, “We live in an age where information is bursting at the seams, we have more access to theories on how to be happy than ever before,” and this is the driving force of the film. He adds, “The theories of happiness are represented by the relationship of two best friends. And when you take these ideas to the extreme, comedy comes into play!”

“The film is a fun slice of life that is enjoyable, but also conveys a deeper message,” said producer Sania Jhankar.

Get Happy will be playing at Cinema Village in New York City starting January 15th, 2016.

Creative Power Couple Piper Perabo and Stephen Kay Speak at NYFA

This week, the New York Film Academy at Battery Park welcomed creative power couple, Piper Perabo and Stephen Kay. Their conversation with Short-term Filmmaking Chair Jonathan Whittaker was as authentic and inspirational as it gets. The only heated discrepancy amongst them was that Perabo is a Dallas Cowboys fan and Kay and Whittaker are Philadelphia Eagles fans. But all relationships require work, and work is indeed what the two of them have been doing in all aspects of the entertainment business for well over a decade now.

Currently starring in Lost Girls on Broadway, the Golden Globe nominated actress Perabo is one of the most talented and versatile actresses working today. Her first big break came in the Jerry Bruckheimer produced film Coyote Ugly, where she played the leading role of Violet Sanford. In 2007, she was seen in Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige with Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale, in Because I Said So with Diane Keaton and Lauren Graham and in First Snow, a film directed by Mark Fergus, costarring Guy Pearce and Adam Scott. In May 2009, she made her stage debut in Neil Labute’s controversial play Reasons to Be Pretty directed by Terry Kinney. The list of credits goes on and on.

One of Perabo’s biggest pet peeves is when an actor breaks character and stops acting before the director yells cut. She stresses to all actors, “Never stop until somebody says cut! Just keep going.”

As for her husband Stephen Kay—who directed Get Carter, as well as episodes of the TV series Sons of Anarchy, The Shield, Friday Night Lights and many others—his start came about with his film The Last Time I Committed Suicide. As luck would have it, Kay was discussing his idea while playing hockey with Keanu Reeves. Reeves, who was playing goalie at the time, overheard the idea and immediately wanted to get involved. Through Reeves’ support and attachment to the project, Kay was able to get funding and springboard what would become a successful career in the business.

piper and kay — NYFA Short-term Filmmaking Chair Jonathan Whittaker with Stephen Kay and Piper Perabo

Most recently, Kay has been the executive producer and director of ABC’s Quantico, USA’s Covert Affairs and The Lizzie Borden Chronicles, for Lifetime Television. Along with his wife, he is currently working on The Flight, a television drama about conflict journalists, for Fremantle Television, Corona Pictures, and Capa Drama.

One of the many notable pieces of advice Kay had for our acting students was, “Every time you walk in the door to an audition, the person on the other side of the table wants you to be the right person.” Don’t go in the room thinking that they’re against you succeeding—be confident! Even if you’re not right for that specific part, if they like you, you may get the call for a project months later that’ll be your big break.

We wish the talented and warmhearted couple the best of luck with all of their upcoming projects, and sincerely thank them for candidness and refreshing take on an arduous business.

NYFA Student Veteran Hired by Voltage Pictures

Daniel Hunt has experienced in his 29 years of life more than most us will face in a lifetime. Daniel Hunt is an Army veteran who served as a Sergeant in the 82^nd Airborne Division that deployed to Afghanistan in 2012. During his military service he was awarded two campaign stars in service of his country.

Civilian Daniel Hunt is quickly becoming an accomplished up-and-coming film industry professional having recently completed an AFA in Screenwriting at the Los Angeles campus of the New York Film Academy College of Visual and Performing Arts (NYFA) and has transitioned into NYFA’s Bachelor of Fine Arts Screenwriting Program.

In addition to his exciting endeavors as a NYFA student, Daniel is an author of “Whiskey Bent & Smoke Out” which came out in August 2015.

“I would put the screenwriting staff at the New York Film Academy up against any other film school in the world—they’re that good,” said Hunt. “The staff is so in-tuned with the present film business that some of my instructors had to leave because their skills were called upon for television series and movies. The selfish part of me wanted them to stay but I understood that I had to let them go. The knowledge I gained could not have been achieved anywhere else and I am so grateful to benefit from their expertise.”

Daniel was recently hired by Voltage Pictures as a project intern. Voltage Pictures is one of Hollywood’s most elite and successful Production companies having been nominated for 15 Academy Awards, 5 Golden Globes. Voltage Pictures has won 9 Academy Awards and 2 Golden Globes and several films were nominated, or won, PGA, DGA, SAG, BAFTA, Independent Spirit awards and other prizes.

Daniel’s responsibilities at Voltage include script managing, script production and improvements, and helping strategic planning for Development Executives to maximize efficiency, manage account and contractual documents for feature films and television. He head liaises between office departments managed, trained, and coached personnel, managed, initiated, and lead conference calls.

Additionally, Dan managed a research and development team for script development and served as a key think tank team member discussing and developing concept and ideas for feature films.

Producing Department Speaks with Award-Winning Producer and Director Alan Poul

Last week, the New York Film Academy’s Producing Department welcomed award-winning film and television producer and director, Alan Poul, in a Q&A session moderated by NYFA Chair of Producing Neal Weisman.

As it happens, Poul broke into the business through his knowledge of the Japanese language. His first major gig was working on Paul Schrader’s Mishima as associate producer. From there his reputation of the Japanese language and culture spread and, before he knew it, he was working on Ridley Scott’s Black Rain, which took place in Japan.

After ‘learning by doing’ from the best, Poul spread his wings and began what would become a prominent career as a producer and director. His credits are quite extensive and very impressive. Over the past twenty years Poul has received an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, two Producers Guild Awards, four GLAAD Awards and three Peabody Awards. Together with arguably the most well known screenwriter in Hollywood, Aaron Sorkin, Poul worked as executive producer and director of Aaron Sorkin’s Golden Globe-nominated series The Newsroom. He recalls Sorkin’s original pilot script coming in at 110 pages for what was supposed to be an hour drama. Given the clout and success that Sorkin has in the business, Poul and his producing team were able to work out a 75 minute pilot that ended up airing on HBO.

Prior to that, he served as executive producer of HBO’s acclaimed Six Feet Under for its entire five-season run. In 2008, he executive produced CBS’ provocative 1970’s-era drama Swingtown, and directed four episodes, including the pilot. In 2003, Poul was nominated for both a directing Emmy and a Directors Guild Award for the Six Feet Under episode, “Nobody Sleeps.” Poul has also directed multiple episodes of HBO’s historical epic Rome and polygamous family drama Big Love. His most recent work includes directing the pilots for the TNT series Perception and the ABC series GCB. He also produced the cult classic series My So-Called Life, which propelled the careers of both Claire Danes and Jared Leto.

As for the feature film world, Poul made his directorial debut in 2010 with the romantic comedy The Back-up Plan, starring Jennifer Lopez and Alex O’Loughlin. Previously he produced the Fox Searchlight film Woman on Top (2000), directed by Fina Torres and starring Penelope Cruz, Skip Woods’ debut film Thursday (1998), Jean-Marc Vallée’s Los Locos (1997), Scott Winant’s ‘Til There was You (1997), Monique Gardenberg’s The Interview (Jenipapo) (1996), and the Clive Barker/Bernard Rose horror classic Candyman (1992).

Some other notable work in Poul’s TV career has been his close collaboration with author Armistead Maupin, resulting in three miniseries based on Maupin’s Tales of the City books (Tales of the City, More Tales of the City, Further Tales of the City), each of which was nominated for an Emmy award. While considered edgy material in its time, Poul brought the series to life through British TV’s Channel 4 and eventually to Showtime for seasons two and three.

alan poul and neal weisman — NYFA Producing Chair Neal Weisman and Alan Poul

Poul clearly has a knack for finding quality material and choosing the right people to work with. He says, “I need to be inspired, so I’m always looking to work with people that I admire.”

As to what keeps him going, or as he puts it “fill the hole,” Poul says, “The opportunity to make something that wasn’t there to begin with.”

He warns young filmmakers not to just jump right into the process of filmmaking or producing without first seeking out a mentor or someone who knows the world much better than you. He recommends budding talent take up an apprenticeship in their field and to learn from the best before doing it on their own.

The New York Film Academy would like to sincerely thank Mr. Poul for sharing his insight and advice to our students. We wish him much success on his upcoming adaptation of the classic Andrew Holleran novel Dancer from the Dance, which he will direct.

NYFA Alum Ioanna Meli Makes Waves with “A Little Part of You”

On November 23rd New York Film Academy Los Angeles students gathered to watch the award-winning short “A Little Part of You” by alumna Ioanna Meli. She and producer DJ Lopez shared their story of taking the thesis film to the festival circuit and ultimately a television premiere.

Ioanna was raised in Athens, Greece. She studied theater arts in London and, after receiving an opportunity to work in film, decided to study acting directed towards film. She found herself here at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles enrolled in the 1 year acting conservatory, and subsequently the MFA program.

For her thesis, Ioanna incorporated everything she learned from her classes and challenged herself by delving into her personal life to share a touching look at the tenacity of relationships with “A Little Part of You.” In the story, an actress receives the opportunity to star in a West End play, much to the chagrin of her lawyer boyfriend who’d be left behind in Los Angeles. “What I’d try to say with the story is to not be afraid to take a risk,” Ioanna notes. “Trusting that if it’s the right decision that the right people will be in your life no matter what.”

Ioanna knew before making her film that she wanted to make something that could continue outside of the classroom. However, working as the writer, director, and star was a daunting task. She managed to make it happen with help from producer DJ Lopez. DJ advised the audience, “Take time in preproduction to get your ducks in a row, so the production runs smoothly.” That’s how DJ managed to acquire an actual airport for the culminating scene.

Ioanna was also able to juggle her roles by having her co-director Jay Parupalli prep with her before shooting, so that she could concentrate on the role on set. With only 4 days to shoot, Ioanna and team took advantage of every ounce of opportunity. When they received their equipment in the evening, they shot at night instead of waiting for the day. This was how they were able to make both the 8-minute cut for the thesis guidelines, and a 20-minute version to send to film festivals.

Meli and Lopez strongly encouraged the audience to do their research on festivals before submitting. It saves money and helps assess where your film is most likely to be chosen and even awarded. A Little Part of You received Best Short Film as well as Best Actress in a short film at New York City International Film Festival, Best Student Short at California International, and well received in Madrid and Ioanna’s hometown of Athens. “When you get the chance to bring a little bit of L.A. from where you come from, it’s really special,” she commented.

At the HollyShorts Festival a TV executive took interest in the film, which is how A Little Part of You gained its television premiere on DirectTV Saturday, November 28th.

New York Film Academy looks forward to seeing more from alumna Ioanna Meli and wish she and DJ Lopez great success in the future.

The Shorts Show Performing LIVE at The PIT

Founded by New York Film Academy acting alumnus Corey Scott Rutledge, The Shorts Show team has been doing consistently funny sketch comedy in New York for five years now and have been featured everywhere from The Huffington Post to Funny or Die.

Last year, the group began doing live scripted comedy at NYC’s The PIT, selling out almost every show. Their most recent show, Tourist Trap, was co-written by NYFA acting graduate Brooks Russell and includes the cast of NYFA grads Jae LaRoya and Dirk Otis, as well as NYFA Instructor Grant Lancaster. In fact, even the technical director is Luis Alercone, a NYFA filmmaking graduate.

Tourist Trap came about in an effort to make a New York-centric show,” said co-writer Brooks Russell. “We all live in the city and we all share the common love/hate relationship with the city— so we wanted to make a show that delved in to that.”

The team began throwing around ideas for a few of the sketches and then searched for a backbone to them all together. That’s when they stumbled upon On the Town, an old but fairly popular musical that just recently had a revival run on Broadway. The show is about three sailors who spend one night in NYC and go on ‘wild and crazy’ adventures, then meet up to share their adventure together.

The Shorts Show 2015 Reel from The Shorts Show on Vimeo.

“We started thinking what if you took that story but had the sailors just go through all of the obstacles that today’s New Yorker often faces: subway delays, catcalling, hipster-artisanal propaganda, the homeless, pigeons, Naked Cowboys, and so on,” said Russell. “We use the sailors as a vehicle to travel through this very weird, dark, and (hopefully) hilarious version of NYC that explores all of those experiences that really are unique to this city, and the musical element helps it keep an absurd, light-hearted tone in an otherwise bleak setting. Mostly because Dirk has the voice of an angel.”

Be sure to check out Tourist Trap at the PIT on 123 E. 24th St. on Friday, December 4th at 9:30pm. For tickets and times, please visit thepit-nyc.com/event/tourist-trap.

NYFA LA Documentary Dept. Hosts Sundance, IDA and Film Independent

Ten New York Film Academy Los Angeles documentary students had the opportunity recently to practice their pitching skills before representatives of three of the most influential organizations in the documentary world; Rahdi Taylor, Director of the Sundance Documentary Fund, Marjan Sarfinia, President of the Board of Directors of the International Documentary Association, and Francisco Velasquez, Senior Manager for Film Independent’s Project Involve. The ten students pitched both short and long form documentaries on a wide variety of subjects. Taylor, Sarfinia and Velasquez then responded to each pitch with constructive feedback. “Very impressed overall with your students,” Sarfinia wrote after the event. “You have an impressive group of students, “ wrote Taylor, “Their hard work and preparation really shows–strong pitches and projects.” Velasquez was also impressed, writing, “It was very stimulating to hear your students pitch. All had terrific projects.”

The experience was rewarding for the students. Carolina Sosa Andres said afterwards, “Doing the pitch in front of all these important people was really helpful. I felt a little bit nervous but at the same time it’s great practice. Everybody should try it!” “I learned that if you are nervous just share that with the audience and they’ll empathize and create a supportive space,” said Eva Luna Marini (Summer 15 MFA). Ardrien Newell (Fall 14 MFA) commented, “It was a very good experience to be able to pitch an idea in front of professionals. They gave helpful feedback that will definitely be used!”