Page 264 – NYFA

Disco Has Risen From the Grave: Mark Christopher Speaks with New York Film Academy on “54: Director’s Cut”

On November 5th, 2015, New York Film Academy in Los Angeles students were delighted to watch the revamped Director’s Cut of 54, followed by a Q&A with writer/director Mark Christopher—discussing his great journey to completing his vision on the disco cult film—with producer Tova Laiter and NYFA Film Festival Advisor Matthew Ladensack.

While attending film school, Mark Christopher made the short film Dead Boys Club, gaining lots of attention in the film festival circuit and even a theatrical distribution. With the success of Dead Boy’s Club and his subsequent short Alkali, Iowa, Christopher was able to gain a studio’s trust to direct his script about the iconic discotheque Studio 54. Therefore, his student films gave him a direct entree into making a studio feature.

Focusing on a young New Jersey bartender and his fellow club workers, 54 encapsulated the hedonistic nightlife of 1979 New York, before the drug wars and AIDS epidemic of the 80’s. The story blended humor, tragedy, bisexuality, and rampant drug use–an earnest portrayal of the era’s zeitgeist. Starring Mike Meyers in his first dramatic role, and up and comer Ryan Phillipe, the movie was accumulating attention and set to be a hit.

However, after seeing early cuts of the film, the studio decided to soften its depraved sexual vibe as they believed this would open the movie up to a wider audience. Removing 40 minutes of the original cut and reshooting another 30 minutes, the new version erased any note of homoeroticism, reinforcing the love scenes between Phillipe and Neve Campbell, and washed over the darker parts that gave the movie depth. The hollowed theatrical release was panned by critics at its release and considered a box office failure.

mark christopher tova — NYFA Film Festival Advisor Matthew Ladensack with Producer Tova Laiter and Mark Christopher

“As a director you have to hold on to your vision,” Christopher told NYFA students. Which is why after 17 years he revisited 54 to recreate his original story. Unlike most director’s cuts, where a few new scenes are sprinkled here and there, Christopher ripped apart most of the theatrical version like moldy shag carpeting. He found the original footage via bootleg video cobbled together from VHS sources and eye matched it scene by scene, restoring the gritty look and tone of the film. Since it’s release, 54: The Director’s Cut has been praised all over the world, with original and new fans alike flocking to sold out shows.

When asked what advice he had to share with the film students in the audience, Mark Christopher simply said, “Don’t be afraid.” Students thanked Mr. Christopher for being unafraid to revive Studio 54, a new favorite to many in the theater that night.

54: The Director’s Cut is currently available on iTunes and Amazon.

The New York Film Academy wishes the film and Mark Christopher much success!

Meet the Director and Choreographers Behind NYFA’s ‘Carousel’

Chad Austin and Ilda Mason are the creative force behind the NYFA Musical Theatre Program’s production of the great Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, Carousel. Musical Theatre Program Chair, Mark Olsen, stopped Chad in the midst of his busy schedule to ask a few questions about their collaborative process.

Chad, when did you and Ilda Mason begin working on Carousel?

Ilda began working with me early in the summer to develop the vocabulary of dance for our production of Carousel. We spent about two months in the studio developing the steps that would later become major production numbers.

You two have teamed up before. How did the collaboration begin?

Ilda’s dancing in my class and in all of her dance classes was very strong and she seemed to have a natural sensitivity to choreography. Our collaboration began when I brought her on to be my dance captain for the NYFA productions of Spring Awakening and The Wedding Singer.

And it was in the next production that the two of you more fully teamed up to create choreography?

Yes, I was asked to choreograph NYFA’s third musical, Chess, and she served with great enthusiasm and success as my Associate Choreographer. When the time came for me to gather my team, it was a no-brainer to have her once again as my Associate Choreographer.

It must be nice to have an associate who understands your process.

Working with someone over a period of time you begin to speak the same language. I’m happy to say that by this fourth show together, Ilda was basically finishing my sentences.

I understand that Ilda is now moving forward into the profession?

Yes! Ilda, like many of our students, needed to be sponsored in order to stay in the country. I was thrilled to offer my name as a professional to be her Artist Sponsor. Halfway through the rehearsal process of Carousel, she got the call that she would be staying in the country where she can follow her dreams. She left us a week before opening to start rehearsal for Washington DC’s Signature Theaters Production of West Side Story. This is one of the most reputable regional theaters in the country and I’m truly thrilled to have any part of the amazing journey she has ahead of her!

I know you are proud of her as are we all!

Ilda is a true product of all the amazing faculty members who work so hard every day to inspire and train the young artists that come to our program.

Be sure to check out one of our performances of Carousel this upcoming Friday, November 20th through Sunday, November 22nd at the American Theater of Actors in Manhattan. For tickets, please CLICK HERE.

Los Angeles Photography Students’ Excursion to Hawaii

Photography students from the New York Film Academy Los Angeles campus spent a week on Kona, Big Island of Hawaii, engaged in a variety of tours and activities.

Monday, the students walked around to get to know the town of Kona. The students shot photos of historical buildings, fishermen, locals, wildlife and the ocean. It was a brutally hot day; even the locals said it was unusually scorching, so with that they treated themselves to a popular local Kona Coffee Ice Cream. In the afternoon, the group went to a nearby beach to take photos and cool off.

Tuesday, the group visited the green beach that is famous on this large island. They all drove to the top entrance of a trail that led to a green sand beach, only one of five in the whole world! The drive was breathtaking, open fields and gale force winds, horses and cliff sides and even a windmill farm. The students decided to hike to the beach that took about an hour and ended at the top of a cliff looking down to a beautiful and secluded olive-colored sand beach. The group swam, shot pictures of the area then headed back up the trail.

Wednesday, the students went to a black sand beach. The wildlife was abundant, with a marsh on one side full of geese, small birds and lavender flowers, and the ocean on the other side we found turtles that had come to shore to rest. Everyone watched the sunset then headed back to the hotel.

On Thursday, they went to a local coffee farm in Kona. Kona is famous for its coffee, mostly because of its roasting methods. Everyone enjoyed the tour that showed each step of a coffee bean, from tree to cup. Students were able to sample the coffee as well as feed the farm’s chickens.

The group then walked around the town adjacent to the farm, where there were lines of art galleries of different types: sculpture, jewelry, photography, painting and even ukulele makers. Then the skies really opened up, and the rain came down so violently that the roads were flooding and the river overflowed. After the rain cleared, everyone made it down the hill to have an authentic Hawaiian meal as they sat on the beach to watch the sun set.

Friday was spent going to Kole Kole beach, where a fresh water river meets a saltwater ocean. The students hiked to Waipio Valley, childhood home of King Kamehameha, where they hiked down the lush valley with local birds and bugs and no cell service to Hillawe Falls. When hiking back up, a tropical rain soaked them all!

On the day before departure, the group headed to the volcano Mount Kilauea. It is an active volcano, although it hasn’t erupted in years. They also walked through a lava tube, which is an underground tunnel that lava carves out when it’s flowing from a volcanic eruption. Later, they headed to the top of the volcano, where the temperature dropped to the fifties. They took photos of the glowing crater where steam rose out of the volcano’s opening. Steam vents also released the sulfur clouds all around, and by standing near them you could warm up considerably. The group ended at the lookout of the caldera, and the moon began to rise after a light rain had passed over. As the sky grew darker, the glow of the volcano became an intense red-orange—with the contrast of the moon it looked surreal.

The group was ecstatic about their excursion and their shots, and ended the day with another Hawaiian meal and headed back.

NYFA Musical Theatre to Perform ‘Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel’

Continuing on the success of its last three musical productions, the New York Film Academy Musical Theatre Program is gearing up for its for fourth stage performance, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel, which will take place from November 20-22nd at the American Theatre of Actors in New York City. Based on Ferenc Molnar’s play Liliom, as adapted by Benjamin F. Glazer, the play centers on a Maine coastal village toward the end of the 19th century. The lead male is a swaggering, carefree carnival barker, Billy Bigelow, who captivates and marries the naive millworker, Julie Jordan. Billy loses his job just as he learns that Julie is pregnant and, desperately intent upon providing a decent life for his family, he is coerced into being an accomplice to a robbery. Caught in the act and facing the certainty of prison, he takes his own life and is sent ‘up there.’ Billy is allowed to return to earth for one day fifteen years later, and he encounters the daughter he never knew. She is a lonely, friendless teenager, her father’s reputation as a thief and bully having haunted her throughout her young life. How Billy instills in both the child and her mother a sense of hope and dignity is a dramatic testimony to the power of love. It’s easy to understand why, of all the shows they created, Carousel was Rodgers & Hammerstein’s personal favorite.

“Carousel has always played a part in my life as a performer,” said director and choreographer, Chad Austin, who is an instructor at the New York Film Academy. “I have danced the role of ‘carnival boy’ in multiple productions. I knew we had the talent to tackle this massive musical, and I felt it was a great time to produce a Golden Age Musical!”

Chad Austin with NYFA's Carousel cast — Chad Austin with NYFA’s Carousel cast

The NYFA cast has worked diligently these past few months going through the rehearsal process because for most of them this show is a huge stretch, both as dancers and actors. Some consider Carousel one of the best books of a musical—that alone tells you how much they have been digging into the character work in order to tell the story.

Taking on both director and choreographer was a thrill and challenge,” added Austin. “Luckily, I was able to create most of the choreography months before with my amazing associate choreographer, Ilda Mason [NYFA Musical Theatre alumna]. While creating the concept of the show I had the freedom to make choices that might otherwise not have happened if I wasn’t wearing both hats. I think by opening night the audience will be blown away by the level of talent we have at NYFA.”

Austin believes the performance will not only introduce a classic to our students, but also provide a story that will resonate with today’s modern audience.

“The struggle with Carousel and other musicals from its era is that audiences sometimes feel disconnected from the material. When you strip down the themes of Carousel and tell the story it is simple and touches people of all ages. I hoped to turn an epic musical into a intimate one.”

NYFA students, employees, and alumni may purchase up to two $10 tickets with Jordan Dragutsky in room 420 at NYFA Battery Place.

All other general admission tickets are available at NYFACarousel.brownpapertickets.com.

CAROUSEL
Music by Richard Rodgers
Book & Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Based on Ferenc Molnar’s play “Liliom”
As Adapted by Benjamin F. Glazer
Original Dances by Agnes de Mille

Directed & Choreographed by Chad Austin
Music Direction by Joshua Zecher-Ross and Anna Ebbesen

Production Stage Manager: Jhanae Bonnick
Associate Choreographer: Ilda Mason
Associate Director: Beatriz Cavalieri

Produced by Kristy Cates, Mark Olsen, and Jordan Neil Dragutsky

NYFA Holds Panels at ComiKaze Expo

New York Film Academy’s Screenwriting Department presented three engaging and interactive panels about Transmedia and Franchise Development at ComiKaze, a comic book convention at the Los Angeles Convention Center over Halloween weekend. Associate Chair of the Screenwriting Department, Adam Finer moderated all three panels, and faculty member Josh Eiserike (G. I. Joe: Renegades) was a panelist for the three back-to-back sessions discussing transmedia storytelling—how stories have evolved and how to build stories and franchises across multiple platforms.

In the first panel, Adam and Josh discussed various story world franchises—from comic book superheroes, to television shows and novels, and even My Little Pony. They also explored how different platforms (Web, television, comics, live events and more) enhanced the story and fan experience—and how crucial fan engagement is to building franchises.

In the second panel, Adam and Josh were joined by fellow faculty member Margaret Dunlap (The Lizzie Bennett Diaries) to listen to audience pitches and help workshop ideas. They spoke about the importance of understanding the best platform to launch an idea—often encouraging audience members to start small with comic books or Web series. Audience members also offered feedback on looking at similar properties to the pitches and were encouraged and inspired to create their own worlds.

For the final panel on Life In Transmedia, Adam, Josh and Margaret were joined by Transmedia Storyteller Alane Adams (Founder of the Rise Up Foundation and author of the Young Adult series Legends of Orkney and its location-based game BattleKasters) and fellow NYFA instructors Christina Weir (Arli$$, New X-Men), and Scott Rogers (God of War, the Maximo series, Pac-man World and author of Level Up! The Guide To Great Video Game Design and Swipe This! The Guide to Great Touchscreen Game Design).

Adam moderated this lively discussion about creating for different platforms, where ideas come from, how to determine the best place to start, the joys of collaboration and how to survive while pursuing a passion for creating.

NYFA Documentary Grads to Premiere at DOC NYC

America’s largest documentary film festival, DOC NYC, will be held from November 12-19th in New York City. The New York Film Academy Documentary Department is proud to announce that five of its graduates will be screening at this year’s prestigious festival on Friday, November 13th at 10:30am.

“Every NYFA film here absolutely deserves to premiere at such an important festival,” says NYFA’s Documentary Chair Andrea Swift. “At once entertaining and important, each of the five tells a surprising story in a voice all to its own.”

The New York Film Academy films include:

	ALIVE & KICKING
	ALL IN MY HEAD: THE PATRICK STEIN STORY
	LEGACY

THE HAPPIEST FAMILY

FREYA

In addition to our graduates’ films, we encourage students to check out the following screenings at DOC NYC:

DYING OF THE LIGHT unpacks the debated transition to digital projection, ending the reign of film after more than a century. As the technology has changed, moving obsolete film projectors into the realm of the odd collector, the skills of seasoned film projectionists are also in danger of being lost forever. (7:15 PM, Wednesday November 18 at Bow Tie Chelsea Cinemas)
HAROLD AND LILLIAN: A HOLLYWOOD LOVE STORY chronicles a remarkable sixty-year partnership and pays tribute to the unsung talents behind a staggering number of cinema classics from storyboard artist Harold Michelson and film researcher Lillian Michelson. Though largely uncredited, they left an indelible impression on films like The Birds, The Graduate and Rosemary’s Baby. (9:30 PM, Tuesday November 17, and 2:45 PM, Wednesday November 18 at IFC Center)
WOMEN HE’S UNDRESSED tells the story of the Oscar-winning costume designer Orry-Kelly. Drawing upon clips from his work in Hollywood classics – Some Like It Hot, An American in Paris, Irma la Douce – Armstrong captures Kelly’s on-screen genius. (9:15 PM, Sunday November 15 at SVA Theatre)
CLAUDE LANZMANN: SPECTRES OF THE SHOAH reflects on French journalist Claude Lanzmann’s journey to make a documentary about the Holocaust. (7:30 PM, Thursday November 19 at SVA Theatre), and Reel in the Closet, which projects the viewer back in time through home movies, opening a fascinating window into the surprising vibrancy of unheralded LGBT lives. (2:15 PM, Saturday November 14 at IFC Center)
RAIDERS!: THE STORY OF THE GREATEST FAN FILM EVER MADE is the story of three Mississippi preteens set out to pay tribute to their favorite film in 1982. Committed to making their own version of Raiders of the Lost Ark, they spent seven eventful summers recreating the epic adventure, shot for shot – with the exception of one scene beyond their scope. When footage of their project surfaces decades later, becoming a sensation, it reignites their drive to finally finish their low-budget masterpiece, no matter what

The festival is offering an eight-day series of talks, panels, masterclasses, and professional development workshops called DOC NYC Pro, which is perfect for students interested in diving deeper into the filmmaking process. We hope to see you all there!

NYFA Student Veterans Spend Evening at Clippers Game

The New York Film Academy’s Veteran Services Office brought together more than 70 veterans from 25 partner veterans’ organizations for the Los Angeles Clippers against the Phoenix Suns basketball game on Monday, November 2^nd. It was NYFA’s pleasure to host “Evening At The Game” as it connected our veteran students, local veterans and community partners to network with one another. The LA Clippers generously donated these tickets for veterans to attend the game. The LA Clippers are highly supportive of our military service members and veterans throughout the season.

Through this event, the New York Film Academy’s student veterans had the opportunity to meet with representatives of various local veteran organizations—such as Wounded Warrior Project, Team Rubicon, and Veterans in Film and Television—and enjoyed the chance to exchange stories with local veterans.

This event was an opportunity to network, meet other veterans, and learn more about the New York Film Academy and how the College educates and supports our student veterans. We are grateful for the encouragement that the LA Clippers provide to our military and the veteran students attending the New York Film Academy. Overall, the night was a success, providing good cheer and peer-to-peer support.

Award-Winning Network Correspondent Bob Dotson to Meet with NYFA Broadcast Journalism Students

Bob Dotson knows a good story when he hears one. As a correspondent for NBC’s Today show, he filed 1,500 of them for the acclaimed American Stories series. He also found success during one of the most challenging periods of journalism, as new technologies changed every aspect of how news is reported.

Now the eight time Emmy Award winner, and New York Times best-selling author, is coming to the New York Film Academy at 17 Battery Place in New York City. On Friday, November 20 at 10am, he will meet with current, incoming and prospective students to discuss the essence of what makes a good story, and how those stories can best be told.

This Q&A session will be moderated by NYFA Broadcast Journalism Chair Bill Einreinhofer. “The changes taking place in journalism today are as drastic as when television eclipsed radio as the dominant medium. Regardless of the type of program — hard news, entertainment, sports, fashion — digital technology has transformed, and continues to transform, both their content and their structure. Bob Dotson not only kept pace with these changes, he thrived in a rapidly changing media environment.”

While the workshop is free, seating is limited. If you are interested in attending, contact Bill Einreinhofer at [email protected].

Former NYFA Student’s ‘Utopia’ Earns Afghanistan’s Entry for Academy Award

chris robb — Producer Chris Robb in Kabul

Often times in filmmaking, producers and directors will “cheat” their location by recreating a scene on set or in a completely different country. With former New York Film Academy student Chris Robb’s co-production of Utopia, Robb and his team kept to the story’s authenticity. Together with his company, Tripswitch Productions, along with World Film Production, Afghan Films, and Nay Media, Robb and his team shot on location in Afghanistan, India and the U.K. As one of the many rewarding results of his efforts, the film Utopia, directed by Hassan Nazer, is Afghanistan’s official entry for Best Foreign Film at the 2016 Academy Awards.

“You can’t get anymore authentic than shooting Afghanistan for Afghanistan and having it present in the film with Afghans playing Afghan roles,” said Robb. “The heart of the film is in Afghanistan, so it made sense that Afghanistan was the heart of this production. We loved their commitment to drive their country forward post Taliban, and this film brings new ideas to their country. There was a real sense that a brighter future for Afghanistan lies ahead.”

Robb admits, however, that he and his crew were forced to be vigilant in Afghanistan. “You are aware that danger could come from any direction at any time,” said Robb. “We had a team of armed security to protect the crew at all times, which caused its own set of problems, keeping them out of the line of sight, but it was a necessary. The problem is: who is Taliban and who is not? The only difference is one has a gun hidden from sight. They don’t like cameras over there, so we had to hide the camera from sight as much as possible and be creative with that.”

The film includes three intersecting stories of loneliness and isolation that center around Janan, a woman from Afghanistan who travels to the UK for artificial insemination. Complications arise when William, a medical sciences student working at the clinic, switches the donors semen for his own.

“Making Utopia was a blessing for me,” says director Hassan Nazer. “I’m an immigrant myself, and what is an immigrant? It’s someone who has made a huge and decisive leap in their life and is now living in a different part of the planet. A new life, within some new kind of cultural rules and that’s what the heroine of our film, Janan, has done. She has taken an enormous decision on the cusp of her middle age. A decision that has a huge impact on the other two main characters’ journeys through life. You wouldn’t be able to find so many scripts these days looking this hopeful at Afghanistan’s future, so when I read it the first time, I knew I was going to direct this film.”

If you’re in the Los Angeles area, you can attend a screening of Utopia on November 1st at 7pm at IPIC Theatre—Westwood, 10840 Wilshire Blvd. Following the screening there will be a Q&A with Robb and some of the other producers and cast from the film. From there, we hope to see the film at the 2016 Academy Awards!