Page 296 – NYFA

Film Projection Nearly Finished

Remember the days of projecting actual film onto the screen? It seems those days are coming to an end all across the world. In a recent report, its been concluded that almost 90 percent of theatrical movie screens around the world have now been converted to digital.

What does this mean for the studios and distributors? For starters, it’ll cost a lot less not to have to convert back to 35mm film for the theater.

Let’s break it down according to stats from a recent Variety article:

The countries with the highest digital screen growth in 2014 were the US, Mexico, China, Brazil, Russia, Italy, and Turkey.

According to a report by London-based IHS Cinema Intelligence, the global digital cinema penetration in 2014 stands at 89.8 per cent of the total screen footprint, reaching 127,688 screens. This marked a 14.7 percent increase from a total 111,328 at end of 2013.

Approximately 16,360 screens were converted to digital in 2014. Of these, 11,902 were 3D screens, or 72.3 percent of total.

In 2014 digital cinema penetration in Western Europe reached 96 percent, achieving the same level as North America for the first time.

A total of 11,902 3D screens were installed in 2014, representing 72.7 per cent of the total digital screens converted. Territories with the highest number of 3D screens installed were China, USA, Mexico, Russia and Brazil.

Central and Eastern Europe and Asia Pacific (not including lower grade E-cinema screens in India) have the same digital cinema penetration of 83.3 percent in 2014. They are followed by 79.5 percent in the Middle East and Africa. For the MENA region, the lag is mainly due to parts of North Africa.

This high percentage is partly driven by China’s continuing love of 3D. Asia Pacific recorded the largest digital screen increase, followed by South and Central America. Both these areas were lagging behind in 2013, but responded quickly to fill the gap and “have actually benefitted from the longer learning curves in other parts of the world,” the report said.

At this point it’s only a matter of time until we reach 100%. Though, we’re sure there will be a few hardcore film enthusiasts who will hold strong to their nostalgic film days and refuse to convert.

Chairman of the FCC Introduces Proposal to Protect Net Neutrality

After a year-long fight, proponents of Net Neutrality may have found a supporter in the unlikeliest of places: the Chairman of the FCC.

In an op-ed published on Wired on Wednesday, Chairman Tom Wheeler disclosed his plan to reclassify internet service as a Type II utility, making it illegal for internet service providers to discriminate between different customers and thus prohibiting speed throttling or content blocking.

This is a bit unexpected. Back in June, John Oliver dedicated a segment to the topic of Net Neutrality that outlined why internet service providers being able to create “fast lanes” for internet service would be a bad idea for the consumer. His video raked in almost 8 million views:

At that point it seemed that the FCC would side with the ISPs, especially since Wheeler had actually served as a lobbyist for the cable and wireless industries in the past. But the fight over Net Neutrality had forced two unlikely parties to come together: activists and corporate giants like Google. And perhaps their voices were heard.

In his op-ed Wheeler mentions that the FCC has played a major part in making the internet what it is today by opening networks. He even reminisced about his past as a business owner and his experience when networks are limited. And he stated his belief that the internet should be an open network as telephone lines are.

Cable service providers, on the other hand, state that this type of regulation would be damaging to their ability to raise investment for their operations. Other political opponents claim that this is simply a power-grab by the FCC to regulate a private industry.

Wheeler is planning to soften the blow of the reclassification of internet as a Type II utility by not enforcing the section of the classification that allows the FCC to regulate rates. However, the section that allows the FCC to extract funds from ISPs to subsidize development seems to still be in place.

Keeping the net neutral is going to benefit everyone from media companies like Netflix, to users that consume that media, to new businesses that need an open internet to compete, to independent creators of content that use the internet as a distribution channel.

The truth is, this announcement is likely only the beginning of the fight, as ISPs and opponents of this specific plan aren’t likely to take this laying down. We are also yet to see any of the details and fine print for the proposal. But it’s a clear sign that the grassroots activism in favor of Net Neutrality has had an impact. And it’s a sign that the FCC – or at least its Chairman – now holds a position in favor of Net Neutrality.

And perhaps the clearest sign of our need for an open internet, no matter which way it comes, is Oliver’s clip that kicked the the grassroots campaign that already existed into overdrive.

Lack of Female Directors Revealed as SXSW Announces Films in Competition

The annual Austin-based film festival South by Southwest announced its highest-profile films that will be in competition and the line-up featured a surprising lack of female directors. Of the twenty films that will be competing in the festival, which runs March 13-31, five were directed by women, or 25%.

While this rate is significantly more than the 6% of the 250 top-grossing films that were directed by women in 2013, it is still noteworthy as independent film tends to exhibit far more gender parity than Hollywood films. A 2013 Sundance study found that between 2002 and 2012, 29.8% of filmmakers at Sundance were female and that number has been continuing to grow, especially in the area of documentary film.

Accordingly, the majority of the female filmmakers in competition at this year’s South by Southwest festival are in the documentary category, with three of the ten documentary films directed by women, including Alexandria Bombach and Mo Scarpellis’ Frame by Frame, Samantha Futerman’s co-directed Twinsters, and Alex Sichel and Elizabeth Giamatti’s A Woman Like Me. In the narrative category, two films by women will be competing against eight other films, including Hannah Fidell’s 6 Years and Alison Bagnall’s Funny Bunny.

Elsewhere during the festival, audiences will get a chance to view a work in progress version of Trainwreck, the upcoming film written by and starring funny lady Amy Schumer. In addition, Melissa McCarthy’s upcoming film Spy will have its gala premiere, reuniting her with Bridesmaids and The Heat director Paul Feig, who will also be directing the actress in the upcoming, all-female Ghostbusters reboot. In addition, Beyond the Lights director Gina Prince-Bythewood and Selma director Ava DuVernay will both be giving keynote speeches.

Saved by the Bell Reunites on Tonight Show

This week, on a Wednesday night, a Saturday morning favorite from the 1990s made its triumphant return to NBC when the cast of teen sitcom Saved by the Bell reprised their roles on Jimmy Fallon’s talk show. Since taking over for Conan O’ Brien’s Late Night, Fallon has made a name for himself in a number of ways, including making viral videos for the Internet and indulging in 90s nostalgia. Those ideas came to a head on a Tonight Show sketch he performed with five of the seven original Saved by the Bell stars.

A detailed replica of Bayside High’s famous hallway was built on the Tonight Show’s soundstage with Fallon decked out in quintessential 90s garb. He was soon joined by actors Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Elizabeth Berkely, Mario Lopez, Tiffany-Amber Thiessen and Dennis Haskins with their hair and wardrobe mocked up to their famous TV characters Zack Morris, Jesse Spano, A.C. Slater, Kelly Kapowski and Mr. Belding, respectively. Surprisingly, the actors have aged well, with Lopez and Berkely in particular looking exactly like their characters from over two decades ago.

Missing from the fun were Lark Voorhies, who played Lisa Turtle, and Dustin Diamond, a.k.a. Screech Powers, who has been busy with unfortunate legal troubles of late. The rest of the cast seemed game for the reunion and had a lot of fun with Fallon, much to the delight of the audience and the thousands who’ve watched it online since last night.

This isn’t the first nostalgic stunt Fallon’s pulled. He’s had Gosselaar on his show before in character, and last year hosted a similar Full House reunion. Which 90s show from his and our past will he resurrect next? Doogie Howser? Perfect Strangers? Let us know whom you’d like to see in the comments!

Rihanna, Kanye West, and Paul McCartney Release Music Video for “FourFiveSeconds”

The internet is abuzz today with news of the release of Rihanna, Kanye West, and Paul McCartney’s new music video for “FourFiveSeconds“. This video comes out just a month after the release of “Only One“, another collaboration between Kanye and McCartney.

The song will be featured on Rihanna’s new album; her first since 2012’s “Unapologetic.” And interestingly enough, it will appear on Kanye West’s new LP as well.

Rihanna and Kanye take care of the vocals wall McCartney provides the backdrop as he strums away on his acoustic guitar in the background.

There is also a lot of denim, which was apparently Kanye’s idea. And it fits, because as Rihanna describes it, denim is “classic, it’s iconic – just like The f*****g Beatles.”

All of this comes together rather nicely. And the style of the video matches the song, very minimalist.

The look and aesthetic style of a music video are essential to communicating the feel and message of the song. And this is something the New York Film Academy definitely focuses on during our 1 Week Music Video Workshop.

The performance we see here should also translate well to the stage. And there is good news for fans of the song and/or the music video, as Paul McCartney confirmed via Twitter that the trio will be performing at the Grammy’s this Sunday, February 8th.

Terrence Malick’s New Doc Will Have 2 Versions

Terrence Malick is known for making relatively few films, but films with big ideas and an artistry to them that is worth a thousand lesser movies. His documentary looks like it will be no exception, especially considering the auteur has been working on it for several years now. It looks like its production has reached its end game however, with the announcement that Malick has found full financing to finish and release his project.

Or should we say projects? Never a stranger to the unconventional, Malick also announced his movie would be released in two completely different versions. One version will be feature length, narrated by Cate Blanchett, and distributed in a standard 35mm film format. Another will be released exclusively in IMAX, as a forty minute cut narrated by Brad Pitt. Its IMAX format is no surprise, given that the company is co-financing the documentary along with Broad Green Pictures, Sophisticated Films, and Wild Bunch.

Will the 40-minute cut be a greatest-hits version of the feature, or will they compliment one another, two necessary parts of a greater whole? Knowing Malick, it’s probably the latter, though it’s impossible to say—almost nothing is known about the project. Called Voyage of Time, Malick has only said so far that it’s a “celebration of the universe, displaying the whole of time, from its start to its final collapse.” In the meantime, you can get similar cosmic themes by Malick in his amazing film The Tree of Life, also starring Brad Pitt. Brad Pitt is a busy guy.

AACTA International Awards & G’DAY USA Winners Announced in Los Angeles

Scarlett Johansson Presents Chris Hemsworth at 2015 G'DAY USA and AACTA International Awards 2015 — Scarlett Johansson presents Chris Hemsworth ‘Excellence in Film’ award at G’DAY USA and AACTA International Awards 2015 (Source: Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images North America)

It’s starting to feel a lot like awards season. As the Australian 4th Annual Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards in Sydney concluded, the AACTA International Awards commenced in Los Angeles on 31 January 2015. 4th AACTA International Awards has partnered-up with G’DAY USA, joining forces for a star-studded night. The night gives much deserved recognition to Australians performing exceptionally in film and television outside the country.

AACTA President, Geoffrey Rush, shared the stage with fellow presenters including Nicole Kidman, comedian Rebel Wilson, Elizabeth Debicki, John Travolta, Jonathan LaPaglia, Rachel Griffiths and Russell Crowe.

Award winners included:

BIRDMAN for ’Best Film’, ‘Best Screenplay’, ‘Best Direction’ (Alejandro G. Iñárritu) and ‘Best Lead Actor’ (Michael Keaton)
STILL ALICE for ‘Best Lead Actress’ (Julianne Moore)
BOYHOOD for “Best Supporting Actress” (Patricia Arquette)

Chris Hemsworth was also honored with the ‘Excellence in Film’ award, presented to him by Scarlett Johansson.

Our New York Film Academy Australia students were recently invited to attend their 4th Annual AACTA Awards, with their highlights (amongst the many) including, watching Cate Blanchett host the Award Ceremony, talking to the Spierig Brothers about their film Predestination, shaking hands with AACTA President Geoffrey Rush, getting photos taken with Rose Byrne, and speaking with Bobby Canavale. NYFA Australia student Chantelle Von Appen added that the event was, “Basically getting an inside to the Industry.”

Students have also showcased their personal photos from the event on Facebook.

With the Australian awards all wrapped-up, the US film industry has just started warming up for the Oscars with nominees having just been announced.

Ryan Gosling Debuts as a Director

As is the case with so many successful actors with years of experience on major film sets, Ryan Gosling has decided to go behind the camera with his directorial debut Lost River. While the film was not very well received at the Cannes Film Festival, its trailer provides for a glimpse of Gosling’s promise as a filmmaker.

The film stars Mad Men‘s voluptuous secretary, Christina Hendricks, as well as Eva Mendes and Australian native Ben Mendelsohn. And perhaps as a throwback, the one-time horror queen Barbara Steele, from films like Black Sunday, Piranha and Fellini’s 8 1/2, plays the role of Belladonna.

Lost River is about a single mother who becomes swept into a dark underworld while her teenage son discovers a road that leads him to a secret underwater town. What is clear from the trailer are the elements of fantasy and macabre created in Gosling’s underworld city.

Didn’t realize Gosling could have such a mysterious imagination hidden underneath the pretty facade? Have a look for yourself and let us know what you think in the comments below.

Kino Lorber Launches Crowdfunding Campaign to Release Anthology of African-American Independent Cinema

As we explored in depth last year, the history of African-American independent film is both extremely rich and often little understood. This year, a number of organizations are already making inroads to shining a brighter light on different boon periods and local scenes. For example, starting Friday the Film Society of Lincoln Center will kick off its series “Tell It Like It Is: Black Independents in New York, 1968 – 1986,” which is programmed by Michelle Mattere and Jake Perlin.

An equally ambitious undertaking is currently under way over at esteemed film distributor Kino Lorber who are seeking crowdfunding support via Kickstarter to raise $35,000 to release a four-Bluray collection called “Pioneers of African-American Cinema” that will look at the years between 1914 and 1944. This was a period in which black independent film first arose in the guise of “race films,” films that starred a black cast and were funded, written, produced, directed, and distributed by such legendary filmmakers such as Oscar Micheaux, Spencer Williams, and Richard D. Maurice.

In addition to the above names, the anthology will also showcase the work of Zora Neale Hurston and James and Eloyce Gist, whose films have been largely unseen by a modern audience. The silent films will also feature new soundtracks created by contemporary classical, hip-hop, and techno artists and curated by the anthology’s executive producer Paul D. Miller aka DJ Spooky. The set of films is scheduled to be released next February in time for Black History Month. To learn more about this ambitious campaign, please click here.