Page 306 – NYFA

Has Female Equality in Hollywood Progressed in 2014?

A year on from when we last looked at gender inequality in Hollywood, recent events have forced the issue of disparity in pay between female and male actors into view. As the Sony hack revealed, Jennifer Lawrence—the second highest paid actress of 2014—alongside her co-star Amy Adams, both received lower amounts of the back-end of American Hustle than their male counter-parts.

In addition, two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank also recently made headlines with her comments regarding the pay gap in Hollywood. According to Swank, “My male counterpart will get paid 10 times more than me—10 times. Not double, but 10 times for the same job.”

While there is a lack of comprehensive data to support Swank’s exact claims, it is clear that there is a very real gap in the amount paid to male and female actors. Last year, we looked at Forbes’ list of the top ten paid actors and actresses and found that the highest paid actress of that year, Angelina Jolie, made roughly the same amount as the bottom two actors in the top ten, Denzel Washington and Liam Neeson. More so, we found that on a whole, the top ten highest paid actresses made a combined $182 million compared to the $464 million made by the top ten men, over twice the amount.

Given this issue coming up in the mainstream press lately, we decided to update our findings for 2014 and see what, if any, progress has been made. While we only have access to the ten highest paid actors and actresses—which reflect a far more inflated pay rate than the rest of those in Hollywood earn—it does appear that we might be starting to move in the right direction.

As can be seen in the two above graphs comparing the earnings of actors and actresses in 2013 and 2014, there has been substantial growth in the pay actresses received in 2014. This year, Sandra Bullock, ranked third overall for both men and women on the success of Gravity—bringing in $51 million, nearly 20 more than any actress had made the year prior. Overall, the pay appeared to go up for the top actresses compared to 2013’s list, with the top ten highest paid actresses making $226 million in 2014, up 24% percent. Meanwhile, the men’s collective pay was $419 million, down nearly 11% from 2013.

In addition, while in 2013 the highest paid actresses’ ages tended to skew far younger than the men, 2014 also saw the median age increasing to 36.9 from 34.8 in the year prior. However, it’s still clear that acting is a younger woman’s game and Hollywood continues to hold out on big paychecks for older actresses.

Of course, as these numbers tend to fluctuate on a year-to-year basis, it’s still premature to say that Hollywood is moving closer to gender equality, especially considering the prevalent lack of women behind the camera and in positions of power within the studio system. Nonetheless, as awareness of gender inequality continues to be discussed more heatedly, it would seem that Hollywood might be starting to move forward in closing the gender gap. Here’s hoping 2015 sees more progress.

NYFA Sponsors Producers Guild Conference at Time Warner Center

New York Film Academy was one of the sponsors of the Producers Guild of America “Produced by” conference at the Time Warner Center. NYFA had a strong presence at this historic event, staged for the first time in New York City. Participants included Producing Department Co-Chairs Neal Weisman and Nick Yellen, Admissions Reps Sal Irizarry (a Producing Program alumni) and Robert Gorrie, as well as a number of current Producing students.

NYFA reps attended a variety of sessions that addressed the entire spectrum of the producing process: from creative producing, to the latest in international and domestic financing, to the very dynamic and fluid distribution landscape that is challenging the entire industry. Prominent among the panels attended were such diverse sessions as “Inside Showrunning”, “Financial Models in the Era of Hybrid Distribution”, “Tax Credit Financing”, and “The Power of Female Driven Content”. A variety of participants included actor/producer Jake Gyllenhall, director/producer Darren Aronofsky, television show runner Jenni Konner, producer Scott Franklin, writer/producer/distributor James Schamus, Academy Award winning producers Donna Gigliotti and Cathy Schulman, regular NYFA industry speaker and film finance expert John Hadity, and producer Steven Haft. Of special interest was the presentation by famed distributor Ruth Vitale on the subject of film piracy. Look for Ruth to be a guest at NYFA early in the 2015 where she will elaborate on industry efforts to confront this serious issue.

NYFA Producing students attending the PGA “Produced by” Conference not only participated in panel sessions and networked amongst industry professionals, they also spent a good part of the day posting social media messages across multiple platforms! All in all, the Conference was a valuable experience for all concerned.

Banky W Premieres ‘Music Film Experience’ in Lagos

One of our recent 8-week Filmmaking graduates, Nigerian R&B star Banky W, showcased his most recent music video work, which he filmed in collaboration with the New York Film Academy, at one of the largest theaters in Lagos, Nigeria. The “Music Film Experience” premiere event at the Palms Mall was attended by some of the Nigeria’s top celebrities and A-listers, and was sponsored by Samsung, Diamond Bank, Ciroc vodka, Oando Plc, and Fuse.

The night began with the screening of Mercy, which was Banky’s final film at NYFA. From there, he screened his music video, Lowkey, and ended with a viewing of Unborn Child. Following the screenings, Banky W spoke with the audience about his videos and experience working on the project. As for his overall game-plan with the videos, he plans to release his clips one at a time to give his fans a sneak peek.

Hailing from Lagos, Nigeria, Banky enrolled in NYFA’s Union Square campus to study an 8-week Filmmaking course where he was able to develop his skills to co-produce and co-direct his largest music video to date alongside Jonathan Whittaker, Chair of Short-Term Filmmaking Program at The New York Film Academy. “Being on set with Jonathan, Til Neumann [NYFA Instructor] and the NYFA team provided me a priceless learning experience,” said Banky W. “I was fortunate enough to have Jonathan as a teacher in my cinematography class, and then again as a collaborator when we co-directed my Unborn Child video. I feel blessed to have learned so much from him, in and outside of the classroom.”

With a NYFA crew comprised of former students, assistants and faculty, Unborn Child was shot on the Red Epic at Gary’s Loft in Midtown and just off Bruckner Boulevard in the Bronx in only two days. The video stars Banky, Lynxxx, and 8-week Acting for Film student Aminat Ayinde. “Til was absolutely phenomenal as well, and I can’t say enough about the alumni like Matthia Palombi and Philipp Pchelin, who I also worked with on the other films I shot, as well as the rest of the NYFA team. The videos I got to make wouldn’t be what they are without their invaluable help and expertise.”

Banky W took full advantage of NYFA’s hands-on experience, diving head first into several projects. “I consider my training at NYFA to be an important foundation for the rest of the filmmaking work I intend to do. I hope to build on this by putting into practice what I learnt, but I also hope to continue to learn. I have more classes to take, more work to do, and many more films/videos/clips to write and direct.”

“Having already spent many successful years on the music scene in Africa, I consider this the start of something very exciting and limitless; something I will do for a very long time, and something I hope to excel in,” said Banky W. I can’t thank NYFA enough for helping me begin to make this dream a reality.”

We’d also like to thank Banky W for his kind words and wish his much success in the world of filmmaking! Be on the lookout for Unborn Child, which is officially scheduled to be released around the beginning of January.

Filmmaking Graduates & Brothers to Screen at Italian American Museum

In the industry, we use the term “elevator pitch” to refer to a summary of an idea that should be delivered in the hypothetical time span of an elevator ride. The hope is to have your pitch coherent and concise while keeping the listener entertained. A successful conversation could lead to an all important meeting with an agent or a producer. Such is the basis for One-Year Filmmaking students and brothers Andrea and Matteo Cossi’s film The Pitch. The short film is a comedy about Ben, a 20-year-old guy who wants to make a living in the filmmaking business. As storekeeper of Broadway Studios and an aspiring screenwriter, he decides with the help of a friend to pitch his film to the famous producer Mr. Bethorn in the elevator of Broadway Studios. The project was the brothers’ thesis film made with the intention of serving as a promo for a web-series.

“Our goal with this short movie is to not only entertain the audience, but also express the idea that if you really want to realize your dreams, you have to create your own opportunities,” said Matteo Cossi. “The filmmaking industry is a very dynamic field — thus you always need to be proactive and you always have to consider the ups and downs that come with this career.”

The brothers, originally from Italy, have already had success with the film, as it will be screening at the Italian American Museum in New York City on December 20th, 2014 at 7:30pm along with their first semester film, Colors. The first semester short is a drama that explores the theme of blindness with a tacit referral to organ donation. It also focuses on the parental love of a grandfather for his blind grandson.

“The idea that led to the birth of Colors is right in the title. Colors are an interpretation of the reality that surrounds us by the response of our eye to the light. Light determines the colors, and colors create an image. What better choice to make a short film that represents us as filmmakers if not talking about colors? Cinema is light, after all. For those who live in the light, for those who can see, the color does not need much explanation. It is something that is there and always has been. But for those who live in the dark, for those who can not see, there is no color.”

The goal with the short film Colors is to sensitize the audience to the theme of organ donation and show how love has the power to connect worlds that may seem far apart.

The brothers are currently working on two new projects. The first one is a fantasy horror feature about love, family and forgiveness. The second is a fictional, historical drama that shows the vicissitudes of an Italian family who moves to an early twentieth century New York City. The brothers intend to underline the difficulties that Italian immigrants had to face when coming to America. The stories enable us to witness their sacrifice, their love for family and their ability to integrate with a different culture.

“We had a life-changing experience at NYFA. We perfected our filmmaking craft while getting to know people from all around the world. We’d like to thank our teachers, in particular: Paul Warner, our directing teacher; Arsenio Assin, our cinematography teacher; and Liz Foley, our producing teacher, who all taught us to work as a group, a real crew, instead of as ‘singular heads’ before, during and after any shoot.”

Robert Pucci: From Law School to Hollywood

New York Film Academy Los Angeles Critical Film Art and Intro To Film Instructor Robert Pucci took a rather interesting turn in his career after passing the bar exams for both New York and New Jersey — a difficult feat in itself. What could be a more challenging career path than passing law school and two bar exams? Acting. Robert’s passion for the craft sent him on his way to Los Angeles to become an actor. However, while playing a recurring role on The Young and the Restless, he realized that, at heart, he is a writer.

Robert has sold over twenty-five screenplays to major Hollywood studios and worked with, among others, Ridley Scott, Oliver Stone, Jan Debont, James Foley, Mark Wahlberg and Roland Joffe. Recently, Robert’s artistic endeavors are focused on books and not screenplays. In his first novel, In Harlem’s Way, Robert continues telling stories and creating characters that examine the complexities of the human heart. Touching on themes of innocence, guilt, forgiveness and ultimately love, the book tells the inspiring story of the unlikely relationship forged between a damaged white youth lost in Harlem, and the first African American man he’s ever met, a bond that heals and forever changes them both.

With tremendous experience in the industry, in addition to his grasp on the law, Robert provides invaluable insight to his students on the world ahead of them. “I feel any instructor who has been in the trenches, (and I’ve been in them as an actor, and to a far greater extent, as a writer) offers something worthwhile to young artists,” says Mr. Pucci. “That said, my aim is to make this experience about them and not me, but when I can impart lessons learned by way of trial by fire, I share them.”

Robert currently teaches two courses at the Film Academy that provide an overview of the history of cinema with a look at the many movements and techniques which shape film as they experience it today. In so doing, Robert aims to connect the past to the present and show the students that the filmmakers, actors and writers they currently admire are well-versed in the work of the artists who came before and incorporate what they’ve learned in their own work.

“I find the enthusiasm of the students infectious. I also enjoy interacting with the international student body at NYFA as in each class I learn something new about cultures from around the world.”

Robert’s advice to young screenwriters is the same advice he was given when starting out. “There is much in the entertainment industry that is out of your control, so work diligently and focus on the things which you can control, and the main one is your work output. Always be writing. When you finish one script, immediately start the next one.”

New York Film Academy Student Arabic Film Festival

A frustrated screenwriter gets unlikely inspiration for his next “killer” screenplay. A young man is pressured by his father to leave his true love for an arranged marriage. A police detective viciously interrogates three suspects to uncover who murdered an innocent man over a parking spot.

These stories were but three of the twelve films and music videos recently screened at New York Film Academy’s Student Arabic Film Festival. With Dean of Enrollment Tami Alexander in attendance (all the way from New York!), the festival showed how the themes and stories created by our Arabic students were truly universal.

Recent alum Osama Alkhurayji along with current students Almotaz Aljefri and Fawaz Saleh organized the event with Dean of Students Eric Conner. After receiving submissions from several current students, a lineup was compiled which included an array of dramas, thrillers, comedy and romance.

In a Question and Answer session after the screening, the student filmmakers described the passion (and occasional problems) that went into creating their work. What came across from the comments was how relatable the material was to an audience from all over the globe.

At the end of the night, three projects were recognized by a judging panel that included Saudi film director Bader Alhamoud and Al Riyadh’s Film Critic Rja Almutairi.

First Place
NOT THIS WAY
Producer / Director of Photography – Abdullah Alshuridah
Producer – Mann Binabdulrahman

Second Place
SHARP
Director – Omar Said

Third Place
JOHNNY SHADOW
Director – Abdullah Abuljadail

Congratulations to all the filmmakers on their work!

G.K. Reid from Bravo’s ‘Double Exposure’ Speaks to Photography Students

Recently, New York Film Academy’s Co-chair of Photography Paul Sunday invited guest lecturer G.K. Reid. Reid is a celebrity stylist, editor, designer and filmmaker.

G. K. was a co-star of the Bravo television series Double Exposure with photographers Markus Klinko and Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri. He has worked with many of the most renowned artists and celebrities of our time, including Beyonce Knowles, David Bowie, Lady Gaga, Janet Jackson, Rihanna, Kanye West, Britney Spears, Anne Hathaway and Katie Holmes. His editorial work has appeared regularly in V, Harpers Bazaar, GQ, Flaunt, Arena Homme Plus, iD, Interview, Vibe, and Rolling Stone.

Mr. Reid’s visit was an inspiring evening of advice from an industry insider. He shared strategies for photographers interested raising the quality of their image-making. He also emphasized the importance of diligence in training your eye, following your dreams and transforming your ideas into images. He urged students to take full advantage of the opportunities that full-time study provides and also warned, “don’t save your great ideas for later, start working on them now!”

G.K. has a remarkable eye and has consistently been ahead of the curve on trends in fashion and photography. We’d like to thank G.K. Reid for sharing his insight.

NYFA Sydney Holds First Inaugural Filmmaking Showcase at Event Cinemas

The New York Film Academy Australia campus in Sydney held its first Inaugural Filmmaking Showcase at Event Cinemas, George Street in VMAX 2. The multiplex theater, which screens today’s top films, just so happens to be filmmaker Baz Luhrmann’s favorite cinema in Australia!

To kick off the event, filmmakers strutted the red carpet outside of the theater. After all, what would an award-ceremony be without a red carpet? Guests included our filmmakers and their families and friends, screen industry professionals, 2015 committed students, potential new students and NYFA Sydney alumni. NYFA Australia Director Simon Hunter and NYFA Australia Academic Manager Craig Proudley were also on hand for the night. NYFA is the first and only film school to have showcased thesis films in a VMAX cinema at Event Cinemas, George Street, Sydney. We love being pioneers.

The awards ceremony gave out 4 awards, including Outstanding Student, Best Cinematographer, Best Director and Best Film, which was chosen by a panel of screen industry professionals.

“It is an exciting partnership that Event Cinemas has with NYFA,” said Event Cinemas General Manager, Anthony Kierann. “Last night was a night of talented filmmakers and actors expressing their creative journey and discovering their voice within the magical process of storytelling in the art of filmmaking. There is a huge appetite within the film-going community to experience extraordinary stories with universal themes and social significance. Last night there was a range of styles, performances, screenwriting and visual bravery with astute detail and a willingness to explore all the nuanced options creatively available to tell a story — the films screened last night at the thesis screenings certainly were a testament to the talent pool at NYFA in Sydney. As an exhibitor, it is encouraging to see such a depth of talent. Events looks forward to furthering its support and partnership; to be in some small way a nurturing component that may allow these young filmmakers and actors wings to grow. Congratulations to everyone involved and a special congratulations to Ren Thackham for her audacious visionary film Lady Luck, which won the Best Film Award”

Anthony and Event Cinemas were so pleased with the night that they have committed to playing one of our filmmakers thesis films, Wolf by Ethan Thomas before a feature film. Overall, it was not only an entertaining night, it was a whopping success. We look forward to our next Filmmaking Showcase at Event Cinemas!

A Look at Acting Instructor Michael Zelniker

Red Rodney Zelniker — Michael Zelniker as Red Rodney in “Bird”

One of the more enticing factors of studying at the New York Film Academy is its commitment to staffing its teachers and instructors with those who have sound experience and success in the film industry. In some cases our instructors come from a versatile background, having worked extensively in many artistic areas, including acting, filmmaking and theatre. Such is the case with Acting for Film and Acting Technique Instructor Michael Zelniker. Having starred in more than 20 feature films and countless television productions, Zelniker is perhaps best known for his portrayal of trumpeter Red Rodney in Clint Eastwood’s award winning film Bird. If you’re from Canada, you may recognize him for his Canadian Academy Award (Genie Award) winning performance in The Terry Fox Story, which also starred Robert Duvall.

“One of the reasons I love working at NYFA is — having spent my life learning how to do this work I love so much — getting to give it away to young people just beginning their creative journeys is an awesome privilege,” said Zelniker. “One of the great features to NYFA as an educational institution is it has a very large international student body. That unique mix of cultures, ideas and sensibilities makes for a powerfully dynamic artistic atmosphere.”

Zelniker was born and raised in Montreal where he trained as an actor at Dawson College’s Conservatory Theatre School. After graduating, Zelniker moved to Toronto, where he began working in theaters all across Canada doing everything from Shakespeare to David Mamet, appearing in more than 20 Equity productions, including Amadeus, Henry V, Mother Courage and American Buffalo.

Since moving to Los Angeles, where he currently teaches, Zelniker has worked in both movies and television. His long list of credits include co-starring in David Cronenberg’s acclaimed film Naked Lunch with Peter Weller; Queens Logic with John Malkovich and Kevin Bacon; Touch and Go with Michael Keaton; and Bird with Forest Whitaker.

Some notable television movie appearances include the Showtime mini-series The Neon Empire; Masterpiece Theatre’s Glory Enough For All for PBS; and the ABC mini-series Crossings with Christopher Plummer. Zelniker guest starred many times on series such as The Dead Zone, Chicago Hope, Millennium, Profiler, The Inside, Strong Medicine, Veritas the Quest, For the People, In the Heat of the Night and Murder She Wrote. Zelniker has starred in many independent features including, Snide and Prejudice, directed by Philippe Mora; Air Time, directed by Gary Fleder; and the Sundance Lab developed film, After Image.

Zelniker’s theatre directing credits include the critically acclaimed Child’s Play, at the John Anson Ford Theatre, the sketch comedy show, White House Chicks at the HBO Workspace, Waiting for Lefty and Moonchildren at the Lillian Theater, and One Love and Love and Death and Other Trivial Matters at the Artworks Theatre.

As a filmmaker, Zelniker co-wrote, produced, and played the title character in the critically acclaimed, festival award winning feature, Stuart Bliss. He also directed, co-wrote and produced the low budget, experimental feature, Falling… that premiered at Indie Fest USA International Film Festival in August 2012, winning their Best of Festival Award. The film is currently being distributed by Vanguard Cinema and Anderson Digital.

We’re thrilled to have Michael Zelniker on our team and confident in his ability to share his invaluable insight to budding talent at the New York Film Academy.