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Photography Students Keep Their Own Canon or Nikon HDSLR

The starting point for any photographer is to purchase a quality camera. While it is not the only aspect of photography that will yield quality work, it is clearly an essential tool in the field. As such, the New York Film Academy aims to provide students with the very best cameras in the market today. Not only that, we feel the camera should, in a sense, become your ‘baby’. That’s precisely why students enrolling in New York Film Academy’s MFA, BFA, Two-Year or One-Year Photography program, will receive and get to keep a state-of-the-art Canon or Nikon HDSLR camera (his or her preference). Each camera gives students the option to shoot stills and HD video. So, students in our photography program will even have the option of experimenting in digital filmmaking — perhaps even creating his or her own short film.

The New York Film Academy provides hands-on, intensive training for photographers, providing them with real world, professional experiences in an incomparable urban environment with millions of photo opportunities on a daily basis. We guarantee you, that you can walk out the building and discover something unique. We also encourage students to find their niche in order to separate themselves from the competitive world that lies ahead.

If you’re interested in learning more about NYFA’s Photography Programs, whether it be a degree or certificate program, CLICK HERE for more information.

Cell Phone Photography Competition

Do you have an impressive photo or two on your smartphone that you want to show off to the world? Take a look at the Texas Photographic Society’s Cell Phone III competition where you can win cash prizes for your photos. The contest is open to all levels of photographers from amateurs to professionals. If you’re a New York Film Academy Photography student, this could be a quick and fun way to earn a few dollars. The awards are:

First Place: $250
Second Place: $150
Third Place: $100
Up to three Honorable Mentions may be awarded

There is an entry fee of $25 for up to 8 images. In order to be considered, you must submit your photos by June 1, 2014.

NYFA HOSTS JOINT TALK WITH NASA SCIENTIST

The New York Film Academy will be holding a joint talk with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at Warner Bros Studios on Tuesday, May 20th 2014 at 4:15pm PST. In an effort to raise awareness on the development of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the talk aims to showcase the programs, products, and overall results of the Academy’s initiatives to merge STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) fields with the Visual Arts. Rajiv Uttamchandani will be representing the New York Film Academy while Dr. Matthew Greenhouse will speak on behalf of NASA.

THE SPEAKERS

Rajiv Uttamchandani is an astrophysicist, professor, and Director of STEAM Education Initiatives at the New York Film Academy Los Angeles. His primary interests are in the development of programs that foster interests in STEM fields to visual artists and members of the public at large. He has recently started significant collaborations with NASA, in which he aims to use the development of the James Webb Space Telescope as an educational tool to engage visual artists in the sciences.

Dr. Matthew Greenhouse has served on the James Webb Space Telescope senior staff as Project Scientist for the JWST science instrument payload since 1997. He is the recipient of several NASA awards and honors including: the Robert H. Goddard award for Exceptional Achievement in Science, 21 other individual performance awards, and five team awards including the Naval Research Laboratory Alan Berman Research Publication Award.

JOINT-TALK DETAILS

Through collaborations with various institutions, the New York Film Academy has developed several unique programs and curricula that merge the STEM fields with the Arts. Our programs provide arts-based students with an opportunity to directly engage in the documentation of cutting-edge STEM endeavors, thereby implementing STEM subjects directly into the context of their desired professions. In addition, these programs provide an incentive for students and faculty in STEM fields to better their abilities at communicating complex ideas and concepts to non-specialists and the public at large.

There exists a strong need for the diversification and outreach of STEM education towards non-specialists. Most individuals in society outside of STEM fields have little or no interest in STEM education, and part of this comes from the traditional manner in which STEM courses are taught, and in which results of research are presented.

HOW TO ATTEND

If you’re interested in attending this exclusive joint-talk event at Warner Bros Studios, please RSVP to [email protected] and include your name and your association with NYFA.

Seats are also available to the general public, but please clarify that you have no association with NYFA.

Finding Your Photography Niche(s)

To say that photography as a profession has changed somewhat in the past decade alone would be the understatement of the century. While many photographers are still able to run a successful business specializing in one field of photography—be it wedding, fashion, or portraiture—more and more photographers are finding that to succeed as a professional in 2014, they need to be versatile and able to shoot one-of-a-kind photos across a range of genres.

Since camera photography began in the 1820s, photographers were limited to a particular specialty for well over a century, often shooting locations or portraits. However, with the rapid technological advances in photographic technology and cameras now available on smart phone and tablets, photographers, whether professional or amateur, now have the mobility to dabble in a wide range of styles.

However, for the aspiring professional photographer, he or she must be well-versed in a wide range of styles and techniques to optimize the number of jobs they are qualified for and to support the field of photography that is their passion. For example, numerous fine art photographers supplement their work with jobs in commercial, journalistic, and fashion photography, including many members of the faculty at NYFA’s Photography Schools. As such, our instructors make it a priority to ensure that students are as well-rounded in as many genres as the length of their program or workshop will allow.

Below is a list of some of the different types of photographic genres available to the aspiring professional photographer. As fashion, fine art, journalistic, and commercial photography are taught across our workshops and programs, we’ve decided to focus on lesser known fields of photography that a professional photographer can practice.

Landscape Photography: An historically popular strain of photography, landscape photographers are continually in demand and boast such luminaries as Ansel Adams and Galen Rowell as pioneers in the field.
Wildlife Photography: Like zooming in on the landscape, wildlife photographers get up close and personal with nature, often shooting assignments for nature publications.
Sports Photography: A field that requires fast reflexes and an ability to get the perfect shot in a matter of milliseconds, sports photographers get a front row seat to the action on the field or court.
Wedding Photographer: While the wedding photography industry has declined in recent years with the proliferation of affordable and quality cameras, an accomplished and well-reviewed wedding photographer can still expect to find steady work.
Aerial Photographer: For those not afraid of heights, aerial photography has grown in demand as services like Google Earth have created a demand for quality aerial photographers.
Event Photographer: While shooting a seven year-old’s birthday party might not be the realization of your artistic ambitions, experienced and qualified event photographers can often find a steady stream of gigs as one positive recommendation can often lead to many others.
Concert Photographer: Grab your earplugs and stake your ground in the front of the stage in this exciting yet competitive field. While there is certainly no lack of concert photographers out there, those that can truly take one-of-a-kind images can often find additional work quickly.
Family Photographer: If you have the wedding and baby photography market cornered, why not expand your business to take timeless pictures of familial bliss?
Scientific Photographer: A field of photography where a degree in science is almost as important as a degree in photography, science photographers take stunningly intricate and breathtaking images and once one has established oneself in the field, one can expect a high demand for work.
Food Photographer: Having exploded in popularity over the past couple of decades, now any publication or restaurant simply can’t exist without hiring an extraordinary food photographer.
Street Fashion Photographer: An area of photography that is constantly expanding, street fashion photography was popularized by Bill Cunningham in his weekly column in the New York Times, but has become a much more crowded field in the age of blogs and social media.

Of course, there are many other photographic genres the professional photographer might want to consider including stock, pet, real estate, astrophotography, medical, school, and micro and macro photography. These fields can be explored at New York Film Academy. The fundamental and hands-on experience taught at the Academy focuses on creating versatile photographers who could quickly adapt to these different genres. Best of luck in finding the fields of photography that work for you!

NYFA’s ‘The Broken Slates’ Wins the $10,000 Imagine Film Challenge Grand Prize

As a prime example and proof of the value of New York Film Academy’s hands-on intensive education, look no further than last week’s representatives in the 48 Hour Imagine Film Challenge. The Broken Slates, consisting of 12 NYFA Los Angeles students, beat out UCLA, Loyola Marymount, and Columbia College Chicago to win the $10,000 Grand Prize!

Team NYFA delivered the award-winning film, Deliver Us, in just 48 hours. The film was screened live in Imagine Park and aired on ShortsTV.

We are so proud of our talented students for putting together such an impressive film in under 48 hours.

AFA Filmmaking Grad Becomes DP / Associate Producer for Revolt TV

Since graduating from New York Film Academy’s AFA Filmmaking Program, Joshua Berry has quickly climbed the ranks on Revolt TV’s In Harm’s Way, a music television show that consists of music videos, band interviews and performances, as well as interstitial segments with the host of the show. Josh is Director of Photography/Associate Producer on the show. Given the tight budget, Josh works with a small crew consisting of him, a sound mixer, and sometimes a freelance camera operator. Most of their shoots consist of a four camera set up: Josh will operate one camera, set another one up on a tripod, mount a GoPro for a super wide angle, and a B Cam operator. Not only that, he sets up all of the lighting and electric as well.

In his associate producer role, Josh is tasked with gathering elements that his editor requires. These elements consist of stock photos, pulling music for the show, and organizing all of the music videos that come in for the show.

“My NYFA education was definitely helpful for what I am doing today,” says Josh. “I run a set essentially by myself and I am partially able to do that because of the constant hands on training at NYFA, which taught me how to preform every position on a film set.”

As Josh continues to develop invaluable skills on set every day, he hopes to one day ‘tell a story’. To do so, Josh hopes to someday work on a narrative film or TV series, whether it be as a director of photography or director.

Legendary Director Peter Medak Speaks at NYFA LA

Last week, acclaimed director, Peter Medak visited New York Film Academy Los Angeles after a screening of his 1980 horror film The Changeling at Warner Bros. Studios theater for an in-depth Q&A with Tova Laiter and students. As a first assistant director, Peter worked with legendary British film directors Sir Carol Reed, David Lean, Fred Zinneman, and Alfred Hitchcock. As director, Peter Medak’s 1972 film, The Ruling Class, starring Peter O’Toole, was nominated for an Oscar. His other works include The Krays, A Day in the Death of Joe Egg with Alan Bates, The Hunchback of Notre Dame with Mandy Patinkin and Salma Hayek, and Romeo is Bleeding with Gary Oldman, to name a few. In television he has directed episodes of iconic series such as Breaking Bad, House, The Wire, and Hannibal.

Peter had a rocky upbringing growing up Jewish during the Nazi invasion of Hungary and the events that followed. He spent much of his childhood years inside his family’s apartment, unable to attend school because the threat World War II and the subsequent occupation of Soviet Forces posed. He would often look through the keyhole in the apartment’s door, struggling to see what little he could of the outside world. The few films Peter was exposed to were magical to him and ignited his imagination. His aunt was a world-famous traveling opera singer who visited Peter often and gave him a camera and some film as a present. Peter was hooked on filmmaking from that moment on. Later Peter and his family fled to England as refugees. His aunt was able to help him get is first filmmaking job as a trainee in an editing room. He eventually moved up the ranks to work as an assistant director. However, Peter always had ambitions to direct. His big break ironically came when he made one of the biggest mistakes of his career. Peter had failed to call an important actor to set one day. The producer was furious and made Peter admit his mistake to the director himself. Instead of firing Peter though, the director simply coached him on how he could do better next time. The director inquired about his accent and Peter informed him that he was a Hungarian refugee. Admiring his perseverance in the face of adversity the director promoted Peter the very next day to second unit director and his directing career began.

Peter’s 1980 film The Changeling is regarded as a masterpiece in the haunted house/thriller genre. The director admitted the script gave him chills the first time he read it. He couldn’t put the screenplay down and the material actually frightened him. Peter said that a script that can affect you so profoundly is gold and you should pursue is relentlessly. Throughout his life, Peter has always had an intimate connection to the paranormal. He believes in ghosts and confesses to having seen them. Peter’s experience with the supernatural has informed his filmmaking within the subject. It’s not the ghost that you see up close, right in front of the camera that’s frightening, because it never happens that way. It’s always a glimpse of something that you catch in the corner of your eye that makes the hair on your arms stand up. To that effect, Peter suggested that to show a ghost on film you could fog up a room and wait until only ten percent of the smoke remains. It’s not the effect that’s in your face but the subtle hint of something there that’s scary.

Peter Medak went on to entertain students with stories from his legendary career and share invaluable advice he’s gained along the way. It was a privilege for all attending to be in the presence of and learn from such a master of his craft. We look forward to seeing what this brilliant mind produces next.

NYFA PREMIERES MUSICAL SPRING AWAKENING

As part of a continuing effort to encourage and showcase our amazing talent in New York Film Academy’s Musical Theatre Program, last night was our first ever, staged theatrical production. To push the envelope, producers Kristy Cates and Mark Olsen wanted to do something brave and edgy. The Tony award-winning musical, Spring Awakening, felt like the perfect fit for a new generation of performers.

The musical, based originally on the Frank Wedekind play from 1891, is still relevant to today’s teens experiencing their very first sexual feelings and are incapable of dealing with them because of their surroundings. While controversial even by today’s standards, the play captures issues that, while we may not want to always discuss, are very prominent in modern society. Through musicals and alternative rock, the cast of NYFA Musical Theatre students gives a frank portrayal of abortion, rape, homosexuality, child abuse, and suicide.

Students perform an intimate scene from Spring Awakening

“With our first show, we knew we wanted to do something bold, something with an edge from a recent generation, something to ‘awaken’ in all of us the sense of being on a fresh and exciting adventure.”

Fittingly enough, opening night was on a beautiful spring day at the American Theatre of Actors, located right in the heart of Manhattan’s theatre district. Under the direction of Nathan Brewer and an artistic team featuring Anna Ebbesen as music director and Chad Austin as choreographer, a cast of students from all over the world thrilled a sold out house with stellar musical ensembles and theatrics that were indistinguishable from a professional performance. Everything from the sets to the lighting and music was top notch. It was to no one’s surprise when the cast received a standing ovation at the close of the show.

“I was so impressed with the cast,” said NYFA Director of Performing Arts Enrollment, Roger Del Pozo. “The incredibly hard work that they put in to the show was evident in every moment of this amazing production. I am overwhelmed with pride for our amazing students.”

NYFA students performing a scene from musical Spring Awakening

Following the performance, the cast and crew attended an after party at The House of Brews in midtown Manhattan. Like the theatre, the venue was filled to the brim with celebratory lovers of musical theatre. To kick off the party, the stunning cast and crew posed for photos in front of a step and repeat NYFA banner. Soon after, choreographer, Chad Austin, brought out a gorgeous Spring Awakening themed cake for all to enjoy. The party ran late into the night and was the perfect close to an amazing night.

New York Film Academy’s premier production of Spring Awakening will run up until its closing show on Saturday, May 3rd at 8:00pm.

Dance Captains: Pierre Marais, Ilda Mason, and Nadia Palsdottir.
*New York Film Academy Musical Theatre Alumni.

NYFA Photography LA Co-Presents Q&A with Prominent Industry Creatives: Tierney Gearon and Charlie Hess

MOPLA‘s closing event last Sunday evening was Vision & Visionaries: A Conversation Series About Inspiration and the Creative Process, a co-presentation between NYFA Photography Los Angeles and the Lucie Foundation.

Held at historic Mack Sennett Studios in Hollywood, acclaimed photographer Tierney Gearon and design director Charlie Hess discussed Tierney’s early family portraits, her move from advertising to fine art photography and her recent short films for the New York Times magazine (where Charlie discovered her work). The studio was packed to capacity, the audience comprised of NYFA Photo LA students and instructors as well as members of the art community.

“We’re honored to have Tierney and Charlie at this inaugural event,” commented NYFA Photography LA Chair, Bobbi Fabian, “and look forward to hosting other prominent creatives in the series. Both Tierney and Charlie pushed students to shoot, shoot, shoot, work on their style and stick with it. I hope that many of our students take up Tierney’s generous offer to contact her for feedback on their work. It’s an invaluable offer of assistance from a renowned photographer!”

This Q&A is the first of a series of conversations between photographers and their collaborators. The event was filmed and will be available soon on both the NYFA and Lucie websites.