Page 341 – NYFA

Musical Theatre Students Showcase Their Talent at June Havoc Theatre

NYFA Musical Theatre — photo by Hugo Garcia

So far so good! Much has happened since the last entry. On September 6^th, the New York Film Academy‘s one-year Musical Theatre group performed an excellent showcase. Directed by Chad Larabee, choreographed by Michelle Potterf, and accompanied by Anna Ebbesen on piano and Dan Weiner on drums, the students rocked that showcase! Anna is our Music Supervisor and Musical Director for the show.

Carl Danielsen

It is a beautiful day in New York City. The air is crisp, the sun is bright and the views from the fourth floor capture the sailboats gliding along the Hudson. WE HAVE OFFICIALLY MOVED TO THE 4^TH FLOOR! We were working on the 5^th floor temporarily, but now we’re downstairs in the new Musical Theatre home and it is glorious. The second year performers are practicing choreography in the new dance room, smiling and gleefully mastering their steps. Others are in adjacent rooms, working on vocal style; and Isaac Byrne is holding a class in Meisner technique in the film acting room. The place is alive with music, fun and excellent work.

Last night, the assistant director of Disney’s new Broadway bound musical, Aladdin, came and gave a free class for our recent alums. Eight talented alumni gathered in one of our new performance studios and Nathan Brewer ran them through a mock audition for Seussical. Nathan has worked extensively with the director Marcia Milgrom – including the New York Theatreworks production of Seussical. Happily, at the end of the workshop, he gave all of them the contact for the casting director of the Theatreworks national tour of the show and gave them permission to say he had heard them sing and was sending them.

This is a new element of the program that I’m hoping to install in a more permanent way. Alumni workshops to help with bridging to the profession world. In addition, I am hoping to have Nathan teach a “Director’s Perspective” class for the second year final semester students. Getting up-to-date rehearsal methods and learning about the director’s craft will give our graduates a sizable advantage!

Finally, it is my great pleasure to introduce you to two of our brand new faculty members: Mark Price and Carl Danielsen. Carl is a multi-talented man of the Musical Theatre world. He is a composer, a first class pianist, a song and dance man, and one of the few Americans to work at the prestigious Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario, Canada. He is teaching Shakespeare for us and helping with accompaniment duties.

Mark Price is also a real gem. He is a much appreciated and in-demand performer with nearly ten Broadway credits to his name. Chief among them are roles in Mary Poppins, Mamma Mia!, Beauty and the Beast, Chicago, Rocky Horror Show, and much much more. He has taught at AMDA, The Performing Arts Project, and Heifetz Institute. He will be teaching performance lab for us.

We welcome Mark and Carl into the fold and look forward to the great studio training they will provide.

Thanks for checking in with the blog. Stay tuned for more soon.

-Mark Olsen, Chair of Musical Theatre

NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY PHOTO STUDENTS TO EXHIBIT AT ED FREEMAN CHINATOWN GALLERY AUGUST 30 TO SEPTEMBER 15, 2013

September 16, 2013Students in the One Year Photography Certificate program at the Los Angeles Campus of the New York Film Academy will show their work at the prestigious Ed Freeman Gallery, 945 Chung King Road, Los Angeles.

The opening night reception is Friday, August 30, 2013 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM. The exhibition continues through September 15, 2013. Gallery hours are Wednesday-Sunday, 1:00 to 6:00 PM. Closing night reception is Saturday, September 14, 7:00 – 10:00PM.

The exhibition, which features the work of five outstanding young photographers, (listed below) is free and open to the public. “We’re very excited that our talented students are able to showcase their work in such a prestigious setting,” says Bobbi Fabian, Chair of Photography. “They are to be congratulated on all their hard work!”

The five featured photographers who explore divergent paths of the photographic image are:

Born in the Philippines, Joseph Bornilla creates narratives that anthropomorphize everyday kitchen objects and food.
www.josephbornilla.com

Nicole Campbell, from Nashville, TN, obscures the landscape through plastic, steeping the scenery in a candy-colored spectrum. She reflects her inner feelings, lending her work, “a serenity and clarity that is often unattainable in the city.”
http://nicolecampbellcuriouseyes.tumblr.com/

In Luc-Richard Elie’s project, Half Man/Half Amazing, we are asked to examine our own duality. The Brooklyn native photographer’s subjects undergo a physical transformation for the camera, using their bodies as a canvas for self-expression.
http://lucrichardphotography.tumblr.com/

Los Angeles native Liam Hayes questions the dearth of the male nude in the photo-historical canon of art. His images elevate the male body, asking us to find beauty in diversity. “I want people to be intrigued. To follow those lines that make up ‘Man’ … Appreciate our differences.”
http://bitoa.tumblr.com/

Aanchal Kalra’s project, Cocoon, represents the moments in life that seem ‘unphotographable.’ Born in India, she seeks out people in situations of self-reflection or abandon, giving us an opportunity to bear witness to the most private of worlds.
http://aanchalkalra.tumblr.com/

These students and their work reflect the international power of visual storytelling, taught at the New York Film Academy. The Los Angeles campus of the New York Film Academy offers several Photography programs – MFA, BFA, One and Two Year Certificate and 8 week workshops. For more information, please visit www.nyfa.edu call or 818-333-3558.

Miss Universe Olivia Culpo Hones Her Craft at NYFA

With beauty and talent under her belt, Miss Universe Olivia Culpo is determined to bring her career to the world of acting. First, she admits, she must learn how to truly master her on-camera presence. Lucky for her, part of winning the coveted Miss Universe title comes a full scholarship to the New York Film Academy. “Working with NYFA throughout my reign has been so helpful, the school has so much to offer and I am excited to further my career with the skills they taught me.” says Culpo.

NYFA, a hands-on international school of the arts, has been a proud sponsor of the Miss Universe Organization for several years. Past contestants have continued their training at the New York Film Academy Acting for Film School, including Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008, who was on NBC’s The Apprentice, Crystle Stewart, Miss USA 2008, who became a series regular on Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse, and Stormi Henley, Miss USA 2009, who was a semi-finalist on American Idol Season 10.

This Tuesday, the Rhode Island native and current titleholder, was part of a special one-on-one workshop with NYFA Director of Acting and Musical Theatre Admissions, Roger Del Pozo, at the school’s brand new Battery Park location. Del Pozo has maintained a career of working with actors through his professional casting and audition work in the industry. His experience and expertise in regards to “on-camera presence” for this particular NYFA workshop were very relevant due to Culpo’s recent work as a television correspondent. “It was great working with Olivia,” says Del Pozo. “She was very funny, charming and easy to work with. I think that she will make a great actress, as she is not only very beautiful, she is also extremely comfortable on camera. She was able to be herself and get her personality across, which is half the battle.”

Like any aspiring young actress, Culpo has been bouncing around from audition to audition, hoping to land her first break through role. She says she’d really love to be a part of a romantic comedy or “chick-flick,” specifically with a comedy actor. Her plans are to head west within the next few months in order to further pursue her acting passion in Los Angeles.

-Frank Pasquine

NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY CONTINUES TO BE TOP MILITARY FRIENDLY SCHOOL

“If I can succeed at serving my country during a time of war, I can succeed at following my dreams at attending film school,” says NAVY Veteran and NYFA graduate, Paquita Hughes. If you served time in the United States Military, you too can follow your dreams by pursuing an education in the arts at the New York Film Academy.

NYFA, a film school synonymous with its hands-on intensive approach to learning, is honored to work with the Department of Veterans Affairs and participate in the post – 9/11 GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon tuition assistance programs at both New York City and Los Angeles campuses. Recently, MilitaryFriendlySchools.com listed NYFA as a Top Military Friendly School.

The international school offers various degrees, 1 & 2-Year Conservatory programs and short-term workshops in a range of arts fields, including filmmaking, screenwriting, acting for film, producing, cinematography, documentary, game design and journalism.

Their Veterans Affairs Office is available to help veterans in determining VA education benefits available, assist them with post-deployment transition issues, and support their academic goals. In addition, the office organizes events for vets, such as Veteran Group Meetings, LA Dodgers games, LA Kings games, and other Veterans Appreciation Events.

It’s important to explore what’s available to you, and learn more about the benefits you’ve sacrificed and worked so hard to earn. “The GI Bill covers 100% of my expenses,” says Marines Reservist, Nick Jones, Jr. “It’s definitely a huge benefit that I cannot even begin to explain. Simply put, I wouldn’t be at NYFA pursuing my dream without it.” Sgt. Jones will graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree from NYFA in 2015.

If you have any questions about financial aid and military benefits at New York Film Academy, please contact the Office of Veterans Services at (818) 333-3558.

Congrats to NYFA Instructors Barbara Multer-Wellin & Al Hallack

New York Film Academy History of Documentary Instructor Barbara Multer-Wellin recently won an EMMY or Best Public Service /Informational Programming for Your Turn To Care, a 4-part documentary multi-platform news series and companion website produced by KCET.

Your Turn to Care explores the challenges facing America’s growing generation of baby boomers who are taking care of ailing or aging loved ones. In addition, the program highlights personal care-giving stories from well-respected actors, television personalities, and journalists including: Patricia Richardson (Home Improvement), Monica Potter (Parenthood), Hector Elizondo (Last Man Standing), Robert David Hall (CSI Crime Scene Investigation), Sandra Tsing Loh (NPR’s Morning Edition, KPCC) and Steve Lopez (Los Angeles Times columnist)

Meanwhile, Animation Instructor Al Hallack was recently honored by Burbank Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy and Burbank Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Bob Frutos for opening his new production facility, Al Hallack Pictures, in Burbank. Al also received commendations from Supervisor Mike Antonavich and the California State Assembly for creating jobs and industry in Burbank.

Congratulations to both NYFA Instructors!

New York Film Academy Hosts Press Conference With Acclaimed Korean Directors

The Korea Society and New York Film Academy co-presented a press conference, moderated by NYFA Senior Director David Klein, with Korean directors, Chung Ji-young (National Security), Lee Ji-seung (Azooma), and Jeon Soo-il (El Condo Pasa).

The ‘Focus on Korea’ event is part of ‘ContemporAsian’ film series, which selects critically acclaimed Korean films, highlighting current social issues, injustice and human nature. The films amplify distinctive narrative skills from some of Korea’s insightful and penetrative renegade filmmakers.

National Security, which had its New York Premiere at the MoMA, garnered acclaim by The Hollywood Reporter as “one such picture from South Korea, an entirely sincere and dignified effort by Chung Ji-young.” Screen Daily commented that El Condo Pasa (New York Premiere, MoMA) is, “a compelling addition to Jeon Soo-il’s body of work,” noting that the film “mirrors the themes of religion, grief and forgiveness found in Lee Chang-dong’s Secret Sunshine (2007).” Director Lee’s Azooma had accolades from Beyond Hollywood, “Azooma is certainly a very angry film, though justifiably so, and it’s all the more powerful for the fact that it’s very well made.”

GUEST BIOS:

Dir. Chung Ji-young was born in 1946. He honed his directing skills by working as an assistant director to filmmaker Kim Soo-yong. Chung’s first feature debut was an erotic mystery, The Mist Whispers Like a Woman. His early films were mostly melodramas and thrillers, but after the late 1980s, he moved on to more politically-charged films. His most well-known films are North Korean Partisan in South Korea (1990), White Badge (1992), Life and Death of the Hollywood Kid (1994), Unbowed (2012) and National Security (2012). He is also known as a representative activist director in Korean film industry by leading fellow filmmakers and actors on issues such as screen quota system, and abolishment of the precensorship system .

Dir. Lee Ji-seung was born in 1969. His father owns a film production company, Taehung Pictures, which is famous for IM Kwon-taek’s ‘Sopyonje’, and ‘Strokes of Fire’. After graduating from the Department of Theatre and Cinema of Hanyang University, Lee completed his MA in Cinema Studies at New York University. Azooma is his first film as a director.

Dir. Jeon Soo-il was born in 1959. Director Jeon Soo-il spent his youth in theological school, but graduate Kyungsung University in Busan majoring Theatre & Film. Jeon continued his studying in film direction at Ecole Supérieure de Réalisation Audiovisuelle (E.S.R.A) in France, and completed his master and doctorate degrees in Film Science at the Paris Diderot University in Paris, France. Back in Korea, he made an independent film organization ‘Dongnyuk’ based in Busan.

Vulnerables Airs on Viendo Movies

Miguel Cruz, Associate Chair of Acting at New York Film Academy in LA, had his first feature film broadcast on “Viendo Movies” Channel, which specializes in Spanish Language Films. Vulnerables, starring A-list actress Paula Echevarría, has opened theatrically in Spain, Colombia and, starting next month, in Peru. Sundance Channel will air the film for all of Latin America in 2014. The 2006 NYFA Filmmaking grad shot the independent film on privately financed budget of under $200,000.

You’re Invited to the 2013 NYFA Documentary Film Festival

Tuesday, September 10, 2011
Screening at 6:00pm
Reception to Follow
The Screening Room
at
NYFA’s Union Square campus
100 East 17th Street
New York, New York 10003

Why did Lauraʼs father live in a trailer in the familyʼs backyard? Join her quest for answers buried somewhere in her parentsʼ accidentally famous love story, her fatherʼs dark corner of the Vietnam War, and in her own childhood. Experience a new but strangely familiar tenement era with a couple striving to live “The Chinese Dream” in the slums of Beijing. Battle for the title with Joey “The Dragon” Vitale as he bets his honor, his sonʼs admiration and his pro career on one last amateur bout. Witness the birth of a legend when local boogieman, The North Pond Hermit, turns out to real – but wonʼt talk – leaving the people of Rome, Maine to piece his story together for themselves. And prepare for lifeʼs strange and shocking twists as Williamʼs released to rebuild his life after 23 ½ years locked up in Sing Sing for a murder he didn’t commit; and when Danonʼs Mom takes a break from gardening, cooking and feeding animals on the family farm – to confess her secret life at the kitchen table. In short, enjoy the unique, young voices of NYFAʼs Documentary Department, whoʼve combined the art of storytelling with the craft of filmmaking to recount a rich variety of marvelous true tales.

The Films:

THE COST by Kai Lu
LEAVETAKING by Laura Snow
HEART OF THE DRAGON by CJ Ferroni
THE HERMIT – by Lena Friedrich
23 ½ by Aitor Mendilibar
MOM by Danon Cardelli

NYFA Acting Graduate Publishes New Book Based on Creativity

New York Film Academy acting graduate Dr. Ariel Orama López published a new theoretical framework based on Creativity and the recent findings of Neuroscience: the textbook is called CRËATIVE SYNAPSE: CRËATE.YOUR.UNIVERSE© (2013). It is the first theoretical framework that explains the behavior of the human being by integrating the following variables: creativity, neuroscience, and the new influence of the virtual universe. The collection book will be presented in the atrium of the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico on Wednesday, September 11, 2013, in a distinguished context of artists, health professionals and academics.

Dr. Gregory J. Quirk, a prominent American researcher specialized in Neuroscience & Luca Spaghetti, the well-known Italian amico writer -who served as a guide to Elizabeth Gilbert on her journey through Italy while writing Eat Pray Love– elaborated the prologues of this substantial investigative work of thirteen years: they provide in their prologues a nourished and accurate view of this text book, according to their experiences. The art of the book includes the precious paintings and drawings of Ektor Rivera, Celestino & Ramon Bruin (from the Netherlands).

The text arises from a practical & theoretical framework created by Dr. Ariel Orama López that departs from his preparation, experience and knowledge in science, human behavior, natural sciences and performing arts. It includes experiences of the author -with a logbook on his sensible hands- in contexts gifted with creativity and spirituality such as Mexico, California, Spain and Italy.

Ariel is a Puerto Rican professional actor & psychologist. He is a collegiate actor of the Colegio de Actores of Puerto Rico, a certified Executive Coach (specialized in Crëative Life Coaching) from TISOC, Barcelona, Spain and a licensed clinical psychologist. He was selected as a finalist of Taller TELEMUNDO: actores, in Miami, directed by the well-known actress nominated for an Oscar in the movie Babel (2006), the distinguished Mexican actress & professor Adriana Barraza.

Ariel Orama has worked in commercials, theatre, short films, indie films, documentary, series, television, media writing, and voice-overs, summing more than 200 projects in arts (2001-2013). He is also a composer and singer: one of his songs (Seré/I’ll be) was selected for the Puerto Rican dramatic documentary The Eyes of the People (producers: Roberto Ponce & Gladys Albino) and his song (Alto Vuelas/ Flying Higher) was selected as the official Puerto Rican song for the World March from the Peace, celebrated in Argentina and New Zealand.

He performed in fourteen Short-Films in California during his NYFA training in Acting for the Film (Los Angeles). Recently, he was selected as the Creative Coach & Consultant for the television program Idol Kids Puerto Rico (from the recognized English franchise Idol ©) and have offered courses at the Colegio de Actores de Puerto Rico and other relevant forums about Psychology of Character.

Ariel directed and starred on the Puerto Rican Short-Film ESTEB∆N, which received national and international laurels and/or nominations (Director’s Choice: Best Film, Top Ten Film, Best Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Editing & Best Music) in following contexts: Spain, California, Orlando and Puerto Rico.

The Puerto Rican actor has received different awards in performing arts, including Best Direction Selection, Best concept, Best actor & Best Script. Ariel was one of the five recipients of the Sor Isolina Ferré Medal in Education of the Government of Puerto Rico, unique National distinction in service and education.

Dr. Orama is member of the new movement Voces Unidas por el Cine Puertorriqueño and this special project has been presented on Telemundo (Acceso Total) expressing about of all this wonderful initiatives and his vision about the film in the Island.

Currently, Ariel is co-directing and working as the scriptwriter (producer: Vane Vélez) for a documentary that will be presented on Festivals based on the emerging Film Industry in Puerto Rico -the “Shining Star of the Caribbean”-, called CINECONTRASTES©: it includes testimonials of relevant figures such as Jacobo Morales, Idalia Pérez Garay, Vicente Juarbe, among others relevant figures of the Industry.

The book appeals to artists, academics, psychologists and to the general public. It is published in Spanish and soon in English. It can be acquired in different libraries of the World, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Sony.