Page 345 – NYFA

NYFA Students to Screen ‘Alumbrones’ on July 9th

Join us in Union Square July 9th at 7:30pm for a screening of a new documentary filmed in Cuba! The film, Alumbrones, was directed and produced by New York Film Academy student, Bruce Donnelly. Bruce teamed up with fellow students (co-producer) Paulo Adorni, (Director of Photography) Esteban Malpica, and (Second Unit Photographer) Albert Oh.

The team has just started their festival run, having already been accepted to the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival!

Students, alumni, and faculty are invited to a sneak preview Tuesday, July 9th!

From NYFA to FOX

Given his passion for film and television production, Cody Broadway sought out the New York Film Academy in 2009 to decide what specifically he wanted to do in the field. “NYFA helped me with the skills and knowledge I needed to have in the real world.”

After film school, Cody set his search for a career in either film or television. After coming across a position in FOX, Cody sent in his NYFA work for consideration. “They were very impressed with my work and brought me on at first as a host and producer of a show called FOX Live,” said Cody. “After about a month, they had an opening for a Promotions and Production Manager. They offered me the position and I took it.”

Cody is currently the Promotions and Production Director for KIDY FOX San Angelo, as well as KXVA FOX Abilene. In the position, Cody oversees the production and promotions for FOX in both Texas markets. He has also helped create and host a show called FOX Live, which airs every Saturday in both markets. “Overall, I have been with FOX for 2 years now and believe that without the academy none of this would be possible.”

Cody’s week consists of shooting and hosting the show, weekly production meetings, and working on promotional projects. For example, he is currently working on a local American Idol contest. Cody hopes to continue working at FOX with a major role in the company.

Geoffray Barbier’s Video Featured on Jay Z’s Youtube Page

New York Film Academy Filmmaking Instructor, Geoffray Barbier directed a short film for Oddka about the New York City band, The Virgins, which is being featured exclusively on Jay Z’s YouTube page. In the video, the band members discuss the relief of removing themselves from a major record label and focusing on their love of the music. Be sure to check it out!

Josh Brolin Pays a Visit to NYFA

Last Wednesday at Warner Bros, the New York Film Academy was honored to host the talented actor, Josh Brolin, following a screening of the Coen brother’s No Country for Old Men. In addition to the Coen brothers, Josh has worked with major directors, like Gus Van Sant, Robert Rodriguez, and Oliver Stone. His filmography includes a slew of successful films, like W., Milk, True Grit, and don’t forget his first film, The Goonies. Josh admits going on about 300 auditions before landing The Goonies.

Producer Tova Laiter moderated the guest speaker event, and it wasn’t before long until we noticed how smart, funny, and humble Josh was. He told a number of entertaining stories about his long and successful acting career, including his recollection of his first audition for No Country. While on location for Grindhouse, Josh did a taped audition that was shot and directed by Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez. The only initial reaction from the Coens’ was,”Great lighting.” Then, months later, his agent landed him a second audition. On a mere three hours of sleep, Josh stopped in a Boot Barn to buy a cowboy hat, which he rubbed on the ground to get dirty. Perhaps it was the rugged cowboy hat that sold the Coen brothers, but we’re sure Josh’s talent had something to do with it.

Josh offered some words of advice for the aspiring actors in the audience, “When accepting or preparing for a role, fear is the motivating factor. Do it because you love it, not just for the success or the ego. It’s nice to see when people like acting.”

Josh also stressed that identification by an audience is key. “I’m glad when movies or roles I play touch other people. I’m fascinated by what makes people tick and I love the psychology of acting. Every movie is a dark tunnel, and you are just looking for the light.” When preparing for his famed role in Oliver Stone´s W., Josh worked on Alexander Technique and even sought dialect coaches. “Oliver Stone saw it in me before I did – that I could pull that role off.”

In addition to his film work, Josh has a special appreciation for the theater and literature. “Theater taught me a lot. I love prep, research, and putting stuff together – even more so than the actual acting.”

Student Interviews Pedro Almodovar at LA Film Festival

BFA Filmmaking student Enrique Pedraza with Oscar-winning 'Amour' writer/director Michael Haneke — BFA Filmmaking student Enrique Pedraza with Oscar-winning ‘Amour’ writer/director Michael Haneke

If you are looking for BFA Filmmaking student Enrique Pedraza this week, you will find him on the red carpet at the Los Angeles Film Festival, interviewing acclaimed writer/director Pedro Almodóvar. While finishing his last year at New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, Enrique has also been interning for Film Independent, working as their main editor.

We previously shared his accomplishments on our blog, including when his short film, Yellow Card, won Best Student Documentary at the Columbia Gorge International Film Festival. Since then, he shot and co-produced a music video for schoolmate Nayantara Roy called Free, which has been making the festival circuit, recently playing the Kashish International Film Festival.

After completing a 4-Week Acting Workshop at the school’s New York City campus, Enrique decided it was the place for him, and that he wanted to learn more. He chose the BFA Filmmaking program because it would give him the chance to learn about all aspects of film craft, including directing and writing. He says, “Writing is what comes easiest.” And he does quite a bit of it. He writes almost daily for a film blog called “The Rolling Can.”

Since beginning his internship at Film Independent, Enrique has been brought on as their main editor. He has also worked on the Film Independent at LACMA screening series, worked the red carpet at the Spirit Awards, and will now be the key editor and main shooter for the Los Angeles Film Festival. The festival opens with the North American premiere of Pedro Almodóvar’s newest comedy, I’m So Excited.

“The most important thing in film school is finding your voice as a filmmaker,” says Enrique. “The more you work, the better. It’s essential to finding people you trust.”

A Word From Musical Theatre Chair Mark Olsen

The following is a post from New York Film Academy‘s Chair of the Musical Theatre Conservatory Program, Mark Olsen. Mark is a professional actor, author, and director – currently working as a movement consultant on two Broadway shows. His students are working on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in major films, television shows, and in regional theatres, both here and abroad.

First, it is important to recognize that the previous Chair, VP Boyle, worked diligently and with great verve over the past four and a half years to bring this program to a level that is attracting such extraordinary young talent. I am honored to be given the task to not only serve that original mission, and greatly energized to take the program boldly forward. With the great faculty we have and the amazing students from all over the world, we are poised to do great things.

I find it very interesting and appropriate that as I assumed this new position, numerous students of mine were joining other former students and fulfilling their dreams of performing on the Broadway stage. (And in Tony nominated productions no less!) In addition, one student just got the lead in the national tour of Evita and another just informed me yesterday that she was cast in the upcoming musical, Soul Doctor. Add to that the fact that a few months ago I was brought on to do some movement consulting for Cicely Tyson, who is starring on Broadway in Trip to Bountiful, and it certainly seems like this is my special Broadway season.

However, what I really need to share with you is the incredibly big news: We have moved into our glorious new building in Battery Park! We are inhabiting the fifth floor for now, while the fourth floor finished its last stages of construction. The studios are extraordinary, the dance rooms exquisite, the views of the Hudson bay – breathtaking.

Of course, I could not have made this transition and taken on the sudden task of this new position if it weren’t for the hard work and quick study of the new Musical Theatre coordinator, Megan Nilon. Together we have kept the ship steady and have navigated the various storms to land us safely and happily into our elegant new facility.

Kevin Duda, who is in Book of Mormon, just recently directed the Movie Musical for the second year class who graduated last Friday. It was a rousing success. After final edits, it will be submitted to festivals thither and yon and the amazingly good looking cast will have that credential, great footage and photos for their professional reels.

All in all it has been a terrific ride so far. We are experiencing a lull for a few weeks, with only one class in residence, but we all thrill with anticipation because July promises to be quite a mash up of Musical Theatre activity. When that hits, the summer season will kick off in earnest. All hands on deck, dedicated to giving the very best training to these students, these wonderful young singers, dancers, actors.

Let’s make some good magic!

-Mark Olsen

If you’d like to learn more about NYFA’s Musical Theatre Conservatory Program, click HERE!

Panamanian Filmmakers Breaking Barriers

New York Film Academy would like to congratulate students from Grupo NUR, a Panamanian organization promoting arts education for hearing-impaired youth. Working in cooperation with the government of Panama, New York Film Academy hosted a group of students in a 4-Week HD Filmmaking program at the school’s Los Angeles campus. In just four weeks, students learned all aspects of filmmaking, including writing, directing, production, and editing. With the skills they learned in the workshop, the students plan to return to Panama to raise funds and shoot their first feature film.

NUR (from the Arabic word meaning “light”) supports young people with various special needs. Through classes in filmmaking, dance, art, and singing, NUR is helping them break barriers. With innovative and integrated programs, New York Film Academy is proud to support the education and training of the next generation of filmmakers with unique abilities.

A Film Worth ‘A Celebration’

BFA Filmmaking student Tong Zhou just returned from Cannes, where she screened her short film, A Celebration is a Celebration is a Celebration is a Celebration. She also recently won Best Director at the Beijing College Student Film Festival for her work on it.

Originally from Harbin, China, Tong was attending the prestigious Central Academy of Drama, but said she was becoming frustrated and wanted to find a more hands-on program. She went for a tour of New York Film Academy and was immediately sold. “I really liked it!” she says. “After two years, I quit school in China and moved to New York.” She spent her first year in New York and loved the energy in the city. She shot her thesis film, A Celebration…, in New York City and upstate New York. Beautifully-shot by fellow NYFA student Thrinnanon Samrej, the drama follows Daniel and his complicated relationships in the lead-up to his eighteenth birthday.

Tong is finishing her degree at New York Film Academy’s Los Angeles campus, and is developing a feature screenplay with 2 screenwriters. She plans to shoot the dramedy before the end of the year.

Working with Robert Redford After NYFA

Acclaimed actor, Robert Redford has announced his first television series. Guess who just got hired as his Production Coordinator? None other than New York Film Academy Documentary Department grad, Andrea Blake!

Andrea graduated just over a year ago. In that short time, she interned and freelanced for NYFA Doc prof, Hilla Medalia, on Dancing In Jaffa. After that, she picked up and moved to Chicago where she scored a much sought-after internship with Academy Award-nominated / Sundance-winning director, Steve James (Hoop Dreams). She interned and then worked for his company Kartemquin Films on several documentaries – including his highly anticipated Roger Ebert picture.

Now, with their backing, Andrea just won the new gig on Chicagoland from Robert Redford, his Sundance Productions and the producers of the critically acclaimed AMC series, Brick City.

Congrats to Andrea – they are lucky to have her!

-Andrea Swift, New York Film Academy Documentary Chair