Page 347 – NYFA

NYFA’s Paul Warner Directing at The Baryshnikov Arts Center

New York Film Academy Directing Instructor, Paul Warner is directing a new contemporary multi-media dance theatre opera with a group of iconographic international performers at The Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York City. WOMEN: THE WAR WITHIN will be a Princess Grace Foundation-USA Works-in-Progress residency that will culminate in work-in-progress showings on: June 26th at 2pm, June 27th at 6:30pm and June 28th at 3pm.

Warner has directed more than fifty stage productions and numerous films, including the award-winning short In the Name of the Father, as well as the feature, Fall Time (Lionsgate/Artisan) starring Mickey Rourke, Stephen Baldwin, Sheryl Lee, David Arquette, and Jason London, which premiered in competition at the Sundance Film Festival (and subsequently, Outfest) where it was nominated for The Grand Jury Prize.

His newest project, Women: The War Within poses these questions: How does a woman in love wield her power? How does a woman in power balance her love for another with her responsibilities to her people? Can female rulers alter history’s cycle of testosterone-driven destruction? Women: The War Within will dramatize the parallel stories of four of history’s most influential women: two from the distant past, who seduced and murdered their way to absolute power, and two contemporary women who have chosen to lead on a non-violent path to political revolution. These female icons are: Wu Zetian, the first Empress of China, Cleopatra, the last Pharaoh of Egypt, Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize winning opposition leader of Myanmar, and Hillary Clinton, the former Secretary of State of the United States. Women’s journey explores an evolution and rise of female consciousness in the pursuit of power, starting with the use of sex as a strategic weapon in campaigns of violence, and ends with the arrival of a non-sexual, non-violent wielding of might. The climax erupts in a display of awakenings through song, dance, text, and swirling projections that propel all four women to the precipice of spiritual transcendence.

Colloborating with Warner are a team of talented professionals, including: Wendy Whelan (New York City Ballet, who is considered the premiere ballerina in The United States), Stephen Petronio, the choreographer, Matthew Maguire, the obie winning librettist, and the composer, Du Yun, who is one of the most famous young new Chinese composers. Not only that, New York Film Academy graduate and current Producing Instructor, Dorottya Mathe, is on board as producer.

Developmental Residency begins May 13th-15th, followed by June 3rd-28th, 2013. Presentations will be held on June 26th, 27th, and 28th, 2013.

For more information visit: http://www.bacnyc.org/residencies/resident/paul-warner.

NYFA Acting Grad Produces Children’s Web Series

Since living in the states, British native Danielle Kronenberg has starred in over 10 independent films and is currently producing, directing, and acting in her own children’s web series. The New York Film Academy acting graduate put together the SAG-AFTRA approved web-series, How To Make, with hardly any budget. Now, she’s in talks with a children’s show to potentially pick up the project. “I think you have to create your own work and never stop,” says Kronenberg.

While at the New York Film Academy, Danielle performed at The Player’s Club in the ensemble play Overtones, which was directed by the multi-talented NYFA Producing Chair Ron Tippe. “My year at NYFA was fantastic and something I looked forward to every single day. All of the teachers are outstanding in their fields, and the international office was always there with a helping hand. [Director of Acting Admissions] Roger DelPozo is a fountain of knowledge, mentor and guiding light.

Danielle is currently co-writing an independent film that will be shot by NYFA Instructor, Piero Basso, later this June.

From Saudi Arabia to Hollywood

The New York Film Academy is listed as a recommended school by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Higher Education and it’s not surprise that we currently have students from Saudi Arabia. We had a chance to speak to some of students to get their thoughts on the New York Film Academy. See what they had to say!

‘Midnight Cowboy’ DP Screens ‘The Panic in Needle Park’

Screen Shot 2013-04-03 at 12.17.54 PM — NYFA Cinematography Chair John Loughlin with Adam Holender

This Tuesday, the New York Film Academy in Union Square welcomed cinematographer, Adam Holender. His most notable credit is Director of Photography on the 1969 classic, Midnight Cowboy, starring Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight. Adam suggested we screen another classic from 1971, starring the then unknown Al Pacino. The Panic in Needle Park is a stark portrayal of life among a group of heroin addicts who hang out in New York City’s “Needle Park.” The film was a part of the early 1970’s cinéma-vérité. Adam’s use of hand-held cameras, real-life urban location, sounds and lack of traditional soundtrack set the tone for a new style of realism. According to Adam, the film was shot primarily on-location in forty-three days.

Living mere blocks away from the main location of the film up on 71st and Broadway, Adam and his director, Jerry Schatzberg, spent months in New York City diligently preparing for production. “Pre-production is the most important part of the process,” said Adam.

Coming up in a time when film was meant to be gritty and real, Adam admits digital filmmaking is the obvious wave of the future. “If people have something to say, it really doesn’t matter if it’s digital or film,” admitted Adam. Though, he does feel a certain loss of intimacy between the cinematographer and the actors’ performance when shooting digitally as opposed to 35mm.

When asked by a student if he typically criticizes his films or often thinks about “going back and making changes,” Adam said, “Your work is really never finished. It’s only abandoned.” Wise words from a DP with a long and successful career in the industry.

Producing Grad Tackles Gun Control

Films are and have always been an important way to make a difference. That is exactly why New York Film Academy One-Year Producing graduate, Ella Nuortila is producing a new short film called Six. The film is about a child who finds a hidden gun while playing alone on a rooftop. It is a story about a child’s imagination vs. reality; a child’s innocence vs. the power of guns; and a child’s vulnerability vs. the negligence of adults. “The number of firearms in the US is not in the millions, but in the hundreds of millions,” said Nuortila. “With all the talk about gun control, who can control over 300 million privately owned guns? We want to take part in the conversation as we best can: by making this film!”

Six’s cast and crew are mainly comprised of New York Film Academy alumni, including director Frank Jerky and cinematographer Stefano Ferrari. Ella currently has a campaign on IndieGogo with the hopes of raising its production cost of fifteen thousand dollars.

Al Pacino’s Daughter Julie Premieres ‘Billy Bates’

After forming her own production company, Poverty Row Entertainment, with writer/director Jennifer DeLia, New York native and New York Film Academy alum, Julie Pacino produced the feature film Billy Bates. The film will be premiering at the famous Sunshine Cinema on April 5th. Billy Bates is the story of a young damaged artist who faces his demons, and through perseverance rises from the ashes of a broken soul. Sticking with her roots, Julie’s independent feature was shot primarily in New York City. “I really think its a unique film experience that lends itself well to conversations about the different facets of the process,” says Julie.

The film began as an expansion of Jennifer’s short film I Am An Island and gradually morphed into an exploration of the artist’s process. Billy’s journey is very parallel and at times intertwined with Jennifer’s journey. “This film is very much about art, as well as the psychology of the character,” adds Julie. “This film was quite organic and non-conventional in terms of how it came together.”

When asked about the process of raising funds for an independent feature such as this, Julie had some great advice. “It’s important not to be afraid to discuss funding with anyone who may be a candidate, whether inside or outside the film industry. I find it also important to really believe in the content a filmmaker is working on, so that the passion is something investors can really get behind – since there really are no guarantees of a return. Offering investors an experience can be priceless. Transparency has also been key for us to in terms of relationship-building.”

Julie is currently in talks with a couple companies, weighing options in terms of digital, VOD, and theatrical distribution. She is also producing another project with Jennifer called The First, which is the story of Hollywood pioneer and silent screen legend, Mary Pickford.

Be sure to check out the premiere of Billy Bates this Friday, April 5th at Sunshine Cinema at 8:30pm.

NYFA Returning to South Africa

The New York Film Academy is thrilled to return to South Africa this April and May! We’re never disappointed in the talent and enthusiasm that the country has to offer. So, if you’re interested in learning more about NYFA’s hands-on intensive programs and you live in the area, you will not want to miss this event!

Check out the schedule below to see when and where exactly we’ll be in your area.

Private Auditions for Acting and Musical Theatre Programs

When: Sunday, April 28th 2013
Where: Johannesburg, South Africa

You must contact Blake Babbitt at [email protected] to confirm time slot, instructions, and location.

NYFA Information Session (Information for all NYFA programs)
When: Sunday, April 28th
Where: Johannesburg, South Africa
Location: Mannah Lodge- 39 Pomona Road, Pomona, Kempton Park
Time: Info Session Starts Promptly at 3:00 PM or 15:00

Private Auditions for Acting and Musical Theatre Programs
When: Friday, May 3rd 2013
Where: Cape Town, South Africa

You must contact Blake Babbitt at [email protected] to confirm time slot, instructions, and location

NYFA Information Session (Information for all NYFA programs)

When: Friday, May 3rd 2013

Where: Cape Town, South Africa

Location: Lagoon Beach Hotel – Milnerton, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Time: Info Session Starts Promptly at 5:00 PM or 17:00

Please RSVP to all South Africa events by emailing, Blake Babbitt- [email protected].

NYFA On the Lot: Paramount Studios

New York Film Academy Acting for Film students on the Paramount Studios backlot

New York Film Academy Acting for Film students were recently invited to tour Paramount Studios, and visit the set of NCIS: Los Angeles, the popular television drama starring Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J.

In the conference room with Erik Whitmyre, Co-Producer for NCIS: Los Angeles

Paramount Studios, the last major studio in Hollywood proper, moved into its current home in 1927. Paramount built its legacy as the home to legendary actors and directors including Mae West, W.C. Fields, D.W. Griffith, Cecil B. DeMille, the Marx Brothers, and Claudette Colbert. Students entered the historic lot, walking past trailers and crew working on the hit TV show, Glee, before moving onto the Technicolor building. Working on projects for HBO and Marvel, Technicolor has the highest security for any post-production building in the world.

Inside the conference room, Erik Whitmyre, Co-Producer for NCIS: Los Angeles, spoke to excited students about all aspects of filming and post-production. He spoke about what makes an actor great, the importance of physical continuity (while being able to alter the emotional performance of his/her character), attitude on set, how the voice translates on film, and what makes a great close-up.

Students then visited the editing team, where Assistant Editor Eric Wilson showed them the latest episodes they were working on. Whitmyre explained the evolution of technology, the systems that editors had worked on in the past, and what they are working with now. Students also spoke with VFX Supervisor Robert Konuch. Along with Russell Welch and James Olney, the team had overseen the effects on CSI: Miami, and are now working with the NCIS: Los Angeles crew. Robert and the team were busy at work, adding snow to a winter scene shot in the desert. Before leaving the NCIS set, students got to take a visit to the set of NCIS headquarters.

The students ended their tour at the studio’s Bronson Gate, where Norma Desmond entered the lot in Sunset Blvd. Legend has it that the upper filigree was added to the gate after a throng of adoring female fans swarmed security and climbed the gate, trying to chase silent film star Rudolph Valentino!

On Becoming a Man Wins Best Comedic Short

MFA Filmmaking student Kevin Resnick’s first year film, On Becoming a Man, is currently making the rounds on the festival circuit. It already won Best Comedic Short at the IFS Film Festival, and is a finalist for Best Short Film at the Athens Jewish Film Festival. The coming-of-age comedy follows young Jacob Schneidelman in the days leading up to his Bar Mitzvah. Jacob’s overbearing mother is on a Bar Mitzvah planning warpath, involving a personalized oil-on-canvas portrait and a handcrafted chocolate Moses fountain. To top it all off, she won’t let Jacob’s gentile neighbor (and secret crush), Sally, take part in the festivities! Jacob must choose: bow down to his mother like his father does, or stand up to her and finally become a man?

Growing up in Toronto and Los Angeles, Kevin says he always wanted to see the world. He got to do so during his 13 years on active duty with the U.S. Air Force, where he logged over 2,000 flight hours. After leaving the military, Kevin started getting acting work in New York. Though he had acted in numerous short films, he always dreamed of writing and directing his own films. He decided to earn his MFA in Filmmaking at New York Film Academy’s Los Angeles campus. He says, “It’s been fantastic. The thing that really attracted me was that it’s so hands-on. In this business, it’s all about experience.”

People in the Los Angeles area will have a chance to see On Becoming a Man when it plays the IFS Film Festival. The film plays in the Comedic Shorts Block B4 at 4:30 p.m. at the Laemmle’s Music Hall in Beverly Hills on Thursday, March 28, with an encore screening on Saturday, April 6 at 7 p.m. Check out the website for full details.