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Sundance Buzz: 2017 Dramatic Competition Contenders

Posted on January 14, 2017November 16, 2022 by nyfa

Every year, at America’s biggest indie film festival, there is one prize that matters above all: the Dramatic Competition prize. This award can put a career off to a good start. Just take the example of 1985, when two brothers released a violent noir called “Blood Simple.” They were the Coen brothers, and went on to make some of the most memorable American films. There are few more prestigious honors in film than SUndance Film Festival’s Dramatic Competition.

As a brief disclaimer, this isn’t a complete list of all the amazing contenders for the Dramatic Competition prize. Be sure to check out all the entries and watch as many films as you can at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Also be sure to check out our roundup new directors to watch this year at the Festival. But, when it comes to predicting the winner for Dramatic Competition, you may want to think about these films…

Note: All plot descriptions were taken from Sundance’s official competition announcement, linked here.

1. “Beach Rats”

Directed and Written By: Eliza Hittman

You Might Know Them From: “It Felt Like Love”

In her sophomore effort, Hittman focuses on a coming of age story about “an aimless teenager on the outer edges of Brooklyn struggles to escape his bleak home life … as he balances his time between his delinquent friends, a potential new girlfriend, and older men he meets online.”

Cast: Harris Dickinson, Madeline Weinstein, Kate Hodge, Neal Huff.

2. “Burning Sands”

Directed By: Gerard McMurray

Written By: Christine Berg and McMurray

You Might Know Them From: “Fruitvale Station”; Berg’s debut

Gerard McMurray’s “Fruitvale Station” was a powerful movie that dived into the life of Oscar Grant before he was shot on the BART train. He returns with this fraternity drama about a pledge “torn between honoring his code of silence or standing up against the intensifying violence of underground hazing.”

Cast: Trevor Jackson, Alfre Woodard, Steve Harris, Tosin Cole, DeRon Horton, Trevante Rhodes.

3. “Crown Heights”

Directed and Written By: Matt Ruskin

You Might Know Them From: “Booster” and “The Hip Hop Project”

Adapted from This American Life episode “DIY,” Matt Ruskin directs the story of Carl King, a man who becomes an ad-hoc investigator to prove the innocence of his friend, Colin Warner.

Cast: Keith Stanfield, Nnamdi Asomugha, Natalie Paul, Bill Camp, Nestor Carbonell, Amari Cheatom.

4. “Golden Exits”

Directed and Written By: Alex Ross Perry

You Might Know Them From: “Queen of Earth” and “Listen Up, Philip”

Indie institution Perry goes for his biggest prize yet with this drama, focusing on events instigated when “the arrival of a young foreign girl disrupts the lives and emotional balances of two Brooklyn families.”

Cast: Emily Browning, Adam Horovitz, Mary-Louise Parker, Lily Rabe, Jason Schwartzman, Chloë Sevigny.

5. “The Hero”

Directed By: Brett Haley

Written By: Haley and Marc Basch

You Might Know Them From: “I’ll See You in My Dreams”

Sam Elliot might be spying a comeback in this drama that focuses on a western icon who “[receives] a lifetime achievement award and unexpected news” and “reexamines his past.”

Cast: Sam Elliott, Laura Prepon, Krysten Ritter, Nick Offerman, Katharine Ross.

6. “Ingrid Goes West”

Directed by: Matt Spicer

Written by: Spicer and David Branson Smith

You Might Know Them From: “Flower” and “It’s Not You, It’s Me”

This dark comedy focuses on “a young woman becomes obsessed with an Instagram “influencer” and moves to Los Angeles to try and befriend her in real life.”

Cast: Aubrey Plaza, Elizabeth Olsen, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Wyatt Russell, Billy Magnussen. World Premiere

7. “Landline”

Directed by: Gillian Robespierre

Written by: Elisabeth Holm and Robespierre

You Might Know Them From: “Obvious Child”

This dramedy about “two sisters [coming] of age in ’90s New York when they discover their dad’s affair — and it turns out he’s not the only cheater in the family.” Prepare yourself to get nostalgic about seeing smoking sections in restaurants.

Cast: Jenny Slate, John Turturro, Edie Falco, Abby Quinn, Jay Duplass, Finn Wittrock.

8. “Novitiate”

Directed and Written By: Margaret Betts

You Might Know Them From: This is Betts’s film debut.

Betts has been a social activist for years, so look for her debut film to focus on social issues in the “the Vatican II era, [as] a young woman training to become a nun struggles with issues of faith, sexuality and the changing church.”

Cast: Margaret Qualley, Melissa Leo, Julianne Nicholson, Dianna Agron, Morgan Saylor.

9. “Patti Cake$“

Directed and Written By: Geremy Jasper

You Might Know Them From: His short film “Outlaws”

This comedy focuses on “a female aspiring rapper fighting through a world of strip malls and strip clubs on an unlikely quest for glory.” Whether it’s inspiring or bizarre, look for it to at least be interesting, as Geremy Jasper has already won the Palm Springs International Film Festival award for “Directors to Watch.”

Cast: Danielle Macdonald, Bridget Everett, Siddharth Dhananjay, Mamoudou Athie, Cathy Moriarty.

10. “Roxanne Roxanne”

Directed and Written By: Michael Larnell

You Might Know Them From: “Cronies”

This biopic of Lolita “Roxanne Shante” Gooden, one of the original female rapper, should be an interesting portrayal of The Roxanne Wars. The Roxanne Wars were a series of diss records volleyed back and forth between Roxanne Shante and The Real Roxanne. It’ll also focus on the singer’s upbringing in the Bronx and bring light to a sometimes forgotten moment in hip hop’s rich history.

Cast: Chanté Adams, Mahershala Ali, Nia Long, Elvis Nolasco, Kevin Phillips, Shenell Edmonds.

11. “Walking Out”

Directors and screenwriters: Alex and Andrew Smith

You Might Know Them From: “Winter in the Blood”

Based on a short story by nature writer David Quammen, the film is concerns a teenager hunting big game with his estranged father, until “a brutal encounter in the heart of the wilderness changes everything.”

Cast: Matt Bomer, Josh Wiggins, Bill Pullman, Alex Neustaedter, Lily Gladstone.

12. “The Yellow Birds”

Directed By: Alexandre Moors

Written By: David Lowery and R.F.I. Porto

This adaptation of an award-winning novel by Kevin Powers will ask difficult questions about one of the defining moments of the Aughts. From Sundance: “Two young men enlist in the army and are deployed to fight in the Iraq War. After an unthinkable tragedy, the returning soldier struggles to balance his promise of silence with the truth and a mourning mother’s search for peace.”

Cast: Tye Sheridan, Jack Huston, Alden Ehrenreich, Jason Patric, Toni Collette, Jennifer Aniston. World Premiere.

Who do you have winning the Sundance Dramatic Competition? Sound off in the comments!

Beyond Broadway: 7 Musical Theatre Cities to Know

Posted on January 14, 2017November 16, 2022 by nyfa

Of course, New York City’s Broadway can’t be beat for the sheer number of musical theater productions, but it’s not the only place to sing and dance into the hearts of adoring audiences. Here are seven other cities with a thriving musical theatre scene. And don’t forget that no matter where you audition, you need to properly prepare!

1. Chicago

It may be the improv capital, but Chicago is not lacking in musicals. The Marriott sells nearly a half million tickets a year and boasts the largest subscription base of any musical theatre in the world (according to Arts America). For more intimate musicals, there’s Northlight Theatre and, in its 37th season, Music Theater Works (formerly Light Opera Works) is “a professional musical theater company, casting primarily Chicago area talent” that pays all its performers!

2. Boston

Broadway shows often incubate in this college town, where theatres and conservatories abound. The A.R.T. has a long history of creating shows that win Tony’s, while SpeakEasy brings new and intimate plays and musicals to Boston. There’s also the Lyric Stage Company — the oldest professional theatre company in Boston — whose mission is “to produce entertaining, challenging, and inspiring theatrical productions of varying genres,” and who are “committed to support and nurture the talents of Boston-area theatre artists.

3. LA

Hollywood tends to overshadow the Los Angeles theater scene, but with all the talent driving around, live performances are by no means dead. For Broadway-style shows there’s the Geffen Playhouse, and The Center Theatre Group has a long history of developing and premiering Broadway hits.

4. San Francisco

Sure, San Francisco has reason to be proud of its edgy black boxes, for instance those of EXIT Theatre, but within walking distance, you can also find glitzy productions of classic and new musicals at the three big houses: The Curran, Orpheum and A.C.T.

5. Minneapolis

This northern city boasts a surprising array of diverse small theaters as well as two prestigious independent gems. The Guthrie Theater and Park Square both regularly produce new and classic plays and musicals.

6. Washington D.C.

A lively theatre scene provides the nation’s capital with some much needed distraction, though American interests often take center stage. Ford’s Theatre is famous for being the place where President Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes booth. Today it is a historical site with many educational programs, but it is also dedicated to producing plays and musicals that explore the American experience. Arena Stage also dedicates itself to “putting the American spirit in the spotlight,” producing “diverse and innovative works from around the country.”

7. Atlanta

Atlanta is home to a vibrant and surprisingly diverse theatre scene. Actor’s Express tagline is “Atlanta’s Gutsiest & Most Vital Theatre Company,” while the Atlanta Lyric Theatre, “is dedicated to producing the best in musical theatre and fostering the growth of the Atlanta theatrical community by showcasing local professional talent.”

Making a career in musical theater does not necessarily mean you have to elbow your way through Manhattan crowds. You may find a more nurturing place for your talents nearer to home.

Learn the fundamentals of singing, dancing, and acting for the stage with our variety of premier musical theatre programs, workshops, and courses. Visit the Musical Theatre Program page to learn more and find a program that fits your interests and schedule.

Martin Luther King Jr. in Film and Theatre

Posted on January 12, 2017 by nyfa

On January 16, we celebrate the birth of one of the most inspiring thinkers and activists in our American history: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His example inspires activists, musicians, artists, and actors to this day. He’s also inspired plenty of films and theatre. Here are some of the most prominent portrayals of Dr. King, in film history.

1. “King”

In 1978, character actor Paul Winfield (“Sounder,” “The Terminator,” “Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan”) portrayed Dr. King in this three-part NBC miniseries, with Cicely Tyson playing Coretta Scott King. Though Allmovie.com’s review praises Winfield’s performance, the review also mentions that “the rest of the 6-hour drama compromises the truth with the hokiest of fabrications,” including a meeting with Malcolm X … a year after Malcolm X was assassinated. Nevertheless the series received 9 Emmy nominations and one award, for the series’s dramatic score. Below is a clip of Paul Winfield reciting King’s speech at the Selma to Montgomery march.

2. Samuel L Jackson in “The Mountaintop”

Though not a film, Katori Hall’s “The Mountaintop” is easily one of the most notable portrayals of Dr. King, featuring Jackson (“Pulp Fiction,” “The Avengers”) debuting alongside the play on Broadway. Before Jackson, one of the highest grossing actors of all time, played Dr. King, the play had a bit of a difficult history, failing to secure a venue at first, but finally debuting in London at the 65 seat 503theatre. The slow start didn’t stop the play from rave reviews, and finally Katori Hall won a Laurence Olivier award for best new play. Below are highlights from the play.

3. “Boycott”

A slightly obscure selection, this HBO production, directed by Clark Johnson (actor/director “The Wire”), stars Jeffery Wright (“Casino Royale,” “Quantum of Solace”) as Dr. King during the 1955-1956 Montgomery Bus Boycotts. The film was an adaptation of Stewart Burns’s “Daybreak of Freedom.” What “Boycott” may lack in popularity, it makes up in for in pedigree. On the one hand, there’s not even a well-developed Rotten Tomatoes page for the film. On the other hand, it won a Peabody in 2001 for “refusing to allow history [to] slip into the past.” Below is a clip from the film, described as “what [Coretta Scott King] learned from Bayard Rustin while she was a student at Antioch College.”

4. “Selma”

Perhaps the definitive portrayal of Dr. King on film, “Selma” was also a movie of it’s time. In 2014, the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, not even a year after George Zimmerman was acquitted for the crime of murdering Trayvon Martin, sparked a national conversation about police brutality against African Americans. “Selma” received attention across the board, particularly for Ava Duvernay’s (“13th,” “Middle of Nowhere”) direction and a powerful lead performance by David Oyelowo (“Lincoln,” “The Butler”). Critically acclaimed, “Selma” led to Ava Duvernay becoming the first African American woman nominated for a Golden Globe and an Oscar for best drama. The trailer is below.

How has Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired you? Let us know in the comments below!

5 Tips for Creating Character Relationships

Posted on January 12, 2017November 16, 2022 by nyfa

Ok, so you’ve done the work: memorized your lines backwards and forwards, filled notebooks with your thoughts and backstory, answered the key questions “who am I and what do I want?” and have a good handle on the circumstances of the character before the scene begins, and you’re ready to hit the set with your authentic character.

But wait! Have you thought about the circumstances in the scene itself and the effect other characters and performances might have on your character’s situation? In the fast-paced world of film and television, the first day of shooting may find you in bed with a stranger – so strong choices must also be flexible choices. Here are a few tips from the experts about creating robust yet supple character choices that will lend truth to your performance, even in high-pressure situations.

1. Put Your Objective in Context

“What do I want?” is one of Stanislavski’s questions to ask when approaching a scene.

Adding another dimension, ask yourself “How does my character want to make the other character feel?” We rarely walk around narrating our inner emotional life. Speech is an action and it most often emerges from what we want from a situation or person.

In thinking about your character’s objective, also think about the character playing opposite and their relationship to that objective: your needs from your lover are probably not the same as from your boss. Character relationship colors what you want and how you go about getting it.

2. Prepare to be Moved

“Sanford Meisner On Acting” is one of the top recommended books to read if you plan on pursuing acting as a profession. “Never come into a scene empty” is perhaps its mantra, and in order to follow this advice, preparation is necessary. But preparation must be both strong and malleable so that choices can be made or confirmed in the moment. An actor must prepare a specific inner life for her character that then is moved and affected by the inner life of other actors’ performances – performances that may emerge spontaneously and must be reacted to instinctively.

3. Use Your Imagination

As Cathy Haase elaborates in her book Acting for Film, there is no such thing as a character without relationships. Some character relationships are “primal,” relating to familial bonds, while others are determined by the social hierarchy of the world he or she inhabits. When imagining a character’s inner life, add the spice of imagining their status with the other characters to understand how your character’s position and power (or lack of it) affects your choice of actions on a given line or phrase.

4. Get Involved

Once on set, it is vital that you get out of your own head and involve yourself with the people around you. You must see your character and the characters inhabited by other actors as living human beings who have inner lives of their own. In his book “Irreverent Acting,” Eric Morris offers exercises to help you see what is in front of you — to see your fellow actors as if for the first time. This kind of active and curious seeing keeps your responses from being stiff, and your expressions from being glazed over by your own preoccupations.

5. Pay attention

As this past NYFA Student Resources article suggests, focus and concentration are key to creating convincing characterizations. It is vital that you pay attention to what’s going on around you as well as to what’s going on inside you. Listening to your scene partner will not only keep you out of your sabotaging head, but it will help you deliver a performance that feels spontaneous and truthful.

How do you create living, breathing character relationships? Let us know in the comments below!

Movies You Missed in 2016 That You Can Watch Right Now

Posted on January 12, 2017November 16, 2022 by nyfa

With so many great films to enjoy each year, it’s easier than ever to accidentally miss out on one or more movies you meant to catch — and still secretly want to. The year 2016 was no exception, as we saw countless movie releases that were certainly worth watching at least once. The good news is, even if you missed something great in 2016, you may still have a chance!

While we gear up for a new year’s worth of most-anticipated films in 2017, you have a second chance to see these movies you missed in 2016 and can now rent or stream online.

“Kubo and the Two Strings” — watch on Amazon

This stop-motion animated film did great at the box office and earned a modest amount worldwide. Even so, we feel “Kubo” didn’t receive nearly the amount of attention it deserves, especially since it is being considered perhaps one of the best movies of its kind. If you don’t believe us, check out the 97 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

“Kubo” is about a one-eyed boy living in ancient Japan and possessing magical powers. When he learns of a vengeful spirit causing trouble to his family, he sets off to locate the magical suit of armor worn by his deceased father. Combining incredible visuals and a touching story, “Kubo” easily stands as one of the best animated films of the last decade.

“Hunt for the Wilderpeople” — watch on Amazon

The director, Taika Waititi, has been making a name for himself for over a decade now. He has helmed several critically acclaimed movies, including the upcoming “Thor: Ragnarok,” and the two top grossing New Zealand films. The first of those is 2010’s “Boy” while the other is “Hunt for the Wilderpeople.”

“Hunt for the Wilderpeople” is about a juvenile delinquent who ends up on his foster uncle’s farm after years of living in the child welfare system. When the boy fakes his death and runs away into the wilderness with his dog, his uncle goes after him — but they both end up lost. Both heartwarming and hilarious, “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” is one of those films you won’t regret watching.

“The Nice Guys” — watch on Amazon

Considering this movie released around the same time as “Captain America: Civil War,” it makes sense that you probably didn’t hear much about it. We’re confident it’s also the reason why it only earned $7 million more than its budget despite receiving a positive critical response and holding a great rating on both Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic.

“The Nice Guys” stars Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling as private eyes who couldn’t be more different. The gags shared by Gosling and Crowe’s characters are hilarious considering one is a bumbling idiot while the other is a jerk who likes to bully people. The fun mix of comedy and mystery makes this film an enjoyable experience from start to film.

“Sing Street” — watch on Amazon

https://youtu.be/C_YqJ_aimkM

This memorable coming-of-age film is about a boy named Conor who fulfils his dreams of starting a band despite coming from a struggling Irish family. The story is nothing but charming, as we see Conor transform from being an awkward kid in school to boasting the kind of passion and determination few kids his age demonstrate.

Despite flying under the radar, critics immediately recognized it as one of the best musical films to release in recent years. It earned several accolades, including wins at the Critics’ Choice Awards and Golden Globe Awards.

“Keanu” — watch on iTunes, Amazon, Youtube, Vudu or Google Play

This movie stars the hilarious duo from the popular “Key & Peele” show, which in a few short years has won a Peabody Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and countless nominations. “Keanu” serves as their cinematic debut and offers the same level of humor you’d expect from the comedy duo.

Peele and Rubens play two goofy cousins who find themselves wrapped in the criminal underworld after their kitten Keanu is abducted. “Keanu” was overshadowed by big releases like “The Jungle Book” and “The Huntsman: Winter’s War,” but that hasn’t stopped critics from praising it for its silly premise and fast-paced comedy.

What were your favorite films from 2016? Let us know in the comments below!

Illustration Resources for the Beginner

Posted on January 12, 2017November 16, 2022 by nyfa

Like sports or music, one of the best ways to get better at illustration is practice, practice, practice. Besides doing things on your own or participating in challenges that provide prompts to get the ideas and ink flowing, like Jake Parker’s Inktober, where can young illustrators go to learn more about the craft?

Social Media

You probably have some favorite illustrators and artists you follow on social media. If you don’t, see if your favorite artist has any social media accounts — they often post things that take you behind-the-scenes or put you at the drawing board with them. This is also a good way to see how professionals market their work and develop an online persona. Erica Henderson (“Squirrel Girl”) posts her sketches and musings on her Tumblr and Twitter pages. Tyler Crook (“Harrow County”) has several social media accounts, but his website, mrcrook, has a wonderful blog about his process and a gallery to inspire you. Dave McKean (“Hellblazer,” projects with Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, the Rolling Stones, etc.) chronicles his work and travels on Twitter as well as his own website. For more inspiration, check out NYFA instructor Tim Fielder’s amazing work via his website, dieselfunk.

Dave McKean’s “Black Dog” is based on the life of surrealist painter Paul Nash and was released in 2016.

Chuck Green’s Idea Book and Lynda.com

Long-time professional illustrator and designer Chuck Green offers career advice and points out great examples in illustration, print, and web design on his site. His bi-weekly emails provide a curated overview of what’s happening across several design and marketing industries. Along with reading up on and looking at design trends, it’s crucial to keep working on your own portfolio. Many people build their skills with the tutorials on Lynda.com. This is a good place to start learning a new technique or to refresh your skills in an area you haven’t worked in for a while.

Only Pencil Drawing

If you want to be an illustrator, you should know how to do work with nothing but pencil and paper. Polish your basic drawing skills with the step-by-step tutorials on Lisandro Peña’s Only Pencil Drawing. The Toronto-based artist specializes in wildlife drawings, but his tutorials include in-depth demonstrations of drawing human eyes, hair, etc. Peña helps artists focus on one skill at a time to help them learn how to pay attention to detail.

No matter what your preferred medium is, you should know how to use one of these.

Layers Magazine

If you use Adobe’s products, Layers Magazine is the place to go for tutorials and quick tips, whether you’re trying to learn how to add gritty texture to a photo, design an ebook in InDesign, or organize layers in illustrator. The tutorials range from the very basics of each program to advanced work that combines different effects. The site also offers free digital books and has profiles and interviews with different artists and design professionals.

Keeping Up with Trends

Sites like Illustration Age and How will help you keep up with what is going on in the world of illustration and design. They have interviews, profiles, reviews, and, yep, tutorials, to help you keep up your skills and stay current with what is going on in the book, gaming, design, and film industries. Another way to keep up with what’s going on right now is through a trip to your local newsstand and bookstore. Look through the magazines to see what fonts and design trends are popular. Check out the children’s books and graphic novels to see what innovators are doing.

An Endless Free Resource

Don’t forget your local library. Even small libraries have collections of children’s books, graphic novels, and art books to give you inspiration. Most have video collections where you can find documentaries and films on art history. Getting to know the history of illustration trends helps you understand the craft and will help you find your unique style as an illustrator. Your library may have a fine arts gallery or a special collections area where you can look at old and rare books and manuscripts. Make friends with the reference librarians and they can help you find the right materials for you.

Studying illustrators of the past is a great way to get inspired and learn your craft. W.W. Denslow’s illustration from “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” (1900).

Any great beginner resources you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments below!

7 Directorial Debuts to Watch at Sundance 2017

Posted on January 12, 2017November 16, 2022 by nyfa

Sundance: the famous film festival in Park City, Utah, best known for providing big breaks to independent filmmakers — some who are debuting their work for the first time. Famous auteurs like Paul Thomas Anderson, Quentin Tarantino, and David O. Russell got their break debuting their films at Sundance. This year, there is no doubt this proud tradition of highlighting the work of the up-and-coming powerhouse directors of the future will continue. In the spirit of Sundance and to prepare for this year’s festival, we’ve rounded up some breakout directors and films you may want to check out.

1. Flying Lotus/Steven Ellison – “Kuso”

The Los Angeles beat scene maestro and prankster behind the Captain Murphy mixtapes didn’t start off as a musician; he got his start at the Los Angeles Film School. It wasn’t until he saw an “Adult Swim” advertisement and submitted a few songs that he gained notoriety. His debut film “Kuso” features “Adult Swim” alums like Tim Heidecker and Hannibal Burress, in a film he describes as “pretty much everything that I’m afraid of.” Oh, and he’s doing the score, too.

2. Taylor Sheridan – “Wind River”

Best known for playing David Hale on FX’s “Sons of Anarchy” and writing the screenplays for “Sicario” and “Hell or High Water,” Taylor’s debut film stars Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, and Jon Bernthal, in a thriller involving the FBI’s partnership with a game tracker in an attempt to solve a murder on an Indian Reservation.

3. Zoe Lister-Jones – “Band Aid”

Zoe Lister-Jones, the star of CBS’s “Life in Pieces” has a long and varied resume. She’s even recorded a solo album and was a member of The Ladybug Transistor. So it makes sense that her debut film is about a couple who decides to save their marriage by starting a band and writing songs about their fights. The film also features current Seth Myers bandleader and “Portlandia” funnyman Fred Armisen.

4. Marti Noxon– “To The Bone”

TV veteran Marti Noxon, who got her start as a writer with “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and recently worked as a producer on “Mad Men,” makes her debut with this medical drama about a young woman struggling with anorexia, featuring Keanu Reeves (in a non-action role!) as her doctor.

5. Dave McCary– “Brigsby Bear”

Before he was an SNL alum, Kyle Mooney was best known for his odd delivery and manchild characters in sketches filmed by his comedy group Good Neighbor. When the entire group was hired on to SNL, they brought along Dave McCary, who debuts with “Brigsby Bear,” a film about a children’s TV show produced for an audience of one that abruptly ends. Kyle Mooney stars as the audience member who decides to solve the mystery behind the show and finish the plot for himself.

6. Macon Blair– “I Don’t Feel At Home in This World Anymore”

Macon Blair has been on a bit of a tear as an actor, starring in revenge thriller “Blue Ruin” and neo-nazi siege horror “Green Room.” His film “I Don’t Feel At Home In This World Anymore” is about a woman whose house gets burglarized. With the help of her neighbor, she begins attempting to track down the burglars. Hopefully he can build on the successes of his prior films. The film, featuring former Hobbit Elijah Wood, has been picked up by Netflix, so it looks like he’s done just that.

Which films and directors are you following as you prepare for this year’s Sundance Festival? Let us know in the comments below!

How to Animate a Film for an Older Audience

Posted on January 12, 2017November 16, 2022 by nyfa

Each year, animated films give viewers of all ages something to anticipate and enjoy. If you’re an aspiring animator, one of the most important skills to foster is the ability to create animation for any and all ages. If you’re particularly interested in producing content that speaks to adult viewers, consider the following strategies while planning your film:

Use Themes That Make the Audience Think

There’s nothing more powerful than a story that leaves you with both emotions and thoughts. Adults appreciate thought-provoking films because they offer a whole new level of engagement, discovery, and experience. Whether a story includes philosophical elements or asks questions about how technology may affect us one day, a thoughtful theme is a great hook to secure the attention of mature audiences.

A great example that includes both themes we just mentioned is “Ghost in the Shell.” This cult animated classic tells the story of a cyborg police officer named Motoko who struggles to keep order in a futuristic city. As a being with both organic and mechanical parts, the rise of a powerful hacker eventually causes her to question her own humanity and existence. And the film certainly appeals to its intended audience. When animating for mature audiences, choose themes that will allow your animation to evoke intriguing concepts or questions and engage your audience on many levels, both emotionally and intellectually.

Analyze Your Content and Storytelling

There are a lot of reasons why “South Park” has remained one of the most popular cartoons on television, from it’s quirky animation to its sly, timely humor. One important element of the success of “South Park” is its abundance of adult-oriented jokes. As an aspiring animator, know there is permission and precedent for creating animation specifically for mature audiences. Risque, controversial, and violent animation also has its place in the entertainment industry.

Of course, it takes more than mature content to make a successful animated film for an older audience. It also takes strong storytelling. For example, while Seth Rogen’s “Sausage Party” had all the mature language you could ask for, it was the storytelling that won the praise of critics and propelled the film to become the highest grossing R-rated animated movie of all time. If you choose the route of animating content that speaks particularly to an older audience, also remember to include excellent craftsmanship and thought-provoking themes in your animation.

Include Fun, Meaningful Stories

You don’t have to animate for older audiences alone — you can also choose the route of animating films that have broad appeal. Both Pixar and DreamWorks have proven that animated movies can simultaneously appeal to all ages. From “Up” and “WALL-E” to “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Kung Fu Panda,” there are plenty of animated movies that viewers of all ages can enjoy. And aspiring animators can learn a lot from tackling the challenge of crafting fun, meaningful stories for all ages.

“The Incredibles,” for example, looks like the perfect film for kids. It has heroes that appear ripped straight out of a comic book and boast amazing powers any kid might dream about having. But along with that you have a story that illustrates a strong message that family is more important than anything else, including fame and glory. This meaningful story has the potentially to appeal universally to all ages. Whether you make an animated film only for adults or for people of all ages, don’t forget that almost all humans love stories with meaning.

Do Something That’s Impossible to do Elsewhere

The power of animation is its ability to let us tell stories in a unique way that simply can’t be done in any other medium. For example, Dragonball Z has remained one of the most iconic animes of all time, and yet every attempt to recreate Toriyama’s world in live action has failed. Also think of all the best claymation and beloved anime films, which create visual worlds and characters so unique and specific that it’s hard to imagine them any other way. Animation offers unique possibilities.

And whether you’re animating for youngsters, mature viewers, or all ages, we hope these tips help you at the drawing board.

How do you prepare when creating animation for audiences of different ages? Let us know in the comments below!

3 Disney Renaissance Lessons on Animation

Posted on January 6, 2017November 16, 2022 by nyfa

The Disney Renaissance changed the way the world experiences animation. Of all the companies that need no introduction, Disney is perhaps at the top. Boasting one of the world’s greatest libraries of highly marketable intellectual property, Disney will no doubt continue as a household name for years to come. What can aspiring animators learn from this company’s continuing success?

There are many answers to that question, but today we’re focusing on lessons from the Disney Renaissance — a time period that led to the creation of some of the most iconic Disney films. From 1989 to 1999, Walt Disney Animation Studios was putting out hit after hit that to this day still serve as some of the best animated films of all time. In fact, many of them are receiving anticipated remakes, including a live-action version of “Beauty and the Beast.”

Below are three things both animators and the industry as a whole can learn from the team of animators responsible for the Disney Renaissance era:

1. Animation Is Competitive, and That’s a Good Thing

It’s easy now to look back and see how successful Disney was during this period. But before the studio began their creative resurgence, they found themselves in a tough spot. Disney struggled for a while; some of their films (like “The Black Cauldron”) failed while new rivals emerged. One of these rivals was Don Bluth Productions, which was founded by an ex-Disney animator who left with 17% of the animators working on “The Fox and the Hound” at the time.

Don Bluth’s team began producing successful films like “An American Tail,” “The Land Before Time,” and “All Dogs Go to Heaven.” This put pressure on Disney to compete at the box office. Many believe the intense competitiveness with Don Bluth Productions is one of the reasons Disney pushed hard to create memorable classics. Though Don Bluth Productions closed its doors in 1995, Disney clearly benefitted from the competition thanks to the work of individual animators who clearly wanted to prove they were the best in the industry.

2. Never Settle: Instead, Do Better

Of course, those animators we just mentioned wanted more than to simply “beat” the competition. They also strove to surpass their previous work, which is why so many films released during the Disney Renaissance period seemed to have just as much creativity and passion, if not more, than the last.

Imagine releasing “The Little Mermaid,” which earned a whopping $84 million during its initial release, and then being told to do it again — only better. The Walt Disney Animation Studios team did just that, releasing “Beauty and the Beast” two years later, only to follow that up with with “Aladdin.” The next six films of this era, which include “The Lion King” and “Mulan,” were also great box office hits. The lesson? No matter how well you do, try to do better next time.

No matter what field or industry, success can sometimes be a studio’s downfall. Pressure to repeat the same success can be devastating, but it can also push animators to new heights. As an aspiring animator, follow in the footsteps of the animators of the Disney Renaissance era and work to always do better than before, whether your last work was a success or failure.

3. Animate Because You Love It

Even though Walt Disney had passed on decades before the Disney Renaissance era, his influence is arguably one of the reasons Disney has continued to grow. In fact, many of his principles are still applied throughout every Disney branch more than 50 years later, including his motto: “Do what you love.”

Disney himself began as someone who enjoyed drawing in his spare time. When he decided he wanted to do what he loved for a living, he had to go through many random jobs — including working as ambulance driver for the army during World War I — just to fund his passion. With a desire to draw for a living as his focus, Disney pushed ahead until he had his own animation studio. His love for animation fed his perseverance.

We’re confident that the animators during the Disney Renaissance era felt the same way. Despite growing pressure to release success after success, they simply went on doing what they loved and didn’t hold back. Now, Disney is one of the largest and most successful companies in the world. Coincidence?

What great lessons have you learned from the Disney Renaissance? Let us know in the comments below!