Home Posts tagged "digital filmmaking"

One Graduate’s Journey to the Cannes Film Festival

Published on April 3, 2012

New York Film Academy Abu Dhabi grad Faraz Waqar’s graduation thesis film 9:11 AM was selected for its world premiere at the Festival de Cannes 2012 Short Films Corner. The Short Films Corner hands you an annual tailor-made program of industry meets, workshops and conferences that deal with strategic issues. Faraz will benefit from all the advantages of being an accredited attendee of the festival. He can access the Marché du Film exhibitors or those in the Village International. Faraz will also be able to network with all the biggest industry players, whether they are institutions, financiers and the most important international reps in the film business. Talk about opening some doors. What more can a film graduate ask for?

Tell us where your passion started?

Studying film and working in film was always my dream. Reviving the film industry in my own country through films has always been my goal. However, the pressure for financial success and lack of support from my family forced me to study Business Management instead of filmmaking. I spent 12 years working in the corporate world as a banker in the Middle East but never let my dream of becoming a filmmaker die. After achieving a fair degree of success in my business career and achieving financial independence, I was in a position to finally pursue my dream and passion.

What drives you as an artist?

The Middle East has played a very important role in the of human civilization. In recent years, however, this region has been in the media for all the wrong reasons. Cinema is the most powerful tool to make or break the image of a person, culture or country. Becoming a film director puts you in a position of immense power. You can influence the hearts and minds of people of the world. This is the best way to contribute something which will benefit your own culture. You also enjoy the immense opportunity to be creative. You’re having fun too.

How was your NYFA experience?

I joined the 1-year Filmmaking program in Abu Dhabi last February. The institution brought to my doorstep the facilities and instruction that has trained so many prominent filmmakers in the United States. I graduated from NYFA two months ago. It was perhaps the most memorable year of my life. I truly lived my dream. The best part about studying at NYFA was learning from professors who had a wealth of experiences working as directors and cinematographers on world renowned film projects both in Hollywood and in the Middle East. The student body in Abu Dhabi is extremely diverse. We have classmates from Australia, India, Africa, Iran, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Eastern Europe, Pakistan, Lebenon, Switzerland, Iraq, UAE, Nigeria and Denmark. It was superb because you got to make some wonderful friends from different cultures and benefit from their vastly different perspectives. I formed some very close friendships and enjoyed working with this diverse international group. Film school always ends up attracting the most creative and passionate people. The network I’ve established will benefit me in any project I pursue.

NYFA’s program is intensive and comprehensive. Film projects start from idea conception to script finalization, and ranges from casting, editing, production and post-production. I wrote, directed and edited 8 complete films during my one year at the school. In addition I was also involved in the production of 39 films in various capacities as part of the crew (short films, documentaries and music videos) for other directors. I got full freedom to experiment, shoot and work on different ideas and scripts for my projects.

We had access to some of the best film cameras in the world. We shot from digital to 16mm, 35mm and even on the Red Epic. It was amazing.

What is your perspective on screening at film festivals? Advice on the process?

Recognition at quality film festivals do add a lot of credibility to a new filmmaker’s profile. It gives one confidence as a professional to people. Recognition at a major festival immediately bring you into the spotlight, especially in a market where filmmaking is still in a nascent stage and the people in the industry all know each other. It helps bring your name into notice amongst all in the film making circle. Never make your film with the intention of getting into any particular festival. That is not the way I would do it. Be selective about the festivals you apply to once your film is complete. I believe that whatever comes naturally from your heart will represent you and what you are most passionate about. It will turn out to be your best work. It is also very important to present their films professionally. Films submitted should be properly branded. DVDs must be labelled, craft themed posters meticulously, and make sure to select originally composed or royalty-free music. This improves the chances of selection too. Every small detail helps.

What kind of advice would you give to the aspiring filmmaker and NYFA student dreaming to succeed?

Be yourself. Let your work be original. Let it be your best creative effort on a subject you are passionate about. It will naturally bring out the best in you. Believe in your work but never shy away from feedback and criticism from a trusted source. The audience is your consumer, and you must communicate a certain point of view. Being too abstract for the sake of being artistic may cause the message of your film to be lost. Be intelligent. Do not focus on controversial topics for the sake of controversy. Base your film on a controversial topic if you truly believe in it. Your script is everything. Make sure it’s perfect. Make sure it’s engaging and interesting.

Actors matter the most. Their performance can make or break your film. Select them wisely, prepare them well and value their time and effort. You cannot make a film alone. It’s a team effort. Your crew is contributing in a major way to give shape to your vision. Value them and treat them with respect. Build your team with the next project in mind. Don’t use and discard others. Selfishness and a bad attitude will take you nowhere in a very team-dependent industry.

Learn more about NYFA in Abu Dhabi. Click here.

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NYFA Graduate’s Film Sweeps African Academy Awards

Published on May 26, 2010

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The African Movie Academy Awards saw quite a bit of NYFA graduate Kunle Afolayan’s feature film, The Figurine, during their 2010 ceremonies. Out of the ten awards for which it was nominated, The Figurine took Best Picture, Achievement in Visual Effect, Heart of African Award for Best Film from Nigeria, Achievement in Cinematography and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role. The film has solidified Afolayan’s future in filmmaking and attracted well-deserved attention to Nigeria’s rapidly growing film industry, Nollywood.

Son of Ade Afolayan, the famed Nigerian actor, Kunle Afolayan didn’t exactly start out following in his father’s footsteps. A banker by profession, the Nigerian filmmaker at first regarded entertainment as more of a hobby. He spent a few years taking small acting jobs while working in banking. It wasn’t until 2005 that Kunle took a leap of faith and left his career to study digital filmmaking at the New York Film Academy in London.

Irapada, his first work, gained recognition at a number of international film festivals and won the Best Indigenous Award at the 2007 AMAAs. Set in modern Nigeria, the film is colorfully injected with elements of Nigerian myth culture. After a successful building contractor tragically ignores an old relative’s devastating premonitions, he is forced to reassess his long-standing rejection of ancient superstitions.

Kunle once again peppers a contemporary story with Nigerian folklore in The Figurine. A group of friends finds an effigy of Araromire, a goddess believed to grant good luck, and must confront the negative aspects of supernaturally bestowed fortune.

Boasting relatively enormous production values, Afolayan’s work on The Figurine has made him a special effects pioneer in Nollywood. His intentions to revolutionize and promote the Nigerian film industry have also extended to his method of distribution. The film was shot with a movie theater audience experience in mind. In a move to reinvigorate Nigerian cinema culture, Kunle Afolayan has pushed for The Figurine to remain in theaters for as long as possible, in contrast to the usual DVD distribution goals of the average filmmaker.

Kunle Afolayan’s unconventional approach to filmmaking and film distribution has put him at the top of the African film industry. Having recently run a filmmaking program in Abuja, those of us at the New York Film Academy are excited to see one of our graduates work to further advance the Nigerian industry.

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Start Your Career in Digital Filmmaking

Published on March 9, 2009

Filmmaking is a relatively new art-form; yet it has already endured many revolutions in technology.  The shift from silent film to sound and the shift from black-and-white to color cinematography ushered in new eras for movie makers.  These shifts also open up opportunities for new artists who are able to combine an understanding of past techniques with a mastery of the new technologies.

Digital filmmaking—the process of capturing and editing motion pictures digitally—has many advantages over traditional procedures. By using digital cameras, digital editing and new distribution methods, 21st century filmmakers will be able to make films faster and less expensively while reaching a wider audience.

Digital cameras such as the Panasonic DVX 100 are less expensive and more accessible to the average person than their film-stock predecessors.  The sound-recording and lighting adjustment capabilities of most digital cameras slashes the costs and logistical difficulties associated with large crews.  Shooting digitally also eliminates the cost and mechanical problems of film-stock itself.  According to Rick McCallum, a producer on Star Wars: Attack of the Clones the 220 hours of digital tape used in the film’s production cost around $16,000, whereas an equivalent amount of film would have cost $1.8 million.

Similarly, editing digitally using a program such as Final Cut Pro will greatly decrease a film’s production time and cost.  Digital editing can be performed from a home computer with user-friendly programs that allow even inexperienced movie makers a chance to learn the craft.  Like traditional editing, digital editing requires patience and attention to detail, but it is also non-destructive and allows for continual manipulations.

The lower cost and greater ease of use are certainly great boons to the aspiring digital filmmaker, but what ramifications does digital filmmaking hold for movie distribution?

The internet, specifically websites such as Youtube and Vimeo, has given filmmakers many new venues to display their work.  All-digital film festivals such as Resfest and Onedotzero have become en vogue and allow new independent filmmakers a chance to be picked up for large-scale audiences.  Mainstream movie theaters also have a vested interest in the switch to digital film distribution as it eliminates the need for film prints (which can run upwards of $2,000 each).

Digital filmmaking has even begun to be accepted by the major Hollywood Studios.  Top directors such as Robert Rodriguez ( Spy Kids, Sin City), Bryan Singer (the Usual Suspects, X-men) and Darren Aronofsky (Pi, The Wrestler) have all made digital films.  Most notably, much of Slumdog Millionaire, the 2009 Academy Award winner for Best Motion Picture was shot digitally.  With audiences becoming more receptive to digital filmmaking it is likely that Hollywood will be looking to employ the talents of new digital artists!

Today’s digital filmmakers have an exciting opportunity to write the next chapter in film history.  Luckily, new cameras, editing techniques and distribution forums give unparalleled freedom to 21st century filmmakers.  However, the basic rules of the art-form still apply; precision and planning will be of optimum importance regardless of the camera a filmmaker uses.  Technologies may change, but filmmaking is always about telling stories visually—stories that are touching, entertaining, and that challenge us to look at the world in a new way.

By Brian Koplow, New York Film Academy Digital Film School

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Digital Filmmaking With The New York Film Academy

Published on February 27, 2009

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The Digital Film School of the New York Film Academy is one of the most hands-on and intensive, college credited film schools in the world; teaching thousands of teens, young adults and professionals the craft of filmmaking each year. Since opening in 1992 in New York City, our philosophy has been “learning by doing”.  Over the years our philosophy has earned us a sound reputation among the film industries elite.  Top filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg, Peter Bogdanovich, Tim Robbins, and Stephen Fears have sent their children to study filmmaking with us. Today, the New York Film Academy has thousands of graduates who come from all over the world to study at our schools in Los Angeles, Abu Dhabi and, our original location, in New York City.  Our philosophy has not changed, but the technology we use  has. Students learning digital filmmaking at any of our schools work with the latest in digital film equipment, software and techniques. From our Mac Pro Computer Lab running the latest versions of Final Cut Pro Editing Suite, Maya and ZBrush to equipment that includes:


•    Panasonic DVX100 24p Digital Video Camera
•    HVX200 P H.D. Camera
•    Lenses 17.5 MM, 25MM, 28MM, 35MM, 50MM, and Zoom Lenses
•    RED One A.D. (Altered Definition) Camera (1 & 2 year students)

Everyday films are being written, directed, filmed and produced by students of the New York Film Academy. If you are interested in joining us, please visit our Digital Film School page.

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A Digital Film School For Future Filmmakers

Published on November 11, 2008

The use of digital technology in film was first used in a little known movie in 1977, Star Wars directed by George Lucas. Since 1977, there have been thousands off blockbuster movies produced using digital film technology. In fact, most films today use some form of digital technology in production.  Recognizing that digital technology has become an industry standard in the motion picture and entertainment industries, The New York Film Academy, one of the most innovative and recognized film schools in the world, is now offering a specialized program in digital filmmaking offered through one, four and twelve week workshops at their location in Manhattan, NY and Universal Studio locations.

Digital Film Making (DFM) is the process of blending art and technology. DFM uses advanced technology to speed up the film making process. It also allows the film maker to be even more creative and go outside the constraints of film by using advanced digital cameras such as RED HD camcorders and editing suites such as Final Cut Pro; both used by NYFA.

With all of the new technology being used in today’s films, hands on experience is becoming even more valuable and essential in the learning process. President of the New York Film Academy, Jerry Sherlock, says that “learning to be a filmmaker, digital or otherwise, is not done “by the numbers.” It is done by immersion in the process and by knowing the “whys” that teach the “hows.” It is done by hands-on experience, trial and error, feedback and correction, and questions and answers”. This is what is gained from attending a film school.

The New York Academy Digital Film School recognizes that technology is changing how movies are created, produced and distributed. Until recently, Hollywood studios were the only ones who had the money to pay for digital tools and for the labour involved in producing digital effects. The cost of technology has come down dramatically over recent years and continues to open doors to many would-be filmmakers that would otherwise not be able to afford to make a film. This shift to digital media affects in Hollywood AND film-making as a whole has revolutionized the motion picture industry.  As traditional film technology is universally being replaced by digital technology, the logic of the film-making process is being redefined.

Through their hands on workshops, the New York Film Academy hopes to provide the professional instruction, tools and opportunities needed for future digital filmmakers to perfect their craft and prepare them for a career in motion picture and entertainment. NYFA continues to stay on the cutting edge with their offerings.

For course information visit Digital Film School

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