Film School Blog - Tag Archive for "film students"

Weekly Roundup: Ridley Scott Sequels & Return of The Godfather

Published on May 18, 2012

Coming off an Oscar for his screenplay The Social Network, Aaron Sorkin agrees to write the screenplay on the life of Apple creator, Steve Jobs. If this isn’t Oscar bait, I don’t know what is. Could he win another one with the life story of the recently deceased computer genius? You better believe he can.

Paramount Pictures made Mario Puzo’s estate an offer they couldn’t refuse. Thankfully nobody will be taking a hit in the process and a new Godfather book will be released. The question is, should they make another movie after that third one? I mean, let’s be honest, it didn’t exactly live up to the first two.

The prestigious Cannes Film Festival 2012 kicked off and along with that came some pretty interesting movie posters. Some of them have the feel of a straight to DVD film, or perhaps an airplane screening. And is that Joey Fatone in what appears to be a comedy about a hangover in America? I feel like I’ve heard that somewhere before.

Perhaps one of the most anticipated films of the summer is Ridley Scott’s Prometheus. Many have speculated that this could be a prequel to the classic Alien series. Or is it just an original Sci-Fi idea? Screenwriter Jon Spaihts clears up the originality of the premise and the Alien world.

Speaking up Ridley Scott, the master filmmaker has announced plans for a Blade Runner sequel. No word yet on whether Harrison Ford will return for this one. But, hey, if he’s still doing Indiana Jones why not throw him back into Blade Runner? As for Ridley, what’s next? Perhaps a Gladiator 2 will follow.

Do you think Harrison Ford should be in a Blade Runner sequel? Tweet us your thoughts!

Hear Ye! Open House Is Here Once Again!

Published on May 17, 2012

Want to see what New York Film Academy is all about? Come and join us for an Open House this weekend in New York City, Universal Studios, Australia, and India! #NYFA has been tweeting us their excitement. Who else is coming? We’ll be live-tweeting and taking photos so stay tuned for updates and a recap next week. Make sure to check in on Foursquare and leave us feedback on Yelp. Did we mention how much we love hearing from our students, alumni, and everyone else in the world? Oh, we didn’t. Well, now you know!

For more information on specific times and locations, click here.

An Oil Spill in Newtown Creek

Published on May 9, 2012

Sarah Choi attended New York Film Academy’s 1-Year Documentary Program. Her documentary Newtown, which reveals the history and reality of an oil spill in Newtown Creek, premiered at the Brooklyn Independent Films & Media Arts Festival. “Underneath the glamour and glory of Manhattan lie the remains of century-long environmental injustice, yet no one really knows about the largest oil spill that took place in Newtown Creek.” After growing up in Korea, Sarah moved to Canada to study Biology. Environmental justice was something very near to her heart and she knew her documentary would cover such injustices. Her professor, Andrea Swift, suggested a topic close to New York. “I initially wanted to work on a project about Tar Sands in Fort McMurray and pitched it to my professor. Then, Andrea said ‘Maybe you can make an environmental piece here in New York.’ I had no idea that there was an oil spill – or oil release, as some prefer – in New York, so close to where I was living. The hands-on experience and accessibility of mentors in the film industry made Sarah’s experience at New York Film Academy simply amazing. ” The fact that I could easily bounce ideas back and forth with my professors, and get honest feedback from them, was a huge advantage. It was at NYFA that I also learned the collaborative nature of filmmaking through working in crews of three or four. I met many talented individuals with whom I still work with.” Currently, Sarah is workingon several documentary projects including a short piece on solar energy education in New York. She intends to continue to create films that inspire hope and change, while opening up conversations between segregated groups.

Al Qasemi Wins Abu Dhabi Screenwriting Competition

Published on April 25, 2012

The New York Film Academy at Abu Dhabi, The Abu Dhabi Film Commission, and director Nawaf Al Janahi recently announced that writer Afnan Abdelraoof Al Qasemi has won their 2012 script writing competition.

Al Qasemi’s project Shaye Karak (Karak Tea) beat out over a hundred submissions. Her script will be turned into a short film by Al Janahi, with a crew selected from New York Film Academy’s graduates. The film will be promoted at international film festivals by Abu Dhabi Film Commission.

Though she has dreamed of working in the film industry, she struggled to get the support of her loved ones. In an email Al Qasemi explained, “I come from a traditional family of teachers, doctors, engineers, [and] businessmen…. My family didn’t understand my interest in media and tried to [advise me to do] something more useful according to them, like medicine. I refused to stop and I tried to follow my passion in a way that is acceptable to the family. [L]ots of people said it’s impossible, but I think that there’s a place for a traditional conservative girl… in our media or film world. My family then supported me greatly. Film is an art and it’s a way to show your beliefs, way of thinking, point of view, lifestyle, and thoughts, no matter who you are or what you believe in.”

Al Qasemi also won a four-week hands-on filmmaking program to learn and polish her skills in script writing, cinematography, and digital editing. “The academy is amazing,” she says. “I, sadly, have poor knowledge in filmmaking and cinema but that wasn’t a problem because NYFA teaches me everything from scratch. I’ve met people from different countries and backgrounds and learned how to be more confident [in that] environment. I thank NYFA for giving me such opportunity and for giving me the push that I needed. I hope that I reach success and [that people] accept me for who I am. I also hope that [I inspire] young girls and boys follow their passion.”

She also offers the following advice for people hoping to get into the film industry: “Keep yourself surrounded with supportive, trustful people and try to overcome your obstacles no matter what…. [If] you believe in God, pray for guidance. I do that all the time, it makes me feel confident and relieved.”

New York Film Academy Welcomes Holly Hunter

Published on April 24, 2012

Oscar winning actress Holly Hunter joined us for a Q & A at New York Film Academy’s Union Square campus. The crowd was beyond capacity to learn more about the award winning actress’ career of trials and tribulations.

After graduating from her drama program in college, Holly moved to New York City to pursue professional acting. “I moved to New York City in 1980. New York felt organic. I loved it.” Hunter recalled a chance encounter in a stalled elevator, where she befriended playwright Beth Henley. Beth cast her in Miss Firecracker and it wasn’t long until Holly was being looked at by directors James L. Brooks and the Coen brothers for roles in Broadcast News and Raising Arizona. “I got hooked up with some really great filmmakers right away. Kindness is imperative in my career.”

In 1993, Holly had an epic year winning the Oscar for Best Actress in a leading role for the movie The Piano. She was also nominated for Supporting Actress for her role in The Firm – the same year. “It was one of the most extraordinary things that’s ever happened to me. Life is just really an unexpected thing that we deal with.”

Holly admits that even after her Oscar win she still found difficulty landing roles that she really wanted. She recalled having to audition for a role in Living Out Loud, which she knew she was perfect for. Holly had to prove herself to the director, even with a recent Oscar win under her belt. “It could be sexual politics when you’re going for a role. It comes down to your chemistry with the director.” Holly ended up landing the role through perseverance. Though she has maintained a very successful career, Holly considers herself a working actress and not a movie star.

Before leaving, Holly offered a bit of advice to crew members on a film set, “Turn your cell phones off!” Perhaps a lesson for all of us; whether it’s on set, at work, or in the classroom.

New York Film Academy Grad Wins Best Short

Published on April 24, 2012

New York Film Academy grad A. James Marcolin’s film I Am Alive won Best Short Film at the 2012 Boston International Film Festival. Marcolin originally attended a NYFA 4 week program and enjoyed the academy so much he came back for the 1 year filmmaking program. “The experience was really great because we always had access to equipment and it was incredibly hands-on. At NYFA, if you have great ideas you can make them a reality – nobody will stop you. I always had support from my professors, even the one’s who weren’t mine.

Marcolin will be screening his award winning short, I Am Alive, Saturday May 5 at 7:30 P.M. at New York Film Academy’s Union Square campus.

In the meantime, Marcolin is hard at work raising funds for his next film, Left With a Bitter Taste in the Mouth, with NYFA instructor Piero Basso as Director of Photography. You can support his film on Indiegogo.

Community Highlights

Published on April 23, 2012

We had a slightly dark take on Earth Day, asking our @NYFA and Facebook followers what their favorite “end of the Earth” movies are. The Day After Tomorrow was the most mentioned, but there were some clever choices in the mix as well, like Al Gore’s documentary An Inconvenient Truth.We also had a New York Film Academy crew sighting from @JacksonSimmonds in the West Village. Who was shooting this film? Tell us about it!

And finally, there’s a new Mayor in town. It seems a certain “Joe” has taken the reigns on Foursquare. Who will oust him?

As always, we thank our loyal followers and look forward to another week of engaging social media.

New York Film Academy Supports the LA Food Bank

Published on April 4, 2012

New York Film Academy is proud to announce a food drive at the Universal Studios campus running from April 2 to April 27. Supporting the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank, the goal is to collect over 300 pounds of food for families in need. Students and staff can donate dry goods, canned goods, and non-perishable items in collection boxes at the front desks in each of the 3 buildings.

Founded in 1973, the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank works with 640 partner agencies, distributing food to battered women shelters, senior centers, food pantries, soup kitchens, AIDS hospices, and more. In 2011 the organization was able to distribute 60 million pounds of food in Los Angeles County.

Please help us fight hunger in our community and support this noble organization by donating your unwanted food. You can also support the cause financially by contributing to our virtual food drive. For every one dollar that is donated, the food bank is able to distribute five dollars worth of food and products. Spread the word by tweeting @LAFoodBank and becoming a Facebook fan. Every little bit counts!

Learn more about our programs in Los Angeles at Universal Studios. Click here.

New York Film Academy Welcomes Actor Don Stark

Published on March 28, 2012

Last Saturday, New York Film Academy at Universal Studios celebrated the graduation of students in MFA and AFA in Producing, MFA and AFA in Acting for Film, MFA and AFA in Screenwriting, and MFA in Photography.

Actor Don Stark gave an incredibly touching and inspiring speech to the graduates. Best known for his eight seasons as Bob Pinciotti on the long-running Fox sitcom That ’70s Show, he has also been a series regular on Timecop, Bless This House, and General Hospital.

Don has had numerous guest appearances on television shows including Curb Your Enthusiasm, Star Trek: Deep Space 9, CSI, and Supernatural, and his impressive list of feature film credits include FEDS, Heaven’s Prisoners, and Peggy Sue Got Married.He also has a role in Disney’s John Carter, in theaters now.

New York Film Academy congratulates our new graduates and thanks Don Stark for his moving commencement speech! We are proud to have presented him with an honorary MFA in Acting for Film. Included here are some of the highlights from Don’s address:

“You have made a great choice. The first great choice you made was coming to NYFA, and the reason is: you know what you want. You already understand your goal. That is more than half the problem. If you don’t know what you want, how are you going to know when you get there? You not only have an education of theory. What you have now is a practical application of skill. You have an advantage. When you go to look for work, you will have already experienced filmmaking.

“This is the biggest production that you will ever make. The production is your life…. Know what your strengths are. Know how you are going to overcome the difficulties. Have passion and have courage, and experience the love, the pain, the unbridled joy, the determination, the disappointment, and the triumph, and you be the star of your own life. And you create it. Go out and embrace it all. Every single bit of it.”

Evelyne Binsack: Defeating Mt. Everest and Reaching New Heights

Published on March 20, 2012

Documentary student Evelyne Binsack was already a celebrity before attending New York Film Academy. In 2001, she became the first Swiss woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world. She also spent four months crossing Antarctica to reach the South Pole. She is the author of Expedition Antarctica and Steps on the Edge, and has been featured in a number of documentaries about her adventures. She speaks 3 languages and is also a helicopter pilot. Until our interview, she didn’t know that she had been named as Switzerland’s fourth most famous person – not bad, considering the poll included musicians, politicians, and movie stars!

Evelyne said she discovered her love of the outdoors in her native Switzerland. “A friend of mine took me to the mountains near home. I fell in love and thought that’s what I want to do: [be] outdoors having adventures.” At the time, Evelyne was a runner competing in the 800 and 1500-meter dash. “That was something very different — fighting against each other. In mountaineering, you’re fighting together. You can’t fight against each other. That’s something that impressed me, the contrast.”

Evelyne found New York Film Academy’s 1-Year Documentary Filmmaking program years later. “I was Googling in Europe,” she said. “Everything was three years for film programs, or… [very short] crash courses. What can you learn in one week? I decided to come here. I really enjoy the program… but as a country girl, it’s [hard] being in the city. Here, people live for the weekends, and Monday they feel like [crap]. Friends in my country don’t have this attitude. Most of my friends do what they love. They risked things to do what they love and they’re more happy. To see that people are just working for money, it hurts somehow. Take more risks and be passionate for what you do!”

Despite the urban setting, Evelyne says she has already learned a lot in her first few months of school. “[Documentary instructors] Wendy Apple and Reuben Aaronson are great. They’re all fabulous. They have [a lot of] experience and it’s great to listen to them!” she said. She has already been putting her new knowledge to work as well. She explains, “I’ve been giving [lectures] for 10 years, and that’s how I make my income, but I didn’t know why some stories [wouldn’t] work. For my speeches it’s very helpful to know about structure and character arc. It helps me to understand why one story is good and why another story doesn’t work.”

Evelyne admits to missing her adventures, saying, “I don’t like the word addiction, but somehow I’m addicted to the mountains and to climbing. I’m part of nature. If I’m not part of nature, I feel empty. It hurts.”

After finishing the Documentary Filmmaking program at the end of the year, Evelyne will return to Switzerland, where she will plan for her next big adventure. “I want to traverse from Alps, cross the Caucuses, and find out stories about the sacred mountains of the Himalayas.”

Check out a recent feature on Evelyne Binsack that aired on Swiss television, and get a behind-the-scenes look at New York Film Academy’s Los Angeles campus!