Film School Blog - Tag Archive for "filmmaking"

Amy Heckerling: Doing Things Her Own Way

Published on May 22, 2012

Amy Heckerling visited students at the New York Film Academy for a screening of her hit film Clueless. The writer/director garnered both critical praise and impressive box office success with movies including Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Look Who’s Talking, and National Lampoon’s European Vacation.

Heckerling became a successful director at a time when female directors were a novelty. Asked about what it was like being a woman in Hollywood in the 80’s, she responded, “I’m psychotic. I don’t care how the world works. I do what I want to do…. If you want to do it, you can’t listen to what the world is telling you. You do what you want. If I tell you what I feel truthfully, there will be a [ton] of people who respond to that.”

When asked about Clueless, Heckerling recalled, “They told me, ‘We want to do something about the cool kids,’ and I thought, ‘Well that sounds stupid… But what if the cool kids were nice.’ I remembered Emma, which I read in college. I always wanted to do something where the character was just happy. It seemed so strange to me. Then I got into her head and it wasn’t so strange.” The script came soon after, but it was initially met with rejection by a number of studios. “Everyone will try to say you can’t do something,” she said, “but there’s only one person who has to believe in you, and that’s you…. You may have to find another door to take you there. Take your shot. Be aggressive. As long as you believe in you, you’ll find others to believe in you.”

Do you have the same passion for directing as Amy? Learn filmmaking from a hands-on film school.

Shooting a Film For $50

Published on May 18, 2012

One of the most common complaints of a student film is the lack of budget. Between tuition, housing, and living expenses, it’s very difficult to save funds for your thesis film. Unless you’re a killer salesman or have connections to wealth, it is also difficult to convince financiers to back your project. So, typically student filmmakers are cynical and blame a lot of their problems on budget. While this is an obvious hindrance, it shouldn’t be the dagger in the heart. You can still create a compelling film and feel proud that you’ve done so on a low budget.

This was precisely the case with graduate Tim Klein. His short film The Script was shot in NYFA’s ADR room, with three lights, and $50. The film was his semester final in the filmmaking program. “I remember being really frustrated with the fact that it was so hard to find good interior locations in the city. You probably end up shooting in one of your classmate’s apartments that is in no way cinematic, because you’ll most likely find white walls and no art direction at all. This will always be a problem, unless you have money to buy some art direction or pay for a location. For The Script, I had neither. I used the resources that were readily available and shot in NYFA’s ADR room. I wrote the story to take place in a little sound studio (similar to the ADR room.)” Pretty clever and a solid piece of advice for student filmmakers.

Tim started in the filmmaking program but found his passion lied with cinematography. Naturally, he switched over to the Cinematography program. “John Loughlin and the rest of the faculty were always nice, patient, and incredibly passionate about the subject matter. In both programs I had the opportunity to turn my ideas into films and got some satisfying results out of it. What counts is an interesting story and a good script. Everything else just supports that. During my time at NYFA I learned a lot about the collaborative aspects of filmmaking and how important it is to have a professional work-etiquette on set. Tim encouraged students coming out of film school to screen at film festivals in order to network and gain exposure for his or her project. Tim’s taking a bit of his own advice as he takes his short, The Script, to the Cannes Short Film Corner where he’ll have an opportunity to network with filmmakers from all over the world.

Have you shot a film for under $100? Tweet us about it. We want to hear from you!

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.

Edward James Olmos Visits New York Film Academy

Published on May 15, 2012

Veteran actor Edward James Olmos visited New York Film Academy following a screening of his landmark film, Stand and Deliver. An inspirational story about East L.A. youths beating the odds to excel in school, Olmos portrayed the real-life instructor, Jaime Escalante. He spoke fondly about the film, saying, “As soon as you have the solid representation of truth, it’s timeless.” The Library of Congress agrees, and added the film to the National Film Registry in 2011.

Like many celebrity guest speakers in the past, Olmos spoke about the rise of social media and the low cost of filmmaking equipment, saying the opportunities are better than ever before for filmmakers. “If you’re a storyteller, there’s no excuse why you can’t get your product seen. The only people I know who haven’t made it are the ones who quit… but no one is going to give you a the break. You are going to give yourself the break.”

He encouraged the diverse student body to succeed on their own terms, telling their own stories, saying, “Everyone has a thumbprint and we each use it differently…. We need heroes. Women heroes. Ethnic heroes. You need discipline, determination, perseverance, and the key ingredient: patience.”

Sal’s Guide to Being An Independent Producer

Published on May 11, 2012

Sal Irizarry is making a splash with his debut comedy feature film, Bert and Arnie’s Guide to Friendship. Sal met his producing partners, Jane Basina and Waj Arshad, while attending NYFA. After graduation, they decided to work together under Sal’s company banner, Justified Ends Entertainment. From there, they ran a nation wide script contest through indieWIRE.com, raised private equity, and produced the film in 2011.

So, where did his passion for the industry begin?

“I was looking to go to film school and I didn’t want to spend three years on theory before learning the process hands-on. After looking into several programs and seeking the advice of several of my friends who were already in the industry, I decided to attend NYFA because of its intensive, hands-on program, from day one. Just as I had hoped, in the first week of school we were working on our first short film. The Producing Program taught me real world skills and industry practices that were relevant throughout the entire process of production; from development to festival screenings and everything in between. Let’s be clear though, there are some things you can’t learn in a classroom, but the education I received at NYFA was the perfect foundation to get me through the process.”

What drives you as an artist?

“As a creative producer, I enjoy the process of finding a story worth telling as much as I enjoy the wheeling and dealing side of the business. Though my primary responsibility on set is to support the director, I have a responsibility to my investors to finish the movie on time, on budget and to get it out for the world to see. Maintaining the balance between art and commerce, managing expectations, finding creative solutions to problems that will come up both on and off set is just the beginning. After all, if your investors don’t recoup, you don’t get to keep making movies!”

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

“You feel this sense of validation for all your hard work when you get into a fest and yet you can’t help but feel disappointed when you’re not accepted. The fact of the matter is that navigating the festival circuit takes a lot of time and energy. What I mean is, not every festival is a good fit for every movie and submitting to every upcoming fest can get really expensive really fast. I’ll research what movies played in a particular festival the prior year to get an idea if they’re truly indie friendly and support first time and up and coming filmmakers, or if it’s geared towards screening Hollywood Tentpoles.

At the end of the day, film festivals are great for exposure and buzz, but the ultimate goal for a producer is to get the movie sold. Have a web presence. Make sure your press kit and marketing materials are in order. Lastly, don’t forget about the deliverables you’ll need in order to get a distribution deal! If your plan is to DIY your film’s release, make sure you’ve built a community around your movie that you’ve cultivated and nurtured throughout the process. Keeping your fans updated as well as supporting other filmmakers in their efforts as best you can, will go a long way in this day and age.”

Final words of advice to NYFA students dreaming to succeed?

“Persistence, patience, 100% dedication, tons of hard work, long hours and a lot of luck. I cannot tell you how much I have sacrificed to realize my dream of being a producer. The commitment necessary to see a project through to the end is not for everyone. But hey, somebody’s gotta do it and I figure, why not me!”

Click here to learn more about our Producing program.

A London Filmmaker in New York City

Published on May 2, 2012

Lucy Reevely began writing when she was 9 years old. She never told anyone. Not a soul. One day, however, a friend found one of her stories on her laptop and encouraged her to nurture her talent. Lucy’s journey as a filmmaker began recently as she realized her storytelling was visual by nature. Her imagination functions cinematically, and over the years, Lucy gradually decided to expand her repertoire. “Only I can capture the magic in my head, and I don’t want to depend on anyone else for my success.”

When she visited schools in New York City, Lucy found other institutions artistically restrictive and the curriculum far too regimented. She finds the New York Film Academy to have the perfect balance of freedom and direction. As she says, “No judgment. Just guidance.” Lucy praises her teachers like Michael Sandoval for knowing her voice and talent, their ability to get inside a student’s mind and guiding one’s vision, and never discouraging a pupil from an idea—no matter how farfetched it may seem at first. She simply characterized the student body as diverse. “What you create as an artist is what you experience. Working with people from all over the world, it’s definitely broadened my views on the world and my ability to adapt to another’s perspective.”

Lucy finds NYC the perfect place to hone her skills. Los Angeles seemed too studio-driven and wanted an environment where exploration was mandatory—no boundaries, no limits. To her London compatriots, she urges them to go abroad. “When you’re far from home, it forces you to grow. London’s industry is filled with soaps. If you want to work on features and original screenplays, come to New York.”

Click Here to learn more about the One Year Filmmaking Program.
Click Here to learn more about our Open House in London.

Europe, Are You Ready? NYFA’s Coming!

Published on May 1, 2012

The Big Smoke. The City of Lights. Our admissions team is making their way to Paris and London to speak with the next generation of artists there. We had a chance to speak with Director of Acting Admissions Roger Del Pozo regarding his upcoming trip.

You’ve been to London and Paris before. Can you tell us what the audition process was like? The talent?

The last time that we went to Europe was amazing. We met so many incredibly talented candidates. The level of professionalism and creativity was overwhelming. We were very pleasantly surprised.

Tell us why you decided to trek back to London and Paris?

We decided to come back because of the the level of talent and the extraordinary interest in the New York Film Academy. I am always looking for the best possible talent for our programs and I consistently find some of the most incredibly motivated, serious, hard working artists in London and Paris. Along with NY and LA, London and Paris are cultural centers of the world, and so interest in the New York Film Academy is usually very high.

Do you feel its important for aspiring actors to come to the US? Why?

The simple fact is that NY and LA are the centers of the film and theatre business in the US. So many artists from all over the world are eager to study and work in those locations. The sheer amount of exposure to amazing teachers, creative opportunities and intensive training that students receive at the New York Film Academy is very appealing to international students. They’re always attempting to take their abilities to the next level. To be in NY or LA is the dream of actors and filmmakers everywhere, and we provide an amazing platform for students looking to enter that world.

Want to meet us in London and Paris? Click here.

‘Mamitas’ Opens in Theaters Friday

Published on April 25, 2012

New York Film Academy instructor Nicholas Ozeki is anxiously awaiting this Friday’s theatrical release of Mamitas, his first feature length film. The coming-of-age romance follows Jordin, a cocky but charming Latino firebrand. On the day he’s suspended for insulting a teacher, he meets Felipa, a bookish, no-nonsense New York girl who sees past his swaggering facade. The two immediately embark on an unlikely friendship that inspires Jordin to find out who he really is.

Mamitas was developed from a short film Nicholas made in grad school. The short won awards at numerous festivals nationally and internationally. He explains, “We got a lot of people asking if [it] was going to turn into a feature. People in the industry saw the potential of the film being developed. It took about 3 years… to raise the money, cast, and shoot [the feature].”

“I wanted to develop a coming-of-age story,” says Nicholas. “[C]oming from a diverse background, I often try to have diversity… in the stories that I tell.” Being in Los Angeles, Nicholas took inspiration from the area’s large Mexican-American community. He explains, “It’s interesting because Hispanics are often portrayed through negative social issues like violence, gangs, and drugs. It was important that the story that we [told was] relatable and positive. It’s not something that you see too often.”

NYFA Events Coordinator Jordan Auten signed on as a co-producer in the early planning stages. Says Jordan, “I believe in the story and always believed in Nick as a director. I really wanted to be a part of the process and collaborate with the core group of people. I was 1000% in from the beginning.”

Nicholas decided to premiere the feature at the Los Angeles Film Festival. “Because it was an LA story,” says Nicholas, “it was an appropriate place to premiere the film at. [The festival] gave us a ton of exposure, got us on the radar, and got a lot of people interested in the film.” Since then, the film has travelled around the U.S., picking up awards and participating in 9 festivals.

Nicholas also received a nomination for the Someone to Watch Award at this year’s Independent Spirit Awards.

Nicholas says he enjoys teaching his courses in cinematography and film craft at New York Film Academy. “If you don’t have a job that is related to the film industry… you can lose touch with the craft,” he says. “Teaching is really good at reminding why you started your journey into film. It reminds you where you came from. You can both inspire your students and they can inspire you. It reminds you why movies and entertaining people [are] important”

“Indie filmmaking is a sheer act of will,” he muses. “There’s no studio that is supporting you, expecting to see dailies. It’s filmmaking at the purest it can be. There’s no safety net under you, and no room for huge mistakes. Working with a limited budget, you have to concentrate on the quality of acting and the quality of the story. You’re not going to compete on a production level with studio films, so indie films tend to steer [toward the] dramatic or comedic, but often those genres are what with people connect with most. I think you have a better chance of making a more truthful story than those big-budget action flicks.”

Mamitas opens in theaters across Southern California this Friday, April 27. For a list of theaters, visit the film’s website.

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.”

The Importance of Learning Your Audience

Published on April 24, 2012

Ron Tippe is the department chair of the Producing department at the New York Film Academy. He is best known as the animation producer for the smash hit Space Jam. He managed the Walt Disney Feature Animation studio in Paris, France while producing the short film Runaway Brain which was nominated for an Academy award. He was also responsible for pre-production on Shrek and worked with George Lucas in collaboration with Universal Studios on Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman.

I must be a lucky guy. After 27 years in Hollywood with a successful career in the film business, I’m now the Chair of Producing for NYFA. First off, I get to work with some very special people. My fellow colleagues come from various countries which offer different perspectives from a variety of cultures around the world. That said, the commonality is their love of cinema. Almost to a person, the level of passion is infectious and energizing. This attitude towards the art of filmmaking is what constitutes success as a film producer.

KNOW WHO YOUR AUDIENCE IS. In the entertainment business, nothing is decided at the studio level these days. At least not without going through marketing, licensing, branding and PR first. The goal for a studio is to maximize financial gain and stem any losses. Focus groups are de rigeur. In the independent world, film festivals and smaller theatrical releases often depend on word-of-mouth in addition to ever-expanding social media campaigns.
GRAB THEM IN THE FIRST TEN MINUTES. When looking for a film to produce, make sure that the first 10 pages of the script are compelling. Introduce the main characters and make sure we understand what the protagonist wants. And then how the antagonist prevents that from happening. Comedy or drama, action or fantasy, a great story is imperative to grab the audience. The sooner the better!
WE ARE GLOBAL. The box office is increasingly getting two-thirds of their money internationally. Producers, it’s a global marketplace. Know it. Own it.
WORD OF MOUTH IS A MOVIE’S BEST FRIEND. If an audience is satisfied, he or she will tell others. Facebook, Twitter, Email. You name it, they will use it. Social media is where it’s at.
AUDIENCES ARE NOT STUPID. They are very culturally savvy, increasingly educated and obviously fickle. They know what they like and dislike.

A producer is someone who works insane hours under very difficult conditions. You’re always inside the pressure cooker. You’re constantly nudged by studio executives with their myriad of concerns—most of which are related to budgets and finance. How is this related to being a teacher of film? Passion is absolutely essential in the making a film, or at least in providing a great experience during the making of that film. The same is true in the classroom. A passionate teacher is infectious, and that passion often manifests itself in motivated and inspired students. A great producer can make or break that wonderful experience. After all, the producer is who a crew looks to for leadership. It’s a high standard. The same is true in the classroom here at NYFA. We aim to attain the highest standards and “shoot” for it every single day.

I’m proud of my teachers and students. We are motivated and inquisitive. Most importantly, we work hard. The students will become great producers for the next generation of moviegoers. Because producers have a strong hand in the filmmaking process, we should be proud of the education that the students are getting here at NYFA. Frankly, we should let the world know how good we are. Time to get the word out. Producer. Teacher. Leader. Motivator. I must be a very lucky guy. Stand by to roll.

Action!

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