{“My playground was the theatre. I’d sit and watch my mother pretend for a living. As a young girl, that’s pretty seductive.” - Gwyneth Paltrow
“So it forced you to really stay on your toes, which was hard, but also, sort of an exciting challenge for an actor. I mean, he would, you know, in a scene like where he was sort of supposed to be charmed by me, he would suddenly be threatening to kill me, or like calling me like a lesbian hobbit, or you know, grabbing me on the back of my head …”
Read more about Anna Faris and her experience with Sacha Baron Cohen in The Dictator on our exclusive guest blog interview on The Movie Blog
New York Film Academy Acting For Film Showcase
Are these actors ready for the cover of Vanity Fair, or what? Students from New York Film Academy’s MFA Acting for Film program participated in an industry showcase that brought out scores of entertainment professionals. Produced by Valorie Hubbard and directed by NYFA instructors Maria Gobetti, Anthony Montes, and Tom Ormeny, the performances featured short film clips, scenes, and monologues from 28 actors. The event was held shortly before the students’ graduation, and was a huge success, with all 28 actors receiving callbacks from agents and managers! Congratulations to our rising stars!
September 2010 MFA Acting for Film - Photos by Astor Morgan
New York Film Academy’s Silu Yu Shines In China
Actress Silu Yu (余思潞) has found success after finishing New York Film Academy’s 1-Year Acting program in New York City. She explains, “After graduating in 2009 from NYFA, I moved to Los Angeles for work. I got my talent agent after an audition and I was very lucky to been approved by the SAG union after working three months. Due to family reasons, I moved back to China in 2010 and was signed by Star Shining International Talent Agency through a friend, one of the top talent agencies in China, and started the first steps in my acting career in China.”
Since then, Silu landed a role in the big-budget Chinese feature film Scheme With Me. She is also currently in production on 30 episodes of the television program Shanghai Forest. The young actress has a hectic schedule, going from the set, to media interviews, as well as doing promotion for her recently-completed film.
In an interview via email, Silu explained the difficulties of working in the film industry in China. “In Hollywood, the camera speaks for you,” said the actress. “The talent agency selects the idea candidates who may match the characters then you still need to go through an official audition to get the role. In China, you not only need an audition but also need a personal network and relationships.”
“I really enjoyed myself a lot while I studied at NYFA!” said Silu. “Due to the culture and language difference, it took time for adjusting to others. I learned during this adjustment period and the lessons taught me so much about myself. Don’t lose confidence or question your appearance and flaws. A real artist will affect the audience with her soul and spirit, not just simply her looks.”
Silu went on to share her thoughts on acting. “People always say that a good actor must be good at lying, but I think a good liar is not really a good actor. A real professional actor is performing the truth even truer than the truth. If an actor couldn’t believe the situation himself, how could he persuade the audience? Being actors, we need to feel it from our hearts and make an authentic performance for the audience. So, don’t think we are liars!”
Chinese readers can keep up with Silu’s growing success on Baidu and her official fan site.
This Week: Bill Murray’s Out and Pakistan Wins
- Woody Allen and Dick Cavett Reunite. Talk about nostalgia. Remember in the 70s when Woody would share his wit and jazz with the legendary Dick? Woody discusses life and career some forty years later.
- On Pakistan’s First Oscar Win. It’s good to see another country on the Oscar map. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s film Saving Face made history on Sunday night by winning Pakistan its first golden statute ever.
- Celebrating Diversity at the Oscars. Octavia Spencer’s win reminds us of a special legacy at the Oscars. She joins the likes of Hattie McDaniel and Whoopi Goldberg who represent African American history.
- Tribeca Film Festival Opens With Surprise Film. The film festival made headlines by choosing Judd Apatow’s new comedy The Five-Year Engagement with Jason Segel to open the festivities on April 18.
- Is Ghostbusters 3 Doomed Without Bill Murray? Sad news to share. Bill Murray won’t be in the hotly anticipated remake. He’s got six kids, houses all over America. He golfs in these tournaments where they pay him to turn up and have a laugh. He’s into this life and living it. Who are we going to call now?
- Scarlett Johansson Meets Alfred Hitchcock. Scarlett Johansson is ready to play the most iconic murder victim ever. The actress has signed on to play actress Janet Leigh in Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho. Can you picture Scarlett as the blonde memorably butchered in the buff at the Bates Motel?
Teen Acting Program Grad Juliana Saez Gets Signed!
NYFA Alum Auditions - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Our lovely September One-Year Acting for Film graduate Vienna Hall has been asked to audition for a major role in the Hollywood remake of Girl with a Dragon Tattoo directed by David Fincher, (Se7en, Fight Club, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and The Social Network). The film will be an adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s best-selling novel. Good luck, Vienna! We have your back at the New York Film Academy!
Vanessa Simmons Studies Acting at the New York Film Academy
Vanessa Simmons, daughter of Hip Hop mogul Russel Simmons, and budding actress was recently interviewed by Honey Magazine.
During the interview Vanessa was quoted “…I’m just starting to get these huge meetings and I’m like “I know I deserve to be in this room because I worked for it, not because it was given to me.” I took like a year to just take film classes at New York Film Academy at Universal Studios. Then I started going on meetings for agents. I just found my agent a year ago.”
Vanessa’s long pursuit of becoming an actress shows that no matter who you are, you still need the skill and hustle to make it in this industry. We are thrilled to have had her at our acting school.
Best of luck to you Vanessa!
