{New York Film Academy was invited to a sneak preview of legendary band, Led Zeppelin’s new concert film CELEBRATION DAY.
Then we had a chance to hear from Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and Jason Bonham!
New York Film Academy’s Top 5 Robert De Niro Acting Roles
- MEAN STREETS — The original! De Niro’s first movie with Martin Scorsese is certainly one of his best. Johnny Boy jumps off the screen with such vitality and menace that it seems almost “too real” to be simply called a performance. Both hysterical and frightening, De Niro created a character that set the precedent for gritty, urban performances. Some may argue he defined American acting from the
1970’s forward. - TAXI DRIVER — De Niro’s iconic role is memorable for so many reasons. The delivery, the transformation, the impact on popular culture… The mohawk! Travis Bickle was immortalized as “God’s Lonely Man”. He frightens because he is so effortlessly real. Nothing about this character feels like a performance. De Niro famously drove a night-shift cab for months to prepare for this role. It shows. We don’t doubt him for a minute. Who can look at cabbies the same way again after watching this?
- RAGING BULL — Of course the famous weight gain is impressive. Everything else about this powerhouse performance, however, also shines. De Niro won his first Best Actor statute portraying the troubled pugilist Jake LaMotta, and he definitely deserved it. The fight scenes are some of the most realistic ever filmed. Most importantly, he humanizes a man with very few redeeming qualities. A classic in every way.
- THE GODFATHER 2 — De Niro had huge shoes to fill playing the young version of Vito Corleone, a role made famous by his hero Marlon Brando. He didn’t disappoint. Winning his first Academy Award, he spoke entirely in Sicilian which he learned for the role. De Niro portrays a young Don driven by his need for power and revenge. It’s a study in quiet strength and menace. Undoubtedly, this role solidified De Niro as an actor for the ages.
- GOODFELLAS — De Niro teamed up with Martin Scorsese once again. As the leader of career gangsters, he is chillingly and darkly hilarious. One of my all time favorite films, this film would’ve sunk without De Niro’s performance. Jimmy Conway is so vibrant and memorable that De Niro has parlayed his later career playing a version of this role in subsequent roles.
New York Film Academy Graduate Wins Several Film Festival Awards
New York Film Academy Graduate Gian Franco Morini has been collecting several film festival awards for his music video including:
- Winner of: 2011 Canada International Film Festival, Award of Excellence.
- Winner of: 2010 Los Angeles Cinema Festival of Hollywood, Award of Merit.
- Winner of: 2010 Los Angeles Movie Awards - Summer Edition, Award of Excellence.
- Winner of: 2010 Los Angeles Movie Awards - Summer Edition, Award for Best Editing.
- Winner of: 2010 Los Angeles Reel Film Festival, Honorable Mention.
- Winner of: 2010 Los Angeles Reel Film Festival, Award for Best Song.
- Winner of: 2010 Nevada Film Festival, Golden Reel Award.
- Winner of: 2010 Indie Fest, Award of Merit.
- Winner of: 2010 Los Angeles Movie Awards - Winter Edition, Award of Excellence.
- Winner of: 2010 Los Angeles Movie Awards - Winter Edition, Award for Best Editing.
- Official Selection 2011 Buffalo Niagara Film Festival.
- Official Finalist 2010 Las Vegas Film Festival, Best Music Video.
- Official Selection 2010 Beverly Hills Film, Tv and New Media Festival
CHECK OUT WHAT HE HAS TO SAY ABOUT NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY, HIS MUSIC VIDEO, and WHAT COMES NEXT!
MAKING A MUSIC VIDEO: A WEEK AT NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY HANDS-ON MUSIC VIDEO SUMMER CAMP
Ever dreamt of directing music videos for MTV and VH1?
At New York Film Academy’s One-Week Music Video Camp students have the opportunity to direct, produce, film and edit a stylistic music video in one week using live artists.
Clips from “Feel Good” by Artist Official Hank. Produced by New York Film Academy Summer Teen Music Video Students, 2010. Editing by NYFA Student Ed Allerton.
In Summer 2010, students collaborated with New York City artists including pop breakout Official Hank. Official Hank had recently partnered with New York-based multi-platinum songwriter/arranger/producer Heather Holley, who is best known for launching Christina Aguilera’s career. Official Hanks credits included opening for music star Amber, performing on the Hammerstein Ballroom Stage with fashion guru Richie Rich, and providing runway music two years in row for New York Cities Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. He is also a regular talent at Bistro Chat Noir, New York’s Speakeasy on 66th Street. Weeks before Official Hank met with students, his music was selected for a Microsoft Launch flash mob commercial filmed at New York City’s Lincoln Center and Seattle Westlake Park. On working with NYFA students, Official Hank commented:
“The students at NYFA brought concepts, energy, and brilliant ideas to my music video set. I’m thankful for such a positive professional experience. From staff to students, I was treated like a star!”
Band Coordinator Mandy Menaker adds “We are excited that up and coming artists including Official Hank donate their time each summer to collaborate with students at New York Film Academy’s Music Video Summer Camp. Our diverse student body helps the artist gain international exposure, while our students benefit from working with dynamic and talented musical artists and make actual contacts in the entertainment industry.”
The pace of the music video course is feverish and exhilarating. Here is a week in the life of NYFA one-week music video students from summer 2010:
Day 1: Monday
9:00 am Orientation
9:30 am – 12:00 pm Hands on Camera #1
12:00 pm – 12:45 pm Lunch
12:45 pm – 3:30 pm Intro to Music Video
3:30 pm – 5:30 pm Meet Artists
By the end of day one, students operated a camera, viewed examples of past student work, and meet the artist Official Hank to brainstorm ideas for the shoot.
Music Video Production Still: Official Hank with a room of backup dancers.
Day 2: Tuesday
9:30 am – 12:00 pm Hands on Camera #2
12:00 pm – 12:45 pm Lunch
12:45 pm – 2:45 pm Lighting for Digital Video
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Pitch Ideas for Music Video
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm Pre-production: Plan the Shoot
Music Video Production Still: Official Hank in a stylistic shot.
Day 3: Wednesday
9:30 am – 11:00 am Pre-Production for Shoot
11:00 am – 12:00 pm Playback Instruction for Shoot
12:00 pm – 5:30 pm SHOOT MUSIC VIDEO (A Roll)
Music Video Production Still: Students take advantage of the checkered floor.
Day 3: Thursday
9:30 am – 2:00 pm SHOOT MUSIC VIDEO (B Roll)
2:30 pm – 5:30 pm Edit Music Video
Music Video Production Still: A choreographed dance scene.
Day 4: Friday
9:30 am – 5:30 pm Edit Music Video
5:30 pm Screening of Music Video Projects on Big Screen
On the final day of classes, each student screens their own cut of the music video. In addition to parents and faculty who are welcome to attend the screening, artists will often join the event, bringing along collaborators from the entertainment industry.
The music video course is just one of several programs that students can select at the New York Film Academy Hands-On Summer Camps for Teens. For more choices, check out the website and contact an Admissions Rep today at 212-674-4300. Apply online!
Alum Kemi Adetiba Makes Her Name in Music Video Production
Kemi Adetiba’s ambition within the entertainment industry has expanded the breadth of her career from fashionista to lawyer to DJ to director and producer of music videos. Perhaps the first Nigerian woman to have successfully broken into this many branches of the industry and made a name for herself in music video production, the New York Film Academy filmmaking graduate is known for her impeccable attention to detail when conceptualizing, shooting and editing her videos. She’s attracted attention in the Nigerian entertainment industry for pushing herself to keep learning more about filmmaking techniques and technology even after becoming successful. Her drive to diversify her talents is how Kemi ended up studying filmmaking and production with us at the New York Film Academy. She explained her journey to NYFA in an interview last year.
I’m a restless person, highly ambitious, and I hunger to learn more. You tend to get the ‘side-eye’ though, because you are a woman and have no formal training. Well, I couldn’t do anything to change the former, but I ‘heck-sure’ could do something to change the latter. So I picked up my junk and went back to school.
A lot of people thought I was crazy for leaving at the supposed height of my career, but I went through it, graduated, and I’m now better for it. I’m actually gearing up to do a more concentrated course in cinematography. I want to stand anywhere, open my mouth, and know what I’m taking about - at least within my industry.
A 2008 graduate of NYFA, she drew from her heritage when producing her thesis film, Across the Bloodied Ocean. The film tells the story of a wealthy African family living in the United States, dealing with their daughter’s refusal to return home to take part in a traditional coming of age ritual. Right now, Kemi splits her time between Lagos and New York City. She has recently signed with an American management agency and is frequently invited to speak at film festivals and music conferences when she isn’t producing videos. Above, we’ve posted her most recent video for the artist Bez. Check out more of Kemi’s work in fashion and music video directing and production on fashion blog Ladybrille.One Week Music Video Production Teen Program 2010
The Fire and Reason “This Isn’t Love” by Olivia Hodges from The Fire and Reason on Vimeo.
The New York Film Academy Music Video Teen Programshave just wrapped up, and our students have produced some pretty impressive stuff. Throughout the one week camp, as well as learning to shoot and edit videos, students learn pacing and stylistic techniques specific to creating a music video. The students each produce a music video in collaboration with an up-and-coming band. Above is an example of the work of one of our student’s work from this summer. Nice work, everyone!
Gian Franco Morini Directs Hustler Music Video
Directed by New York Film Academy Film School student Gian Franco Morini. For more student films visit our Screening Room.
