The New York Film Academy is listed as a recommended school by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Higher Education and is considered the best hands-on film school in the world by many of today’s top filmmakers. NYFA is honored to be the school of choice for many Hollywood filmmakers, actors, and figures from the entertainment world who have sent a son, daughter or a family member to study with us. They include: Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Robert Downey Jr., Warren Beatty and Al Pacino.
{The New York Film Academy is now offering HD Filmmaking Workshops at Toei Studios, Kyoto.
For more information, CLICK HERE.
The New York Film Academy is having auditions in Milan and Florence. Milan auditions will be held at UNA Hotel Cusani Via Cusani on March 7 from 4:00PM - 7:00PM and again 7:30PM - 8:30PM.
Florence auditions wil be held at Piazza San Lorenzo on March 9 from 1:00PM - 5:00PM, 5:30PM - 6:30PM, and then 6:30PM - 7:30PM.
For information visit http://www.nyfa.edu/nyfa-on-the-road/
Learn about New York Film Academy’s partnership with the New York Jets to launch Sports Photography!
New York Film Academy’s Student Spotlight: Evelyne Binsack
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!
Brazil Loves the NY Film Academy, Do You?
New York Film Academy has arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We got a few special things planned.
- Facebook Trivia! Every day of this week, we will be quizzing you on your cinematic knowledge when it comes to all things Brazil. We will randomly select one participant who will win NYFA merchandise which will be shipped to you from our campus in New York City.
- Spotlighting Brazilian Students! While we’re holding auditions down in Rio, we want to make sure actual Brazilians tell you their NYFA experience. We’ll be spotlighting students from Brazil in order to hear their stories about coming to America to fulfill their cinematic dreams.
- International Twitter Contest! We will be live-tweeting during our Open House on Sunday, March 18. We want you to join us. Are you from Netherlands? Does the Netherlands love NYFA? Does South Africa love NYFA? Does France love NYFA? You’ll get to decide where our admissions team is headed next for one of our future tours. Moreover, one special person will win a 1-week workshop scholarship certificate!
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR AUDITIONS AND OPEN HOUSE IN RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL!
New York Film Academy’s Student Spotlight: Aldo Filiberto
MFA Filmmaking student Aldo Filiberto recently finished work on his thesis film, The Fortune Theory. Originally from Palermo, Italy, Aldo first came to NYFA in 2006 for an 8-Week Filmmaking program. He liked it so much, he decided to return in September 2009 for the masters program.
Aldo describes the film, The Fortune Theory, as a coming-of-age drama. He explains, “It’s the story of an emotionally disconnected millionaire, who drifts through a systematic routine of job interviews, searching for an understanding of life and his workaholic father.” The character, Morris, is ultimately forced to take a job writing fortunes in a fortune cookie factory, where he will have to face his own inadequacy in order to ultimately accept himself, those around him, and defy his father.
“I worked on the script for 8 months,” says Aldo. “After several table readings, the script was ready and we jumped into production. It was ambitious for the budget we had, but our excitement overcame our fears.”
Aldo cast John Terry in a supporting role in the film. The celebrated actor is best known for his roles on Lost, ER, 24, and in Full Metal Jacket. Says Aldo, “He has tons of experience and worked with Kubrick! On the set he was very nice, hard working, and loved his job. He was great.” The project will also feature a score by Goya-nominated composer Pablo Cervantes.
The film’s crew included a number of New York Film Academy students and alumni. Says Aldo, “Making a movie is a collaborative experience. You need to relate to other people to help you shape your vision, and school is a good place to create a network of people you can trust.”
He also credits NYFA staff for their help, saying, “Instructors like Adam Nimoy, Crickett Rumley, James Rowe, and Lydia Cedrone have always been helpful. The school has been supporting me. The greenlight procedure helps you set up a schedule and deadlines. They really make sure that you’re ready to do it so you don’t end up wasting your money, or even worse, someone else’s money.”
The Fortune Theory is currently in post-production. Aldo is in discussions with sales agencies and plans to hit the festival circuit in the next year. He explains, “This is the exciting part. Shooting it is just the beginning.”
Aldo guiding his crew.
Actor John Terry with Aldo.
Aldo directing a scene.
Aldo talking with his actor.
Aldo with his crew.
- March 10: Los Angeles Student Media Festival.
- March 16: Harvard Westlake Film Festival & Sierra Canyon Film Festival.
Broadway’s #AuditionNYFA coming to Chicago, Austin, and Orlando: Join Our Campaign and Win Swag!
Our musical theatre department is holding auditions in three major American cities. To thank those who are auditioning, we’re offering a chance to win a signed copy of department chair VP Boyle’s extremely well-received audition book Audition Freedom: The Irreverent Wellness Guide For Theatre People. It’s gotten rave reviews. Boyle is one of the most sought-after audition coaches in New York City and a prolific blogger for Broadway World. Come to any of the auditions and tweet a picture of yourself with any of the visiting faculty using the hashtag #AuditionNYFA. Audition for a cutting-edge program in the arts and be on your way to an education unlike any other in the world.
For those who can’t come to the auditions, we still need your help with getting the word out. Anyone who tweets or reblogs this link: (http://bit.ly/wOcayd) along with the hashtag #AuditionNYFA will be eligible to win a copy of the Broadway playbill for Wicked signed by original cast member and NYFA teacher Kristy Cates.
Are you a blogger who loves to write about musical theatre? Email mike.kim@nyfa.edu with a link to the blog article promoting this audition tour and you’ll have a chance to win an exclusive interview with department chair VP Boyle. No doubt it will be amazing content for you to share with your following.
————————————-
