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The Power of Pitchfest

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Pitchfest are events at New York Film Academy are held shortly after graduation for MFA and AFA students in Screenwriting and Producing. A culmination of their studies, graduates pitch their thesis projects, usually a TV pilot or feature screenplay, to television and film professionals. It’s a great opportunity for students to start developing relationships in the industry. About 15 producing students held their event on campus in March, pitching their projects to industry professionals including guests from HBO and Network Television, and even George Gallo, writer of Midnight RunBad Boys, and The Whole Ten Yards. Twelve screenwriting students held their event at West Hollywood’s luxurious Andaz Hotel. By the end of the evening, each student had pitched to about 20 companies.

Since the event, a number of students from both departments have gotten interest from companies. Congratulations to our recent Screenwriting and Producing graduates!


The Importance of Learning Your Audience

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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!

Sal’s Guide to Being An Independent Producer

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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.

Hear Ye! Open House Is Here Once Again!

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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.

New York Film Academy Instructor Stars on Screen

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New York Film Academy instructor Michael Bershad stars in the new film Dispatch, currently airing on The Movie Channel. He also wrote and produced it with partner Steven Sprung.

“The film is based on my experience and partner’s experience working for a limousine company,” says Michael. It depicts one turbulent night in the life of an overnight dispatcher. As he does his job of coordinating celebrity clients and their chauffeurs, he must also confront major problems in his personal life. He adds, “It is also based on some of the people I worked with. All of the guys in the movie have counterparts in real life.”

“I was looking for another producer because I act in every shot except one. I knew I had to get someone good to help me,” says Michael. He says that finding the right person was easy, adding that, “My writing partner [Steven Sprung] has worked in the biz for a long time. He directed an episode of Community and Happy Endings. He’s also an Emmy-nominated editor who worked on Arrested Development and Entourage.

The next step in pre-production was casting, of which Michael says, “We got lucky and we got some real pros. Tim Peper was a regular on Carpoolers. Blake Robbins was on The Office. Bruce Bohne [who played Frances McDormand’s quirky partner in Fargo] has a huge role in the film. We knew we wanted Bruce. He’s not a huge star but he’s so great and works a lot.”

Since completing the film, Michael and his partner Steven signed a deal with Monarch Home Entertainment, who negotiated with Showtime to have the film shown on their partner channels. Dispatch is also available on iTunes, Amazon, and Netflix.

“I came [to Los Angeles] in ‘83 and had been an actor in New York,” said Michael. “I was also a casting director and worked on over 100 projects. I worked on casting for Stallone on Rambo. I was an agent for a couple years. I’ve also been teaching since ’84.”

Michael joined the teaching faculty at New York Film Academy’s Universal Studios campus in December 2011, and teaches classes in performance analysis, scene study, and acting technique. “In the past I’ve only taught working professionals,” says Michael. “I didn’t really think that [working with young actors] would affect me, but it really has. It forced me to be much more specific about my own technique, and about directing others.”

 

Many Paths to Success

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For New York Film Academy graduate Kejal Kothari, a well-rounded education is the key to her future. She has a degree in accounting, and worked as a hedge fund auditor for several years. She completed an Evening Producing program at NYFA in 2010. Since then, a short film she co-produced has screened in over a dozen festivals worldwide, she interned for Monsoon Wedding director Mira Nair, and got a job with Rolling Stone.

As she says, “I have always been passionate about films and filmmaking, so when I got a chance to go to film school, I immediately took advantage of the opportunity. I wanted hands-on training in producing and knew that NYFA was the place for it. Before joining NYFA, producing seemed like a distant dream, but after studying there and learning more about filmmaking, producing seemed attainable.”

Kejal met director Mira Nair (the award-winning director of Salaam Bombay!, Mississippi Masala, Monsoon Wedding, and The Namesake) during a guest speaker event at New York Film Academy. Nair mentioned she was looking for interns, and Kejal got the position a couple days later. She was asked to read scripts, and was part of the casting process for the upcoming film, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, a thriller starring Kate Hudson, Kiefer Sutherland, and Liev Schreiber.

Shortly after completing her training at New York Film Academy, Kejal happened upon a job posting for a director looking for a producer. She loved the script, and came onboard with Cerise, a short film about a former National Spelling Bee champ who is haunted by the word that took him down. The film has been screened in over twelve film festivals nationwide, won an Award of Merit from Indie Fest, and was part of 2011′s Court Métrage at the Cannes Film Festival. “I love that a producer wears so many hats and is the go-to person on and off set,” says Kejal. “I believe it is one of the few professions where one handles the creative aspect of the movie along with the financial. It enables me to utilize my business training in a creative environment.”

She is also putting her business training to use in her current job, working for Rolling Stone. She handles accounting and product licensing for the international editions of the magazine, which publishes in nine languages and fifteen countries. Kejal plans to return to school to get her MBA and hopes to stay involved in the entertainment industry. “I believe there are many routes one can take to advance their career,” says Kejal. “I’m keeping my options open.”

Ready to jump-start your career? Click here to find out how!

On the set of CERISE - What a camera!

 

New York Film Academy Music Video Competition!

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New York Film Academy is excited to announce a music video competition with Born Leaders Entertainment/Management artists Weston Coppola Cage, Christina Fulton, and Hassan Khaffaf. Students will compete for the chance to direct, shoot, and produce the singles for the artists’ upcoming singles.

The competition is open to AFA, BFA, and MFA students in their second year, and alumni. Students will have the opportunity to meet the artists on Thursday, August 9 at 7 p.m. in the Welles room at the school’s Universal Studios campus. After the meet and greet, students will have a week to come up with their pitches for the music videos, and the winning concepts will be chosen by the artists.

As the son of Nicolas Cage and Christina Fulton, actor and recording artist Weston Coppola Cage, carries on a rich artistic legacy. He released his first album with his band Eyes of Noctum, working with award-winning producer Jack Douglas, and top Swedish black metal producer Fredrik Nordstrom. He was asked to record a song for the major motion picture Drive Angry, and was asked back by the studio to record the monstrous evil voice in Ghost Rider. His much-anticipated solo album is due out at Christmas 2012, and will also star in the forthcoming film Sugar Rat in 2013.

Shortly after coming to Hollywood, actress and recording artist Christina Fulton landed a part in Oliver Stone‘s critically acclaimed film, The Doors. Her portrayal of the enigmatic Nico launched an illustrious acting career that has included roles in Francis Ford Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s DraculaBrian DePalma’s Snake EyesAbel Ferrara’s Dangerous Games and the award-winning independent film, Lucinda’s Spell. Her debut single, Thank You, premiered on MTV’s Jersey Shore earlier this year. She previewed her second single, Freeing My Mind, while opening for Lupe Fiasco, Rock Mafia, and Cobra Starship at Kodak Theater this year.

Hassan Khaffaf is a Middle Eastern producer and recording artists, soaring off his successful world debut with last year’s number one song in Asia, co-produced by Kanye West. Now he is on his own journey to captivate the world with his unique production and extraordinary artistry.

Today, Christina Fulton released a statement saying, “New York Film Academy has long been a respected and renowned institution for students seeking training in the creative arts, acting, film, and photography. For many years I’ve wished to collaborate with them and I am very excited by the uniqueness and promise of the program we have designed that combines the excellent training NYFA has long been known for with premier exposure of the student’s work and most importantly, an opportunity for them to work with established artists that can greatly assist in their fretful transition from school to real world that every student must face. What I, and the wonderful NYFA executives who’ve embraced my idea, have done is to combine training with opportunity.”

 

 

Free Screening of That’s What She Said

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If you’re a New York Film Academy student in New York City, then we have the perfect plan for you this Friday evening! Come out and see actress/producer/director, Carrie Preston’s new film, That’s What She Said. Carrie will answer your questions after the screening. So, if you’re an aspiring actor or filmmaker, you will not want to miss this!

 

 


NYFA Grad Produces Turnpike Killer

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New York Film Academy 2011 Producing School graduate and native New Yorker, Nik Taneris, was recently covered on The Huffington Post for his movie The Turnpike Killer and his film festival, The New York Horror and Exploitation Film Fest. The Turnpike Killer, which was directed by Evan Makrogiannis in 2009 and released this year, is billed as a thriller where “all roads lead to death.”

“The film was made for only $6,000 and was shot in spurts, usually weekends when the unpaid actors didn’t have to show up for their day jobs. Evan’s ‘very supportive wife,’ who works in the corporate world, has been footing the bills for the family while Evan shoots for the stars.” — Huffington Post

The New York Horror and Exploitation Film Fest, which runs Saturday and Sunday at Hellgate Social in Long Island City, is the first in New York to focus on independents, or as Evan calls them, “The little guys like me who get overlooked.”

Be sure to support NYFA Grad, Nik Taneris’ productions this weekend at The New York Horror and Exploitation Film Fest.

Screening of Kinyarwanda

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The New York Film Academy will be screening 2011 Sundance Audience Award Winning film, Kinyarwanda. Following the screening will be a Q&A with Director Alrick Brown, NYFA Instructor / Producer Darren Dean, and NYFA Instructor / Actress Cassandra Freeman. Moderating the event will be NYFA’s Producing Dept. Chair, Ron Tippe. Be sure to join us for this exclusive event!

 

Students Working with Bill Duke on Feature Doc

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New York Film Academy students in Los Angeles are teaming up with veteran actor and director Bill Duke for the feature length documentary, What is a Man? The film explores what it means to be a man, physically, biologically, and sociologically. Students have already shot interviews around the world: in Poland, Latvia, Russia, Mexico, China, Texas, and Illinois. In the coming weeks, students will also be on hand to record interviews with comedians, religious figures, and celebrities.

With over 40 years in the film industry, Bill Duke made his mark with memorable roles in Car Wash, American Gigolo, Commando, Predator, and X-Men: The Last Stand. He also has over 50 directing credits to his name, including feature films, documentaries, and countless hours of television. Duke first approached NYFA Producing instructor Cheryl Bedford about asking students to work on a trailer for the film. The pair had previously worked on the documentary Dark Girls, which screened at the Toronto International Film Festival. After meeting with the students, Duke was convinced that they had what it takes to work on the entire documentary!

Students are working in all facets of production: first assistant director, second assistant director, unit production manager, writer, gaffer, key grip, director of photography, and more. Instructor Cheryl Bedford says she is proud of her students’ work on the film. “They are the professionals. I just oversee them,” said Bedford. “They’re excited and focused. We don’t coddle them. They have risen to the challenge.”

Bill Duke in a production meeting with New York Film Academy students

Bill Duke in a production meeting with New York Film Academy students

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Producing Grad Tackles Gun Control

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Films are and have always been an important way to make a difference. That is exactly why New York Film Academy One-Year Producing graduate, Ella Nuortila is producing a new short film called Six. The film is about a child who finds a hidden gun while playing alone on a rooftop. It is a story about a child’s imagination vs. reality; a child’s innocence vs. the power of guns; and a child’s vulnerability vs. the negligence of adults. “The number of firearms in the US is not in the millions, but in the hundreds of millions,” said Nuortila. “With all the talk about gun control, who can control over 300 million privately owned guns? We want to take part in the conversation as we best can: by making this film!”

Six’s cast and crew are mainly comprised of New York Film Academy alumni, including director Frank Jerky and cinematographer Stefano Ferrari. Ella currently has a campaign on IndieGogo with the hopes of raising its production cost of fifteen thousand dollars.

Click below if you’re interested in supporting our NYFA alumni raise funds for Six.

 

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So You Want To Be A Producer?

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You’ve seen him or her portrayed in the movies as often suave, well-groomed individuals and perhaps you have concocted your own idea of what a producer’s role is on a movie. But, what does a producer actually do? New York Film Academy’s Producing for TV & Film Program aims to break down exactly what it takes to produce a film or television series in today’s market. The program is geared toward students with little to no experience, as often is the case with up and coming producers. After all, you need to start somewhere. It is those students who are eager to control their own destiny in the world of film and television who will flourish in NYFA’s hands-on intensive Producing Program.

From day one, students are treated as producers and this will last throughout the duration of the course. Students are encouraged to bring a piece of intellectual property, or original material, into the course to develop as their thesis project. Like the real world, the process is broken down into the various stages of production: pitch, treatment, script, talent search, budgeting, scheduling, and plans for marketing and distribution.

In the past, NYFA has welcomed a number of well known producers to speak with students, providing valuable insight and the motivation needed to break into this exclusive industry. Past speakers have included: Steven Spielberg, Gary Marshall, Ron Howard, Al Ruddy, and many more.

New York Film Academy degree programs are offered at our Los Angeles Campus in Universal Studios. Qualified students have the option of completing course work at NYFA New York City in a one-year non-degree program and requesting that their work be accepted for advanced standing and start in the second year of the degree program in Los Angeles.

If you’d like to request information about New York Film Academy’s Producing Program, CLICK HERE

 

 

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Jamie Lee Curtis Cheers On NYFA Graduates

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Students at New York Film Academy’s Los Angeles campus were thrilled to receive a rousing commencement speech from Jamie Lee Curtis on Saturday. The actor and author is best known for her memorable roles in Halloween, A Fish Called Wanda, True Lies, and Freaky Friday. The daughter of Hollywood legends Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, Jamie Lee Curtis has spent over 35 years in the industry, garnering two Golden Globes, a BAFTA, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She delivered a touching speech to graduates of MFA and AFA Acting, MFA and AFA Producing, MFA and AFA Screenwriting, and MFA Photography programs.

In her commencement address, Curtis spoke about her life in show business, saying, “This isn’t about a show. It’s about truth and integrity and honesty and communication, bravery and risk, and adjectives that should make you get out bed in the morning, excited to be what it is you choose to be.” She went on to share lessons she had learned throughout her career, as well as a passage from John Steinbeck, and tips from her husband, writer/director/actor Christopher Guest. “I am proud of all of your hearts,” she concluded, “and I hope that what you all do with them transforms the universe.” Congratulations to our new graduates, and special thanks to Jamie Lee Curtis!

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Randall Emmett Recounts His Journey to Mega-Producer Status

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Producer Randall Emmett

Last week, prolific film producer, Randall Emmett spoke to New York Film Academy students, providing them with some valuable insider Hollywood advice. Beforehand, Randall screened his most recently released film, Escape Plan, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone, which premiered only four days before. The film, with its mega-star personas and epic action scenes, was a good compliment to a larger than life producer like Randall Emmett.

Randall has produced over seventy feature films and has at any time five films in different stages of production. With a reputation for packaging movies and getting them made, Emmett’s films have been both box office ‘hits’ and acclaimed works, debuting at Sundance, Berlin and Toronto, with many nominated for Independent Spirit Awards. Randall’s films include 2 Guns (starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg), End of Watch (starring Jake Gyllenhaal), Righteous Kill (starring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro), 88 Minutes, The Amityville Horror, and Narc among many.

As a kid, Randall was obsessed with acting and would make short films with the family’s home video camera on the weekends. After spending a summer in high school as a PA on a movie set, Randall realized he wanted to work behind the camera and decided to attend film school in New York for college. In a sea of aspiring directors, Randall was the only student who wanted to produce. At the time, producing didn’t really exist as a discipline or specialty, so Randall learned through “trail by fire.” Starting in his sophomore year, he produced an abundance of his senior classmates’ thesis projects, offering to deliver their films for five thousand dollars. Randall would go to extremes, far beyond the efforts of the average film student to get the best equipment rates, locations, and actors for his director. He would wear numerous hats to finish the film, acting as producer, AD, production manager, casting director, etc.

Randall described the incredible amount of work he performed in school not as a burden, but a “magical experience,” because he was so in love with filmmaking. In his senior year, Randall took the highly unconventional route and chose to make a feature for his thesis. He wanted to leave school with what he believed would be a real product. Randall and his thesis team asked everyone for money, scraping together about twenty-five thousand dollars to make the film. Shooting a feature on 16mm film for such little money was a huge feat at the time, but Randall pulled it off. After moving to Los Angeles, he actually sold the film he made in college.

The famous Aaron Spelling, a mentor of Randall’s, encouraged him to work at an agency. Although Randall was opposed to working in an office, he took this advice and worked at ICM. This proved to be invaluable experience as he learned how agencies, the center of Hollywood’s universe, operated. Meanwhile, he met Mark Wahlberg through an acquaintance. They hit it off and became friends, because they both shared a passion for movies. Later, Randall left ICM and took a job Mark Wahlberg offered him to be his personal assistant. The show Entourage, which Mark Wahlberg created, is based on his crazy life with Randall as he was a rising movie star in Hollywood.

Randall had been trying to package movies throughout his time in Los Angeles. After he finished his assistant work with Mark Wahlberg, Randall found himself broke and sleeping on his friend’s couch in his late twenties. At this point he had been led astray countless times by “investors” that ended up never having a penny to their name. However, Randall didn’t give up, and finally met George Furla who ended up funding his first feature in Los Angeles. They have been producing partners ever since.

Randall’s story is one of the underdog independent producers that now dominate Hollywood. His main message to students was to always believe in yourself no matter what level you’re at. This type of excitement attracts others and opens doors. It was Randall’s extreme positive energy that had students falling in love with him all evening as he told his story. Randall Emmett is just one of those people who you want to see succeed and we wish him continued success in the future.

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Producer Gaby Tana Speaks to NYFA Producing Student

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Gaby Tana

Prominent film producer Gabrielle (Gaby) Tana joined our Producing Program students last week for an inspiring Industry Speaker session. Gaby has not one, but two major feature film releases upcoming: Stephen Frears’ Philomena starring Judi Dench and Steve Coogan (The Weinstein Company), and Ralph Fiennes The Invisible Woman (Sony Pictures Classics).

Coming off very successful premieres at the Venice, Toronto, and New York Film Festivals, Gaby shared her inside perspective on developing, financing, and overseeing the production of both films. A producer based in New York and London, Gaby discussed the role of BBC Films as both a creative and business partner, working with various financing entities such as Pathe, how tax schemes have aided her efforts, and how producers can impact marketing and distribution strategies. Gaby also shared some of her experiences producing earlier films The Duchess (which starred Keira Knightly), and Ralph Fiennes directorial debut Coriolanus.

New York Film Academy Producing students will continue to track the progress of Gaby’s two films as they open in the US in November and December.

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Recent NYFA Guest Gaby Tana’s ‘Philomena’ Nominated for Best Picture

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Gaby Tana

Gaby Tana

The New York Film Academy Producing Department congratulates Industry Speaker Gaby Tana on her Academy Award nomination for Best Picture, Philomena. Besides four Oscar nominations for this film, Gaby’s other film in current release, The Invisible Woman, also received an Academy Award nomination (Best Costume Design).

Gaby recently spent an evening with our students discussing all aspects of the producing process. Congrats and good luck, Gaby Tana!

The post Recent NYFA Guest Gaby Tana’s ‘Philomena’ Nominated for Best Picture appeared first on Film School Blog | New York Film Academy.

Nigerian Grad Produces First Feature ‘The Date’

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Blacreek PicturesWe recently caught up with Emem Ekpenyong, a 4-Week Producing graduate from New York Film Academy, after coming across her production company’s trailer for her upcoming feature film, The Date. Emem enrolled in NYFA back in July 2013 after producing a short film called In Iredu, which was an African adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The short film was shortlisted (Top 10) in The Afrinolly Short Film Competition.

“The lessons [from NYFA] are too numerous to list, but my classes in Producer’s Craft, Pitching, Line Producing Essentials and Entertainment Law were particularly helpful,” says Emem.

Through Emem’s production company, Blacreek Pictures, she initially started on The Date as a short film project but it gradually metamorphosed into the production of a fast-paced comedy where the main character experiences a series of unfortunate events within a day’s time. “I have been involved in every stage of production, including conceptualization,” said Emem. “I was a producer and was even coaxed by our director to play a role in the movie.”

The entire cast and crew of the film are native Nigerians. Emem hopes The Date will prove to the world that quality filmmaking does exist in Nigeria. “Being Blacreek’s first feature, we want to be seen as the avant-garde breed of this generation, poised to go the extra mile in bringing forth the best in motion picture production and other related media works.”

Blacreek is interested in international distribution for The Date, but for now their focus is on Nigeria and West Africa.

 

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MFA Producing Grads’ Feature Horror ‘Rabid Love’ Available On Demand

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Rabid LoveIf you grew up on 80′s horror, slasher films like Evil Dead, Friday the 13th, and American Werewolf in London, you will want to check out the film Rabid Love. Its throwback to the classic slasher genre is both refreshing and entertaining. The film stars Hayley Derryberry, Hannah Landberg, and Paul J. Porter, who is a graduate of the New York Film Academy. Porter is essentially the Woody Allen of Rabid Love as he is not only the lead actor, but also writer, director, and producer of the film.

Porter teamed up with other NYFA alumni including Executive Producer Paul Hutchens and Associate Producer Rob Thorpe. Porter initially met Hutchens online after realizing that both of them were veterans stationed at 29 Palms Marine Base. They officially met, face to face, on the first day of their MFA in Producing class.

“I feel like any school, and especially a film school, it’s going to be what you make of it,” says Porter. “Some of the producing classes I took were especially helpful in being able to work in the industry as a producer, such as the business/contracts, distribution, and budgeting/scheduling courses as well as the producing roundtable and the guidance of Lydia Cedrone. But I wasn’t content to just go to class and try to coast through the projects–I wanted to start my career as a filmmaker. So, the entire time I attended NYFA, I was working full time as a freelance producer, production manager, actor, or whatever else I could do on set–but the most important thing was graduating with my own feature under my belt as a producer/director.”

Porter’s persistence and work ethic has given him a head start on the rest of the pack. His film, Rabid Love, is available on Netflix and many video on demand platforms, or can be purchased as a DVD on Amazon.com.

 

The post MFA Producing Grads’ Feature Horror ‘Rabid Love’ Available On Demand appeared first on Film School Blog | New York Film Academy.

NYFA Grad Julie Pacino Launches Unofficially Unlimited

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unofficially unlimited

Former New York Film Academy student, Julie Pacino, co-founder of Poverty Row Entertainment, recently teamed up with Los Angeles based producer Chidem Alie (Samsung, BMW, Emotional Branding) to create content for brands. To kick off the launch, Poverty Row threw a party this past Friday at their NYC location in Chinatown. The celebratory event turned out to be a packed house that included actress Julia Stiles, who will star in their upcoming Mary Pickford biopic, The First.

With over a decade of producing and branding experience working with world-class artists like David LaChapelle and brands like Puma, the new venture, Unofficially Unlimited promises cutting-edge advertising solutions for brands globally.

Unofficially Unlimited is a creative content driven boutique that specializes in newborn brands that are just entering the realm of the living, as well as oldermore established brands that are looking for a rebirth or transformation. UU is all about smart, edgy, provocative, fresh, relevant, and artful content.

“Our expertise is channeling your essence and delivering content that expresses the specific philosophy, feeling, allure, and authentic nature of your brand.”

The partners at UU are collectively experienced in narrative storytelling, corporate and non-corporate advertising, high-concept events, and can function as image consultants, content producers, as well as marketing and branding specialists. Content can come in all shapes and sizes, be expressed in various mediums, and show across all platforms from theaters and television, to online channels and mobile devices, to billboards and street art.

“The role we play within your journey is all about the needs and desires of the brand combined with a strategy that suits those specific needs.”

The post NYFA Grad Julie Pacino Launches Unofficially Unlimited appeared first on Film School Blog | New York Film Academy.

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