Film School Blog - New York Film Academy

From a Roman Garage to Successful Filmmaker

Published on May 16, 2012

Luigi Benvisto was born in Varese, Italy with dreams of filmmaking and New York City. After discovering his passion while shooting short films on his digital camera, Luigi moved to Rome to try his luck in the Italian film industry. “For two years I lived in a garage with a bed and a bathroom, but kept shooting projects. One day I shot some casting videos for actors in a different way than usual; instead of recording just the actor saying the lines, I created a short movie where I was introducing the character and the actor was saying his lines. The actor wasn’t selected, but the producer called me saying that what I did was amazing and he gave me the possibility to direct and shoot the backstage of the feature movie they were shooting. I worked on set with actors like Valeria Golino, Alessandro Haber, Andy Garcia, and director Mario Monicelli. It was a very exciting experience. From there, I moved to Cinecittà where I discovered the New York Film Academy.”

Luigi attended the 8 week digital and film summer program in Rome. After completing the course, Luigi was awarded a scholarship from famous director, Bernardo Bertolucci, to continue his NYFA education with a one year filmmaking program in New York City. ”Not only does NYFA teach you how to become an expert in your field, it also shows you how to build relationships, friendships and industry collaborations. The program is intense, but I like it that way. It teaches you to work under stress and control the situation even when everything is going wrong – which is basically what happens on set in the real world.”

Currently, Luigi balances his schedule between teaching at NYFA and working on set. Luigi just finished a feature thriller, which is being shopped around to distributors. He wanted to share the exciting cast with us, but was told to wait until the film acquires distribution. He recently started his own production company, Jack Boar Pictures, which produced a documentary called The Paper House: Report. His next projects include a production in association with Lima Charlie Productions and a feature about the life of actor Mickey Rooney, that we will shoot in Minnesota at the end of the year.

To learn more about New York Film Academy’s filmmaking program click here.

To learn more about our Florence, Italy program 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.”

Community Highlights: City of Light and Miss USA

Published on May 14, 2012

Last week we discussed the revolution of digital photography and whether it could ever replace “chemical” photography. While it’s certainly a viable option, with many improvements over the years, it’s unlikely that the quality of chemical photography will ever be surpassed. Seems Annie Leibovitz was right.

Roger Del Pozo and Tami Alexander, from New York Film Academy’s admissions, were live tweeting from Paris. They were very impressed with the City of Light and the talent that came with it. Next up this week, Milan and Florence. Can Italy possibly top France?

Finally, Miss Teen USA, Danielle Doty, graduated from NYFA and was congratulated by Miss USA, Alyssa Campanella. Do we have a star in the making? Miss USA thinks so!

Dreaming of an Electric City

Published on May 14, 2012

New York Film Academy MFA Filmmaking graduate Nick DeRuve is in pre-production on his first feature film, Electric City. As Nick describes it, “[It] is a gritty drama about a thirteen-year-old who attempts to keep his family intact when they receive an eviction notice. I spent my pre-teen years chasing my older brother and his friends around the city of Schenectady. They were teenagers, and I was trying my hardest to fit in with their crew. I experienced a lot of things kids that age don’t, such as violence, crime, and witnessing a lot of drug use.”

“I would say around the age of thirteen is when I started having initial thoughts about making a film about two brothers stuck in an urban setting,” he explained. “When I was thirteen my family moved, not far from Schenectady, but to the suburbs, and that’s when I realized what I had experienced was different. Over the years I knew who the film would be about, but I still didn’t know what the film would be about, so I could never get the idea out on paper.”

Nick was no novice when he began at New York Film Academy’s Universal Studios campus. “I had been a working gaffer in NYC for four years after completing my undergrad,” says Nick. “My passion was to direct, so I spent that time on set studying everything that was happening. I decided to go back for my MFA to continue after my goal of being an indie filmmaker, and experience filmmaking in LA. No matter what my experience was prior I wanted to absorb everything my teachers had to offer. I developed good relationships with my teachers, who have great knowledge and experience.”

After graduation, Nick developed the feature length script for Electric City, and reached out to his former advisor, NYFA instructor Brendan Davis, for feedback. Brendan raved about the script, saying, “He nailed the tone, the arcs, and the characters, and kept it real while keeping hope. He’s done a really exceptional job on it and has the chance to make an exceptional film. To me this is a… studio quality drama with award-worthy writing. The roles in this piece are something that serious actors would fight to play. But the material speaks for itself.”

Though they have secured some funding for the film, they have also started a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. Twenty-percent of the proceeds will go to support Small Can Be Big, an organization that supports victims of domestic abuse and families in need. “It’s a social issue that we have to stare in the face everyday,” says Nick. “[W]hy not try to help people as much as we can, whenever we can, because at the end of the day, that’s the goal. Make a difference, make a change, even if it’s for just one kid who needs a reminder that even when times are hard, we can never give up on ourselves and our goals.”

When asked about future plans, Nick said, “Right now my main focus is getting Electric City in the can, and screening at festivals by 2013. I’m not really thinking about any other projects. I have a wallet full of receipts, ticket stubs, and business cards that I use to jot notes down on. When the time comes to start developing a new story, I’ll have that as my resource. For now, all I got is this script, and a pocket full of dreams.”

Weekly Roundup: Halo in Purgatory and Another Fellini Remake

Published on May 11, 2012

“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.” – Anna Faris on Sacha Baron Cohen

De Niro gained fifty lbs for Raging Bull and Anna Faris grew out her armpit hair for The Dictator. Sounds like method acting to us. How far would you go to fit the role?

8 Promising Movies that still haven’t been released. Remember hearing about the video game Halo being turned into a movie? What ever happened to that? Turns out it’s still in development. See what other movies are in “development hell” or purgatory for that matter.

The Avengers 2 gets a green light. As if they even needed an announcement from Disney’s CEO Bob Iger. It appears the mega hit is officially coming out with a sequel. Wonder if they can possibly squeeze another A-lister into the star studded cast? Which actor would you like to see join the team?

Have you ever wondered what goes on aside from the screenings at Cannes? Well, now you may find out. Alec Baldwin is reportedly shooting a behind the scenes film at next week’s Cannes Film Festival. Let’s just hope it’s not Alec playing Words With Friends for an hour and a half.

Well, they sort of remade Fellini’s masterpiece 8 1/2 with the movie Nine. Please don’t tell us they’re going to attempt another remake. Yep. It seems the forgotten Juliette Lewis will star in a remake of Nights of Cabiria. (Sigh) What’s next, La Strada? La Dolce Vita?

Tweet us @NYFA to discuss this week’s industry news!

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.

The Last of the Dictators

Published on May 10, 2012

This Monday my presence was demanded for an urgent press conference held by the undemocratically elected leader and beloved oppressor, Admiral General Aladeen of Wadiya, at The Empire Ballroom in the prestigious Waldorf Astoria. Admittedly, one of the last remaining dictators. His Excellency was fashionably late after a crowd of Wadiyan natives filled the ballroom, picketing in their support and hating on the New York “liberal” media.

After waiting in anticipation, an all-female escort of Wadiyan models, or bodyguards, finally escorted The Dictator to a mixture of cheers and jeers. His all white suite garnished with medals, packing a golden gun to set the tone for his opening greeting, “Welcome devils of the Zionist media, and death to the West.” Quite a warm welcome from the brutal tyrant. The bearded leader continued his ill-mannered rant toward the West, admitting he would’ve voted for Republican Rick Santorum had he not been so “liberal.” However, he did show some support for “Mitchell” Romney because of his wealth and the fact that he hardly pays any taxes. A lifestyle Aladeen is all too familiar with. He went on proclaiming, “Our government is more efficient than yours. Democracy is the worst; endless talking and everybody gets to vote. No matter how black, or female, or how crippled you are…”

Oh my, nobody in the crowd could help but laugh hysterically at the multifaceted comedic actor posing as a ruthless dictator. The guy is pure comedy. I was just wondering how long Sacha Baron Cohen could remain in character, going into detail of his sexual exploits, anti-semitism, and hatred toward the “West.” After looking at my watch several times, I couldn’t believe how Cohen was able to hold his fleshed out “Dictator” character for nearly an hour. Not once breaking character. Of course I should’ve known how professional he was from his days on Da Ali G Show.

On the whole, Cohen was somewhat hit and miss with his quips, but it was still incredibly funny. His ability to become this character and hold a full press conference as the fictional Aladeen is pure marketing genius. I wonder what character he’s crafting up next? Until then, see The Dictator in theaters May 16^th.

Tweet @NYFA which character you think Sacha Baron Cohen should play next!

Frank Pasquine, New York Film Academy

The Dictator, Sacha Baron Cohen photo by Frank Pasquine

Sacha Baron Cohen, The Dictator photo by Frank Pasquine

Next on the Euro Trip: Italy

Published on May 10, 2012

After Paris and London, what’s next for New York Film Academy? Our admissions team hopes to find the next generation of Fellinis, De Sicas, and Sofia Lorens in Italy’s center of performing arts, Milan, and the Birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence, Italy. We had a chance to speak with our fellow Florentine and head of NYFA’s Florence Department, Diana Santi, about our upcoming trip.

Can you tell us what the audition process was like the last time you went to Italy?

The auditions and the Open Houses we did in Italy last year were amazing! Many prospective Italian students showed up to audition for our Acting Director, Roger Del Pozo. We also had a great turnout for my Filmmaking orientation session. The prospective students who participated were fantastic, very well prepared, talented, and ambitious.

Can you tell us about some of the talent you found there?

We found many talents! Not only in acting, but also in filmmaking, producing, and screenwriting. I think of Alexia Oldini, who just shot her first feature film here in New York and Jacopo Sarno who is currently a working actor in Italy.

Tell us why NYFA chose Florence as a location for its study abroad in Italy?

Florence is a beautiful city – very “international” and surrounded by a gorgeous country side. Florence is the perfect place to study filmmaking and acting for film. The city is extremely inspirational for students and its locations and monuments are ideal backgrounds for student films. Also, NYFA will give a free Vespa to all the students who apply for one year programs… a fantastic perk for scouting locations!

Do you feel it’s important for aspiring actors to come to the US?

I truly believe that acting is a constant research and an international experience can help the candidate grow as a person and as an artist. Also, the acting training we offer in New York City is totally different from the acting programs in Italy.

Want to meet up with us in Milan or Florence May 16th & May 18th? Click Here!

An Oil Spill in Newtown Creek

Published on May 9, 2012

Sarah Choi attended New York Film Academy’s 1-Year Documentary Program. Her documentary Newtown, which reveals the history and reality of an oil spill in Newtown Creek, premiered at the Brooklyn Independent Films & Media Arts Festival. “Underneath the glamour and glory of Manhattan lie the remains of century-long environmental injustice, yet no one really knows about the largest oil spill that took place in Newtown Creek.” After growing up in Korea, Sarah moved to Canada to study Biology. Environmental justice was something very near to her heart and she knew her documentary would cover such injustices. Her professor, Andrea Swift, suggested a topic close to New York. “I initially wanted to work on a project about Tar Sands in Fort McMurray and pitched it to my professor. Then, Andrea said ‘Maybe you can make an environmental piece here in New York.’ I had no idea that there was an oil spill – or oil release, as some prefer – in New York, so close to where I was living. The hands-on experience and accessibility of mentors in the film industry made Sarah’s experience at New York Film Academy simply amazing. ” The fact that I could easily bounce ideas back and forth with my professors, and get honest feedback from them, was a huge advantage. It was at NYFA that I also learned the collaborative nature of filmmaking through working in crews of three or four. I met many talented individuals with whom I still work with.” Currently, Sarah is workingon several documentary projects including a short piece on solar energy education in New York. She intends to continue to create films that inspire hope and change, while opening up conversations between segregated groups.

Deep Freeze: Extreme Filmmaking in the Arctic North

Published on May 8, 2012

New York Film Academy instructor Kirill Yusim recently returned from Alaska, where he worked as a camera operator for the History Channel show Ice Road Truckers. The documentary-style program follows truck drivers who operate on seasonal roads, crossing frozen lakes and rivers in remote arctic territories. Kirill filmed on Alaska’s Dalton Highway, a deserted 400-mile stretch of road that begins north of Fairbanks, and ends at Prudhoe Bay on the Arctic Ocean.

“It was my first time in Alaska,” says Kirill. “I knew it was cold. They provided us with an outer layer, boots, pants, and gloves. I picked up a few thick under layers… At the coldest, we wore 5 layers. The weather was -10°F in Fairbanks, and by the time we got to Atigun Pass [about 300 miles away], it was -50°F. There was crazy wind, and you would go through 4 or 5 different weather conditions.”

“We were following trucks pretty closely, doing interviews with drivers, and working on story lines,” he explained. “We would stop at least 8-10 times throughout the day. I was in a chase vehicle and the truck was in front of us. Sometimes we would get out and set up the tripod. Most of the time I’d be fighting through waist-high snow.”

From their home base in Fairbanks, Kirill says, “The one-way trip would take up to 18 hours. They were long days. We had days where it was like 22 hours. We would stay in funny little hotels in Prudhoe Bay. It’s a dry town with no restaurants. The places we had to stay at looked like meat lockers. Probably the coolest thing was shooting time lapses of the northern lights,” says Kirlll. “We would set the exposure and shoot a picture every 8 seconds, [also] shooting transitions from day to night, and the moon rising.”

Kirill teaches courses in cinematography, lighting, and directing at New York Film Academy at Universal Studios. He says, “The fact that I’m able to teach here and listen to students, gather information, and practice at the same time — it’s given me confidence and knowledge [on the set], to know what I’m looking at and knowing where to be.”

To learn more about our Universal Studios campus, click here.