New York Film Academy graduate Cacá Simon took the four-week Broadcast Journalism workshop in January 2011. She reports back the the course helped her land a great gig in Brazil.

New York Film Academy instructor Paul Warner represented New York Film Academy in China at the “Winter Institute 2012” program, presented by the Shanghai Theatre Academy. Paul was invited by William Sun, Vice President of the Academy. 

The event aimed to begin a dialogue between artists and professors that would merge Western and Eastern techniques in theatre and film. Thirty-plus students showed up for Paul’s “stage-to-screen” film workshop. Paul’s many professional accomplishments include a Grand Jury Prize nomination at the Sundance Film Festival for film Fall Time, which he directed. Check out more photos from the event below. To learn more about New York Film Academy’s upcoming classes in Beijing, China, click here!

Photo: double bubble, Giovanna Lanna, Graduate of New York Film Academy One-Year Photography Course

New York Film Academy celebrates our graduates at the following March one-year final film screenings. Please join us in the screening room for wine, cheese, and cinematic excellence:

• Monday, February 6th at 5:30 PM (Section C)
• Tuesday, February 7th at 5:00 PM (Section A)
• Thursday, February 9th at 5:00 PM (Section B)
• Thursday, February 9th at 8:30 PM (Section D)

See you there! 100 East 17th Street, New York, NY.

New York Film Academy student Ella Nuortila was featured on Finland blog, FINNYC this week. Ella (a Finland native) is in her first year of the one-year producing program at New York Film Academy’s New York campus, and has just wrapped filming her first two short films. Check out what Ella had to say in this great interview:

How do you think the study environment is different here compared to Finland?
E: Our class is very small, only seven people. That makes the studying more “mentor-type” and we get very hands-on education although there is a lot of room for own creativity. We are able to choose our own projects and the crew for the film, even from outside of the school environment. This enables us to build our contacts and exploit our school environment at the same time.

What are the greatest advantages of learning film producing in New York, as we know you are going to finish your studies in Helsinki Metropolia School of Applied Sciences in couple of years?
E: It’s definitely the amount of possibilities in terms of finding other independent film producers, shooting locations, and other professionals in the field. For example, there isn’t really a location specialist title in Finland but here you can request special features for the location and they will find it.

Your school program is only one year; how does your spring look like?
E: We are going to shoot a music video which I’m very excited about – I’ve been part of music videos before but not behind the camera and during the whole process from the beginning with discussing with the artist. In addition, we are doing an advertisement, and as the last project I’ll write my “thesis” that is basically writing the Package for my movie idea that I can later pitch to producers and investors.

And after school? Will you stay in New York?
My student visa enables me to work for 12 months after I finish my studies at the New York Film Academy. I hope to find a paid internship or a job so that I could stay here and take advantage of this time as best as I can. This is definitely an opportunity that everyone and anyone should experience. If you want it, you can do it.

MFA Producing Student Orlando Braun donates blood at the New York Film Academy blood drive.

Organized by MFA Acting student Ashley Drayton, the New York Film Academy blood drive was a great success, with 25 students and staff donating blood to the American Red Cross. She also helped organize a clothing drive to benefit the Red Cross, for those who were unable to donate blood.

Says Drayton, “We had a great turnout! It was really great working with the Red Cross. They’re a group that directly impacts families. They give assistance to military families. They help after natural disasters, in and outside the U.S. They constantly have to replenish non-perishable food, clothes, and blood.”

NYFA staff member Jasmin Deva donated blood, and said, “I’ve been doing it since I was 18. I feel it’s a civil duty that everyone should do. It’s so easy!”

MFA Producing student Orlando Braun commented, “At home [in Canada], I donate blood regularly with the Canadian Blood Services. It never even occurred to me that I would be donating blood here. But it’s great to do things that are socially responsible and will affect our community.” He added, “The Krispy Kreme donuts were a nice touch, too.”

Do you have ideas on how New York Film Academy can help give back to our community? Send an email with your suggestions to joe.hui@nyfa.edu.

Frequent New York Film Academy Master Class instructor, MICHAEL RAUCH’s show, ROYAL
PAINS is back with a new season!

Don’t miss it TONIGHT WED 2/1, 10/9C!!!

We have to confess, we love the show’s hiatus, because it gives Michael time to swing by the Academy and teach inventive master classes, like the writer’s room simulation he ran last year with New York Film Academy’s Screenwriting students.

But we also can’t wait to catch back up with Hank Med and Michael’s great work as show runner and writer!

• Kate Hudson, Josh Gad, and Bill Hader will provide voices for Me & My Shadow
• UK Box Office takings in 2011 break billion dollar pound mark for first time ever
• ABC greenlights Judy Greer comedy piece
• Rights for Candy Land game moving from Universal to Sony
• Joe Mantello will direct world premiere of new musical Dogfight for Second Stage

Naya Rivera filming “Smooth Criminal” for the Tuesday, January 31st episode of Glee.

Submit your favorite Santana gifs and quotes! The best submissions will be used to launch our Pinterest profile. Also, become our featured Gleek of the Week!

Contest ends Thursday evening at midnight. Winner will be announced Friday!

If you didn’t already, check out this great clip of New York Film Academy graduate Naya Rivera at the SAG Awards. Naya, who plays cheerleader Santana on Fox’s Glee sparkled in her dress, which has us wondering what you favorite Naya moments, lines, and pictures are.

Tonight she will rock out to the following songs on the Michael Jackson Tribute Episode:

• “Smooth Criminal” (Santana and Sebastian)
• “Black or White” (Kurt, Rachel, Santana, Artie, Mercedes)
• “Bad” (New Directions & Warblers)

Krizzie L. Syfu is one of three directors whose film has been selected for a two year film tour by SM. Krizzie, a Philippine based director, was a student in New York Film Academy’s four-week digital workshop at Universal Studios in June 2009. Her film Tahanan is the story of a once-sheltered student (Lauren Young) whose eyes are opened after volunteering in an orphanage. Comments Krizzie in an interview about the project, “an average person can be a hero. Heroism isn’t limited to great acts of nation-building.”

Krizzie grew up close to the Virlanie Foundation’s Gabay Buhay Home, which inspired the project: ““Virlanie houses street children and gives them a chance to go to school and live a better life. I realized that I had to write about something that’s very close to my heart.”

One of the challenges of the shoot was the young cast, with many actors in the 6-12 range. Krizzie spoke with several principals and teachers to get the permission necessary to spend extra days working with the actors. In addition, she frequently improvised to accommodate the schedules of her youth ensemble: “Whenever needed, I revised scenes on the spot, usually when some of the children were unavailable. I wanted the kids to be as comfortable as possible on the set.”

The young cast of Tanahan.

The film was partially funded by Philippine cinema chain SM. From 50 entries, 15 finalists were picked and three films include Krizzie’s were ultimately produced. The three films will run simultaneously in SM Manila, Megamall, North Edsa, Mall of Asia and Cebu, and later do a two-year tour of different campus and cities nationwide. The filmmakers will split the earnings 50-50 and Krizzie will retain ownership of the film after the two year theatrical distribution license expires. 

Lauren Young as Samantha Benitez, plays the character of a sheltered student who is exposed to a home of 12 orphaned children.

New York Film Academy offers our congratulations to Krizzie! Follow Krizzie on Twitter @krizziesyfu @nyfa #tanahan #nyfa.