NYFA Animation and VFX Students Visit California Science Center
Last week, with stops in Santa Monica and downtown, a group of New York Film Academy Animation and VFX students got to go behind-the-scenes at SideFX Software and take in the sites at the California Science Center.
If you don't know SideFX, well, it's rapidly taking over the VFX and interactive world with its powerful procedural cg animation and VFX tool Houdini. Gabriel Fernandez and Ujala Saini are one year students in the Animation and VFX program and they made the most out of meeting the people that know Houdini best — the people that make it and use it everyday — and asked lots of great questions.
Tiffany Victor, a student in NYFA's Animation VFX BFA program, jumped at the chance to be the first to beta test a new UNITY game built with the powerful Houdini Engine in the Htc Vive Virtual Reality System. Big CG thanks to Ben Mears, Rob Stauffer, Genesis Lee and the rest of the team at SideFX for opening their doors to the NYFA Animation and VFX students here in Los Angeles.
After that, the trip headed downtown to the California Science Center with its Science of Pixar Exhibition, and the Space Shuttle Endeavour for the cherry on top. The Pixar show was full of over-sized interactive learning stations that brought the nuts and bolts of CG animation to life. The exhibition gave everyone a chance to see how the tools they use for homework today are the same tools they will use in their careers tomorrow.
With only time for one last stop, the group took the opportunity to check out NASA's Space Shuttle Endeavor.
January 13, 2017 • 3D Animation • Views: 4741
You're Never Too Young to Become a Screenwriter
Dean of Students Eric Conner with Valley View Elementary students
Each year, Hollywood seems to get younger and younger. Just ask the ten writers from Valley View Elementary, who witnessed their original screenplays performed live in front of a packed audience.
As part of the Young Storytellers Foundation, a group of New York Film Academy students and alumni have been mentoring these fifth grade writers, helping them to realize their unique visions and commit their words to the page.
After eight weeks of zip zap zop, three-act breakdowns, NASA shakeoff, story games, lectures on theme, character, tone & conflict—not to mention a whole lot of writing—our talented young auteurs created ten original screenplays.
Featuring power-absorbing banana bread, transforming robots, sibling rivalries, magic fairies and talking New Jersey lions, these scripts were worthy of a world-class show. And thanks to the tireless work of our NYFA & Young Storyteller actors, the scripts were brought to vivid life.
Congratulations to our budding writers from Valley View. Look for them all to get their first studio deals by age 13!
If you're a kid who is interested in learning screenwriting or another creative discipline, be sure to check out the New York Film Academy Summer Camps.
April 30, 2015 • Community Highlights, Screenwriting, Student & Alumni Spotlights • Views: 7627
Create a PSA for NASA
The New York Film Academy is proud to announce a contest for students to pitch ideas that tell the story of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). JWST is poised to become one of the most groundbreaking scientific and engineering achievements of our time, designed to operate at near absolute zero, and approximately 1.5 million km away from the Earth.
Now, the New York Film Academy's students will have the rare opportunity of being a part of the global dialogue and excitement that surrounds the development of the JWST. By creating powerful, engaging, and visually exciting stories featuring the Webb Telescope, students will explore humankind's most significant scientific marvels first hand, and also have a chance to be featured in NASA's websites.
The initial round of the contest calls for submissions that contain strong self-application essays, reflecting upon the students' views of JWST and why they should be picked for this highly prestigious opportunity. The second round will begin with invitations for selected students to tour Northrop Grumman and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), two facilities that house some of JWST's vital components, and where most of the principal photography will take place.
These tours will further motivate students for the final round of the contest, which culminates with no less than a live pitch to a committee featuring members from NASA, JPL, and Northrop Grumman!
The New York Film Academy continues to lead the educational frontier for innovative STEAM-based education initiatives. Pay close attention as the first products of our collaboration with NASA, Northrop Grumman Corporation, JPL, and others, roll out in the beginning of 2015.
For NYFA students: Your application must include:
Cover letter outlining your interest in the JWST story.
Reel or sample of your work.
Materials may be submitted by individuals or groups. Selected students will receive a tour of JWST's facilities and an opportunity to pitch their ideas to a committee including representatives from NASA. Winners will be given equipment and support to shoot a PSA that will be featured on NASA's website and various other platforms.
Contest open to all One Year, Two Year, MFA, BFA, MA and AFA Students in good standing. For more information about the James Webb Telescope, visit jwst.nasa.gov.
For submissions and/or questions about the contest, please email nasa@nyfa.edu.
September 10, 2014 • Contests, STEAM • Views: 7597