Animation is a vital storytelling medium woven across centuries of human creativity and innovation. Its roots can be traced back to ancient civilizations where early forms of animation, such as shadow puppetry and flipbooks, were used to entertain and tell stories. In the late 19th century, pioneers like Émile Reynaud and Thomas Edison experimented with devices capable of projecting moving images, laying the groundwork for the birth of animation as we know it. Since then, decade after decade has brought us beloved animated pictures like Spirited Away, Toy Story, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and many more.
Best Animated Feature: The Anatomy of Award-Winning Work
Throughout the 20th century, iconic animation studios like Disney, Warner Bros., and Pixar, have revolutionized animation, bringing iconic beloved characters and stories to the silver screen. Animation continues to evolve and thrive as a dynamic medium, celebrated every year in the Best Animated Feature category at the Academy Awards. In this article, we’ll discuss nominated and award-winning work embracing new technologies and pushing the boundaries of storytelling in the digital age.
The Boy and the Heron (2023)
A truly excellent animated film stands the test of time and continues to resonate with audiences long after its initial release. For famous storyteller Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, this applies to nearly every animated film he’s ever made. Miyazaki, known for films such as My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, and Howl’s Moving Castle, stunned audiences with his last film, The Boy and the Heron.
The film, which follows a young man in search of his stepmother, inspires creativity, and sparks the imagination, leaving a lasting impression on viewers of all ages as they grapple with the themes of family, love, and adventure. It was nominated and won Best Animated Feature at the 2024 Academy Awards. Image via The Ringer.
Nimona (2023)
Memorable characters are at the heart of every memorable animated film. Audiences connect with characters who are relatable, multi-dimensional, and undergo meaningful development throughout the story, despite being drawn. The 2023 film Nimona, directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, features strong character arcs and relationships that add depth and emotional resonance to the film. The film explores the true definition of monsters, villains, and heroes, and features Chloë Grace Moretz as Nimona and Riz Ahmed as Ballister Boldheart.
Based on a graphic novel from ND Stevenson, the film was produced by Annapurna, who specializes in film production, video game creation, and more. As NYFA Game Design Instructor Brandon Winfrey said to The Hollywood Reporter, Annapurna is on the cutting edge of visual storytelling, akin to entertainment powerhouses like A24. The film was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2024 Academy Awards.
Turning Red (2022)
Remarkable animated films often explore universal themes and messages that resonate with audiences across cultures and generations. Themes of love, friendship, courage, perseverance, and self-discovery are timeless and allow viewers to relate to the characters and their journeys. Turning Red celebrates Asian culture, following Disney films like Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Raya and the Last Dragon, while cleverly showing the protagonist, Mei Lee, experiencing the changes of adolescence and balancing her relationship with her overprotective mother. The film was nominated for the Best Animated Feature Film Oscar.
Robot Dreams (2023)
Great animated films evoke a wide range of emotions through authentic storytelling and genuine character interactions. In Robot Dreams, directed and written by former NYFA instructor and guest speaker Pablo Berger, audiences follow the friendship of a dog and his robot.
Based on the graphic novel by Sara Varon, the film uses music and sound to drive the narrative, delivering an exciting journey through Manhattan in the 1980s. The film was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2024 Academy Awards. Image via Polygon.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022)
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio demonstrates the creativity possible in visual storytelling. The crew on the stop-motion animated film painstakingly produced the sets, characters, and each frame in the two-hour feature. The character of Pinocchio took over a year to create, balancing the newest technology with traditional methods of fabrication and prototyping. Our very own Tony Candelaria, a teacher at NYFA Los Angeles, also worked on the film. In 2023, the film won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film.
Elemental (2023)
Animated films that celebrate diversity and incorporate elements of different cultures enrich the storytelling experience and appeal to a broader audience. Elemental, a story about various “elements” including water, fire, earth, and air, demonstrates the importance of and value of representation, embracing diversity and inclusivity.
The story was based on director Peter Sohn’s own life experiences, paying tribute to his parents, who immigrated to New York City in the 1960s. The film was nominated for the Best Animated Feature Film Oscar. Image via IMDB.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
Animation allows for limitless creativity in visual storytelling, and exceptional animated films often feature stunning artwork, intricate character designs, vibrant colors, and imaginative worlds. The Oscar-nominated Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023), which reunites Spiderman and Gwen Stacy, is an exceptional example of effective visual storytelling. The film shows various Spiderman characters from different universes using both 2D and 3D animation styles and features Shameik Moore as Miles Morales, Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy, Jake Johnson as Peter B. Parker, Oscar Issac as Miguel O’Hara, Jason Schwartzman as Spot, NYFA alum Issa Rae as Jessica Drew, and Daniel Kaluuya as Hobie Brown.
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2021)
Innovative animation techniques, whether hand-drawn, computer-generated, stop-motion or a combination thereof, can elevate storytelling and bring characters alive in unique ways. In the Oscar-nominated Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, a film that follows a documentary filmmaker who makes a film about a mollusk shell discovered inhabiting his Airbnb, these animation techniques are on full display.
Marcel, voiced by Jenny Slate, was made from an actual mollusk shell, which was scanned, and recreated using the digital sculpting software ZBrush, and then 3D printed. The use of this technology resulted in a truly immersive experience, bringing the character of Marcel to life. Image via IMDB.
The Sea Beast (2022)
From the fluidity of character movements to the intricate backgrounds and visual effects, attention to detail is crucial in animation. Every aspect, including sound design, music, and voice acting, should contribute to the overall experience. In the Oscar-nominated The Sea Beast, a young girl boards the vessel of a renowned sea monster hunter, embarking on a voyage into undiscovered seas. One of the parts of the movie is the details, as it’s one of the few animated films that accurately depicts the real navigational requirements of a sailing ship in the era of sail.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
An exceptional animated film begins with a captivating story. The narrative should be engaging, well-paced, and emotionally impactful, with well-developed characters and meaningful themes. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022), features the beloved character of Puss, voiced by Antonio Banderas. The film is the sequel to Puss in Boots (2011), released after the Shrek series after the positive reception of the Puss in Boots character. The film also introduces new characters into the Puss in Boots/Shrek universe, including Harvey Guillén as Perrito, Florence Pugh as Goldilocks, Olivia Coleman as Mama Bear, and 2024 Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Mama Luna.
Bring Your Animated Stories to Life at NYFA
With the right creative vision, technical expertise, and a passion for storytelling, aspiring animators can create truly exceptional films that entertain, inspire, and endure for generations to come. At New York Film Academy, prospective filmmakers can learn the art of 3D animation through our hands-on and intensive classes while building vital skills in screenwriting, editing, cinematography, and more.
For kids, summertime offers kids an opportunity to have unforgettable memories and fresh experiences before the school year begins. However, it’s also a great time for personal development outside of the classroom.
10 Creative Summer Kids Activities in NYC
There are a range of creative and fun kids’ activities in NYC during the summer. From immersive summer camps to new hobbies in the visual and performing arts, during their time off, kids can hone vital skills in communication and collaboration while exploring their interests.
Here are some great ideas for how your kids can spend their summer months in NYC!
Take Filmmaking Classes
Film can be a great way to engage kids in the visual arts, teaching them essential technical and creative skills. NYFA offers a range of film classes for kids aged 10-13 designed to teach students filmmaking and content creation. Students dedicate most of their time to hands-on exercises while learning the fundamentals of cinematic storytelling.
In just a short time, the film camp teaches students essential skills in composition, direction, and video editing using cutting-edge cameras and equipment. Throughout the program, students take on roles as roles such as assistant directors, camera operators, and actors, collaborating to produce a short, silent film. At the end of the camp, students put on a special presentation accessible to friends and family and receive a USB drive with the final film.
Create a Time Capsule
Creating a time capsule can be an exciting and memorable activity for kids. Kids can gather meaningful items such as photos, letters, drawings, or small mementos that represent their current interests, hobbies, and experiences. They can write a letter to their future selves or include current newspaper clippings to add depth and context to the time capsule’s contents, preserving a snapshot of their lives for years to come.
Visit an Immersive Experience
New York City has an array of immersive experiences, from The Sloomoo Institute slime exhibit to Inter_ , an interactive and multi-sensory art experience. Immersive experiences offer kids the chance to step outside their everyday reality, fully engaging their senses and emotions in a different context. With richly detailed environments and narratives, immersive experiences enhance learning, empathy, and creativity. As some immersive experiences are seasonal, be sure to check availability.
Learn How to do Photography
Photography can be a great hobby for kids interested in the visual arts! Even by starting with a smartphone, kids can dive into the basics of composition and lighting. From city skyscrapers like the Empire State Building to New York’s ample greenspace at the High Line and Prospect Park to the Bronx Zoo, kids can explore different subjects and perspectives while experimenting with angles and settings, starting to develop their unique style.
Additionally, participating in photography classes can provide valuable guidance and help them hone their technical skills.
Explore The Outdoors
This summer, help your kids take advantage of NYC’s parks and outdoor spaces. Help your kids hone their culinary skills by packing and planning picnics in Central Park, exploring the gardens at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, or taking a nature walk in Prospect Park. You can also consider joining organized nature walks or birdwatching events.
Make a Video or Board Game
The summer is a great time for a long-term project, and for kids who love puzzles and games, making a board or video game concept can be an innovative way for them to put their imagination to work! Kids can brainstorm ideas and sketch out game mechanics and rules, utilizing online resources and tutorials. Collaborating with friends or family members can make the process even more enjoyable, fostering teamwork and problem-solving skills as they bring their ideas to life.
For parents who want kids to learn the fundamentals of game design, a game design camp can also help kids learn coding basics for video games. In NYFA’s game design camp, students collaborate to develop an original story concept, crafting core game mechanics and producing unique art assets. With the help of experienced professionals, kids participate in hands-on programming to bring their games to life within a dynamic and collaborative ‘Game Jam’ environment.
Attend a Cultural Event
NYC hosts various cultural festivals and events during the summer, featuring music, dance, food, and art from around the world. By bringing your children to events like the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival or the SummerStage Kids series, you can help your kids gain exposure to new hobbies and interests. From the vibrant street performances of the New York City Dance Parade to the eclectic mix of visual arts and live music at the Governors Island Art Fair, there’s a festival for every artistic taste. The River to River Festival captivates audiences with innovative performances and installations across Lower Manhattan. These festivals not only showcase the diversity of artistic expression but also bring communities together to celebrate creativity in all its forms.
Put on a Play
Whether you raid the internet for free scripts for kids or encourage your family to write their own, putting on a play can be a great way to connect with your kids this summer. With NYC as the home to Broadway, there’s inspiration for plays everywhere you look, and a range of kid-friendly shows to attend. For families that love the performing arts, spending an afternoon at Shakespeare in the Park can also be a great activity.
As some kids are performers in the making, attending a musical theatre camp can be an effective way to get their skills to the next level. At NYFA’s musical theatre day camps, kids engage in exercises designed to enhance their skills as performers, leading up to an exciting final performance showcase for friends and family.
Explore NYC Museums for Kids
New York City boasts an array of museums tailored to children’s interests and learning experiences. From the interactive exhibitions at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan to the hands-on science exploration at the New York Hall of Science, there’s something for every young mind to discover. The American Museum of Natural History offers captivating dinosaur exhibits and immersive planetarium shows, while the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum invites children to explore historic aircraft carriers and space shuttles.
With its diverse range of educational and entertaining offerings, NYC’s museums provide endless opportunities for children to learn, engage, and be inspired.
Create a Scrapbook
Creating scrapbooks can be a creative and imaginative project for kids. Armed with photographs, stickers, colorful paper, and their boundless imagination, kids can arrange and decorate each page to tell unique stories. With each cut and paste, they craft visually stunning albums and cultivate a deeper appreciation for the moments captured within.
Flex Your Creative Skills This Summer at NYFA
With so many options available, you’re sure to find engaging and creative activities to keep your kids entertained throughout the summer in NYC. NYFA’s summer camps and workshops cater specifically to kids, providing exceptional and educational courses in filmmaking, acting, photography, game design, and a myriad of other captivating subjects!
Whether aspiring or established, actors are always working to hone and refine their craft. The Oppenheimer cast is a great example of this, using their past experiences in film to bring together an exceptional performance. The film, which received 13 Academy Awards in acting, directing, cinematography, and screenwriting, won seven, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor. Aside from being a great film, the movie also offers an opportunity for actors to see excellence on display.
Oppenheimer’s Matthew Modine Hosts Masterclass at NYFA New York
NYFA Guest Speaker Matthew Modine, who played engineer and inventor Vannevar Bush in Oppenheimer, is an iconic actor with a filmography across genres. From his role as Dr. Martin Brenner, aka “Papa” on Stranger Things, to compelling performances in hit films and television shows such as The Dark Knight Rises, Law and Order SVU, Birdy, Full Metal Jacket, Operation Varsity Blues, and The West Wing, Modine has versatile talent and an unwavering commitment to his craft.
Modine, who recently starred as Atticus Finch in stage productions of To Kill a Mockingbird, has also worked with legendary directors, including Christopher Nolan, Oliver Stone, Sir Alan Parker, Stanley Kubrick, Robert Altman, and Spike Lee.
Matthew Modine at the NYFA New York City Campus.
Modine, undoubtedly a master storyteller and performer, visited NYFA New York in February 2024 to engage with students. Modine, an acclaimed director and producer, had a lot to share from his expansive experience in visual storytelling. In addition to Oppenheimer, Modine has been busy with various upcoming projects and recently produced the nuclear testing doc Downwind. Narrated by Martin Sheen, the film highlights the grave and lasting impacts of nuclear testing on American soil. The documentary, a must-watch for aspiring filmmakers and anyone who saw Oppenheimer, is available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.
The Oppenheimer Cast: Behind the Talented Ensemble
Modine is one of many actors who brought his talents to Oppenheimer. In addition to Modine’s achievements, here are some of the best films and performances of the other Oppenheimer stars. Actors seeking a master class in their craft — look no further than the accomplishments of these phenomenal performers!
Cillian Murphy, J. Robert Oppenheimer
Murphy won a Golden Globe and Oscar for his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer. Last year, the award went to Brendan Fraser in 2023 for The Whale and was created to recognize the best actors of our generation. Cillian Murphy, known for his dynamic on-screen presence, has become synonymous with complex characters, seamlessly transitioning between genres and showcasing his ability to convey intense emotions. Murphy’s nuanced portrayals, whether as Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders, Robert Fischer in Inception, or Scarecrow in The Dark Knight, have solidified his reputation as one of the most talented actors in the industry.
One of his most memorable roles was as Damien in the film The Wind That Shakes the Barley. Winner of the2006 Palme d’Or at Cannes, the story follows two brothers during the Irish War of Independence, where two brothers fight against British forces. “Murphy’s agonized body language conveys the horrible, irreparable damage of war,” wrote Bay Area reporter David Lamble regarding Cillian’s performance. Image via The Irish Film Institute.
Emily Blunt, Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer
Emily Blunt is known for her iconic performances in films like The Devil Wears Prada, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen,Into the Woods, Sunshine Cleaning,The Young Victoria, and Edge of Tomorrow. In Oppenheimer, Blunt commands the screen, showcasing her impeccable acting skills as Oppenheimer’s wife, Kitty, earning her an Oscar nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role.
One of Blunt’s most iconic performances was in the Oscar-nominated film A Quiet Place, the first in the apocalyptic horror franchise. Directed and written by her real-life spouse, John Krasinski, Blunt plays Evelyn Abbott. Evelyn, along with her husband and children, communicate in sign language and live silent lives as noise-sensitive creatures have taken over planet Earth. Image via Vox.
Robert Downey Jr., Lewis Strauss
Robert Downey Jr. brings a believable and captivating performance as former Acting United States Secretary of Commerce Lewis Strauss, who famously came to odds with Oppenheimer. Known as Tony Stark / Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Downey Jr. has no shortage of memorable roles. From Harry Lockhart in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang to Paul Avery in Zodiac, to Charlie Chaplin in Chaplin, Robert Downey Jr.’s filmography makes it apparent that he’s extremely deserving of his most recent Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role Oscar win for Oppenheimer. In the past, was also nominated for performances in Tropic Thunder and Chaplin.
Another standout performance was his performance as Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez in The Soloist. Starring alongside Jamie Foxx, Downey Jr. captured the earnest and good-natured efforts of Lopez, who tries to bring recognition to the incredible musical talent of a homeless man. The film was applauded for its portrayal of mental health and won the Prism Award for Feature Film – Mental Health. Image via MUBI.
Florence Pugh, Jean Tatlock
Florence Pugh has proven herself to be an acting powerhouse – and has no plans to slow down anytime soon. Her various roles as Lib Wright in The Wonder, Dani Ardor in Midsommar, Lady Macbeth in Lady Macbeth ” and Amy March in Little Women put her full range of talent on display. She was nominated for an Oscar for Little Women in 2020. In Oppenheimer, she plays Jean Tatlock, the woman known as Oppenheimer’s lover prior to her death in 1944.
Pugh recently lent her voice to the English dubbed version of Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron, a whimsical film that explores familial connections, the afterlife, and the meaning of life. Playing the adventurous and brave Kiriko, Pugh could balance her sparkling personality with the strength the role required. The film showed how a voiceover role can be a great asset for an actor, challenging performers like Pugh to hone different acting skills. The Boy and the Heron, which already won a Golden Globe, won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film. Image via Parade.
Matt Damon, Leslie Groves
Matt Damon, considered to be one of the best actors of his generation, is known for his role as Jason Bourne in The Bourne Identity series. Damon has also acted in various iconic films, honing his acting skills in performances such as Mark Watney in The Martian, Will Hunting in the Oscar-winning film Good Will Hunting, Tom Ripley in The Talented Mr. Ripley, andPrivate Ryan in Saving Private Ryan. A lesser-known but equally impressive performance was his portrayal of Scott Thorson in the 11 Emmy award-winning television film Behind the Candelabra.
A departure from his usual roles, Damon played opposite Michael Douglas (who played Liberace) while he portrayed his young lover, Thorson. The slightly eccentric film was well-received, and Damon was recognized for his portrayal of a young man trapped in an unhealthy relationship. Image via Screen Actors Guild.
Josh Hartnett, Ernest Lawrence
Harnett, who joins the Oppenheimer cast as American physicist Ernest Lawrence, is much more selective about his roles these days. His performances as Erik Heller in Black Hawk Down, Jamie Randall in Love & Other Drugs, Zeke Tyler in The Faculty, Brian Fitzgerald in The Black Dahlia, andOz in Sin City made him a highly sought-after actor in the ‘90s and ‘00s, with a long list of iconic performances under his belt.
While not as well known as his other films, Harnett’s role as Tom Sterling in the drama Wicker Park was an early example of his ability to play a leading man, as well as highlighting his talent for drama. Image via IMDB.
Kenneth Branagh, Niels Bohr
Irish actor Kenneth Branagh is an extremely accomplished performer, playing roles such as Hercule in A Haunting in Venice, Henry V in Henry V, Iago in Othello, Gilderoy Lockhart in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and André in My Week with Marilyn. He is a welcomed addition to the talented cast of Oppenheimer, playing the role of Danish physicist Niels Bohr.
Branagh also wrote and directed the Oscar-winning film Belfast, demonstrating how visual storytellers can be effective in front of and behind the camera. Image via Screen Daily.
Rami Malek is David L. Hill
Rami Malek, who plays David L. Hill in Oppenheimer, has also engaged audiences with performances such as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody, Elliot Alderson in Mr. Robot, and Flip McVicker in BoJack Horseman. Malek’s performance as Freddie Mercury, notably, earned him an Oscar for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, showing the Academy’s appreciation for well-executed biopics. He has also lent his voice to various video games, including Until Dawn, Halo 2, and The Legend of Korra.
Malek starred as Browning in director Spike Lee’s Oldboy alongside Josh Brolin and NYFA Guest Speaker Elizabeth Olsen. Based on a Japanese manga series and a previous film of the same name, the remake had mixed reviews, but Malek delivered a strong performance. Image via Reddit.
Tony Goldwyn as Gordon Grey
It was unexpected to see former president Tony Goldwyn in Oppenheimer (wait, that’s theScandal universe.) Goldwyn, who played US attorney Gordon Grey in Oppenheimer, has appeared in various film and television roles, including, of course, Scandal, as well as King Richard, Lovecraft County, The Good Wife, Dexter, The Last Samurai, Fraiser, and the Disney animated film Tarzan as the titular character. He also voiced Tarzan in video games like Kingdom Hearts and Tarzan.
For younger audiences who love him in Scandal, the ‘80s rom-com/supernatural drama Ghost was one of Goldwyn’s earliest breaks into Hollywood. Playing a friend of Patrick Swayze’s, the film shows Goldwyn in a different light (we won’t spoil it for you, even though it’s been out for almost 30 years.)Image via Amazon.
Get Engaged in Acting and Filmmaking at NYFA
Ready to make your mark on film? NYFA offers aspiring performers the framework to refine their techniques and cultivate their artistic voice. Through rigorous training, feedback from seasoned professionals, and practical experience, students gain the skills and confidence necessary to pursue their interests in the competitive world of acting. Explore our acting programs to learn more!
Native Americans have made countless contributions to our nation’s history of visual and performing art, especially in entertainment. However, in the history of Hollywood, Native Americans have often been stereotyped, depicted as caricatures, or represented as victims of extreme violence. Today, there are still issues that Native American groups have to face in entertainment and media, including misrepresentation in modern film and television shows, such as the ABC procedural Big Sky and Lovecraft Country.
However, there have been improvements over the years, with organizations such as Illuminative increasing the visibility of Native peoples, as well as fellowships, funding, and programs available from Vision Maker Media, Nia Tero Storytelling Fellowship, and Native American Media Alliance Programs. We’re proud to honor the talented Native Americans inspiring the next generation of filmmakers, actors, and visual storytellers with their powerful, impactful art.
Celebrating Native American Filmmakers, Actors, and Visual Storytellers
In November 1990, the U.S. government designated November as the first official National Native American Heritage Month. Congress chose November since the month concludes the traditional harvest season and generally is a time of celebration and giving thanks.
National Native American Heritage Month provides an opportunity to increase awareness of how historical trauma—such as colonization and genocide— has impacted Native peoples. Likewise, the month calls attention to the unfolding cultural achievements of the nation’s original inhabitants and descendants.
James Young Deer was the first Native American director of A Cheyenne Brave (1910). Image via IMDB.
The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. It is an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and to show how tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.
As a film, media, and visual arts school with U.S. campuses in New York, Los Angeles, and South Beach, the New York Film Academy (NYFA) celebrates the contributions that the Native American community has made to the film, media, and entertainment industries in November and year-round. Many of our campuses are on land that was once home to indigenous tribes, such as the Lenape Native Americans in Battery Park, home to NYFA New York, and the Tongva in the Los Angeles area, in proximity to NYFA Los Angeles.
In this article, we look at some of the most influential Native American filmmakers, actors, and visual storytellers, as well as some of our favorite movies and television shows that focus on Native American culture. Here are some of the most impactful individuals and examples of the work they’ve done for their communities.
Lily Gladstone
Lily Gladstone, known for her roles in The Unknown Country (2022), Quantum Cowboys (2022), The Last Manhunt (2022), and Fancy Dance (2023), is from the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. She made her acting debut in Winter in the Blood (2013).
In Killers of the Flower Moon, Gladstone plays Mollie Burkhart, a wealthy Osage woman married to the nephew of a powerful rancher, Ernest (Leonardo DiCaprio). Gladstone was nominated for the Lead Actress Oscar, making history as the first-ever Native woman of American descent to get the nomination. Gladstone has already won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture. Image via Town and Country.
Wesley Studi
Wesley Studi is a Native American (Cherokee Nation) actor and film producer. He has appeared in Academy-nominated films Geronimo: An American Legend and The New World. He is also known for portraying Sagat in Street Fighter. Other films he has appeared in are Hostiles, Heat, Mystery Men, Avatar, A Million Ways to Die in the West, and the television series Penny Dreadful.
In 2019, Studi received an Academy Honorary Award, becoming the first Native American filmmaker and the second Indigenous person from North America to be honored by the Academy (the first was Buffy Sainte-Marie). In December 2020, The New York Times ranked him #19 in its list of the “25 Greatest Actors of the 21st Century.”
“I play those guys like they know they’re doing the right thing,” he said in an interview with GQ.Image via TibLIVE.com.
Sterlin Harjo
Sterlin Harjo is a Native American movie producer, director, and documentary filmmaker. He is a member of the Seminole Nation and has Muskogee heritage. He has directed three feature films, a feature documentary, and the FX comedy series Reservation Dogs, all of them set in his home state of Oklahoma and concerned primarily with Native American people and content.
Harjo is a founding member of a five-member Native American comedy group, The 1491s. He also is one of the directors of Cherokee Nation’s monthly television news magazine, Osiyo, Voices ofthe Cherokee People, which is produced by Fire Thief Productions, a Native American production company that he co-founded with Cherokee photographer Jeremy Charles. Image via Creative Artist.
Russel Albert Daniel
Russel Albert Daniels is a photographer whose work stands in the currents of art, reportage, and decolonization. Through his photography, Daniels brings visibility to Native American and underserved communities. His stories about Bears Ears, Standing Rock, Two Spirit, MMIW, and the legacy of colonial-era Indigenous enslavement and captivity in the Southwest educate, inform, and prompt conversation about the historical narrative.
Russel’s projects explore identity, sense of place, and history. His ongoing photo project Who is Genizaro? illuminates the weight of 500 years of Native American slavery in the Southwest Borderlands. Image via Russel Albert.
Sydney Freeland
Sydney Freeland is an Emmy-nominated film and TV director of Navajo descent. Her debut feature, Drunktown’s Finest, premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and went on to receive the Jury prize at LA Outfest. She also directed the digital series Her Story, which received an Emmy nomination in 2016 for Short Form Series.
Her second feature, the Netflix original film Deidra and Laney Rob A Train, premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival and is currently streaming in 190 countries. Additionally, Sydney has directed episodes for Grey’s Anatomy and the upcoming Heathers.
This year, Native American filmmaker Freeland not only joined as a director for the upcoming superhero streaming series Echo for Disney+, but she was also included in the Fast Company’s Queer 50 list.Image via HuffPost.
Adam Beach
Adam Beach is an actor, producer, and Saulteaux Indian from Manitoba and a member of the Ojibwa Nation (Canadian First Nations). He is best known for his roles as Victor Joseph in Smoke Signals, Frank Fencepost in Dance Me Outside, Tommy on Walker, Texas Ranger, Kickin’ Wing in Joe Dirt, U.S. Marine Corporal Ira Hayes in Flags of Our Fathers, Private Ben Yahzee in Windtalkers, Dr. Charles Eastman (Ohiyesa) in Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, NYPD Detective Chester Lake in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Officer Jim Chee in the film adaptations of Skinwalkers, Coyote Waits, and A Thief of Time.
He starred in the Canadian 2012-2014 series Artice Air and played Slipknot in the 2016 film Suicide Squad. He also performed as Squanto in Disney’s historical drama film Squanto: A Warrior’s Tale. Most recently, he has starred in Hostiles as Black Hawk, Jess Gardiner in the Netflix original film Juanita, and Edward Nappo in Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog. Image via HuffPost.
Tracy Rector
Tracy Rector is a Native American filmmaker, curator, and arts advocate based in Seattle, Washington. She serves as the Managing Director of Storytelling at Nia Tero, a non-profit committed to supporting indigenous governance and guardianship. She is the executive director/co-founder of Longhouse Media, an Indigenous and POC media arts organization’ home of the nationally acclaimed program Native Lens. She has directed and produced over 400 shorts and other films and is in production on her sixth feature documentary, Outta the Muck, with support from ITVS.
Her first feature project, Teachings of the Tree People: The Work of Bruce Miller, brought oral tradition into a contemporary storytelling format while identifying Coast Salish community involvement in the filmmaking process. Her second feature-length film, the documentary March Point, was recognized by UNESCO as an example of indigenous grassroots mobilization in response to climate change. Tracy received the National Association for Media Literacy Education Award, the 2016 Stranger Genius Award, and the Horace Mann Award for her work in utilizing media for social justice. Image via Seattle Magazine.
Joseph Erb
Joseph Erb, a Cherokee Nation citizen, creates indigenous narratives in film, animation, and new media. Erb’s work expands the use of indigenous written and spoken languages across digital platforms. Erb created the first Cherokee animation in the Cherokee language, The Beginning They Told. The program is posted on the Cherokee Nation YouTube channel and has been shown at the Smithsonian. Because of Erb and others’ efforts, Cherokee speakers can use their language to search on Google, communicate with friends on Facebook, and complete work on Microsoft.
Besides collaborating with students to produce animation in their tribal languages, Erb also produces educational material, such as animated shorts of animals singing numbers and colors in Cherokee. Image via University of Colorado.
Matika Wilbur
Matika Wilbur is a visual storyteller from the Swinomish and Tulalip peoples of coastal Washington. She has been traveling and photographing Indian Country in pursuit of one goal: to change the way we see Native America. Beginning her career as a successful commercial photographer, she realized her true calling was to create portrait art that deeply communicated people’s lives and experiences. Matika produced multiple acclaimed exhibitions of her striking portraits of the Pacific Northwest and other Native peoples in leading museums and other venues.
She initiated Project 562, a multi-year photography project whose mission is to photograph and collect stories of Native Americans from each federally-recognized Indian tribe in the US and to create supporting visual curricula and publications. Through her lens, we can see the diversity, vibrancy, and realness of Indian Country, challenge and surpass stereotypical representations, and refresh the national conversation about contemporary Native America. Image via YouTube.
Native American Films & TV Shows
To celebrate Native American Heritage Month, we compiled a list of some of the best movies and television shows that centralize Native Americans and their culture.
Action / Adventure
The Last of the Mohicans (1992)Mohawk (2017) Prey (2022)
Documentary Films
Trudell (2005) Reel Injun (2009) We Still Live Here: As Nutayuneân (2010) Trick or Treaty? (2014) Angry Inuk (2016) Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World (2017) Awake: A Dream From Standing Rock (2017) Mankiller (2017) Keep Talking (2017) Amá (2018) Merata: How Mum Decolonized the Screen (2018) Warrior Women (2018) Words From a Bear (2019) Nîpawistam Sowin: We Will Stand Up (2019) Sweetheart Dancers (2019) Gather (2020) Love and Fury (2020)
Comedy/Drama
Smoke Signals (1998) Deidra & Laney Rob A Train (2017)
Drama
Powwow Highway (1989) Dances With Wolves (1990) Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner (2001) The Doe Boy (2001) Skins (2002) Four Sheets to the Wind (2007) Le jour avant le lendemain (2008) Shimásáni (2009) Mosquita y Mari (2012) The Cherokee Word for Water (2013) Rhymes for Young Ghouls (2013) Songs My Brothers Taught Me (2015) The Land Of Rock And Gold (2016) The Northlander (2016) Indian Horse (2017) Fukry (2019) The Body Remembers When The World Broke Open (2019) Halpate (2020) Wildhood (2021) Montford: The Chickasaw Rancher (2021)
Thriller/Horror
Imprint (2007) On the Ice (2011) Mekko (2015) Empty Metal (2018) Blood Quantum (2019)
In 2024, documentary filmmaking is more prevalent than ever. Documentary filmmakers play a crucial role in expanding our understanding of the world by shedding light on untold stories, marginalized voices, and pressing social issues, serving as powerful tools for education, advocacy, and social change. Offering audiences a window into diverse cultures, historical events, and contemporary challenges, filmmakers use documentary film to inspire viewers to question assumptions, confront injustices, and envision a more equitable and compassionate world.
12 Documentary Filmmakers and Projects on the Rise
The art of documentary filmmaking captures the essence of reality through storytelling, offering a lens into the complexities of the human experience and the world around us. Through a blend of visual imagery, narrative techniques, and authentic storytelling, documentaries have the power to inform, inspire, provoke thought, and evoke emotion. The following documentary filmmakers and new must-see documentaries challenge viewers to engage with diverse perspectives and uncover deeper truths about society, culture, and the human condition.
Janek Ambros, Ukrainians in Exile
MFA Producing alum Janek Ambros directed the 2022 hit Ukrainians in Exile, which was also executive-produced by NYFA Guest Speaker Janusz Kaminski. The documentary chronicles the Russian government’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent evacuation of Ukrainian citizens. Filmed in Przemysl, Poland, a city on the Ukrainian border, the film covers the location’s crucial hub for the evacuation efforts, providing refuge for Ukrainian refugees fleeing the conflict.
Ambros is also known for his films Son of Man, an adaptation of the book “The Grand Inquisitor,” by famous Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky, May 15th in Paris, a film that discusses the rise of fascism in Western Europe, as well as producing the 2024 film In the Summers,directed byAlessandra Lacorazza Samudio. In The Summers was the Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2024 in the Dramatic category. Ambros, pictured behind the man with the camera. Image via IMDB.
Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev, Porcelain War
Porcelain War is another story depicting the war in Ukraine. Directed by Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev, the documentary captures the experience of three Ukrainian artists, Slava, Anya, and Andrey who choose to remain in the country after the Russian invasion. The story tackles vulnerability and creativity in tumultuous and uncertain times, balancing the literal creation of porcelain with the chaos of war. The film won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2024 in the Documentary category.
Lisa Cortés, Little Richard: I Am Everything
NYFA alum Lisa Cortés, who directed National Geographic’s The Space Race (2023), produced Invisible Beauty (2023), featuring Bethann Hardison and Naomi Campbell, and also directed All In: The Fight for Democracy (2020) with Stacey Abrams, stunned audiences again with the 2023 documentary film Little Richard: I Am Everything. The film follows the famous rock ‘n’ roll icon known for hits such as “Tutti Frutti” and “Good Golly, Miss Molly.” Cortés is in post-production of upcoming projects such as The Empire of Ebony and In the Summer Pavilion.
Lucia Flórez, Shimpari: Legacies Of The River
Shimpari: Legacies Of The River was directed by NYFA grad Lucia Flórez and produced by NYFA grad Chemi Pérez. An official selection of Sundance 2023, the film follows an eleven-year-old boy, Ricky, who is a member of the Ashéninka tribe.
To officially enter manhood, he must overcome his fear of catching a giant catfish using only a single hook. Of creating the film, Flórez said: “Making this film was transformational. Working in such a remote and pristine location was both a privilege and a responsibility. It is necessary to tell these stories since ecosystems and cultures like this one are under constant threat.” Image via DOC NYC.
Maite Alberdi, The Eternal Memory
The documentary film The Eternal Memory, directed by Maite Alberi, follows Augusto and Paulina. A Chilean journalist and Chilean actress, the two have shared their lives for a quarter-century. However, their journey took a challenging turn when Augusto was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Both dread the moment when he may no longer recognize her, a fear that looms over their enduring bond. The 2023 documentary was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the Academy Awards.
Samantha Stark, Framing Britney Spears
Directed by Samantha Stark, Framing Britney Spears is a documentary that explores the life and career of pop icon Britney Spears, focusing on the controversial conservatorship that has controlled her affairs for over a decade. The film delves into Spears’ rise to fame, the intense media scrutiny she faced, and the #FreeBritney movement led by her fans seeking to end the conservatorship. It sheds light on the complexities of fame, mental health, and the treatment of women in the entertainment industry.
Silje Evensmo Jacobsen, A New Kind of Wilderness
Silje Evensmo Jacobsen, known for films such as Faith Can Move Mountains (2021) and Kraft (2022), directed the documentary A New Kind of Wilderness (2024). The film, which takes place in the Norwegian wilderness, follows a family pursuing a life of freedom, only to face a devastating twist of fate that disrupts their solitude, forcing them to confront the challenges of modern society.
The film won the Grand Jury Prize for World Cinema in the Documentary category. Image via IMDB.
Hind Meddeb, Sudan, When Poems Fall Apart
Hind Meddeb, a French-Tunisian-Moroccan journalist and documentary filmmaker, directed the upcoming 2024 film Sudan When Poems Fall Apart. The film delves into the narratives of Sudanese activists and by sharing their stories, seeks to elevate the voices of Shajane, Muzamil, Maha, Rufaida, Hamza, and Eros. The activists, who bravely opposed military rule, strive for ideals of freedom, equality, and transformation.
Angela Patton and Natalie Rae, Daughters
In Daughters, four young girls get ready for a Daddy Daughter Dance with their incarcerated fathers, an event organized as part of a distinctive fatherhood initiative within a Washington, D.C. jail. Daughters gently illustrate how a father’s absence may amplify uncertainty and unease as children grow older. Directed by Angela Patton and Natalie Rae, the film won the 2024 Winner Audience Award for a U.S. Documentary.
Hussein Al-Asadi, She Was Not Alone
In She Was Not Alone, Fatima, aged 50, resides unmarried. Amidst the Iraqi marshlands, she tends to her buffalo, chickens, a kitten, and various other animals. Despite recounting her solitary and frequently challenging existence, she adamantly refuses to relocate to the city, believing she would struggle to survive there, akin to a fish out of water.
While the film is only nine minutes long, it follows Fatima throughout her day, telling a powerful story of her independence. The film was directed by Hussein Al-Asadi, known for films such as Eye of the Mountain. Image via The New Arab.
Rama Thiaw, Zion Music
Senegalese filmmaker and screenwriter Rama Thiaw is known for her film Boul Fallé, la Voie de la lutte (2009) and The Revolution Won’t be Televised (2016). She is currently working on Zion Music, a film around the African Reggae Music in production, and she is writing her first fiction feature film Life In A Spiral. In 2020, she has joined the selection committee of the Panorama section of The Berlinale. She is presently directing Zion Music, a film exploring African Reggae Music. She is also in the progress of writing her debut fiction feature, Life In A Spiral.
Kaouther Ben Hania, Four Daughters
In Four Daughters, audiences meet Olfa, a Tunisian mother raising four daughters. When her two eldest vanish, director Kaouther Ben Hania collaborates with professional actresses to craft a distinctive cinematic exploration, unveiling the narratives of Olfa and her daughters. Through this intimate odyssey, themes of hope, rebellion, violence, legacy, and sisterhood intertwine, challenging the fundamental structures of our societies.
Make Your Own Documentaries at NYFA
Ready to tell your own non-fiction stories? NYFA’s hands-on and intensive programs teach aspiring documentary filmmakers the fundamentals of narrative storytelling from experienced industry professionals. Learn more about our documentary filmmaking degrees, programs, and workshops today!
During the summer months, teens embark on a variety of activities to make the most of their school break. For teens living in New York City and the surrounding area, there are a range of creative hobbies and interests to explore, with a vast amount of action-packed creative opportunities in every borough.
The Best Things To Do in NYC in the Summer for Creative Teens
From summer camps to chances to volunteer, there are plenty of ways for teens to gain valuable hands-on experience in the film, media, and performing arts in New York City. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best creative things for teens to do in NYC in the summer.
Enroll in an NYFA Summer Camp
NYFA offers summer camps and programs specifically designed for creative teens looking for hands-on experience. We offer camps in film, acting, photography, 3D animation, musical theatre, broadcast journalism, documentary filmmaking, screenwriting, and game design during the week and on the weekends (varies by discipline).
These camps allow students to explore their interests and build vital creative and technical skills while making new friends and connections.
Attend Online Creative Classes at Home
For teens who aren’t as extroverted, or unable to get out to our NYC campus during the summer, there are several online camps at NYFA. Students can take classes in filmmaking, acting for film, and 3D animation from the comfort of their homes, learning the latest best skills and techniques in their chosen discipline through hands-on projects and exercises.
Take Photographs Around The City
From the Brooklyn Bridge to Times Square to Central Park to views of the Statue of Liberty, NYC provides endless opportunities for photography. With lush greenery in over 1,700 parks, famous landmarks such as the Empire State Building, and plenty of people-watching, New York is a great place to learn how to capture engaging photos and practice using a camera.
Aspiring photographers can explore Luna Park in Coney Island, get some great aerial shots from the top of the rock, or even take photos of the New York City skyline from New Jersey. This image from Ramil Ugot on Pexels is great example of what a talented photographer can achieve in NYC.
Go to Shakespeare in the Park
Shakespeare in the Park is a beloved New York City tradition where free Shakespearean plays are performed outdoors in Central Park’s Delacorte Theater during the summer months. The teen-friendly event is a perfect way for visual storytellers to see literature on stage, and experience the outdoors at the same time.
Start a Podcast
Podcasting offers a unique platform for individuals to develop a variety of valuable skills, including content creation, communication skills, interviewing techniques, as well as public speaking. Topics can range from sports, film, books, comedy, pop culture, fashion, and more.
Visit a Game Cafe
New York City is home to several game cafes where patrons can enjoy board games, card games, and other tabletop games while enjoying food and a social atmosphere. Heading to a game cafe is an exciting way to spend time with friends or family, meet new people, and immerse oneself in a world of strategy, competition, and camaraderie.
Some game cafes offer tournaments and Discord channels for frequent patrons. It’s also a great place for teens interested in game design to explore different types of games without having to purchase them. Ticket to Ride, pictured in the photo from Cottonbro Studio on Pexels, is a great game that a lot of game cafes carry.
Learn a Foreign Language
New York City is one of the most diverse cities in the world and offers a vibrant and multicultural environment conducive to language acquisition. There are several avenues for teens to learn a foreign language in NYC, including classes at community centers, meeting with a private tutor, and attending language meetup groups. This can be a great idea for teens who plan to study abroad after graduating from high school or during college.
Attend a Film Festival
NYC is a film city, and during the summer, there are a range of film festivals for teens to attend. While film festivals will vary from year to year, previous festivals have included the Lower East Side Film Festival held in May, the Tribeca Film Festival in June, and the New York City Independent Film Festival in June. In the past, Bryant Park has also hosted Bryant Park Free Movie Nights, where visitors can sit in the park and watch films projected on a screen.
Explore with a Sketchpad
One of the easiest and most artistic ways to see New York City is through your sketchbook. Various cityscapes and skylines, parks, and NYC residents can be perfect sketch subjects. All you need is a quiet park bench or cafe to draw from, a nice afternoon, and your favorite sketchpad, pencils, or pens.
Make a Short Film
New York City’s dynamic streets, bustling markets, and diverse neighborhoods provide filmmakers with visually stunning scenes and inspiration for a wide range of narratives and characters. With its cinematic aesthetic and cultural vibrancy, New York City and the surrounding boroughs serve as an inspiring canvas for bringing stories to life on screen.
Whether teens work alone on a short film or choose to work together, collaborating on writing a script and editing the content, NYC provides a fantastic backdrop.
Do an Internship in Multimedia
As one of the major hubs for media, New York City has many companies with internships for high school students. While internships vary year by year, most can be easily found by visiting the websites of major entertainment and production companies or job sites. As many of these internships are competitive, so teens can also explore taking classes in broadcast journalism to prepare them for applying the following year.
Get Involved with a Community Garden
For teens living in NYC or the surrounding boroughs, there are hundreds of community gardens for residents to volunteer at. For teens who love the outdoors, community gardens can be a great creative outlet. Additionally, teens can learn key life skills in agriculture, nutrition, and environmental awareness.
Organizations such as the Trust for Public Land (photo above from their website) have done tremendous work in acquiring and maintaining community gardens all over the city.
Be an Extra on a TV Show
While becoming an extra on a TV show involves several steps to navigate the casting process, teens can research and stay updated on casting calls in New York City. Keep an eye on casting websites, social media platforms, and industry newsletters for announcements about open casting calls or opportunities to submit your information for consideration. Teens can also consider taking acting classes to polish their auditioning skills. Camera-shy teens can also look for chances to be a part of a live audience for the several television shows filmed in NYC.
Attend Museum Teen Nights
Museums such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art offer teen nights, providing a safe space for teens to meet new friends and work on fun activities. While events will vary, the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum, the New Museum, and The Whitney have offered teen nights and seasonal events in the past. Check websites and event calendars for more information.
Do an Immersive Experience
For teens who love 3D and animation, there are several types of events and activities in New York City that bring them right into the action. Art exhibitions that use special effects, lights, and interaction are becoming more and more popular, as well as escape rooms with a number of exciting themes.
Find Free Activities
There a number of organizations that offer free or low-cost activities. From checking out some of the workshops and classes on the events calendar at The Bronx River Alliance to strolling down The High Line to attending free concerts at SummerStage, there are plenty of free creative activities that New York City offers for teens. Many of these can also be a great family activity.
Rush for a Broadway Show
Rushing for Broadway tickets can be a great way to get affordable seats to some of the hottest shows of the season. Rush tickets are sold on the day of the show, so flexibility is a must. However, with a price range that can be (show-dependent) from $30 to $50, rush tickets are perfect for theatre and musical theatre fans with a tight budget.
If you decide to come to NYFA for a summer camp, you may even see former Broadway stars around campus! Kristy Cates, the chair of the NY Musical Theatre department (pictured above) has starred in shows such as Wicked, appearing on Broadway, Chicago, and the first national tour as Elphaba.
Take a Food Tour
A food tour provides an opportunity to sample a variety of dishes and specialties while learning about the cultural and historical significance of each culinary stop. Whether you’re tasting authentic Italian pizza in Little Italy, devouring mouthwatering dumplings in Chinatown, or savoring gourmet cupcakes in Greenwich Village, each neighborhood offers its culinary treasures waiting to be discovered.
Make a Documentary About Their Family History
For many immigrants, New York City’s Ellis Island was their first stop in the United States. With so much history available in NYC, making a short documentary about family history can be a fun way for teens to weave together personal narratives, make ancestral connections, and share memories. Through family interviews and historical research, teens can uncover the untold stories and hidden truths that shape their identity. Teens can also take classes in documentary filmmaking to help them create a different story.
Volunteer in the Arts
Museums, libraries, art centers, and many other creative organizations welcome teens to come and volunteer over the summer. With hundreds of opportunities for volunteer work, teens have their pick of a range of volunteer work that, as a side benefit, would look great on a college resume.
Flex Your Creative Skills This Summer at NYFA
Overall, summer for teens is a time of exploration, growth, and enjoyment, and a great chance to create lasting memories and embrace new experiences before the school year begins anew. NYFA’s summer camps and workshops for teens offer unique and educational classes in filmmaking, acting, photography, game design, and much more!
Emma Stone was first seen in films such as The Help (2011) and Superbad (2007), introducing audiences to her range and quirky sense of humor. Today, with films including La La Land (2016) and The Favourite (2018) in her filmography, Stone has proven herself as a versatile and accomplished actress. Renowned for seamlessly transitioning between genres and portraying diverse characters, Stone has a film career marked by standout performances, earning her critical acclaim and numerous accolades, now including two Academy Awards and a Golden Globe for Best Actress. Emma Stone’s new movie, Poor Things, has proved to be another example of her extraordinary talent and range.
Emma Stone’s New Movie and Top Performances
Even before the 2024 awards season, Emma’s latest performance in Poor Things was generating Oscar buzz. “Enormously likable, she quickly wins us over to her side even when she’s being an impudent brat,” writes Roger Ebert of Emma’s depiction of Bella Baxter.
Poor Things, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, is a movie in the same vein as the famous horror filmThe Re-Animator. Emma stars as the child-like Bella Baxter, who comes back to life after a brain transplant, discovering the world in absurd and outlandish ways. Based on the 1992 novel of the same name, The New York Times described the movie as a “phantasmagoric take on the classic Frankenstein story garnished with sour laughs.” Stone beat out several top contenders for the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical, or Comedy, as well as Lily Gladstone for the Oscar for Best Actress. Gladstone gave an equally compelling performance in Killers of the Flower Moon.
La La Land (2016)
Of course, Poor Things isn’t the first time Stone dazzled audiences. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress as Mia Dolan in La La Land, an inspiring and whimsical musical romantic drama. Her portrayal of an aspiring actress in Los Angeles showcased her singing and dancing abilities. Stone’s portrayal of Mia was marked by a perfect balance of vulnerability, determination, and charm, making her character relatable and memorable to young women everywhere. La La Land became a cultural phenomenon, receiving numerous accolades and solidifying Stone’s status as one of Hollywood’s leading actresses.
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
In Birdman, Stone played the role of Sam Thomson, a complex and troubled young woman with emotional depth. The film, directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, explored the blurred lines between reality and illusion in the world of show business. Stone’s performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, showcasing her ability to navigate the intricate layers of a character dealing with issues of identity and family dynamics. The film went on to win several prestigious awards, including the Academy Award for Best Picture. Birdman is also known for its cinematography.
The Help (2011)
Stone received critical acclaim for her performance as Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan in the powerful drama adapted from Kathryn Stockett’s hit novel. In the film, Stone portrayed a journalist in 1960s Mississippi who exposes the racism faced by Black maids. Stone brought a sense of determination and empathy to her character, and demonstrated her ability to tackle serious roles. The talented cast also proved Stone’s ability to work with an ensemble, as her co-stars included EGOT winner Viola Davis and Oscar-winning Octavia Spencer.
Easy A (2010)
In Easy A, Stone earned a Golden Globe nomination for her lead role as Olive Penderghast. While the film was a teen comedy, the film was loosely based on the premise of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Stone’s charismatic performance as a high school student dealing with rumors and gossip was widely praised. The film follows Olive as she embraces a false reputation of promiscuity and her comedic timing and delivery were key factors in the film’s success. Easy A showcased Stone’s comedic talents and marked a significant milestone in her career.
The Favourite (2018)
The Favourite (2018), another breakout role for Stone, was an opportunity for her to show her versatility as an actress in a period drama. Playing the role of Abigail Masham, a cunning servant with ambitions, Stone uncovered a complex character with intentions marked by ambition and manipulation. She received several award nominations for her portrayal, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. The Favourite was also directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and co-starred Oscar-winning Rachel Weisz and Oscar-winning Olivia Coleman.
Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
Stone starred alongside Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, and Julianne Moore in this charming romantic comedy-drama. Her performance as a law school graduate navigating love and relationships was well-received, as well as her on-screen chemistry with Gosling. Stone skillfully balanced humor and emotional depth, earning her praise for the nuanced layers she brought to the role.
Zombieland (2009)
Emma Stone delivered a standout performance in Zombieland as Wichita, a resourceful and sarcastic survivor with a perfect blend of humor and resilience. Stone created a memorable character that resonated with audiences, and her chemistry with the ensemble cast, including Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson, greatly contributed to the film’s appeal and solidified her reputation as a talented actress in both comedic and action-oriented roles.
Battle of the Sexes (2017)
In Battle of the Sexes (2017), Emma Stone starred as Billie Jean King, the legendary tennis player. The film chronicles the historic 1973 tennis match between King and Bobby Riggs, played by Steve Carell, which became a symbol of gender equality in sports. Stone’s portrayal captured King’s resilience, determination, and the personal struggles she faced in the midst of her groundbreaking achievements. The dynamic between Stone and Carell added depth to the narrative, bringing them back together after Crazy, Stupid, Love in 2011.
Develop Your Acting Style at NYFA
Emma’s magnetic on-screen presence and impeccable sense of timing have solidified her as one of Hollywood’s leading talents. Whether navigating the complexities of romantic comedies, delving into intense dramas, or embracing the challenges of historical narratives, she continues to captivate audiences with her compelling performances. Every actor has a unique style, and at NYFA, aspiring performers can work and enhance their audition and acting skills. Ready to learn more and develop your own natural talents? Explore NYFA’s acting programs today!
A degree in producing equips creative and business-savvy storytellers with skills in project management, budgeting, negotiation, creative development, and team coordination, as well as event planning, advertising, and marketing. With a Producing degree, students can go on to pursue a variety of ambitious goals in film, media, and entertainment, including the creation and management of their own production studios. To learn more about the opportunities that can come from your own independent studio, look no further than A24. A24, a prominent independent film production and distribution company, unintentionally teaches a masterclass in producing through it’s innovative and artistically driven approach to filmmaking.
A Masterclass in Producing: What You Can Learn From A24’s Films and Television Shows
Founded in 2012, A24 has garnered critical acclaim and commercial success with films including Moonlight,Lady Bird, and Hereditary. Earning numerous awards for their work, including nine awards at last year’s Oscars, A24’s commitment to fostering unique voices and unconventional storytelling has made them a standout player in contemporary cinema. During the 2023 strike, A24, who were granted some exceptions to continue two projects, also made headlines as one of the only companies that complied with the SAG/WGA requests. Actors such as NYFA Guest Speaker Adam Driver applauded independent studios like A24 for agreeing to the terms.
“Why is it that a smaller distribution company like Neon and STX International can meet the dream demands of what SAG is asking for — the dream version of SAG’s wish list — but a big company like Netflix and Amazon can’t?” he asked during an at interview at the premiere for his film Ferrari at the Venice Film Festival. “Every time people from SAG go and support movies that have agreed to these terms with the interim agreement, it just makes it more obvious that these people are willing to support the people they collaborate with, and the others are not.”
So what’s in A24’s secret sauce to success? In this article, we’ll dive into some of our favorite A24 films, what makes them so memorable, and takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurial-minded producers.
Beau is Afraid (2023)
From the director of Hereditary (2018) and Midsommar (2019), Ari Aster’s 2023 film goes beyond the horror, focusing on a socially reclusive man who travels home to see his mother. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix in his second post-Oscar win for Joker (2019), Amy Ryan, Nathan Lane, and the legendary Patti LuPone.
A three-hour spectacle, Aster doesn’t shy away from his horror roots but molds different moments of horror into a larger, weirder, and bigger film than he’s done before. Beau is Afraid is, in essence, a road-trip film following Beau on his journey, but it does so in a way that has never been seen on the screen before, with animation, violence, strange characters, and weird phenomena popping in and out throughout the film, all the way to its remarkable and intense conclusion. NYFA camp alum Michael Gandolfini starred as Beau’s son.
Hereditary (2018)
This Ari Aster cross-genre masterpiece explores the theme of fate through the lens of a broken American family tormented by the occult. Aster, the famed writer and director of Midsommar (2019) and Beau is Afraid (2023), wrote and directed Hereditary (2018) to public acclaim.
The film, noted for its experimentation into multiple genres including horror, dark comedy, and drama, touts an all-star cast including Academy Award-nominated actress Toni Colette, Golden Globe-winning actor Gabriel Byrne, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, and Primetime Emmy Award-winning actress Ann Dowd.
The Whale (2022)
This psychological drama, based on the play of the same name and written by playwright Samuel D. Hunter, was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film by famed director Darren Aronofsky. Starring Brendan Fraser (The Mummy), Sadie Sink (Stranger Things), and Hong Chau (Watchmen), the film explores the morbidly obese online instructor, Charlie, as he tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Ellie. The film is considered to be one of Fraser’s best performances.
Mississippi Grind (2015), starring Ben Mendelsohn, Ryan Reynolds, Alfre Woodard, Sienna Miller, and NYFA camp alum Lio Tipton, follows two poker players looking to make a comeback. Embarking on a road trip with grandiosity on the horizon, the duo make their way down the Mississippi, finding every opportunity to gamble. The film takes inspiration from classic 1970s American Cinema.
Hazbin Hotel (2024)
One of the newest A24 productions, Hazbin Hotel is an animated show based on a popular webcomic. The show features musical theatre star Erika Henningsen as Charlie, the surprisingly positive princess of the underworld. The adults-only series has profane language and mature content, but a story full of redemption and friendship. It co-stars Brooklyn 99 star Stephanie Beatriz, Blake Roman, and Rick and Morty voice star Keith David. It’s also a great example of one of Amazon Prime’s recent acquisitions of a successful adaptation.
The Spectacular Now (2013)
The Spectacular Now sparked the careers of Top Gun Maverick star Miles Teller and Big Little Lies star Shailene Woodley. In the film, Sutter Keely’s (Teller) charming facade masks deep-seated insecurities and a fear of confronting his uncertain future. Through his budding relationship with Aimee Finecky (Woodley), he begins to confront his flaws and aspirations, leading to a journey of personal growth. As the film unfolds, the intoxicating haze of adolescence gives way to the sobering reality of adulthood, leaving both characters grappling with the complexities of life and love. Teller is also set to star in the upcoming A24 flick Eternity alongside NYFA Guest Speaker Elizabeth Olsen.
Midsommar (2019)
Midsommar (2019) directed by Ari Aster received critical acclaim for its unique blend of horror and folk horror elements. Set against the backdrop of a serene Swedish midsummer festival, Aster and crew created an eerie and unsettling atmosphere that captivated viewers. The film’s exploration of grief, trauma, and the dissolution of a relationship added depth to its narrative, making it emotionally resonant. Aster was also acclaimed for his meticulous attention to detail. The film’s stunning cinematography, and exceptional performances, particularly from Florence Pugh in a career-defining role.
Overall, Midsommar was praised for its artistry, thematic richness, and ability to deliver a genuinely unsettling and thought-provoking cinematic experience. Image via W Magazine.
The Florida Project (2017)
A moving, heartfelt look at a different side of Orlando, Florida, than many are used to, frequent A24 collaborator Sean Baker directs a look at a low-income group of people living in a motel from the young children’s point of view. Like all of Baker’s films so far, he found most of the actors for the film when he went to scout the locations and cast many first-time actors in the lead roles. The film also earned its biggest star, Willem Dafoe, his third Academy Award nomination.
Former NYFA instructor Darren Dean was a producer on the film and was able to show an advanced screening to NYFA students when the film was released in 2017, as well as participate in a talk and Q&A as a guest speaker.
Lady Bird(2017)
Known only as an actress before Lady Bird’s release in 2017, Greta Gerwig stepped into the director’s chair for the first time with her semi-autobiographical film about a girl growing up in the early 2000s in the too-small town of Sacramento, California. Taking place over her senior year, Lady Bird, played by Saoirse Ronan, navigates multiple crushes, best friend fights, popular kids, and her parents. Her relationship with her mom, masterfully played by Laurie Metcalf, is a major throughline during the film, and Gerwig directed both Metcalf and Ronan to Oscar nominations.
The film itself was nominated for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay at the 2018 Academy Awards, and Gerwig was the only woman director nominated that year, one of the many reasons we included her in our lineup of The Best Female Directors in our recent post. Lady Bird boasts an impressive cast beyond the two leads, including Timothée Chalamet, Lucas Hedges, Beanie Feldstein, and Tracy Letts, and Greta Gerwig went on to direct the critically acclaimed adoption of Little Women (2019), and the 2023 film Barbie. The film is also available to stream on NYFA’s streaming library.
Moonlight (2022)
Directed by Barry Jenkins, Moonlight takes us through the life of Chiron. In three stages, we see the story of a young man who is trying to find himself while also maneuvering through life in Miami. Through each stage, he realizes more about himself, and we see how the lessons he learned contribute to the person he becomes. This is a remarkable story of self-discovery through the eyes of someone many of us can relate to.
Starring Naomie Harris, André Holland, Mahershala Ali, and Janelle Monáe, the film also showed off the diversity of shooting locations in the area, home to our NYFA campus in Miami. The film is also available to stream on NYFA’s streaming library. Image via Tribeca Film Festival.
Bodies, Bodies, Bodies (2022)
This Gen Z thriller, directed by Halina Reijn, puts a modern twist on a classic horror storyline. In the film, a group of seven friends finds themselves at one of their friend’s rich mansions; however, not everyone seems to feel “in place” at this gathering once the friends decide to play “Bodies, Bodies, Bodies.” Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Myha’la Herrold, Chase Sui Wonders, Rachel Sennott, Lee Pace, and Pete Davidson, this film is a thriller complete with the perfect amount of partying and backstabbing drama.
The Farewell (2019)
Directed by Lulu Wang, The Farewell is celebrated for its poignant and heartfelt storytelling. The film masterfully combines elements of family drama and comedy to explore themes of cultural identity, generational divides, and the universal experience of saying goodbye to a loved one. Its authentic performances, especially by Awkwafina, and its ability to evoke laughter and tears while navigating complex emotions make it a remarkable and emotionally resonant cinematic experience.
The film was also shot by director of photography and NYFA Cinematography alum Anna Franquesa-Solano. BFA Filmmaking alum Qianying Zhou worked as 1st Assistant Camera. The film is also available to stream on NYFA’s streaming library.
Pearl (2022)
Pearl is the prequel to X we didn’t know we needed. Director Ti West brings us on a journey with the protagonist, Pearl, who at first glance is a sweet farm girl just trying to be a helpful daughter & devout wife. On this farm, everything is far from what it seems. Starring Mia Goth, David Corenswet, Tandi Wright, Matthew Sunderland, and Emma Jenkins-Purro, this thriller quickly takes a turn for the worse when her homicidal colors start to show. A masterclass in itself on how to write a horror film, Pearl will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end!
Everything, Everywhere, All at Once (2022)
From a giant everything bagel to a raccoon hiding underneath the hat of a chef, ala Ratatouille (aka Raccacoonie), the absurdity of Everything, Everywhere, All at Once is what makes the film so great. The film, starring Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu, Jamie Lee Curtis, and the iconic James Hong, explores several themes including mother-daughter relationships, time travel, alternate universes, and the immigrant experience.
The Oscar-award-winning film, directed by the dream team The Daniels, demonstrates how film is a compelling art form, and that film, television, and media are always subject to interpretation. (Fun fact: The Daniels taught and initially collaborated with each other at NYFA!)
Image via IMDB.
BEEF (2023)
BEEF is one of Netflix’s finest offerings yet. This A24 TV show took America by storm, and although Netflix has yet to announce a new season, Director Lee Sung Jin has confirmed that a new season will bring us a whole new cast of characters and a brand-new story. Featuring comedic powerhouse Ali Wong and the ever-talented Steven Yeun, this A24 gem boasts a cast of Asian-American actors currently diversifying Hollywood and shaking things up.
This is not just your average road rage story; BEEF it’s a multi-layered, dark comedy that tackles tough issues like mental health, classic marital problems, and the immigrant experience in the US. You’ll be hooked from the first episode as you watch chaos and drama unfold before your eyes. Ten out of ten, this show is definitely on our must-see on Netflix list.
Euphoria (2017)
A24’s Euphoria, directed by Sam Levinson, is a gripping and visually stunning TV series that delves into the complexities of modern adolescence, addiction, and identity. With its raw portrayal of the challenges faced by a group of high school students, the show explores their experiences with drugs, relationships, and mental health issues. Led by the exceptional performance of Zendaya as the troubled yet resilient Rue Bennett, the series captures the struggles and triumphs of its characters in an unflinchingly honest manner.
Set against a backdrop of vivid cinematography and a hauntingly atmospheric soundtrack, Euphoria is known for pushing boundaries and sparking conversations. The show’s captivating storytelling continues to evolve with each season, and its portrayal of diverse and multifaceted characters has earned it critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase.
Minari (2020)
Minari is a heartfelt exploration of the American Dream seen through the lens of a Korean immigrant family. Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, the film beautifully captures the struggles and triumphs of the Yi family as they move from California to rural Arkansas in the 1980s, aiming to start a new life by cultivating a small farm. The film’s exceptional storytelling and moving performances garnered widespread acclaim, earning it numerous awards and nominations.
At the 93rd Academy Awards, Minari secured several nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. It ultimately took home the award for Best Supporting Actress, with Youn Yuh-Jung delivering a memorable performance as the wise and charming grandmother. The cast also features Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Alan Kim, and Noel Kate Cho.
RAMY (2019)
Ramy (2019-) is a groundbreaking series that has garnered widespread attention for its unique blend of humor, drama, and exploration of cultural identity. Created by and starring Ramy Youssef, the show provides an intimate and often humorous portrayal of the titular character’s experiences as a first-generation Egyptian-American Muslim navigating the complexities of modern life in New Jersey. This HULU Original show stands out not only for its compelling storytelling but also for its diverse cast and its significant contributions to representation in the entertainment industry.
The show features a predominantly Muslim cast, including Ramy Youssef, Mohammed Amer, Hiam Abbass, Dave Merheje, Amr Waked, May Calamawy, and Laith Nakli, offering an authentic and refreshing perspective on the lives of Muslim individuals that are rarely seen on mainstream TV. The show has achieved history-making moments by pushing boundaries and challenging stereotypes. Ramy Youssef’s win for Best Actor in a Comedy Series at the Golden Globes marked a significant milestone, making him the first Muslim actor to win in that category. Image via Hulu.
Dicks: The Musical (2023)
A24 is all set to make a melodious mark in the cinematic world with its upcoming venture, DICKS: The Musical (2023). Directed by Larry Charles, this exciting project marks A24’s inroads into the world of movie musicals, showcasing their versatility once again. Set to premiere at this year’s highly anticipated Toronto International Film Festival, the film will open TIFF’s Midnight Madness section. As A24’s first-ever musical, DICKS: The Musical promises to captivate audiences with its harmonious blend of storytelling and musical performance, all while pushing the boundaries of traditional narratives. The show includes top talent such as Megan Thee Stallion, Josh Sharp, Aaron Jackson, Nathan Lane, Megan Mullally, and Saturday Night Live’s Bowen Yang.
Get Started in Entrepreneurial Producing at NYFA
In an era of expanding digital media and streaming platforms, the demand for fresh and original content is at an all-time high, making it an exciting venture for those passionate about filmmaking. Ambitious filmmakers interested in starting their own independent film production company can build essential skills and experience in producing in our new Online Master of Arts (MA) in Entrepreneurial Producing and Innovation program.
This unique and entirely remote program provides hands-on, practical training in just three semesters. Students complete real-world projects such as a short film and new media projects, single-project finance plans, marketing and distribution plans, episodic television series bibles, pitch decks, start-up company business plans, and websites. The program culminates in a final capstone project of an e-portfolio. NYFA also offers a series of 1-Year Producing programs at our campuses in New York and Los Angeles.
Remember back in the 1990s when Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillipe, and Reese Witherspoon starred in an adaptation of Pierre Coderlos de Laclos’ seminal French novel Les Liaisons dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons)? No? Perhaps that’s because it was called Cruel Intentions and took the original novel’s targeted critique of the corrupt and immoral behavior of French elites in the 18th century and instead aimed it at rich and spoiled high school students in present-day New York. Cruel Intentions is a shining example of the way in which a well-known story can be reinvigorated by shifting settings and genres to help create something bold and different. It might be a story we’ve heard, but we’ve never heard it told quite this way, and in adapting, it can collect new levels of meaning and metaphor that fill it with new and exciting storytelling life.
Creating TV & Movie Adaptations as an Aspiring Filmmaker
There are basic things that fundamentally change when adapting a story from one genre to another; it’s hard to fit internal monologues from novels into the visual world of feature films, for example. But beyond those basic necessities of television and movie adaptations, there lies the possibility to truly transform what a story can be while keeping the core that made it beloved in the first place intact. When thinking about how to adapt work to film, it’s important to not simply focus on the logistics of telling the story in a visual format but also to think of how the story can be remade into a tale that even fans of the original telling can experience as something new.
Learning how to adapt a story is an important skill for every aspiring filmmaker, screenwriter, or producer to master. As such, several NYFA disciplines, including Screenwriting and Producing, teach students the fundamentals of adapting work for film, television, and new media. In Producer’s Craft, for instance, students identify a piece of the underlying material, research its value, and create a proposal for an Option Purchase deal for that specific piece of the underlying material. That piece then serves as their “Producer’s Craft Project” for the remainder of the course. For more information about courses and examples of projects, see our course catalogs or visit our Screenwriting Projects page and Producing Projects page.
What Stories Are Adaptable? Copyright Vs. Public Domain
If you’re interested in adapting a story, one of the first, most important things you need to determine is if the story is under copyright or in the public domain. Copyright means that the original creator – or current rights holder – has the exclusive right to produce material based on that story. They can license those rights to interested creators, but depending on the original artist and story, those costs can be high. Rian Johnson licensed the rights to adapt his script for Brick to a small independent theater company for nothing; meanwhile, E.L. James sold the movie rights to her novel Fifty Shades of Grey for $5 million. As the rights holders are also still in a position to profit from their work, they would likely have conditions or rules in place as to how you can adapt it to maintain the integrity of what they’ve created. So it’s vital to understand what sort of financial resources you’ll have available to you before getting your heart set on a story. It’s also a terrible idea to produce an adaptation without attempting to acquire the rights – not only could you lose your shirt in a lawsuit, but chances are your finished project will never see the light of day.
However, if you’d like to avoid the headache of negotiating licensing fees, you can search for something in the public domain. Public domain means the copyright on a given work has expired, allowing anyone and everyone to adapt it to their heart’s content. In the United States, when it comes to literature, anything originally published before 1928 is in the public domain; this includes such legendary works as Frankenstein, The Great Gatsby, Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland, and even John Carter of Mars. Likewise, many classical works, from The Epic of Gilgamesh to The Odyssey to the collected works of William Shakespeare, are free and clear to be developed for other mediums. Adapting a work in the public domain not only eliminates the cost associated with it, but also frees you to tell the story in whatever way you choose.
One final note on this topic – when a new work is created from something in the public domain, it has its own copyright and thus cannot be adapted again without the original creator’s permission. For example, you could adapt Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original The Hound of the Baskervilles novel, but not the “The Hounds of Baskerville” episode of BBC’s Sherlock.
Let’s take a look at some recent television and movie adaptations that have reimagined, reinvigorated, or, in one case, wholly twisted the story of the original into something thrillingly original.
The Archies (2023)
Zoya Akhtar’s The Archies, coming out in November on Netflix, is an Indian Bollywood-style adaptation of the popular The Archies comic book (which was also the source material for the popular CW teen drama Riverdale).
Image via Netflix
Focusing on their time as a band, The Archies will feature well-known characters like Archie Andrews, Jughead Jones, and – of course – Betty and Veronica, as played by NYFA alums Khushi Kapoor and Suhana Khan, respectively. Bringing The Archies to the music- and the dance-filled world of Bollywood is a natural fit, while the cultural shift will allow Akhtar the freedom to explore the characters in a bold new way.
Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey (2023)
You’d be forgiven if you’re confused about how the phrases “Winnie the Pooh” and “Blood” wound up in the same horror movie title, but here we are. Rhys Frake-Waterfield’s independent slasher film reimagines A.A. Milne’s beloved characters – popularized by their many Disney movie adaptations – in a frightening new light. In this tale, Christopher Robin has gone off to college and is no longer around to feed Winnie and the other residents of the Hundred Acre Wood, so Winnie decides that to survive, he has to kill and eat Eeyore – an act which puts him in a primal, dangerous state. With Piglet as his accomplice, he sets out to terrorize Christopher when the now-adult returns to visit.
The Lizzie Bennet Diaries (2012-2013)
A modern-day take on Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, the web series The Lizzie Bennet Diaries not only updated the fame novel of manners but reconceived it as being told in vlog-style by lead character Lizzie Bennet. Going beyond acting as a series alone, the show included revealing aspects of the story through characters’ various social media accounts and even included interactions with real fans. Perhaps its greatest accomplishment was becoming the first web series to win an Emmy for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media – Original Interactive Program, an award shared by a casting director (and our own LA Chair of Producing) Jenni Powell.
via The Lizzie Bennet Diaries official Facebook page
“For any Producer that might be interested in doing adaptation work, I’d say my biggest piece of advice would be to look for a unique angle to the material that hasn’t been seen before and that you are passionate about sharing with the world,” Jenni advises aspiring Producers.
“For “The Lizzie Bennet Diaries,” the original pitch to me was, “Can we take a public domain novel and adapt it in the style of a YouTuber vlogging in their bedroom?”. That pitch was so unique and so tailored to my interests but also seemed so obvious that I was worried someone had already done it! But I did research and discovered it hadn’t been done, so the next step was, “what book?” It was the combination of the unique point of view and choosing a beloved novel that also happened to be in the public domain that was the recipe for success. And before we knew it, a new genre of entertainment had been created: the Literary Web Series. There are many opportunities for outcomes like this to occur with other projects if you can think of adaptation work not just creatively but entrepreneurially.”
Son of Man (2011)
MFA Producing alum Janek Ambros directed and wrote the short film Son of Man, adapted from “The Grand Inquisitor,” by Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky. The film delves into the timeless existential and philosophical questions and explores themes of faith, freedom, and the human condition through the lens of the Inquisitor’s confrontation with Christ. The adaptation discusses the complexities of power, morality, and the struggle between divine authority and human autonomy, offering a thought-provoking reflection on the nature of belief and the pursuit of spiritual truth. Ambros also directed 2022 hit Ukrainians in Exile, executive-produced by NYFA Guest Speaker Janusz Kaminski, and produced In the Summers, which won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize in 2024.
Sharing little in common other than character names with Disney’s jovial and well-known adaptation, del Toro’s take is more haunting and heartbreaking, and carries with it a sort of chilling nihilism that fits well with the era of its disturbing setting. An incredible crew and production team worked tirelessly on this film, including NYFA faculty member Tony Candelaria. To produce each frame of animation in the two-hour feature, 60 crews worked for 1000 days.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
At first blush, you might not think that the Coen Brothers’ comedy-drama about a trio of escaped convicts trying to stay one step ahead of the law while finding a treasure shares DNA with one of the pillars of human literature, but you’d be wrong. The film is a retelling of Homer’s epic poem Odyssey (George Clooney’s character is even named Ulysses) and features several direct lifts from the legendary story, from Sirens (the girls singing in the river), the Cyclops (John Goodman’s one-eyed KKK leader), and even blind prophet Tiresias (the Blind Seer). Most importantly, Ulysses – like his namesake – is trying to get back to his wife and family and win her back from another suitor (suitors in the original).
Nine (2019)
Of course, adaptations aren’t limited to just screens. There are many musicals based on popular films, such as Legally Blonde and The Wedding Singer. Another great example of a movie adapted into a show is Nine, a story that follows a creatively blocked writer. The story features a star-stacked cast of women, as a major part of the plot is how Guido daydreams about the women who have inspired him the most. Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Fergie, Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman, and even the legendary Sophia Loren, the film is an easy adaption, as it was also a musical.
NYFA’s Musical Theatre department even performed Nine (pictured above.) Another reason why Nine makes a great musical adaptation is the fact that Nine the film is also an adaptation. Based on the classic film 8 1/2, directed and co-written by Federico Fellini, Nine retold the avant-garde film as a musical, creating original songs such as “Be Italian” to capture the plot and character motivations of the original story. Of course, the Nine adaptation had the backing of a major studio, as it is not in the public domain.
Wicked (2024)
Speaking of musicals turned movies, fan-favorite Wicked, which premiered on Broadway, is set to receive the silver screen treatment in 2024. The film stars Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh of Everything, Everywhere, All at Once, Jonathan Bailey, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and Bowen Yang. As NYFA’s very own Kristy Cates, head of Musical Theatre at NYFA New York, starred as Elphaba in Wicked, appearing on Broadway, Chicago, and the first national tour, we’re particularly excited to see this film unfold. Similar to Nine, Wicked is protected by copyright; however, many movie musicals are in the public domain and can be used as inspiration for new work.
Treasure Planet (2002)
Walt Disney’s adaptation of Rober Louis Stevenson’s seminal adventure Treasure Island, directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, flew sadly under the radar on its original release but since has come to be considered a forgotten gem in the Mouse’s crown. By taking the original story of pirates and hidden treasure and adapting it into a space opera, Treasure Planet leverages stunning animation and production design to weave an epic tale of space “ships” on a race to find a fabled “Treasure Planet” with unimaginable riches.
New York Film Academy’s entire focus is on arming our students to produce electrifying visual art. Whether it’s film, television, web series, podcasts, or any other medium you can imagine, you’ll have a chance to tell your story your way, supported by some of the best creatives in the business in the form of our accomplished faculty. Maybe you’d like to set The Iliad in the world of harrowing WWI trench warfare or craft a sci-fi spin on Jack London’s The Sea Wolf? Whatever television, new media, or movie adaptations you have in mind, we can help you make it a reality.
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