• Adele is iTunes top selling artist in 2011
• Book of Mormon headed for Los Angeles run in 2012
• Martha Stewart annoys Macy’s by making deal with J.C. Penney
• Ryan Seacrest may replace Matt Lauer on Today
• Octavia Spencer (The Help) to receive Palm Spring Film Festival breakthrough award

New York Film Academy graduate John McLaughlin was one of the writers on 2010 film Black Swan

New York Film Academy graduate John McLaughlin is best known for writing the script for the Oscar-Winning Film Black Swan (2010) starring Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis. The film, directed by Darren Aronofsky, scored John an Austin Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay, an honor shared with co-writers Mark Heyman and Andres Heinz. NYFA grad John was also nominated in the Best Screenplay category by the Writers Guild of America, the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the BAFTA Awards, and the Critics Associations of Central Ohio, Chicago, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Washington DC. Comments John in an article published by The Houstonian,”You can do it, you just have to write a lot. You have got to finish everything you start…no matter how terrible it is. If not you’re training yourself to only write one-third of a script.”

John also wrote the script for 2005 film Man of the House starring Tommy Lee Jones, Christina Milan, and Kelli Garner

Most recently, John wrote the script for film Parker, which is now in post-production with an anticipated October 12, 2012 release. The film is a crime thriller centered on a thief who lives by a code of honor that never includes stealing money from people who need it. The film’s stars include Jason Statham, Jennifer Lopez, Nick Nolte, and Patti LuPone. Does John plan to watch the film when it is released? “I don’t like watching anything I’ve written. There are actors that can’t watch themselves. I’m a writer that can’t watch his work. The only time I’ll watch it is when someone forces me into the situation.”

With over 300,000 views, the stunning trailer for NYFA webseries HALO: HELLJUMPER has already made a splash. HALO: HELLJUMPER is a fan made web series that focuses on the vast universe of Microsoft’s epic franchise, Halo. The first season is an adaptation of the popular short story, “Dirt” by Tobias S. Buckell from the book, Halo: Evolutions. It chronicles the tour of duty of one ODST, or Orbital Drop Shock Trooper, long before the events of the game. The series starts with protagonist Gage Yevgenny joining the UNSC as a young adult before the encounter with the Covenant. Pitted against 27 years of war, Gage finds himself in the middle of a losing battle. Throughout his journey, he loses everything and eventually finds himself in the midst of a decision that could change the tide of the war.

NYFA grads check frame

“50% of the crew who worked during the 9 shooting days graduated yesterday, Dec 7th, from the 1 Year Filmmaking program at NYFA, including the director and executive producer Dan Wang” comments producer Helena Hilario. ”Everyone involved in the project dedicated their time and passion to bring the best quality for Halo: Helljumper.”

NYFA filmmakers set up next shot on dolly

HALO: HELLJUMPER is directed and executive produced by NYFA New York Filmmaking Graduate Dan Wang and was originally conceived for his thesis project. The team behind the series includes producer Helena Hilario (NYFA Producing Grad). The visual representation was conceived by cinematographer, Dominick Sivilli and all of the visual effects seen in HALO: HELLJUMPER were created by Mario Pece (both NYFA grads). The first episode was shot on the RED camera in early September 2011 over the course of ten shooting days. HALO: HELLJUMPER was created under Microsoft’s “Game Content Usage Rules” using assets from Halo, © Microsoft Corporation.

The first episode of HALO: HELLJUMPER will debut in January 2012. CHECK OUT THE TRAILER HERE.

I don’t know about you but I am sick of Quinn Fabray’s plot lines on Glee. I wish that I could climb through the TV, walk right up to the blonde, and slap her across the face. The girl is so determined to ruin everyone’s life around her to make her own work. Sure, she is in high school and trying to find herself, I buy that. But a girl who will sink so far as to call child services on the woman raising her child, sleep her way to the top, and backstab every person around her has no redeemable qualities. Never once does Quinn consider her actions, and her lame apology at the end of Season 3’s sectional episode when she tells Rachel she will not be telling on Shelby’s relationship with Puck I have trouble buying. The girl was willing to give Terri a baby to pass off as her own, cheated on both Finn and Sam, spied on the New Directions from the inside, and has even said rude things to Mercedes who let her move in with no questions asked when Quinn was unable to stay at her house during the pregnancy. The girl has her few redeeming moments, but I can’t decide if the writers are having trouble deciding on a plot line for Quinn or if they really intend her to be that unstable. Enough Quinn – step off your high horse and get a life.

Good for New York Film Academy graduate Chord Overstreet as Sam when he tells Quinn that he would never consider helping her raise her child and that she has a lot of life lessons to learn. Chord Overstreet had a fantastic return to Glee as Sam last night. He was just as smiley and charismatic as we remember him. Not to mention his dancing has drastically improved. Check out this great video of him singing “Red Solo Cup.”

A big shout out as well to fellow NYFA grad Naya Rivera who rocked as Santana in this “Survivor/I Will Survive” mash-up. That girl is fierce and the Troubletones really did a great job. Though I am still unsure who the random backup dancers are? Somehow they can never find new members for the New Directions and the girls disappear when the teams merge into one super group at the end of the episode? It wouldn’t be Glee without a few unexplained plotlines.

Looks like the New Directions are headed to finals! 

Mandy Menaker is the Social Media Manager and blog editor of New York Film Academy. The views expressed here are her own and not those of the New York Film Academy. Reach her at mmenaker@nyfa.edu.

• The Hollywood Reporter releases list of TOP 100 WOMEN IN ENTERTAINMENT 2011
• Daniel Radcliffe named EW’s Entertainer of the Year
• GLEE will do Michael Jackson tribute episode, airing Jan 24th
• Harry Morgan, M*A*S*H star dies at 96
• Katy Perry photos causing $3 million dollar paparazzi showdown

NYFA Graduate Aubrey Plaza (left) with Megan Mullally (right)

New York Film Academy Graduate Aubrey Plaza stars with Megan Mullally in new Funny-Or-Die video Peggy Dvorak’s Home for Actresses. The short finds the Breaking In star schooling actresses on how to be less US weekly reading, small dog toting clones. Famous co-stars that have unwillingly signed up for her treatment include Lizzy Caplan, Lake Bell, Michaela Watkins, Ellie Kemper, and Casey Wilson. Infractions at Megan’s strict facility include singing Kesha in the shower and eating muffins. Watch the full video HERE. 

Since graduating from the New York Film Academy’s summer acting program for teens, Aubrey Plaza has gone on to star in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Funny People, and Mystery Team. She had a cameo on 30 Rock and stars in 56 episodes of Parks and Recreation as April Ludgate along co-star Amy Poehler. 

• Talk about celebrities! Check out pictures from the premiere of New’s Years Eve via Hollywood Reporter – Lea Michele, Ashton Kutcher, Katherine Heigl, Hilary Swank, Josh Duhamel, Fergie, Zac Efron and more!
• Chord Overstreet (NYFA Alum) breaks secrets about his Glee return! 
• Alec Baldwin does impression of 30 Rock co-star Tracy Morgan (star of NYFA graduate film Predisposed) on Conan
• Amy Winehouse’s posthumous album debuts at top of UK charts
• True Blood’s Ryan Kwanten to guest star on New Girl

New York Film Academy Director of Acting Admissions Roger Del Pozo is raising money for charity To Write Love on Her Arms, a non-profit dedicated to helping people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. Roger, whose vast experience in the industry includes casting hundreds of commercials for Apple, Microsoft, Dunkin Donuts, Nickelodeon, Cheerios, and more, is directing play “Some Girls” by Neil Labute at the American Theatre of Actors, Sargent Theatre 314 W. 54th St on December 8-11th and 14-17th at 8pm. 80% of all ticket sales go directly towards To Write Love on Her Arms. The NYFA blog checks in with Roger…

Roger, where did they idea to raise money for charity through theater stem from?

The producing theater company Nunya Productions has the goal of “Great Theater for a Great Cause.” Their last play was after the Haiti earthquake and raised money for charity Doctors Without Borders. I thought it was a great idea to raise donations through the arts, and I had been looking to contribute to a charitable cause. It was a way to give while entertaining people and helping people simultaneously.

Why did you select this particular charity and play?

I read Neil Labute’s “Some Girls” and fell in love with the text – it is edgy, provocative and complex. The play is about the lives of five women, so we really wanted to do a show that focuses on helping females. We researched several charities. When we came across To Write Love on Her Arms cast member Mariya King was really touched. She felt strongly about the cause and her passion caused us to jump on board and dedicate ourselves to the project.

Do you think that arts can really help the world?

I think the arts aren’t just about expressing yourself. We have an opportunity as artists to really use our voice and power to make a difference. The arts are interactive and bring people together towards a common goal. If you combine that principle with the opportunity to help others at the same time, you have a richer experience and combine two of my favorite things.

Tickets are available for “Some Girls” at smarttix.com or by calling 212-868-4444. To learn more, visit nunyaproductions.com. Follow Nunya Productions on Facebook.

Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander. Denby’s review says she “cuts through scene after scene like a swift, dark blade.”

The New Yorker Magazine’s David Denby should be ashamed for publishing an early review of Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and breaking a review embargo.

Haven’t heard yet? Denby, a member of the New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC), was invited to a special early screening of Fincher’s new release only intended for members so that the film would be eligible for the 2011 NYFCC award nominations. The members attending the screening agreed to a December 13th embargo date, postponing reviews until closer to the film’s release. Denby went back on his word, releasing his review online on December 5th. Check out the full review here.

Unleash the fury – Producer Scott Rudin and Denby have exchanged some pretty heated emails regarding Denby’s actions. Denby’s defense?

“Grown-ups are ignored for much of the year, cast out like downsized workers, and then given eight good movies all at once in the last five weeks of the year. A magazine like “The New Yorker” has to cope as best as it can with a nutty release schedule. It was not my intention to break the embargo, and I never would have done it with a negative review.”

Rudin fires back:

“The needs of the magazine cannot trump your word. The fact that the review is good is immaterial, as I suspect you know. You’ve very badly damaged the movie by doing this, and I could not in good conscience invite you to see another movie of mine again, Daldry or otherwise.”

We’re with Rudin on this one. The movie industry is small and runs like a dysfunctional family Thanksgiving. Sure there are quirky personalities, people in and out of rehab, tabloid-worthy screw ups by the minute. But at the end of the day, like your family or not, everyone comes together with the basic assumptions that backstabbing, broken promises, and leaking information to the press can break a career and ruin your invite to the table for the following holiday season. 

Producer Scott Rudin

Rudin trusted the critics, insiders, and press involved. A verbal commitment was made. The damages done by publishing reviews early can be millions of advertising dollars down the drain when readers whose interest is peaked have to wait too long to see the film and lose interest. 

Shame on New Yorker Magazine for assuming that the large volume of films coming out at the holiday season make it acceptable to space out reviews. If I had three friends getting married the same weekend, I would hate to be the friend whose name is posted outside the church three weeks before the wedding but not the day of when your guests arrive. 

David Denby, you have lost my respect.

Mandy Menaker is the Social Media Manager and blog editor of New York Film Academy. Reach her at mmenaker@nyfa.edu.