Over a thousand people stopped in front of the New York Film Academy Cafe throughout the day as shooting continued on NYFA's first ever movie musical, IT IS WHAT IT IS. Pedestrians paused to watch over 50 cast and crewmembers working diligently on a flashmob sequence. Behind the scenes footage of the shoot is now on youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIsWK5vgdc8).
IT IS WHAT IT IS, an original movie musical written and directed by VP Boyle, original score by Andrew Gerle, choreography by Jennifer DiDonato, produced by New York Film Academy. Featuring Eden Classens, Arial Virginia Stafford, Brittani Janish, Jaspal Binning, Abi Robinson, Linnea Larsdotter and Kaitlan Emery.
"Yesterday proved that true teamwork and great preparation result in MAGIC!" says Chair and Writer/Director VP Boyle. "I want to prove the world is a better place when you sing and dance."
VP adds that the indie film short evolved out of a thesis project for students in his Movie Musical Lab Class. On set, actors double as set painters, production assistants, wardrobe supervisors, makeup and hair styling artists and crew swings. The goal is to have a terrific film emerge from a truly holistic and educational experience, with musical theatre actors learning how to work both on stage and also in front of a camera.
