Advice from an Indie Producer: Script Breakdown & Budgeting
What is the real purpose of a budget? In my experience, it’s the road map of the production. The amount of money you have will dictate the majority of the decisions that are made in pre-production, principal photography, post-production and beyond (festivals, marketing, social media campaigns, etc). You may have used a “development” budget, usually...
READ MOREFlix Not to Miss: ‘It Felt Like Love’
It Felt Like Love, by first-time feature director Eliza Hittman, follows 14-year-old Lila (a perfectly cast Gina Piersanti) as she pursues an older teenage boy. There are a few passing similarities between It Felt Like Love and Andrea Arnold’s similar themed Fish Tank. Hittman distinguishes herself with intimate closeups and following subjects with tracking shots through parties and wooded areas of outer Brooklyn. This...
READ MOREWeekly Roundup: Peabodys Announced & ‘Frozen’ Breaks Record
//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/479466007?et=nJS_4haSv02ARV_S30ZdPA&sig=VQUPmdJVaUZ420YSmZwtBWGQR-SXQcA20qQadX8IR4U= The Peabody Awards gave 43% of prizes to projects that featured a clear female protagonist or were made by a woman creator. Jennifer Lee’s ‘Frozen’ becomes the top-grossing animated film of all time. AFI’s superb Directing Workshop for Women turns 40. They grow up so fast! Variety’s Power of Women luncheon debuts in NYC — meet the honorees. Amy Schumer tackles the...
READ MORENotes from a Screenreader: Commuter Blues
Photo via Go Into the Story. You drove 20 miles home in heavy traffic and don’t remember any of it. That’s the dissociation you use to deal with the sameness of your commute. It also happens when you read your script. Your brain fills in what’s supposed to be there and you blow right by your...
READ MORETerry’s Picks: April 1, 2014
Anita playing at the Film Society of Lincoln Center Thought-provoking: and powerful, Freida Lee Mock’s Anita is my must-see of the week. Twenty years after Anita Hill sought to confidentially report Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas for sexual harassment, the archival footage (and new contemporary interviews) still feels startling relevant to gender inequality in the U.S. Anticipating: an amazing...
READ MOREActing Up: The Improv Audition
Lately, I’ve noticed that a lot of my auditions have been improv/ad-lib. Although I still receive a character breakdown, research the players of the project (via IMDB, Google), and do my best to get a description for any new shows, the question remains, What am I going to do in the room? I love sides,...
READ MOREDocumentary ‘Can’ to Screen on April 29 as Part of NYWIFT Member Series
Can, a groundbreaking documentary that intimately portrays the experience of an Asian-American family dealing with mental illness, will screen on Tuesday, April 29, at 7 pm, as part of the New York Women in Film and Television’s Member Screening Series, held at Anthology Film Archives (32 Second Avenue, NYC). Directed and produced by NYWIFT member Pearl J. Park, Can follows...
READ MOREWeekly Film & TV News Roundup
1980s cartoon Jem (Hasbro). A Jem and the Holograms is being made—by men. #JemTheMovie Amazon Studios wants your comedy or children’s series. The PGA is stepping up to promote gender equality behind the scenes. Journalist Maria Bartiromo has a new show and three rules for success. OWN headquarters leaves the Windy City for the bright lights of LA. FreemantleMedia...
READ MORESign Up for NYWIFT’s April Events
Photo courtesy of NASA. New York Women in Film & Television’s events for April 2014: Power Player Breakfast: Jana Bennett, President, A+E Networks’ FYI & LMN Thursday, April 3, 8:30 am Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz, 488 Madison Avenue, 10th Floor A+E Networks executive Jana Bennett, who manages two of the company’s fastest growing...
READ MORENotes from a Screenreader: The Wonkavator
Photo via Go Into the Story. Willy Wonka: No, it’s a Wonkavator. An elevator can only go up and down, but the Wonkavator can go sideways, and slantways, and longways, and backways… A screenplay should not be a Wonkavator, even if it isn’t linear. What you want in a spec script is a ride straight...
READ MORETerry’s Picks: March 25, 2014
Gloria Steinem at the Ms. Foundation for Women’s 23rd annual Gloria Awards on May 19, 2011. Photo via WikiMedia. Wishing a: happy birthday to Gloria Steinem! The feminist writer, activist, Women’s Media Center co-founder and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient turns 80 today. Checking out: some wonderful films this week! Beth B.’s provocative Exposed (co-produced by NYWIFT member Sandra...
READ MORENYWIFT Recap. Laughing Matters: Diverse Voices From the World of Comedy
Diversity in comedy has been all the buzz as of late, and on February 20, 2014, New York Women in Film and Television joined the conversation with Laughing Matters: Diverse Voices From the World of Comedy, a panel of seven female comedians. With much laughter and a riveting discussion, Laughing Matters unfolded into a memorable...
READ MOREFlix Not to Miss: ‘Nowhere Boy’
Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, Nowhere Boy follows The Beatles’ John Lennon (played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson) as a teenager finding his way, learning to play guitar, and meeting future bandmates Paul McCartney and George Harrison. Nowhere Boy explores the little-known family dynamic that played out in Lennon’s life before he toured with The Beatles. After being raised by his Aunt...
READ MOREWeekly Film & TV News Roundup
//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/183669878?et=XYPnmei_4068PYiAqEE8jQ&sig=SX4RxzmMCycPW_AXxiuqo2Q2XifTOs0kFYxLOqeoFp0= Netflix is bringing Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin back together. Hope Dolly Parton makes an appearance. Now Hiring! Women and Hollywood is looking for new columnists. These changes at Getty Images are most welcome and long overdue. (Video) Audition news: You may be too attractive to book a commercial. You should read this before entering that screenplay contest. The...
READ MORENYWIFT 2014 Board Elections
Image via Wikimedia. Have you voted yet? NYWIFT Board elections run through April 8, 2014. This is the most important decision each year for a New York Women in Film and Television member. NYWIFT Board Members play a very important role in shaping the organization. They head committees such as Special Events, Membership, Communications, Development...
READ MORENotes From a Screenreader: ’20 Feet From Stardom’
Photo via Go Into the Story. If you have not seen 20 Feet from Stardom, put it at the top of your to-do list. It won an Oscar, and it is the non plus ultra of setting your inner star loose on the world. A voice is a voice, whether it is raised in song or committed...
READ MORETerry’s Picks: March 18, 2014
Historical poster courtesy of Wikimedia. Kicking off: Women’s History Month in multiple ways with partner organizations and initiatives! This month, be sure to check out SWAN Day, NoMore.Org (chaired by Joyful Heart Foundation founder and former NYWIFT Muse honoree Mariska Hargitay) and other great projects! Eagerly waiting: tonight’s keynote by Amy Goodman at the Rated SR Socially Relevant...
READ MORENYWIFT Success Story: ‘In Montauk’ and the Value of PR
Lukas Hassel and Nina Kaczorowski in a scene from In Montauk, written and directed by NYWIFT member Kim Cummings. Photo by Aja Nisenson. Independent filmmaking on a micro-budget is a lonely business. People come and go throughout the process. As the filmmaker, you’re the only constant day in and day out. It’s not that you...
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