NYWIFT Blog

WEEKLY ROUNDUP: DRAMA’S QUEENS, LIFETIME’S NEW THEME.

Photo courtesy The Hollywood Reporter  This dramatic actress roundtable is one of the most poignant. In case you missed it, here’s a preview of the 2015 Tony Awards performances. Women In Film is accepting applications for their 2015 Film Finishing Fund. Invaluable writing tips to help you become the “Script God” your stories need. Critics agree, Sarah...

READ MORE

TERRY’S PICKS: FUN HOME, MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL & SPY LANDS AT THE TOP

Bravo! The Broadway production Fun Home made feminist history this week when Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron became the first all-female writing team to win Best Original Score. Oh, please:  37-year old Maggie Gyllenhaal was turned down for a movie because she’s “too old” to play the love interest of a 55-year-old man. “It made...

READ MORE

WEEKLY ROUNDUP: FUNNY BUSINESS, AGEISM & ACTION

Image via The Hollywood Reporter Even when discussing sexism, racism & death threats these women are still “effin” funny! Watching the 2015 Tony Nominees “In Performance” will put you in a great mood. (VIDEO) Freelancers Union founder Sara Horowitz has “commandments” to thrive in today’s new economy. This ageism chart supports what Maggie Gyllenhaal and thousands...

READ MORE

WEEKLY ROUNDUP: THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM, HOLLYWOOD SEXISM & WALL STREET

Erin Baiano for The New York Times History is made as Anne Pasternak becomes The Brooklyn Museum’s 1st female director. She’s baaack! Nikki Finke’s new website promises great fiction and proceeds to writers. “It’s an intense sickness.” Melissa McCarthy, Salma Hayek, Aishwarya Rai & Parker Posey discuss Hollywood’s sexism. Dear Writers, screencraft.org has screenwriting contests. Deadlines...

READ MORE

TERRY’S PICKS: MAD MEN, JILL SOLOWAY STORMS THE GATES

Loved the final episode of Mad Men. Happy that Joan, the real feminist in the group, is starting her own production company. There are women in New York that started production companies at about the same time. NYWIFT members. Sorry that Peggy didn’t join in. But loved the cut from Don Draper’s hippy-dippy meditation scene...

READ MORE

WEEKLY ROUNDUP: BLYTHE DANNER, CANNES DO’s & A.C.L.U. DONT’S

Blythe Danner returns to the small screen as Ruth Madoff. (VIDEO) The Nightly Show head writer Robin Thede reveals writing styles that get HER attention. Here’s the Cannes Film Festival lineup we’ve been hearing about. Bessie Director Dee Rees on Latifah’s frontal nudity and finally seeing herself on screen. Actress Rebel Wilson did her own Pitch Perfect 2 stunts...

READ MORE

Terry’s Picks: Eve Ensler, Equality Trending & Women in Disaster Movies Parody

  Equality is Trending: The Sh*t People Say to Women Directors blog that went viral last week tells Hollywood horror stories that shed the light on the struggle for equality in the film & television industry.   Spread the Word: Blockbuster action pic Mad Max: Fury Road hired Vagina Monologues playwright and activist Eve Ensler...

READ MORE

NYWIFT Member Spotlight: Eileen Newman

New York Women in Film & Television includes many powerful, dynamic and diverse entertainment industry leaders among its membership. As we celebrate our Spring Membership Drive – with 50% off our initiation fee now through May 15 – we’re spotlighting several members this month. Second in our series spotlighting NYWIFT Board Members is an interview...

READ MORE

WEEKLY ROUNDUP:MOTHER’S DAY MOVIES, LIFETIME OPPORTUNITIES & IT’S NOT “SWOOZY”

From sappy, to scary there’s a new or classic Mother’s Day Movie for everyone! Eye-opening statistics about women during Broadway’s 2014-2015 season. Lifetime announces Broad Focus–an initiative to put more women behind the camera. FOX cancels The Mindy Project but Mindy’s taking it all in stride. Besides, Hulu knows better. A delightful Q&A with Swoosie Kurtz reveals… we’ve...

READ MORE

WEEKLY ROUNDUP: MORE WINNERS, MORE REJECTION

Congratulations to Webby & Daytime Emmy winners and 2015 Tony nominees! Author & cartoonist Alison Bechdel discusses Fun Home, admits she not interested in “that test” anymore. Screenwriter Aline McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada) reveals the best career advice she’s received. #Priceless What’s behind the DGA’s rejection of a program to expand opportunities for female TV directors?...

READ MORE

Terry’s Picks: Yes Please, More Women-centric Content, Tables Turned & Exceptional Performances

Really Loved: Clouds of Sils Maria and the exceptional performances by Juliette Binoche and Kristen Stewart. Excited to Share: Lena Dunham and Rose Byrne both started all-women production companies to get more women-centric content out in the world. A Must Watch: Tina Fey, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Patricia Arquette and Amy Schumer tell it like it is...

READ MORE

NYWIFT Member Spotlight: Annetta Marion

New York Women in Film & Television includes many powerful, dynamic and diverse entertainment industry leaders among its membership. As we celebrate our Spring Membership Drive – with 50% off our initiation fee now through May 15 – we’re spotlighting several members this month. First up: Annetta Marion. An award-winning director, Primetime Emmy-nominated producer and...

READ MORE

WEEKLY ROUNDUP: WRITING TWEETING, DIRECTING, WINNING.

Meryl Streep funds an important screenwriting lab, NYWIFT will manage the process. What was Lars Von Trier & Thomas Vinterberg’s “Dogme 95″ and how did it impact women directors? The most informative article on effective Twitter usage I’ve read to date. #Awesome Showrunner Nahnatchka Khan discusses Fresh Off the Boat and The B—-. A “throwback” article with director Crystal Moselle about The Wolfpack. These (mostly...

READ MORE

Terry’s Picks: Orphan Black, Captain Marvel & Guys We Love

Thrilled to hear: Marvel sets Nicole Pearlman and Meg Lefavue to write its forthcoming tent-pole feature Captain Marvel. Gotta give a shout-out to: guys like Paul Feig and Joss Whedon who support and showcase women in film. I’m obsessed: with Tatiana Maslany in Orphan Black – bringing not just one but more than eight strong women to...

READ MORE

WEEKLY ROUNDUP: FESTIVALS, LISTS & GOSSIP DISH

Here’s everything you need to know about the Tribeca Film Festival. The Cannes 2015 lineup was also announced–five female directors made the cut. This Bel Pesce TED talk may pinpoint why your dreams haven’t yet come true. (VIDEO) Both Amy Schumer & Jane The Virgin won Peabody Awards. TIME magazine’s “100 Most Influential People of 2015″ announced....

READ MORE

Terry’s Picks: Cannes Gets with IT, Grace and Frankie, Bratz Make-over and More

I agree: Keep independent documentaries on prime time! Norman Lear calls out PBS in The New York Times.   Check this out: This smart Australian mom turned her daughter’s overly made-up Bratz dolls into realistic looking girls.   I’m cracking up: Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as best friends whose husbands leave them…for each other....

READ MORE

WEEKLY ROUNDUP: AISHA TYLER, KIERNAN SHIPKA & MONICA LEWINSKY

Superspy, podcast host and home brewer… Aisha Tyler literally does it all.  To Hell and Back star Vanessa Bell Calloway warns young actors “getting a job is easy, getting the next one is hard.” Playing Sally Draper was her dream role but what’s next for Kiernan Shipka after Mad Men? Valuable tips for changing your habits and owning your online...

READ MORE

WEEKLY ROUNDUP: EQUITY, EQUALITY & EMBARRASSING INTERVIEWS

L.A. Actors see Equity’s 99-Seat Plan as one big problem. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt costumer Tina Nigro on the importance of yellow sweaters & denim overalls. Anonymous actress “Miss L” calls out Hollywood’s glaring sexism. Actress and The Power Playbook author LaLa Anthony advises on how “inner power” changes lives. Cate Blanchett gives an embarrassingly funny Cinderella press interview....

READ MORE