Notes from a Screenreader: GOOOOAAAALLLL!
Photo via Go Into the Story. Many a spec script hits page 20 at a dead run, then pulls a hamstring and limps all the way through the second act while the writer chips away at what the story is actually about. It’s painfully slow to read. All of that should be resolved in rewrites,...
READ MORETerry’s Picks: Women Directors, ‘Obvious Child’ & ‘Reckless’
Not surprised by: this infographic (above) from Women and Hollywood about how major studios have released very few films directed by women over the last five years. Really loved: Obvious Child, a funny, well-made and important movie about the realities of women’s lives. Caught the premiere of: Reckless, a new show that has many more women working on every...
READ MOREWeekly Roundup: #HireTheseWomen, Diane Sawyer & Comedy Central Prez Michele Ganeless
//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/490666791?et=AqxxNyZmSdRdtT-0nJDY6Q&sig=RkIHT67TihPj-cMXJXZfd9526qa-vBF0rxZHRApi9m0= Diane Sawyer steps down from World News and up to bigger projects. Inspired by Women and Hollywood’s directors infographic, film critic Miriam Bale launches the hashtag #HireTheseWomen. Director Kelly Reichardt may be the most successful indie “one trick pony” in the business. Michele Ganeless runs Comedy Central, not Stephen Colbert. Chicken & Egg pictures is accepting grant applications for women...
READ MOREActing Up: Revamp Your Online Bio
Every six months or so, I always find myself looking over my website, Actors Access account and IMDB page to see if everything is up to date and current. This time around, as I read my bio, I could feel a heaviness. I just didn’t connect with what I was reading. So, I decided on...
READ MORENotes from a Screenreader: Discuss
Photo via Go Into the Story. Discussions are the enemy of drama in a spec script. They are info swaps to give the reader story information, which is like putting stale bagels out for guests: unwelcoming and hard to swallow. It’s more accomplished work to compose images that do the same job. Crazy, Stupid, Love opens...
READ MORELaughs, Glam & Inspiration at NYWIFT’s Designing Women 2014
Michelle Williams, Denis Leary, Jessica Alba and Rose Byrne at NYWIFT’s Designing Women 2014. (Photo via NY Post’s PageSix.com.) They may have come for glam moments and the chance to rub shoulders with celebs like Michelle Williams, Denis Leary, Jessica Alba and Rose Byrne. But attendees of New York Women in Film and Television’s Designing...
READ MOREWeekly Roundup: Designing Women, Chelsea Handler & Comedy Actress Roundtable
//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/450139626?et=0lqDHDE3Tl9OpzQgao8q9A&ContextMore=on&sig=IjXLMsUs2WWQhsLufUy_H1FeW-cGoVwaf3NiHVoixjk= Chelsea Handler is headed to Netflix. Jessica Alba, Rose Byrne, Denis Leary and Michelle Williams attend NYWIFT’s Designing Women Awards. “You’re ugly and fat” and other compliments from the comedy actress roundtable. (Video) Malia Obama gets a job in show business. The ACLU wants to hear from women directors who’ve been discriminated against. Goodbye, Ruby Dee. — KELLY...
READ MORENotes from a Screenreader: Luggage Handling
Photo via Go Into the Story. Luggage handling is the awkward moment when characters have to take story time to account for their props. “Henderson! They’ve buried the bomb in the middle of the densest civilian population on the planet!” “Let’s go! I’ll pack the trunks in the jet.” This is an extreme example, obviously,...
READ MORERoad to Designing Women: Goodie Madness in the Gift Bags
Goodie bag items at the NYWIFT office waiting to be packed up. One of the fun things about New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) awards shows is the gift bags, and this year’s Designing Women is no exception to the rule. This year’s bag will overflow with goodies from Ricky’s and Sephora. Taste buds...
READ MORERoad to Designing Women: ’70s Glam Makes a Comeback
Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams in American Hustle. Seventies retro is in. Along with the comeback of flared jeans, maxi dresses, and floppy hats are the faces that mirror the fashion. Women on runways, red carpets, and city streets are sporting heavy eyeliner, false eyelashes, and bronzed cheekbones à la American Hustle. American Hustle makeup department...
READ MOREFlix Not to Miss: ‘Obvious Child’
Obvious Child, directed by Gillian Robespierre, is getting noticed for the star-making performances of Jenny Slate, Gaby Hoffman and Jake Lacy. But the under-the-radar star is Robespierre and the story she scripted, which has steered the film world into new and unexpected romantic-comedy territory. The film focuses on Donna (Slate), a twenty-something comedian reeling from a...
READ MOREWeekly Roundup: Tonys Recap & Shonda’s Life Advice
//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/450314366?et=wfBGImImRLxDbnZrqwyOig&ContextMore=on&sig=A1BBm0oFQUXIgw1UOsqOl4uTY2WGbnrx17-0NOuLdyM= Audra McDonald makes Tony history. Rosie O’Donnell gets the “real” thing. Sophie Okonedo, Lena Hall and Jessie Mueller also win big. Women’s Media Center seeks applicants for its Progressive Women’s Voices program. Shonda Rhimes tells grads about dreams, hashtags and fulfillment. Consider becoming more politely aggressive in your acting career. Comedy Central increases their woman-centered programming. Assistant costume designers discuss their fortunate roles in the industry....
READ MORENotes from a Screenreader: Loglines Done Wrong
Photo via Go Into the Story. Loglines are tough. They can lie about your story if you let them. This is how you do Indiana Jones wrong: In World War II, an archaeology professor gets a call about a powerful artifact that changes his life forever. This is Silver Linings Playbook done wrong: A violent...
READ MORENYWIFT Fund for Women Filmmakers Extends Deadline
It Felt Like Love, winner of the Nancy Malone Marketing and Promotion Grant and a 2013 Sundance Film Festival Official Selection. New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) provides grants to women filmmakers to complete and promote their film projects. This year, those grants include a new addition: the Ravenal Foundation Grant, supporting a woman second-time feature film...
READ MOREWeekly Roundup: Being Maleficent & New Comedy ‘Obvious Child’
//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/495314405?et=85tUgNQzS-NVbxTQ0WITCA&sig=RaCvbZ-8PTGKpyzSEDonxIdcOFVadCQmAgwdBXT93U8= Maleficent screenwriter Linda Woolverton: “I get to be Maleficent when I’m writing these things.” NYWIFT’s sister chapter Women In Film Los Angeles honors the 20-year success of its PSA Production Program. An Amy Poehler memoir? Yes, please! Gillian Robespierre’s film Obvious Child, starring Jenny Slate, “is not an abortion rom-com.” Writers, BitchFlicks needs you to discuss children’s television. RIP, Ann B. Davis and Marilyn Beck....
READ MOREDesigning Women MC Announced & ‘Variety’ Highlights NYWIFT Awards
//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/494514351?et=alTwHaCxS0VmABnwWcpD0Q&sig=GPnpOTBCkABWlhUOhLVy7AwhcI_ndIuJROjKCH7s3S4= Jessica Alba speaks at the Social Innovation Summit 2014. Variety announced the honorees and presenters for New York Women in Film & Television’s 2014 Designing Women Awards this past week. The stars are coming out for these unique awards that honor women in costumes, hair and makeup, including Jessica Alba, Denis Leary and Rose...
READ MORENotes from a Screenreader: To Genre or Not to Genre
Photo via Go Into the Story. A drama screenplay is fine, but it’s sort of like prose in that it is defined by what it isn’t. It’s not funny, scary, sci-fi or action. In competitions, that’s not such a handicap, because you are paying to be read, but neither are you giving yourself all the...
READ MORETerry’s Picks: ‘Caroline’s Wedding’ & Sony’s Diverse Directors Program
Supporting: former NYWIFT staff member Easmanie Michel’s Kickstarter campaign for her first feature, Caroline’s Wedding, adapted from a story by Edwidge Danticat. Glad to hear about: Sony Pictures Television’s Diverse Directors Program, where “participants may be selected to shadow directors on episodes of scripted SPT series.” Applications are being accepted until June 6. Reading: Vogue’s article on...
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