A Decline in Influence of Female Film Critics
Judith Crist became the first full-time female critic at any major newspaper when she joined The New York Herald Tribune as their film critic in 1963. She passed in 2012. (Source: Women in Hollywood) Last week the Alliance of Women Film Journalists and Variety posted articles on research conducted by the Center for the Study of Women in Film and Television’s Executive...
READ MORETerry’s Picks: May 28
Check out: Frances Ha, directed by Noah Baumbach and co-written by Baumbach and Greta Gerwig, who also plays the lead. First off, it’s black and white, which is always a treat; and secondly, Gerwig gives a great performance in a complex and funny woman-centered story. Looking forward to: The Killing, starting up again on AMC next...
READ MOREMilitary Movie Pick: ‘Private Benjamin’ (1980)
If you’re in the mood for a lighthearted look at the military wrapped in pure 1980s camp, watch — or if you’re like me, re-watch — Private Benjamin. Co-written by Nancy Meyers, the film stars Goldie Hawn as a high-society widow (spoiler: the groom doesn’t make it through the wedding night) who chucks it all...
READ MOREFashionista on Designing Women & Dressing ‘The Americans’
Left: Jenny Gering, Lori Hicks, and Peg Schierholz (photo credit: Cindy Ord, Getty). Right: Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell in The Americans. Fashion news site Fashionista caught up with the design team behind FX’s popular spy drama at Thursday’s awards show: …a few of us have also gotten sucked into The Americans on FX — and not just because of the drama-filled...
READ MOREFilm News Roundup
(Image from Let Me Entertain You: Carol Burnett Sings album cover.) Bravo, Carol Burnett. You are much funnier than people in Washington. Scandal! Scandal! Scandal! Q&A with Kerry Washington. Can Deborah Turness improve The Today Show ratings in her new role? Lizz Winstead was an “idiot” and Glenn Beck defends it. “There’s no average days,” says Rookie Blue creator Tassie Cameron....
READ MORENYWIFT Panel Recap: Writing Fiction for Transmedia and Cross-Platform Entertainment
Panelists spend a half hour in discussion with audience members post-panel. Photographs by Emon Hassan. On Tuesday May 21, 2013, NYWIFT held a panel at the WGAE as part of Internet Week New York, produced by Amanda Lin Costa and moderated by WGAE Director of Programs Dana Weissman. Four transmedia writers discussed creating cross-platform content for...
READ MORETV Preview: Rebel Wilson’s ‘Super Fun Night’
Created by and starring Rebel Wilson, ABC’s upcoming sitcom Super Fun Night looks like a winner. Wilson plays one of three friends who spend their Friday nights “always together! always inside!” — until they’re motivated to take the party outside, diving into the craziness that is New York nightlife. — MICHELE DAGLE
READ MORETerry’s Picks: May 21
Illusion short film trailer from Jessica Hester. Pleased to see: that public pressure forced Disney to back down on its glam, sexy makeover of Brave’s Princess Merida. This over-sexualization of girl and woman characters in children’s media has a negative effect on both girls and boys. Giving a shout out to: Jessica Hester and her award-winning short film, Illusion. Recently featured in...
READ MORERoad to Designing Women: Honorees’ Closeup
Countdown to Designing Women 2013! Only three days until the big event, but you can still buy tickets. I was lucky enough to chat with the honorees for Designing Women 2013, to be held on Thursday, May 23, at The McGraw Hill Building in NYC. Here’s what I learned: Makeup artist Andrea Miller moved from Jamaica to...
READ MOREPower Player Breakfast Is Back! Meet Producer Christine Vachon
On Friday, May 31, who better to get back in the Power Player groove with than producer Christine Vachon of New York City’s very own Killer Films. With too many powerhouse and award-winning projects to name them all, let’s just start with a few, including indie classic Boys Don’t Cry, recent festival favorite Kill Your Darlings, and the...
READ MORENYWIFT Panel Recap: Fox Audience Strategy & Casting in the New America
The panelists from Fox — Dante Di Loreto, Zola B. Mashariki, Shana C. Waterman, and Seth Yanklewitz — had much to contribute on the subject of diversity in casting, offering forward-thinking, creative solutions. The conversation, moderated by Keli Goff, was centered on, but not limited to race; topics of gender, age, and disabilities were also discussed. The panelists addressed the...
READ MOREFilm News Roundup
Photo credit: Daily News. After 35+ years, she’s leaving. “Well, she’s too Asian,” NYWIFT Muse Award honoree Lucy Liu on racism. Lena, there’s a new It girl on your heels. Rodham is the hottest script in Hollywood. Hillary always wins! Only 1 female director? Cannes you believe this?! From “the block” to CCO, Jennifer Lopez is moving in the...
READ MORERoad to Designing Women: Meet Our Emcee, Valerie Smaldone
She’s a five-time Billboard Magazine Award winner known for her unprecedented success holding the No.1 on-air position in the New York radio market. Now, Valerie Smaldone can add emcee of NYWIFT’s Designing Women Awards to her long list of accomplishments. We’re thrilled to welcome her to our May 23 event. As a media personality, Smaldone has handled...
READ MORE‘Brave’ Gets Disney-Princessfied
Photo via The Guardian. Oscar-winning ‘Brave’ Director/Writer Brenda Chapman is slamming Disney for sexualizing the animated film’s hero, Merida, for an upcoming toy line. With a cinched waist, low-cut gown, and sans bow and arrows, the once-realistic role model now looks like every other “perfect” princess in the Disney lineup. “I think it’s atrocious what...
READ MORETerry’s Picks: May 14
Recently enjoyed: The Girls in the Band, playing this week at the Elinor Bunin Monroe Film Center at Lincoln Center. Great music and a great story about women in jazz in the past and in the present. Hold the date for a special NYWIFT screening with a panel of women jazz musicians on Thursday, May...
READ MORERoad to Designing Women: The Beginning
Designing Women 2012 presenter Tina Fey (center) with honorees Jenn Jorge Nelson (left) and Julie Teel. (Photo credit: Eileen Miller) “The inspired work done by each honoree bringing to life unforgettable characters on the big and small screen serves as a shining example of the incredible creative vision of women in the entertainment industry.” That quote, from NYWIFT’s...
READ MOREMother’s Day Movie: ‘Mermaids’ (1990)
An ode to complex mother-daughter relationships, Mermaids stars Cher as an offbeat, fun-loving mother to serious teen Winona Ryder and 9-year-old Christina Ricci. Cher recently celebrated her own amazing mother with Dear Mom, Love Cher on Lifetime. — MICHELE DAGLE
READ MORENYWIFT Panel Recap: The Power of Partnership in Documentary Film
Photo courtesy of Simone Pero. On May 6, NYWIFT Documentary Committee head Marcia Rock, led a discussion with the movers and shakers behind the Girl Rising documentary on how the film secured strategic partnerships, engaged the community, and gained momentum to launch a global campaign. Girl Rising is an inspiring documentary that spotlights deeply moving...
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