NYWIFT Blog

Cynthia’s Picks: Working Moms, Member News, Documentary Labs

Working Moms: Celebrating Mother’s Day this weekend was a powerful reminder that being a working mother is especially tough in the film and television industry. Thankfully, there are groups like Moms-in-Film and our own NYWIFT Moms Network affinity group trying to level the playing field. Member News: NYWIFT member are always doing great things, but this week...

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Five Takeaways: Finding the Right Documentary Lab for Your Film

Participating in a documentary film lab can be a great way to refine your story, develop your creative vision and build partnerships. But which one should you pick? NYWIFT member Janine McGoldrick has the scoop.

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The Art of Directing and Running a Show: Takeaways from a Conversation with Annetta Marion and Kathryn O’Kane

At a recent NYWIFT program, board members (and director/showrunners) Kathryn O’Kane and Annetta Marion discussed the unique role of the showrunner, and the combination of skill, gumption, and inspiration essential in helming a show.

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7 Tips to Building a Successful Partnership to Create an Oscar-Nominated Film

In the inaugural conversation of NYWIFT’s new series Master Collaborations: The Power of Creative Partnerships on May 23, 2018, director Kahane Cooperman and producer Raphaela Neihausen opened up about how they worked together to create Joe’s Violin – and its road to being nominated for the Academy Awards.

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AfriAmerican Immigrant Screening: Local Stories, Global Themes

In Astoria’s historic Kaufman Studios, filmmakers from the African diaspora shared local stories that reverberated deep into universal themes and questions as part of New York Women in Film & Television’s Women Filmmakers: Immigrant Stories screening on May 31, 2018. Featured in the fourth season of this NYWIFT series highlighting narrative and documentary films about the New York immigrant experience, these short films tackled issues ranging from the #MeToo movement, to President Trump’s travel ban, to the immigrant experience, to what it means to be American, among many more.

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Terry’s Picks: Blockchain Technology, The Tale, Barbican Program

Blockchain Technology: The industry is abuzz with excitement – and questions – about Blockchain technology, so NYWIFT is holding a panel this Thursday to discuss its potential power for filmmakers. Member Heidi Philipsen also recently wrote a guest post for Women and Hollywood exploring the technology’s possible impact on indie filmmaking.  The Tale: We are...

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Terry’s Picks: Role Reversal, Designing Women, Immigrant Series

Role Reversal: IndieWire looks into the ways that gender swapping characters in television can re-shape perspectives and gain parity for women on screen. Designing Women: Get your tickets for NYWIFT’s Designing Women on Monday, May 21st, honoring the best and brightest of hair, makeup and costume designers. Honorees for this year are: costume designer Dana...

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Five Takeaways – True Crime Stories: Relationships and Responsibilities

True crime producer Dana Rossi shares insights from NYWIFT's panel on the relationships and ethical responsibilities of true crime documentary filmmakers.

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True Crime: Relationships and Responsibilities

There is no doubt that the “true crime” documentary genre is thriving and that such film and television projects are enjoying unprecedented buzz. Studies show that women are their biggest audience, and broadcasters are taking notice. By the nature of their work, non-fiction storytellers are always considering how to present and represent their subjects through the creative process. But how is that further complicated in the “true crime” space, when the stakes might literally be life or death? Where do they draw the line between journalism and entertainment?

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Creating Empathy in Virtual Reality: 10 Takeaways

NYWIFT’s Documentary Committee brought together a panel of Virtual Reality producers and filmmakers who are conquering this emerging vehicle for storytelling in powerful ways on May 9th, 2017, with Creating Empathy in Virtual Reality: The Challenges and Success of Immersive Experiences. Brittany Rostron offers the top ten takeaways.

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New York City Council Member Elizabeth Crowley: Defying Gender Roles, Embracing Community

We shine the spotlight on New York City Council Member of Elizabeth Crowley, who has supported NYWIFT Women Filmmakers: Immigrant Stories series since its inception in 2015.

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10 Takeaways from the NYWIFT “Casting Comedy: Funny People On-Camera” Panel

NYWIFT member Mellini Kantayya shares the top 10 nuggets of wisdom from NYWIFT's panel on TV comedy casting. Learn whether or not to ad-lib, button it, stalk (answer: definitely no), and self-tape.

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Sound Advice: Avoid (or Fix) the Two Biggest Mistakes in Sound Design

Mismatched ambient noise and clothing rustle are the two biggest mistakes in sound design, according to award-winning sound designer, editor and mixer Paul Michael. At a recent NYWIFT program, he explained to how to avoid - or fix - these problems.

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Terry’s Picks: Viola Davis, Caroline Waterlow, Joi McMillon

Viola Davis: Congratulations to Viola Davis, who became the first black actor to win an Oscar, Emmy and Tony Award this weekend. And with her role in Fences, she is only the second person in history to win a Tony and an Oscar for playing the same role but in different categories. (The first? Yul Brynner...

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10 Takeaways: NYWIFT’s “Producer Boot Camp for Digital”

What are the steps to bring your digital project from concept to completion? Producer Julie Gomez taught the ins and outs of producing in the online era at NYWIFT's "Producer Boot Camp for Digital," hosted by RED Digital. Member Mellini Kantayya shares her top 10 tips.

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5 Tips for Securing Your Economic Future

Be prepared! NYWIFT Board member Kathryn O'Kane shares some of the key points from the NYWIFT financial planning workshop presented by Fortis Lux Financial.

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NYWIFT Panel: Streaming Stories: Short Docs for the Web

NYWIFT's Streaming Stories: Short Docs for the Web panel explored how the medium of documentary film is adapting to a marketplace where an increasing number of films are reaching audiences online and viewers’ attention spans are getting shorter. In recent years, both producing documentary content for the web and releasing documentary shorts online have emerged as successful ways to increase mainstream viewership and promote filmmakers' work. Watch the full panel now - for FREE - on NYWIFT's YouTube channel!

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A New Year Begins: Get A Jump Start on NYWIFT’s January Programs

New Year wallpaper by Grimarika. Three Secrets to Unblocking Your Creativity January 8, 6:30 pm Do you have a great story that’s dying to be told but you can’t get the words out? Whether you’re a writer, filmmaker, or actor, we all get stuck sometimes. The more important the story, the harder it can be...

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