NYWIFT Blog

Weekly Roundup: ‘Tammy’ Is Here, Academy Invites Are Not

//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/451625684?et=Ma5QQpilTAd9gOfNuEgHHg&sig=eFnk15zkTrijFhEtG2kgTWv5OH3zRlDoAMROZsNWFqw=   Tammy star Melissa McCarthy is laughing all the way to the bank. #HireTheseWomen seems to be making an impact. Fox announces an initiative to increase the presence of women directors. Amazon and Final Draft seek original material; BitchFlicks needs writers. Screenwriting query tips to help your material get noticed. Want to relax between auditions? Here’s a list of NYC actor hangouts....

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Weekly 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...

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Weekly Roundup: Designing Women, Chelsea Handler & Comedy Actress Roundtable

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Weekly 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....

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Weekly 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....

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Weekly Roundup: Greek Weddings & Elevator Pitches

Re: #MyBigFatGreekWedding2, thank you for the love, yes the entire big fat family is invited back for the sequel. — Nia Vardalos (@NiaVardalos) May 28, 2014 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Her tweets confirm it, Nia Vardalos is bringing us more big, Greek wedding! Television’s top female actors discuss the perks and pitfalls of their careers. Actress Stacey Dash brings new...

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Weekly Roundup: Aging & Opportunities in Hollywood

//instagram.com/p/oNOrvtQihJ/embed/ 92-year-old Betty White enjoys being spoiled, and vodka. Cheers! (video) The Paley Center for Media names Maureen Reidy as its new CEO. Diane Keaton and Robin Wright are embracing aging. Jezebel founder Anna Holmes highlights unconventional ways to success. Sony’s new (LA-based) Diverse Director’s Program may be perfect for you! Niki Caro is set to write and direct the eagerly...

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Weekly Roundup: Gia Coppola, ‘Murphy Brown’ & a Media Internship

//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/488381047?et=2PeW3vM-R_1_VghSMDFcGA&sig=LZnMoBh1APTsZVOLw-lVbi9Nby6ktmJJfa3RgFZrY0c= Palo Alto director Gia Coppola is creating her own filmmaking buzz. A few theories behind NYT Executive Editor Jill Abramson’s firing. Portlandia star Carrie Brownstein has had success in three male-dominated areas of the entertainment industry…THREE! Kathryn Bigelow tackles another weighty post-9/11 theme. Women and Hollywood is looking for a summer intern. Deadline is May 23. Diane English tells...

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Weekly Roundup: Gabourey Sidibe, Director Kimberly Pierce & Oxygen Media

//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/487688169?et=cPqGSOaJQANxm9dho-6_lQ&sig=WUEG6AlUfgzcQ-dX4hK-lR36JRHm0BzXaCnDK0hh_5Y= Gabourey Sidibe says she’s “an a**hole!” It’s for a wonderful reason. Dawn Hudson will remain CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. Director Kimberly Peirce (Boys Don’t Cry, Carrie) gave a wonderful keynote speech at the AFI Directing Workshop for Women. (Video) Jovanka Vuckovic to direct Jacqueline Ess: Her Will & Testament. Clive Barker’s...

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Weekly Roundup: Disney’s Call for Writers & Broadway’s Gender Problem

Disney Channel launches a new screenwriting program. Hey, Broadway! Why weren’t any woman-written Broadway plays produced this season? Interview with Belle director Amma Asante (video) and Q&A with star GuGu Mbatha-Raw. Women (literally) rule at this year’s Cannes film festival. Fifteen of Time magazine’s “Top 100” are women in the arts. Happy 10th Anniversary, Mean Girls. #StopTryingToMakeFetchHappen

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Weekly Roundup: Lupita Nyong’o Wins Again & Universal’s Nikki Rocco Retires

//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/486363289?et=i-3vXGNAQ_1ma7_bFMgQ-w&SeoLinks=off&sig=YcRFzn7IhsUJvIjJyiPZZh7_9SFfZLMtZxobB6eSdsU= In case you hadn’t heard, Lupita Nyong’o is also “Most Beautiful.” Courtney Cox’s directorial film debut launches at Tribeca Film Festival. It’s a family affair! Brooklyn native Marisa Tomei discusses her latest project and losing friend Phillip Seymour Hoffman. 20-year-old Keke Palmer will make television history this summer. After 47 years, Universal Pictures distribution chief Nikki Rocco is retiring....

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Weekly Roundup: Jane Pauley, Chelsea Clinton & Women’s Media Status

Jane Pauley, 2012. Photo credit: David Shankbone. Journalist Jane Pauley leaves NBC to join CBS News. New SNL writer Katie Rich has witty insight on male comedians’ success. Women’s Media Center updates its Status of Women in the U.S. Media report. Pam Dawber, TV’s original “Mindy,” to reunite with Robin Williams. Persistence pays off for Shaun of The Dead and Hot Fuzz producer Nira...

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Weekly 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...

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Weekly 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...

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Weekly Film & TV News Roundup

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Weekly Film & TV News Roundup

//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/477632659?et=ypH3AGd2mk6QsjKiitLTPQ&sig=qYCv0zRZXUqeFAov_qAHtLjzjKyIqiTlbiAP8rKqCFo= Lena Dunham tells a SXSW crowd that “things need to change and I’m trying.” Piers Morgan met his match and her name is Chelsea Handler. (Video) Anita Hill discusses Anita, the Freida Lee Mock–directed doc about her life. Producer Paula Wagner is bringing Pretty Woman to broadway. CBS This Morning had wonderful coverage of NatGeo’s...

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Weekly Film & TV News Roundup

Kristin Scott Thomas at the premiere of Only God Forgives in Cannes. Photo via MSN Movies.  Kristin Scott Thomas is fed up with film — so she’s quitting. Lorne Michaels speaks about the women of SNL. Fox Business News adds a new show. Congratulations, Maria Bartiromo! Reality star Lauren Conrad’s appropriate response to an inappropriate question. The Drama League...

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Weekly Film & TV News Roundup

Mad Men photo via theguardian.com. Dear Mr. President, we agree! (Video) Congratulations, Kathy Kelly-Brown, NBC’s new SVP of Global Talent Booking. NYC will certainly benefit from this. Elizabeth Vargas’ return brings winning ratings for 20/20. Universal’s Donna Langley will be the “second most powerful woman in Hollywood” until at least 2017. Casting Director Allison Jones “discovered” our favorite TV/film nerds. Do what...

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