NYWIFT Blog

NYWIFT Members at Sundance Film Festival

From the documentary The Hunting Ground. Members of New York Women in Film and Television have films at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, which runs from January 22 to February 1 in Park City, Utah. Here’s a sneak peek: ADVANTAGEOUS Section: U.S. Dramatic Competition Director: Jennifer Phang Screenwriters: Jacqueline Kim, Jennifer Phang Production Designers: Dara Wishingrad (NYWIFT Member), Aiyana...

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Weekly Roundup: Awards, Animation & An Absence of Women Directors

//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/461167944?et=fzmEQGH0Rn1a6eQqvwNMPw&socialOnLoad=off&sig=UzXAoUBJoRWvhGfK152hUWgKWmc-MlAm3MfmEdAvIok=&caption=true Lots of great moments at the People’s Choice Awards. The January “Call for Writers” topic on btchflcks.com is…Black Families. DreamWorks Animation hires two women to take the lead! Hayley Atwell loves being Agent Carter and the “Yes, and?” world of LA. It’s 2015 and there’s still a 4% problem for female directors. Here’s helpful advice if you’re moving to LA...

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2014 Screenplays, Screenplays, Screenplays

It’s that time of the year again. The Award Season scripts are being post online by the studios for all to read and the 2014 Blacklist scripts are available for download.  We wish more were written by women, so get reading and get writing!

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Flix Not to Miss: ‘Making Mr. Right’ (1987) by Susan Seidelman

I always enjoy a good romantic comedy, and Susan Seidelman provides a quirky, offbeat example of the genre with a touch of sci-fi in Making Mr. Right. Comedian Ann Magnuson is terrific as a high-powered image consultant who’s tasked with creating a more human android, played by a young John Malkovich. Unfortunately, she succeeds a little too...

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Weekly Roundup: Muse Interviews & Year-End Reviews

VIVE Katerin has exciting interviews from the 2014 MUSE awards! (Video) Sarah Silverman and HBO partner to bring humor to the “modern midlife crisis.” From A to Z, Women and Hollywood lists women in film 2014, Parts I and II. There’s still time to submit that “family-friendly” script you wrote this year. We’re waiting with bated breath, Nikki Finke! 2014 is almost...

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Advice from an Indie Producer: The Page Turn

After you’ve hired your crew, it’s now time to schedule a meeting with your key department heads to go scene by scene through the script, which is called a “page turn.” A page turn ensures all the department heads are in alignment with the producer/director’s vision. This meeting saves time and money because it reduces...

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Dispatch From the West Coast: How Indie Films Are Conquering LA

NewFilmmakers Los Angeles Film Festival audience at AT&T Center in Downtown LA. The face of Los Angeles independent filmmaking is changing, and it has been for a while. More and more festivals showing short and experimental films are popping up in the capital of the Hollywood machine. Young and new filmmakers are not scared of...

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Road to Muse: Missed the NYWIFT Muse Awards? We Got You Covered!

(L-R) NYWIFT 2014 Muse Award honorees Wanda Sykes, Abigail Disney, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mary Bailey, and Dawn Ostroff, and Muse host Judy Gold. Photo courtesy of NYWIFT. On December 11, 2014, New York Women in Film & Television held its annual Muse Awards, a fundraising gala luncheon that honors women of outstanding “vision and achievement,” as well as...

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Weekly Roundup: NYWIFT Muse Awards, Golden Globe Noms & THR Power 100 List

(L-R) Loreen Arbus, Wanda Sykes, Abigail Disney, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mary Bailey, Dawn Ostroff, Judy Gold, Alexis Alexanian, and Terry Lawler at NYWIFT’s 2014 Muse Awards. NYWIFT’s 2014 Muse Awards honored Maggie Gyllenhaal, Wanda Sykes, Dawn Ostroff, Mary Bailey, and Abigail Disney. Ava DuVernay makes history, and other Golden Globe news! Meet the women on this year’s The Hollywood Reporter’s Power 100 List. Melissa Joan...

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Road to Muse: Goodie Bags & Raffles

Muse Awards 2014 goodie bags are once again filled with amazing items from New York Women in Film & Television sponsors. Make-up is always a big hit with the ladies and this year Sephora and Ricky’s once again will be packing a punch! Beauty items galore are being offered in the Raffle including a basket...

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Road to Muse: Honorees Wanda Sykes & Maggie Gyllenhaal

//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/450140368?et=p-0BA1uARJdcX4djWTtrWA&sig=3bhkEfcGr-axHM6n7X7zfoCcF4ImLtzP-5n_Oimmu7g= Join New York Women in Film & Television on Dec 11, 2014, at the New York Hilton, to honor actors Wanda Sykes and Maggie Gyllenhaal, script supervisor Mary Bailey, Condé Nast Entertainment President Dawn Ostroff, and filmmaker, philanthropist, and activist Abigail Disney, at the nonprofit’s annual Muse Awards. Wanda Sykes, an Emmy Award winner, has appeared in several TV shows,...

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Weekly Roundup: ‘Wild’ Buzz, Sundance Announces Slate & Kathy Griffin Joins the Force

//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/459285384?et=LZkUR8RgQHN9OsEIum46BQ&sig=MveGVx7YMS0PHkwO_B19elQ8JQFbIKaRHUoMIR6e3oY= Laura Dern is causing Oscar buzz for her role in Wild.  Wild author Cheryl Strayed discusses her motivation and getting the book optioned. (Podcast) Directing big-budget Selma makes Ava DuVernay want to tell larger stories about women. The Sundance 2015 competition slate is here. Chicken & Egg Pictures grants $330K for women-directed documentaries! Kathy Griffin joins E!’s Fashion Police force....

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Road to Muse: #ThrowbackThursday Videos

We hope you have your 2014 Muse Awards ticket in hand! If not, buy one now. You don’t want to miss the sure to be jaw-dropping, laughter-inducing Wanda Sykes’ acceptance speech, the industry insights from the stunning and talented Maggie Gyllenhaal, the thought-provoking, global-minded Abigail Disney’s Changemaker Award acceptance speech, or further wise words from industry...

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Top 10 Reasons to Join NYWIFT

Discounts to High-profile Special Events Celebrating Women Calling the Shots in Television, Film & Digital Media: Attend our well-loved annual tributes to women working in the industry at the right industry insider price! Designing Women: A celebration of the achievements and influence of costume designers, make-up artists, and hair stylists in film, television, and digital...

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Join Now! 50% Off Initiation Fee Until 12/5

Join New York Women in Film & Television by December 5, 2014, and get 50% off the initiation fee! NYWIFT membership creates business and networking opportunities—where you can build your career, hone your skills, stay in the job market, preserve your cultural legacy, and make a difference. Learn more about NYWIFT member benefits and how to apply for membership. 

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Notes from a Screenreader: Hoarder Edition

Photo via Go Into the Story. A first draft is a hoarder house. It is piled full of things of great value to the writer, things that feel necessary and beautiful and valuable, or at least are too nice to throw away. The experience of the reader to the hoarder draft is, “Why are you...

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#TBT Flix Not to Miss: ‘The Gleaners & I’ (2000) by Agnes Varda

The Gleaners, an oil painting by Jean-François Millet. In her documentary The Gleaners & I (2000), Agnes Varda’s point-of-departure is a 1857 painting by Jean-Francois Millet portraying three women gleaning the fields. The painting, hanging in the Musee d’Orsay in Paris, is captured in the film through crowds of onlookers. While in his painting Millet sought to give a voice to...

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Road to Muse: NYWIFT to Honor Maggie Gyllenhaal, Wanda Sykes, Dawn Ostroff, Mary Bailey & Abigail Disney

//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/458178782?et=lnqRodaISTRmsT2OR69EjA&sig=TZ5R8AZ-BTJXFK7fsRp1kIEQ1Pm2mZEAE7FZyLgG55c= Maggie Gyllenhaal opening night of The Real Thing on Broadway. Variety has announced the honorees of New York Women in Film & Television’s 2014 Muse Awards. Maggie Gyllenhaal, Wanda Sykes, Condé Nast Entertainment president Dawn Ostroff, and script supervisor Mary Bailey (The Bling Ring, A League of Their Own) will be honored for “Vision and Achievement” at...

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