Notes from a Screenreader: Low Readability
Photo via Go Into the Story. An active voice stands out immediately from the rest of the pile. It’s such a huge advantage to write action lines as if you want to tell a story rather than sketch in the background. INT. LIVING ROOM – DAYTim is sitting at the table, playing solitaire. Molly is...
READ MOREThrough the Grapevine: NYWIFT Spring Membership Drive
Birds are chirping and spring bulbs are blooming, and that means it is Spring Membership Drive time! This is your opportunity to join New York Women in Film & Television, the preeminent entertainment industry association for women in New York, now through Monday May 5 and get 50% off our initiation fee. NYWIFT brings together...
READ MOREWeekly 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...
READ MOREA Conversation with WIGS & ‘Blue’ Creators
The award-winning web series Blue stars Julia Stiles as a single mother moonlighting as a call girl. It’s a case study of a successful drama series on the web. Blue premiered on WIGS, one of the first premium original content channels funded by YouTube and launched in 2012 by director Rodrigo Garcia (Albert Nobbs, In Treatment) and Emmy Award–nominated...
READ MORENotes from a Screenreader: Bang a Gong
Photo via Go Into the Story. Theme is the beating heart of the screenplay, the proposition about the human condition that your story explores—the big issues. Love. Faith. Resilience. Trust. Power. Courage. All the goosebumpy things. The theme, that single, simple thesis that creates clarity and scope and resonance through the arcs of your story,...
READ MOREAdvice from an Indie Producer: Script Breakdown & Budgeting
What is the real purpose of a budget? In my experience, it’s the road map of the production. The amount of money you have will dictate the majority of the decisions that are made in pre-production, principal photography, post-production and beyond (festivals, marketing, social media campaigns, etc). You may have used a “development” budget, usually...
READ MOREFlix Not to Miss: ‘It Felt Like Love’
It Felt Like Love, by first-time feature director Eliza Hittman, follows 14-year-old Lila (a perfectly cast Gina Piersanti) as she pursues an older teenage boy. There are a few passing similarities between It Felt Like Love and Andrea Arnold’s similar themed Fish Tank. Hittman distinguishes herself with intimate closeups and following subjects with tracking shots through parties and wooded areas of outer Brooklyn. This...
READ MOREWeekly 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...
READ MORENotes from a Screenreader: Commuter Blues
Photo via Go Into the Story. You drove 20 miles home in heavy traffic and don’t remember any of it. That’s the dissociation you use to deal with the sameness of your commute. It also happens when you read your script. Your brain fills in what’s supposed to be there and you blow right by your...
READ MOREActing Up: The Improv Audition
Lately, I’ve noticed that a lot of my auditions have been improv/ad-lib. Although I still receive a character breakdown, research the players of the project (via IMDB, Google), and do my best to get a description for any new shows, the question remains, What am I going to do in the room? I love sides,...
READ MOREWeekly 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...
READ MORENotes from a Screenreader: The Wonkavator
Photo via Go Into the Story. Willy Wonka: No, it’s a Wonkavator. An elevator can only go up and down, but the Wonkavator can go sideways, and slantways, and longways, and backways… A screenplay should not be a Wonkavator, even if it isn’t linear. What you want in a spec script is a ride straight...
READ MOREFlix Not to Miss: ‘Nowhere Boy’
Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, Nowhere Boy follows The Beatles’ John Lennon (played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson) as a teenager finding his way, learning to play guitar, and meeting future bandmates Paul McCartney and George Harrison. Nowhere Boy explores the little-known family dynamic that played out in Lennon’s life before he toured with The Beatles. After being raised by his Aunt...
READ MOREWeekly Film & TV News Roundup
//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/183669878?et=XYPnmei_4068PYiAqEE8jQ&sig=SX4RxzmMCycPW_AXxiuqo2Q2XifTOs0kFYxLOqeoFp0= Netflix is bringing Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin back together. Hope Dolly Parton makes an appearance. Now Hiring! Women and Hollywood is looking for new columnists. These changes at Getty Images are most welcome and long overdue. (Video) Audition news: You may be too attractive to book a commercial. You should read this before entering that screenplay contest. The...
READ MORENYWIFT 2014 Board Elections
Image via Wikimedia. Have you voted yet? NYWIFT Board elections run through April 8, 2014. This is the most important decision each year for a New York Women in Film and Television member. NYWIFT Board Members play a very important role in shaping the organization. They head committees such as Special Events, Membership, Communications, Development...
READ MORENotes From a Screenreader: ’20 Feet From Stardom’
Photo via Go Into the Story. If you have not seen 20 Feet from Stardom, put it at the top of your to-do list. It won an Oscar, and it is the non plus ultra of setting your inner star loose on the world. A voice is a voice, whether it is raised in song or committed...
READ MORENYWIFT Success Story: ‘In Montauk’ and the Value of PR
Lukas Hassel and Nina Kaczorowski in a scene from In Montauk, written and directed by NYWIFT member Kim Cummings. Photo by Aja Nisenson. Independent filmmaking on a micro-budget is a lonely business. People come and go throughout the process. As the filmmaker, you’re the only constant day in and day out. It’s not that you...
READ MORENew Opportunities From NYTVF, Disney, Tribeca, IFP
We’re highlighting some of the latest, most innovative competitions and programs for film, TV, digital, and writing: For the second year in a row, the Tribeca Film Festival has launched the #6SECFILMS Competition. Choose from one of the categories — #GENRE, #DRAMA, #COMEDY, #ANIMATION — and enter as many Vines as you want by March 27, 2014. Just...
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