NYWIFT Blog

#SummerHours Summer Reading: Women in Early Hollywood

Throughout history, and specifically film and television history, women have been early to identify and seize opportunity in emerging fields—only to be edged out of those fields, and their history, once they become mainstream. Mellini Kantayya shares four great reads about the women pioneers of early Hollywood.

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#SummerHours Summer Reading: Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis

Actors Ruby Dee and her husband Ossie Davis fought for civil rights from Washington, DC to Hollywood. And they were married for nearly 60 years. Kathryn O'Kane shares some of favorite quotes and moments from their joint memoir, In This Life Together.

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Terry’s Picks: Disability Inclusion, Crazy Good, New Website

Disability Inclusion: Be sure to read this fantastic guest column in Variety by NYWIFT member Crystal R. Emery about the need for inclusion of those with disabilities both in front of and behind the camera. Crazy Good: Crazy Rich Asians, the first contemporary-set studio film with an all-Asian lead cast since The Joy Luck Club...

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#SummerHours Summer Reading: Books for Actors (That Have Nothing to Do with Acting)

Mellini Kantayya shares the books about mindfulness, presence and intention that can inform the acting and audition process.

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#SummerHours Summer Reading: Tina Fey

In her 2011 book Bossypants, Tina Fey recounts stories of her childhood, her rise to head writer on SNL, her experiences on 30 Rock, and what she learned along the way.

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Terry’s Picks: Harassment Statistics, Equal Pay, WE Legal

Harassment Statistics: Two new surveys reinforce what we all know: the Center for Talent Innovation’s study, “What #MeToo Means for Corporate America,” shows that the media and entertainment industry has the highest rate of sexual harassment among white-collar industries; and a survey from the Writers Guild of America, West, finds that 64% of female writers...

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#SummerHours #BingeWatch-Worthy Drama Picks

Mellini Kantayya offers two very different - but equally addictive - drama series for your summer #bingewatch.

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Terry’s Picks: Thumbs Down, Marvel-ous Director, Photo Exhibit

Thumbs Down: The latest study from Dr. Martha Lauzen from the Center for the Study of Women in Film & Television at San Diego State University shows that male reviewers dramatically outumber female reviewers, which can in turn affect how female-driven content’s visibility.  Marvel-ous Director: Cate Shortland will be the first woman to direct a...

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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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#SummerHours Summer Reading: Rita Moreno

1996 NYWIFT Muse Honoree Rita Moreno is, quite literally, a national treasure. She is one of only 12 performers to win all four major artistic awards: the Oscar, the Emmy, the Grammy and the Tony, and she is the first Hispanic person to have won all four awards. Kathryn O'Kane digs into her memoir this summer.

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Terry’s Picks: Sandra Oh, Hannah Gadsby, Yvonne Russo

Sandra Oh: Congratulations to Sandra Oh, who became the first woman of Asian descent nominated for a lead actress in a drama series Emmy last week with her nomination for her stellar work in BBC America’s Killing Eve. Hannah Gadsby: If you haven’t watch Hannah Gadsby’s Nanette on Netflix yet, do it. It’s deserving of...

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#SummerHours #BingeWatch-Worthy Family Content: Three Fun, Feminist Picks for the Whole Family

Mellini Kantayya offers up three fun, feminist, and family-friendly binge-worthy picks for all ages and genders to fill your #SummerHours. If you're not careful, you might get even more addicted than your kids do!

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Terry’s Picks: #SummerHours Series, Debra Granik, Darya Zhuk

#SummerHours Series: The NYWIFT #SummerHours blog series by members Mellini Kantayya and Kathryn O’Kane is back again this year with recommendations for your summer reading and watchlist. So far Kathryn has shared her thoughts on past NYWIFT Muse honoree Whoopi Goldberg’s latest book, and Mellini has created a list of bingewatch-worthy comedy picks. Debra Granik:...

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Meet the New Board Members: Yvonne Russo

NYWIFT is governed by an 18 member Board of Directors, elected by the membership in late Spring. This diverse, accomplished group of women are at the top of their game in TV, film and digital media. We get to know producer Yvonne Russo, one of the latest additions to our leadership team.

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#SummerHours Summer Reading: Whoopi Goldberg

Use your #SummerHours to have a few laughs - and get real about relationships. Kathryn O'Kane tells us why 2003 NYWIFT Muse Honoree Whoopi Goldberg's relationship how-to should be your next read.

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#SummerHours #BingeWatch-Worthy Comedy Picks

Our #SummerHours series makes a triumphant return just as the NYC temperatures start to heat up! In the first edition of our Summer '18 series, Mellini Kantayya offers her side-splitting #bingeworthy comedy picks.

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Terry’s Picks: Sarah Paulson, Lisa Nishimura, Gina Duncan

Sarah Paulson: Ocean’s 8 reboot star Sarah Paulson debunks the theory that women can’t work well together. (Of course they can!) Lisa Nishimura: If you binged Making a Murderer, Wild Wild Country or any other recent Netflix documentary series, you have Lisa Nishimura to thank. Gina Duncan: Indiewire profiles Gina Duncan, associate vice president of...

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Terry’s Picks: ReFrame Stamp, Women Directors, Binge Watch

ReFrame Stamp: The ReFrame organization has created the ReFrame Stamp in partnership with IMDBpro, a badge of honor for film and TV projects that hire women in at least half of eight key production positions – writer, director, producer, lead actor, co-lead, speaking parts, department heads and crew – with double points for women of...

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