NYWIFT Blog

Fashionista on Designing Women & Dressing ‘The Americans’

Left: Jenny Gering, Lori Hicks, and Peg Schierholz (photo credit: Cindy Ord, Getty). Right: Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell in The Americans. Fashion news site Fashionista caught up with the design team behind FX’s popular spy drama at Thursday’s awards show: …a few of us have also gotten sucked into The Americans on FX — and not just because of the drama-filled...

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Film News Roundup

(Image from Let Me Entertain You: Carol Burnett Sings album cover.) Bravo, Carol Burnett. You are much funnier than people in Washington. Scandal! Scandal! Scandal! Q&A with Kerry Washington. Can Deborah Turness improve The Today Show ratings in her new role? Lizz Winstead was an “idiot” and Glenn Beck defends it. “There’s no average days,” says Rookie Blue creator Tassie Cameron....

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NYWIFT Panel Recap: Writing Fiction for Transmedia and Cross-Platform Entertainment

Panelists spend a half hour in discussion with audience members post-panel. Photographs by Emon Hassan. On Tuesday May 21, 2013, NYWIFT held a panel at the WGAE as part of Internet Week New York, produced by Amanda Lin Costa and moderated by WGAE Director of Programs Dana Weissman. Four transmedia writers discussed creating cross-platform content for...

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TV Preview: Rebel Wilson’s ‘Super Fun Night’

Created by and starring Rebel Wilson, ABC’s upcoming sitcom Super Fun Night looks like a winner. Wilson plays one of three friends who spend their Friday nights “always together! always inside!” — until they’re motivated to take the party outside, diving into the craziness that is New York nightlife. — MICHELE DAGLE

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Terry’s Picks: May 21

Illusion short film trailer from Jessica Hester. Pleased to see: that public pressure forced Disney to back down on its glam, sexy makeover of Brave’s Princess Merida. This over-sexualization of girl and woman characters in children’s media has a negative effect on both girls and boys. Giving a shout out to: Jessica Hester and her award-winning short film, Illusion. Recently featured in...

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Road to Designing Women: Honorees’ Closeup

Countdown to Designing Women 2013! Only three days until the big event, but you can still buy tickets. I was lucky enough to chat with the honorees for Designing Women 2013, to be held on Thursday, May 23, at The McGraw Hill Building in NYC. Here’s what I learned: Makeup artist Andrea Miller moved from Jamaica to...

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Power Player Breakfast Is Back! Meet Producer Christine Vachon

On Friday, May 31, who better to get back in the Power Player groove with than producer Christine Vachon of New York City’s very own Killer Films. With too many powerhouse and award-winning projects to name them all, let’s just start with a few, including indie classic Boys Don’t Cry, recent festival favorite Kill Your Darlings, and the...

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NYWIFT Panel Recap: Fox Audience Strategy & Casting in the New America

The panelists from Fox — Dante Di Loreto, Zola B. Mashariki, Shana C. Waterman, and Seth Yanklewitz — had much to contribute on the subject of diversity in casting, offering forward-thinking, creative solutions. The conversation, moderated by Keli Goff, was centered on, but not limited to race; topics of gender, age, and disabilities were also discussed. The panelists addressed the...

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Film News Roundup

Photo credit: Daily News. After 35+ years, she’s leaving. “Well, she’s too Asian,” NYWIFT Muse Award honoree Lucy Liu on racism. Lena, there’s a new It girl on your heels. Rodham is the hottest script in Hollywood. Hillary always wins! Only 1 female director? Cannes you believe this?! From “the block” to CCO, Jennifer Lopez is moving in the...

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Road to Designing Women: Meet Our Emcee, Valerie Smaldone

She’s a five-time Billboard Magazine Award winner known for her unprecedented success holding the No.1 on-air position in the New York radio market. Now, Valerie Smaldone can add emcee of NYWIFT’s Designing Women Awards to her long list of accomplishments. We’re thrilled to welcome her to our May 23 event. As a media personality, Smaldone has handled...

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‘Brave’ Gets Disney-Princessfied

Photo via The Guardian.  Oscar-winning ‘Brave’ Director/Writer Brenda Chapman is slamming Disney for sexualizing the animated film’s hero, Merida, for an upcoming toy line. With a cinched waist, low-cut gown, and sans bow and arrows, the once-realistic role model now looks like every other “perfect” princess in the Disney lineup.  “I think it’s atrocious what...

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Terry’s Picks: May 14

Recently enjoyed: The Girls in the Band, playing this week at the Elinor Bunin Monroe Film Center at Lincoln Center. Great music and a great story about women in jazz in the past and in the present. Hold the date for a special NYWIFT screening with a panel of women jazz musicians on Thursday, May...

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Road to Designing Women: The Beginning

Designing Women 2012 presenter Tina Fey (center) with honorees Jenn Jorge Nelson (left) and Julie Teel. (Photo credit: Eileen Miller) “The inspired work done by each honoree bringing to life unforgettable characters on the big and small screen serves as a shining example of the incredible creative vision of women in the entertainment industry.” That quote, from NYWIFT’s...

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Mother’s Day Movie: ‘Mermaids’ (1990)

An ode to complex mother-daughter relationships, Mermaids stars Cher as an offbeat, fun-loving mother to serious teen Winona Ryder and 9-year-old Christina Ricci. Cher recently celebrated her own amazing mother with Dear Mom, Love Cher on Lifetime. — MICHELE DAGLE

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NYWIFT Panel Recap: The Power of Partnership in Documentary Film

Photo courtesy of Simone Pero. On May 6, NYWIFT Documentary Committee head Marcia Rock, led a discussion with the movers and shakers behind the Girl Rising documentary on how the film secured strategic partnerships, engaged the community, and gained momentum to launch a global campaign. Girl Rising is an inspiring documentary that spotlights deeply moving...

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Film News Roundup

Amy Poehler is a serious Hollywood player now. “There’s an actual bar in Apple stores?” Aww, we’ve missed you, Winona. Costume Designer Sophie De Rakoff on characters & wardrobe choices. Only three women made this list of “highest paid.” *sigh* She’s the first female Director in 118 years. Congratulations Marin Alsop! R.I.P. Jeanne Cooper (The Young...

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Road to Designing Women: Flashback 2006

Julia Roberts and Lyndell Quiyou. Photograph by Victoria Medina. From its beginning in 2000, NYWIFT’s Designing Women awards have honored women who have made some of the biggest stars look great through their hair, makeup, and costume design. Their work has been seen in award-winning TV shows and blockbuster films, such as Sex and the City, Law and...

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Flix Not to Miss: ‘Eden’

Eden is a harrowing look at the sex trafficking industry here in the United States. Directed by Megan Griffiths, Eden won Griffiths the 2012 Chicken & Egg Emergent Narrative Director Award at SXSW Film Festival. Based on a true story, the film follows Eden (played by Jamie Chung), a young Asian teenager living in the United States lured...

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