NYWIFT Blog

Clothes on Film

Goldie Hawn and Walter Matthau in Cactus Flower via Clothes on Film. We hope NYWIFT’s Designing Women Awards prompted a new interest in the hardworking women and men whose choices help bring characters to life with the flick of a scarf or a swish of a skirt. To keep your costume senses tingling until Designing Women 2014,...

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Film News Roundup

How do you feel about the low percentage of women film critics? Image courtesy of them0vieblog.com This Julianne Moore interview is definitely not “boring.” Six resources indie filmmakers should embrace. Tika Sumpter has exciting new gossip surrounding her. Get to know actress and NYWIFT member Anna Van Valin. Comedy Central came to their senses. Congratulations, Amy Schumer!...

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NYWIFT Recap: 2013 Designing Women Awards

On the left, Julianna Margulies (right) with Andrea Miller (center); on the right, Nora Jones and Mandy Lyons. Photo credit: Ben Hider. NYWIFT’s Designing Women Awards last Thursday, May 23, sponsored by People magazine, was a terrific event. It was a pleasure to see so many talented women — including Deborah Scott (costume designer, Avatar), Mandy Lyons (hairstylist, Moonrise Kingdom), and Andrea...

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A Decline in Influence of Female Film Critics

Judith Crist became the first full-time female critic at any major newspaper when she joined The New York Herald Tribune as their film critic in 1963. She passed in 2012. (Source: Women in Hollywood) Last week the Alliance of Women Film Journalists and Variety posted articles on research conducted by the Center for the Study of Women in Film and Television’s Executive...

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Terry’s Picks: May 28

Check out: Frances Ha, directed by Noah Baumbach and co-written by Baumbach and Greta Gerwig, who also plays the lead. First off, it’s black and white, which is always a treat; and secondly, Gerwig gives a great performance in a complex and funny woman-centered story. Looking forward to: The Killing, starting up again on AMC next...

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Military Movie Pick: ‘Private Benjamin’ (1980)

If you’re in the mood for a lighthearted look at the military wrapped in pure 1980s camp, watch — or if you’re like me, re-watch — Private Benjamin. Co-written by Nancy Meyers, the film stars Goldie Hawn as a high-society widow (spoiler: the groom doesn’t make it through the wedding night) who chucks it all...

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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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