6 Tips for Hooking a Reader in the First Pages of Your Pilot
The first pages of your pilot need to be solid — as in, a representation of your very best work — and they need to establish us in the world succinctly. Last year, NYWIFT Member and WWFC Co-Founder Katrina Medoff read hundreds of pilot scripts submitted for Women’s Weekend Film Challenge’s inaugural pilot accelerator, and she saw some general themes emerge for how to make the opening of your pilot stand out. Read on for her six tips, and learn how to apply to the next WWFC pilot accelerator.
READ MORE5 Exercises for Strengthening Your Pilot Script’s Cold Open
The first scenes of your pilot need to capture the reader’s attention, because you never know how far a busy Hollywood exec (or their assistant) will read before losing interest. You need to introduce your characters and story, show off your writing skills, and give the reader something they haven’t seen before — it’s a lot of pressure! Women’s Weekend Film Challenge Co-Founder NYWIFT Member Katrina Medoff offers some exercises to make those crucial first pages shine.
READ MOREHighlights from the 2022 AMC Networks Summit
The AMC Networks Summit held at 74Wythe in Brooklyn, NY on September 28, 2022 brought together talent and network executives for moderated discussions centered around the company’s content and legacy from the past, present, and future — and to dissect the new and epic worlds coming to AMCN’s platforms, and introduce the next seminal characters that will capture the hearts and minds of viewers.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Kelly Reagan
Welcome, new NYWIFT member Kelly Reagan! We are so happy to introduce Kelly, who has so much to offer our community. She is a four-time Emmy-nominated producer and writer who has a deep history with major networks like Nickelodeon and Oprah's OWN. She has worked on many projects as a senior writer and producer, including one featuring great names like Michelle Obama (and she even received a letter from the First Family after filming together). We’re thrilled to have her join New York Women in Film & Television and can't wait to see what she does next.
READ MOREKathryn O’Kane on the Emmys, Jeff Goldblum, and the Challenges of Pandemic Productions
When NYWIFT Board Member Kathryn O’Kane headed off to direct season two of The World According to Jeff Goldblum for Disney+ it was, in her words, “the worst of times” – the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, before vaccines were available and film production felt particularly dangerous and fraught. But the difficult work paid off, and has led to the best of times! Season two of the docuseries, which follows the beloved quirky actor as he pulls on the thread of a familiar topic to unravel a world of fascinating secrets, has been nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special.
We checked in with Kathryn to offer our congratulations, learn more about the filming process, and discuss what’s next for her.
Meet the New NYWIFT Board Members: Okema T. Moore
New NYWIFT Board Member Okema T. Moore says 'I also represent those of us that didn't come from this world but fell in love with it, and scrapped and scraped our way to get further along. I think I add another element of heart and safe space to what NYWIFT is.'
READ MOREMisha Calvert’s New Comedy “Strut” Centering on Female Sexuality Premieres on Revry TV June 18
Revry TV’s new original series Strut slashes through taboos at every level, from its relatable, sex working ensemble to the female creative team, queer creator, and LGTBQ-heavy crew. From award-winning creator NYWIFT Member Misha Calvert (writer, star), Strut explores the complexities of sex work from the female gaze
READ MOREOpinion: Hank Azaria apologized for playing Apu on ‘The Simpsons.’ I accept.
"As an Indian American actress, for me the shadow of Apu loomed larger in my life than I realized." NYWIFT Member Mellini Kantayya offers her take on the controversial "Simpsons" character - and subsequent fallout - in an insightful op-ed published in The Washington Post.
READ MORENYWIFT Women’s History Month Spotlight: Tammy Reese
Tammy Reese is a multimedia content creator who loves everything theatre, entertainment, media, and film. She is an award-winning actress, writer, and journalist, and the Founder & Lead Publicist of Visionary Minds Public Relations and Media. She discusses her inspirations, balancing work and family, her favorite interviews and more.
READ MORENYWIFT Women’s History Month Spotlight: Kelsey Marsh
NYWIFT Member Kelsey Marsh is a Line Producer at NowThis currently overseeing their Earth and Impact partnerships. She has six years experience in managing inspiring, entertaining, and educational productions for broadcast and digital platforms. Kelsey shares how her experience in the Peace Corps led her to a career combining media and service, her Women's History Month inspirations, and more.
READ MOREDocumentary Storytelling with Sound Design – Top Takeaways
Sound design in the secret sauce that adds that magical third dimension to media projects. Well-designed audio is so seamless that it is often overlooked because it so beautifully integrates with the visuals. In our recent NYWIFT program, a panel of sound design experts explained how their craft can transform documentary storytelling.
READ MOREDeath Row Stories Season 5 Features Work of Six NYWIFT Members
Season 5 of Death Row Stories premieres this Sunday, April 19 at 8 PM ET/CT on HLN. Told by current and former death row inmates, each episode of Death Row Stories seeks to unravel the truth behind a different capital murder case and poses tough questions about the U.S. capital punishment system. This season, the series features work by six NYWIFT members.
READ MOREWhat’s in Your Toolkit: Sarah Barker
NYWIFT Member Sarah Barker is an accomplished and passionate producer with a decade of experience turning ambitious ideas into award-winning television and live events. Oh, and she also happens to be an astrophysicist! Yes, that's right: she is an astrophysicist, science communicator, and science-advocate, committed to enthusing people about learning. Sarah does this by creating engaging factual television, and enthralling live events. Sarah shared with us what she keeps in her toolkit, here on Earth...
READ MORECynthia’s Picks: Muse on TV, Ashley Eakin, Maysoon Zayid
Muse on TV: NYWIFT is thrilled to announce that the Muse Awards will make its broadcast premiere on CUNY TV in celebration of Women’s History Month! The one-hour program will feature highlights from each speech at the 40th anniversary event, as well as exclusive red carpet interviews. The premiere is this Monday 3/9 at 10...
READ MOREPartner Post: Universal Production Services Costume Department- The newest option in costume rentals in the city
Our friends at Universal Production Services Costume Department in NYC offer a look at their services.
READ MORECostumes, Couture and Conversing with Emmy-Award Winning Costume Designer Donna Zakowska
NYWIFT member Jean Criss offers an exclusive recap of the December 2019 event "Costumes, Couture and Conversing with Emmy-Award winning Costume Designer Donna Zakowska," at FIT SUNY hosted by the State of New York Governor’s Office of Motion Picture & Television Development. The conversation focused on Zakowska's acclaimed work on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
READ MORENew Kids’ Series Featuring Native American Character Launches This Summer
Indigenous representation is scarce in children’s programming – and TV programming in general. The new PBS animated children's series "Molly of Denali" hopes to change that.
READ MORENew Four-Part Comedy Series “Half Life” by Patty Carey Debuts May 10
#GreenlightHer Winner Patty Carey’s Comedy Series ‘Half Life’ Premieres May 10 on NYC Life Winner of NYC’s First-Ever Pilot Competition for Stories by, for, and about Women Offers Hilarious Insider’s Look at the Film Industry from a Mom’s Perspective Larisa Oleynik, Finnerty Steeves, and Nancy Giles star in four-part series Patty Carey’s Half Life,...
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