Self-isolation is Not So Alone
These past few weeks of self-isolation have been eye-opening, regarding the notion of being alone and isolated from peers, loved ones, family, and friends. In our struggle to find a new equilibrium and routine, we appear to have stumbled into a period of connectivity, which is different but perhaps even greater than before. NYWIFT member Cassandra Seidenfeld reflects on how social distancing in the time of COVID-19 has encouraged her to connect in new ways.
READ MORETop Takeaways: Preserving Your Mental Health During Challenging Times
As a director and producer, NYWIFT board member Kathryn O'Kane is a planner and she's used to solving problems. The biggest challenge she's finding during the COVID-19 crisis is that there’s not enough information to be able to plan. She attended the NYWIFT “Mental Health and Career Sustainability in the Doc World” panel because to learn how producers can come to terms with that and how to relax into the uncertainty of the moment when it goes against our nature. She offers her top takeaways.
READ MOREWhat’s in Your Toolkit: Jendra Jarnagin
DP Jendra Jarnagin shares her favorite camera and script notation apps, creative advice, and why networking is the key to surviving in the industry.
READ MOREShifting the Conversation: Mental Health and Career Sustainability in the Doc World
Living in survival mode and keeping it all together for their crew and subjects is what documentary filmmakers are good at, but it often comes at great costs to their own mental health and physical well-being. Member Janine McGoldrick offers a recap of NYWIFT's recent panel on mental health in the doc world, and how some leaders are starting to shift the conversation to address what was once a taboo subject.
READ MORECynthia’s Picks: NYWIFT Programming Goes Digital, Emergency Funds, Facebook Group
NYWIFT Programming Goes Digital: We have launched a new series, NYWIFT Talks – to bring updated news and vital information about the impact of COVID-19 on the media and entertainment industry. Industry professionals will be in conversation discussing what you need to know about theatrical releases, digital advances, virtual tools, festival opportunities, production updates and...
READ MOREState of the Industry: A Conversation with Ariel Wan of the Michigan Theater Foundation
Ariel Wan, Director of Programming, Marketing and Sales at the Michigan Theater Foundation offers insight into how local art house theaters have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis, and what they are doing in order to survive.
READ MORECynthia’s Picks: COVID-19 Emergency Resources, #WomenCrushWednesdays Podcast, Lab Extension
COVID-19 Emergency Resources : We have compiled the NYWIFT Emergency Resource Directory which continues to update daily. Please continue to check back and if you have suggestions to add please send them to us. #WomenCrushWednesdays Podcast: The latest episode of our NYWIFT podcast features a discussion of the COVID-19 crisis and how NYWIFT will offer resources...
READ MOREState of the Industry: A Conversation with Film Production Freelancer Isabella Olaguera
Throughout the coming weeks, NYWIFT will sit down with members of the film and television community for a look at how the global COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the industry, particularly those who work in the indie and art house world. Our first conversation is with NYWIFT Member Isabella Olaguera, a 1st AD who is organizing an initiative to help feed freelancers who are struggling. She shares her insight into how life has come to a halt with so many productions on hold.
READ MORECynthia’s Picks: NYWIFT Podcast, Queens World, #NYWIFTHerstory Posts
NYWIFT Podcast: The NYWIFT #WomenCrushWednesdays podcast is back for 2020! Listen, rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Anchor. In the latest episode, Janine McGoldrick gives a rundown of the latest in NYWIFT news and programming and Leah Curney welcomes filmmaker Naomi McDougall Jones back to the podcast to discuss her new book The...
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 MORECynthia’s Picks: Latinx Representation, Kasi Lemmons, The Kingmaker
Latinx Representation: Good news – the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media has partnered with Universal Filmed Entertainment Group to pilot its “Spellcheck for Bias” digital tool, this time in order to help increase Latinx representation onscreen. Kasi Lemmons: 2019 NYWIFT Nancy Malone Directing Award honoree Kasi Lemmons writes in Variety about why she...
READ MOREWhat’s in Your Toolkit: Leah Curney
Multi-hyphenate artist Leah Curney - an actor, writer, and director - shares what keeps her organized and inspired, from notebooks to podcasts and more. Plus, she expounds on the one piece of advice that frustrated her...until the truth of it finally clicked.
READ MOREPennhurst: A Story that Needed to be Told
NYWIFT member Jodie Alexandra Taylor's documentary Pennhurst, which screens at the Member Screening Series on February 25th, was inspired by her visit to what remains of one of the largest and oldest institutions for the intellectually and developmentally disabled. One chapter of the story ended when the institution closed, but the fight for equitable treatment and representation for the disabled continues to this day. Making the movie inspired a fervent commitment on Taylor’s part to continue that dialogue and, in so doing, change the future narrative. Taylor sat down with us to discuss the film and its potential impact.
READ MORECynthia’s Picks: Production Women, Ravenal Submissions, The Inclusive
Production Women: It’s time for more women behind the lens. From lighting to sound to stunts, costumes, sets, and beyond, learn about the many career opportunities for women in production with this new resource from Time’s Up. NYWIFT is a proud partner. (When you watch the PSA keep your eyes peeled for former NYWIFT Board...
READ MORECynthia’s Picks: Sundance Success, Online Shorts, Ledbetter Film
Sundance Success: Thanks to all who attended our two inaugural events at the Sundance Film Festival this year! Be sure to check out the photos of our favorite moments. And congratulations to our NYWIFT community members who took home Sundance Awards – Radha Blank, who won the award for Directing for her debut film The 40-Year-Old-Version...
READ MOREWhat’s in Your Toolkit: Dana Covarrubias
2018 NYWIFT Designing Women honoree Dana Covarrubias shares the tools - both literal and figurative - she keeps in her costume design toolkit.
READ MORECynthia’s Picks: NYWIFT @ Sundance, Oscar Noms, Female Leads
NYWIFT @ Sundance: NYWIFT is thrilled to present two events at Sundance 2020! First, in partnership with AMC Networks, Women in Film LA (WIF) and ReFrame, NYWIFT co-presents the panel “Women on the Front Lines: Changing the Game” with an exciting roster of industry panelists. Then we celebrate the women of Sundance – including all...
READ MOREWhat’s in Your Toolkit: Jennifer Snowdon
NYWIFT member Jennifer Snowdon shares insights from her 25-year-career as a makeup artists and offers us a peek inside her makeup toolkit.
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