Women in Film and Video/New England Presents – How To Utilize Your Local Public Access Station to Realize Your Cinematic Vision:  Whether Narrative or Documentary. Thursday, July 28th from 7:00 – 9:00 PM at CCTV (Cambridge Community Television), 438 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA.

Are you dreaming of telling a fantastic true-life story or creating your own indie film?  Your motivation is high but you lack resources.  This special event will explore how you can tap into equipment, training, and expertise, all at nominal cost, as part of a federally-mandated program to help interested people become accomplished film-makers.

The panel, representing five greater Boston-area public access TV stations will explore how Community Television Stations can be used to learn all of the tools of film-making from basic camera and sound recording to sound design and post-production.  For more senior level filmmakers, this will be an opportunity to learn how signing on as a Public Access member can gain you access to resources, ranging from camera and sound equipment to a full editing station – if you are willing to broadcast your piece on your local Public Access TV station.  Featured are:  Kathy Bisbee, Executive Director of Brookline Interactive Group, Paula Hersey, Director of Outreach and Special Projects at Cape Cod Community Media; Allison Maria Rodriguez, Training Coordinator at Cambridge Community TV; Kevin Wetmore, Youth Coordinator at Arlington Community Media, and Brian Zipp, Executive Director at Somerville Community Access TV.

The panelists will present select media examples of work done by filmmakers in each of their communities.  Kathy Bisbee will also discuss a filmmaker grant program available to residents in her community. The discussion will be moderated by Alecia Orsini Lebeda, Women in Film and Video/New England President.  There will be time for Q&A and networking, following the discussion.

Join our Meetup Group and RSVP!: http://meetu.ps/2YYxfn

Actor Jessica Rockwood, 32, is one of the most positive women you will ever meet. In the competitive world of film and video, she chooses to cheer on her friends and fellow actors.

“I love making connections through acting and love being supportive to my fellow actors,” says Rockwood. “I never get upset when I lose an audition to a friend. I’m happy for them and encourage them. If you can’t be supportive to fellow actors then you won’t find them supporting you back. I’ve found great relationships with my fellow actors and seeing them succeed is something I enjoy as well as feeling such positive energy from them when they share in my successes.”

Rockwood grew up in Lynn, Massachusetts and began focusing on her acting career after a deliberating injury. That is when Rockwood realized that life was far too short to do anything that you aren’t passionate about, a realization which continues to be a driving force in her life.

When asked what she wished she had known early in her career Rockwood said “I wish I had pushed myself further and done what I wanted for myself instead of what other people wanted me to do. It’s not impossible, it’s just hard work.” However, after working in so many capacities we have a feeling that she certainly puts in the work necessary to be successful!

Jessica Rockwood can be contacted here.

WIFVNE Meeting in Vermont Sunday, June 26th

 

On Sunday, June 26th Women in Film and Video New England will hold an open meeting for anyone interested in film. No membership is necessary! We want to get to know the film makers in Vermont and find out if we can help you succeed. Past meetings have united composers, photographers, and writers from a wide range of experience levels.

 

Please join us at the Vermont College of Fine Arts (36 College St, Montpelier, VT 05602) from 2pm-4:30pm in College Hall Room 204.

 

 

Click here to download a campus map.

Jess Barnthouse:
Co-Owner/Director of Video
Production at Wicked Bird Media

WIFVNE’s May Member Spotlight is on Jess Barnthouse -Co-Owner/Director of Video Production at Wicked Bird Media

What’s the best part about your work?
I work with a variety of different clients so every day gives me new ways to be creative.

What challenges do you think you’ve faced in this industry?
Most of my work is either commercial or for broadcast television. It would be AMAZING to get more films to come to Boston.

How long have you been a WIFVNE Member?
I first joined when I moved to Boston in 2008 and I signed up for the mentor program.

What advice would you give to a new female filmmaker?
Find a mentor and learn as much as you can from them.  I once heard someone say that if you’re still bragging about work you did three years ago, you’re doing something wrong.  This is an industry where we need to be constantly learning and growing our skills and getting better.  So film stuff all the time and get feedback.

What goals do you have for this year?
I would like to have a rough cut of my feature-length documentary finished! My co-director and I have been working on it for over three years now and are knee deep in post production.

Upcoming Events or Announcements? What are you working on?
The documentary we’re in post on follows a horror movie star who now lives in Maine and runs an all-natural children’s toy company from his house with his wife and three kids.  But he wants to return to horror acting!  Find out more at www.wickediscoming.com

Find Jess on her website: www.wickedbirdmedia.com

Jess Barnthouse:
Co-Owner/Director of Video
Production at Wicked Bird Media

WIFVNE’s May Member Spotlight is on Jess Barnthouse -Co-Owner/Director of Video Production at Wicked Bird Media

What’s the best part about your work?
I work with a variety of different clients so every day gives me new ways to be creative.

What challenges do you think you’ve faced in this industry?
Most of my work is either commercial or for broadcast television. It would be AMAZING to get more films to come to Boston.

How long have you been a WIFVNE Member?
I first joined when I moved to Boston in 2008 and I signed up for the mentor program.

What advice would you give to a new female filmmaker?
Find a mentor and learn as much as you can from them.  I once heard someone say that if you’re still bragging about work you did three years ago, you’re doing something wrong.  This is an industry where we need to be constantly learning and growing our skills and getting better.  So film stuff all the time and get feedback.

What goals do you have for this year?
I would like to have a rough cut of my feature-length documentary finished! My co-director and I have been working on it for over three years now and are knee deep in post-production.

Upcoming Events or Announcements? What are you working on?
The documentary we’re in post on follows a horror movie star who now lives in Maine and runs an all-natural children’s toy company from his house with his wife and three kids.  But he wants to return to horror acting!  Find out more at www.wickediscoming.com

Find Jess on her website: www.wickedbirdmedia.com

Right now, over 50 teams from across the US and the globe are racing against the clock to make a short film in one month as part of the Flicks4Chicks contest where women play leadership roles and the stories focus on women as the central characters.

Forty (or possibly more) of these films will be screened at the Different Faces Different Voices Film Festival on June 29^th and 30^th. The festival will not only be a chance to showcase the groundbreaking work of the contest winners, but will also provide an opportunity for people to interact with industry professionals and attend engaging panels.  Already scheduled panelists include X-Factor Film’s Lauren Tracy and award-winning documentary filmmaker Allison Argo.  More details on the panels will be available shortly.

THE DETAILS:

https://filmfreeway.com/festival/Flicks4ChicksFilmContest

Back in February this Boston-based international competition challenged teams of filmmakers to create a unique film (ten minute or shorter in length) featuring a female as its major character. People of all sexual orientations and persuasions were encouraged to participate (and work TOGETHER) but every team had to have AT LEAST one woman in a lead creative role: producer; writer; director; director of cinematography; editor.

The Flicks4Chicks contest goal was and is to inspire original fictional stories that delve into the realities of a wide variety of women and girls (of differing races, ethnicities and ages) as they embrace their own destinies, taking charge of their lives as fully realized human beings, and not simply as Hollywood caricatures or sidelined shadows.

Each team was given a choice of dramatic “situations” to pick from and they have now selected one and are busily making their film, due by May 1st.

Many local sponsors have stepped up with terrific cash and product prizes which will be awarded at our fabulous screenings and festival on June 29th and 30th at the Brattle Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The Flicks4Chicks team recently asked our filmmakers to take a moment and send us some production stills.  Here are just a few highlights.

From Boston Filmmaker Sara Pagiaro’s film The Dream From the Emily and Marshall Hopkins team, from Ithaca NY Jacqueline Loring’s team from Albuquerque New Mexico On the set of Reindeer Productions short film “Femina, Fuge!” Starring Jackie Arko and Shannon Connolly. Written and Directed by Carrie Drizk.

For more information about the contest and prizes, check out our social media platforms:

Website http://flicks4chicks.org/
Twitter https://twitter.com/Flicks4ChicksMA
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Flicks4Chicks-1163823926982032/

READ THE LATEST PRESS ON OUR CONTEST:
http://blogs.indiewire.com/womenandhollywood/a-new-international-film-competition-moves-beyond-the-bechdel-test-20160304
http://artery.wbur.org/2016/03/23/flicks-4-chicks
http://newenglandfilm.com/magazine/2016/03/flicks4chicks-film-competition

Jemma Byrne, Freelance Video Editor

WIFVNE’s April Member Spotlight is on Jemma Byrne – Freelance Video Editor

What’s the best part about your work?
The best part about my job is the variety of projects I work on. I could be editing an educational video one day and an interview with the CEO of a huge company the next.

What challenges do you think you’ve faced in this industry?
My biggest challenge is being taken seriously. My technical skills are often overlooked by both men and women.

How long have you been a WIFVNE Member?
Two months

What advice would you give to a new female filmmaker?
Be prepared to work twice as hard for half the acknowledgment.

What goals do you have for this year?
I would like to have a rough cut of my feature-length documentary finished! My co-director and I have been working on it for over three years now and are knee deep in post production.

Upcoming Events or Announcements? What are you working on?
I’m currently working on a series of videos with /newsroom365 about IoT and augmented reality.

Find Jemma on her website: Jemmabyrne.com

Jemma Byrne, Freelance Video Editor

WIFVNE’s April Member Spotlight is on Jemma Byrne – Freelance Video Editor

What’s the best part about your work?
The best part about my job is the variety of projects I work on. I could be editing an educational video one day and an interview with the CEO of a huge company the next.

What challenges do you think you’ve faced in this industry?
My biggest challenge is being taken seriously. My technical skills are often overlooked by both men and women.

How long have you been a WIFVNE Member?
Two months

What advice would you give to a new female filmmaker?
Be prepared to work twice as hard for half the acknowledgment.

What goals do you have for this year?
I would like to have a rough cut of my feature-length documentary finished! My co-director and I have been working on it for over three years now and are knee deep in post production.

Upcoming Events or Announcements? What are you working on?
I’m currently working on a series of videos with /newsroom365 about IoT and augmented reality.

Find Jemma on her website: Jemmabyrne.com

Message from the President:

Dear Friends & Members of Women in Film and Video of New England, Thank you for taking the time to learn about Women in Film, and our mission to work on behalf of women in our industry. I am excited to announce my Presidency of the organization. President Juliet Schneider is passing the baton to me after serving as our 2015 President. I am very grateful to have her support and guidance during this changing of the guard.

Our chapter is now celebrating 35 years of supporting women story tellers. We are the 3rd oldest WIF chapter in the United States, proudly focusing on how to Change the Lens on women in film. As president, I hope to facilitate more conversations and bring our membership closer together. To do that, I am announcing a listening tour. I will be traveling around New England to meet with local industry movers and shakers. I want to hear from you! I am looking forward to listening to your needs, hopes and ideas about filmmaking and how we can improve the landscape for women. I also want to hear from men. WIFVNE is focused on women’s issues, but change will not happen with women alone. Conversations among the sexes will bring about true change and understanding. I am asking our male counterparts to become engaged, and help us move forward.

I want to thank the Board of Advisors for their dedication to this organization, and our Board of Directors for their visions and passion. They have inspired me to do more and honor the work those have done before us. Going forward I will need you! If you aren’t a member already, please become one, and join the sisterhood that is Women In Film. Together, through your membership, advice and voice, we can all Change the Lens.

Yours in Film, Alecia Jean Orsini Lebeda

Dear Friends & Members of Women in Film and Video of New England, Thank you for taking the time to learn about Women in Film, and our mission to work on behalf of women in our industry. I am excited to announce my Presidency of the organization. President Juliet Schneider is passing the baton to me after serving as our 2015 President. I am very grateful to have her support and guidance during this changing of the guard.

Our chapter is now celebrating 35 years of supporting women storytellers. We are the 3rd oldest WIF chapter in the United States, proudly focusing on how to Change the Lens on women in film. As president, I hope to facilitate more conversations and bring our members closer together. To do that, I am announcing a listening tour. I will be traveling around New England to meet with local industry movers and shakers. I want to hear from you! I am looking forward to listening to your needs, hopes, and ideas about filmmaking and how we can improve the landscape for women. I also want to hear from men. WIFVNE is focused on women’s issues, but change will not happen with women alone. Conversations among the sexes will bring about true change and understanding. I am asking our male counterparts to become engaged and help us move forward.

I want to thank the Board of Advisors for their dedication to this organization, and our Board of Directors for their visions and passion. They have inspired me to do more and honor the work those have done before us. Going forward I will need you! If you aren’t a member already, please become one, and join the sisterhood that is Women In Film. Together, through your membership, advice, and voice, we can all Change the Lens.

Yours in Film, Alecia Jean Orsini Lebeda