Movies by Women Podcast #14

Moviesbywome.com has a new podcast out this week:
Women in Hollywood, with special guest Dr. Martha Lauzen, PhD.

Podcast #14: This week’s show focuses on the much talked about startling statistics of women filmmakers working in Hollywood. Our guest Dr. Martha Lauzen PhD., walks us through the harsh reality of being one of the under-represented women working in the “movie biz”.
Did you know that only 6% of Hollywood’s top 250 grossing films of 2007 were directed by women?
The question is posed — is Hollywood sexist? Tune in and find out! You don’t want to miss this episode!

Click here to download the audio podcast:

http://moviesbywomen.com/MBWapodcast14.mp3

NY Times article about Hollywood Chick Flicks

Anyone read the article in the New York Times recently? Looks like Hollywood wants more female-centered scripts...in order to attract a male audience? Check it out:

Wary Hollywood Plans More Chick Flicks
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/09/movies/09roma.html?ref=todayspaper

Every Woman's Film Competition

Lifetime Networks Announces Every Woman’s Film Competition

A quick look at the facts that 86 women are currently in Congress, 48 women have traveled to space and still no woman has ever won a Best Director Oscar is proof enough of a gender bias in Hollywood. But Lifetime Networks, the network responsible for many a made-for-TV movie starring Tori Spelling, is hoping to change all that with its Every Woman’s Film Competition.
Working together with The Hollywood Reporter, Women in Film and the William Morris Agency, the competition will feature an all-star cast of celebrity judges (last year’s panel included Jennifer Lopez and Angela Bassett) who will review the three- to five-minute shorts that are uploaded on to myLifetime.com. The winner will receive a cash prize of $5,000, introductions at some of the top networking events and festivals and the opportunity to air her short on Lifetime Movie Networks.

The competition runs through June 15, 2008, and winners will be announced in October. For more information please go to www.LMN.tv/filmcontest.

First Prize
The first-prize winner will receive $5,000. This winner's submission will also receive exposure on LMN and LMN.tv. This winner will also get trips to both The Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Breakfast and The Hamptons International Film Festival, where she will be a featured guest.
Second Prize
The second prize winner will receive $2,500. This winner's submission will also receive exposure on LMN and LMN.tv. This winner will also get trips to both The Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Breakfast and The Hamptons International Film Festival, where she will be a featured guest.
Honorable Mention
Three honorable-mention winners will receive $1,000 each.
LMN.tv Audience Winner
The LMN.tv audience winner will receive $1,000.

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The Movie Deal Screenplay Contest

Here's another screenplay contest coming up:

"THE MOVIE DEAL!", as with other contests, offers many great prizes, exposure, and recognition to its entrants; what separates us from the pack is that one lucky writer will have his/her screenplay PRODUCED!

THE MOVIE DEAL!'s Grand Prize Winner in the feature film category will be offered a chance to have their film produced, plus hotel and airfare to the set of their own movie! Other prizes include agency review and consideration for all the top finishers in each category, as well as consideration by numerous independent production companies. Please see contest site for additional prizes and details.

The top scripts in ALL categories will be reviewed by a respected Hollywood agency for potential representation.


Not since "Project Greenlight" has there been a contest giving an unknown writer an opportunity of this magnitude. Independent filmmakers Scott Prestin and Craig James Pietrowiak of American Stonehenge Films and SQuid Brothers, INC. respectively, have created The Movie Deal! Screenplay Contest where one lucky winning writer will have his/her feature-length screenplay produced under the modified-low budget SAG agreement (upwards of $625,000.00*). "We're looking for an original and innovative, yet marketable idea, along the lines of 'The Blair Witch Project,' 'Napoleon Dynamite' or 'Open Water' says filmmaker Craig James Pietrowiak. "These are scripts we wouldn't necessarily have access to because some of these writers don't have representation, which ultimately opens up doors for both us and the writers."

"We're committed to finding the best INDIE script out there, it doesn't matter what the genre" says Scott Prestin. "We're determined to give every one a chance and we welcome other production companies to contact us and get involved. It's our intention to see a second or third place winner get an option or production agreement from another company, possibly one of our judges. We just want to see more INDIES get made!"

ENTER NOW! Get the Exposure You Deserve!
*Please see Rules and Regulations on contest site.
www.TheMovieDeal.com

Mean Girls Script by Tina Fey

Here's a link to the MEAN GIRLS screenplay written by Tina Fey:

http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/mean_girls.pdf

Scripts Wanted - Feature Films

Eyestorm Productions is a creative production company that combines the works of an ad agency and production company in one package. Brought together by our youthful age and creative tastes, our team believes in always combining high concept ideas and cutting edge visuals with a spice of artistic youthfulness. Our focus is aimed at creating short form productions (music videos, commercials, and shorts) and post-production marketing (theatrical/video game trailers, commercials, docs, & motion graphic driven pieces).

Currently we are expanding our resources into the independent feature film market. Looking to attach financing to a worthy script and execute the production as well.

Please include a synopsis/treatment and brief pitch. Docs are welcomed too.

Email To: jobs@eyestormproductions.com
Submit Scripts to: 320 Sunset Ave. Venice, Ca 90291
Web: http://www.eyestormproductions.com

This week's Produced Movies written by women

Opening this week and written by women:

Extra Ordinary Barry - written and directed by Vivi Stafford

Interview with Paula Mazur

The guys over at Movie Geeks United interview screenwriter Paula Mazur, who recently wrote NIM'S ISLAND.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/moviegeeksunited/2008/04/06/NIMS-ISLAND-screenwriter-PAULA-MAZUR-

Interview with Kimberly Peirce

Here's a great audio interview from the ladies over at moviesbywomen.com. They have a weekly podcast with lots of information and resources for female filmmakers. This week they interview co-writer/director Kimberly Peirce of the recently released movie STOP LOSS.

http://blog.moviesbywomen.com/2008/04/04/audio-podcast-13-kimberly-peirce-stop-loss/

Short Scripts Wanted - female lead, comedy

Here's a script wanted ad some of you may be interested in:


We're looking for a short-film script that's under ten minutes with a strong, FEMALE, comedic lead in her mid-twenties. This will be shot on HD with a full crew, and will be a great opportunity for anyone who's looking to get their work seen at potential festivals, and numerous on-line distribution. If you have a completed script or treatment that's fits this please email ASAP. We're looking to shoot in the next three weeks. Thanks! gigs-628542166@craigslist.org

Interview with female writer Adi Refaeli

Here's a link to an Interview with female writer/director Adi Refaeli about her short film "Empathy".

Read Interview

Empathy is an independent 37-minute short film about a woman driving in Israel that is in a crash that sends her into a series of flashbacks and flashforwards revealing the consequences.

Short Script Wanted

Seeking Short Script

Here is a recent request posted on Craigslist:

"I'm an independent director seeking short scripts (8-12 pages) for miniDV production.

If you're interested in having your script produced with a low budget for internet distribution, I'm interested in directing/shooting/editing it.

I look forward to hearing from you. "

Contact

Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List

Female Screenwriters Amy Andelson and Emily Meyer have been hired to write a script for Fox Atomic. Atomic is acquiring the novel "Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List" and will develop it as a star vehicle for "Heroes" star Hayden Panettiere.

Article about female representation on-screen

Here’s a link to a neat article from Women’s eNews

On-Screen Sex Ratios Add Up to One Big Minus

There are more women on TV and film these days than decades ago. But media researchers say healthy on-screen representation is missing and Lynn Ziegler says the big picture has to change.

Listen to interview with Tiffany Zehnal

Here's a great podcast from the folks over at On the Page:

Pilar Alessandra from On The Page interviews female screenwriter Tiffany Zehnal (Dreamworks "Shotgun Wedding"). Of special interest is discussion about confronting the work/family juggle.
Click to download and listen - Busy Mom Sells Script

For more info about On the Page, please visit their website at onthepage.tv.

2008 Broad Humor Film Festival

The 2008 Broad Humor Film Festival is accepting screenplay submissions for its annual contest. The regular deadline is 4/11 with an extended deadline of 5/2.

The festival is accepting applications for comedic films and screenplays by women. They are looking for humor created for the screen generated by women. Women writers. Women directors. It is their goal to showcase the female comic vision. Men in all other positions are welcome collaborators.

For more info visit their website: http://www.broadhumor.com