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Coming Attractions
JUNE 3, 2008
What a way to begin a summer weekend! Friday night, June 10, the Houston Communications Alliance (HCA) again hosts this mega networking event! Sponsored by seventeen communications organizations, including Women in Film & Television Houston, the event includes live music by “Love & Peace” plus a free buffet and free admission. All you need cash for is the bar (and $5 to valet park should you choose not to self-park for free). This is the advertising, marketing, communications event of the season! Southwest Alternate Media Project presented a screening of writer/director/actor Amber Benson’s new film Lovers, Liars and Lunatics. Amber Benson is best known for her role as Tara on the TV series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” but she is an accomplished filmmaker, writer, and singer as well as actress. January
28, 2008 RICE MEDIA CENTER The
Houston Script to Screen Team, a project of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG)
and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA),
bring Texas screenwriters works to life.
Their January event presented a script reading of Double
Identity by Houston writer and WIFT member Tom Vaughan.
The live audience included producers, directors, actors,
film students and film aficionados. "Writers and performers both benefit from exploring the
life of a project. Plus, it gives the producer and director
another look at a project and a performer's potential”,
said Jim Huston,
President of the Houston SAG and a member of Women in Film
& Television Houston. FOX & HOUND ENGLISH PUB AND GRILL Yes,
despite the Writers Strike, the SAG Awards show went on! (We
had been assured the scripts were written long ago.) WIFT
members joined members of the Houston Screen Actors Guild to
watch it in style on a giant screen and had a fabulous
evening. JANUARY
19-20, 2008 COUNTRY
PLAYHOUSE THEATRE Hosted
by WIFT Houston Legendary
voice-over talent and instructor Bettye Zoller, was brought
back to Houston by popular demand to host three workshops for
WIFT: The Business of Voiceovers, Audio Book Techniques, and
Character Cartoon Voices Workout. This visit, she added
special guest instructors: distinguished director, actress and
voice pro Barbara Lasater and audio/equipment consultant and
voiceover expert, Scoot Feighner. A portion of the proceeds
for each workshop benefited our chapter.
Bettye, whose voice can be heard around the world in
commercials, museums, books-on-tape, cartoons and everything
else imaginable, is a member of the Dallas chapter of Women in
Film. NOVEMBER 29, THURSDAY
OCTOBER 12 & 13
SILVER
SCREAMS is the film festival that launches Halloween season in
Two
extensive art displays will enhance the festival’s movie-going experience.
The fantastical art of
Clive Barker, legendary as a film producer, screenwriter and director (HELLRAISER, CANDYMAN, GODS & MONSTERS, upcoming MIDNIGHT MEAT
TRAIN) will be
exhibited
.
Mr. Barker is an advisor to the
festival. (
http://www.thebooksofabarat.com
,
http://www.luna7.com/Barker/barker.htm
).
Works by world-famous Swiss surrealist
H.R. Giger
, the Academy Award-winning creator of the ALIEN creature, will also be exhibited (www.hrgiger.com). Posters, limited edition signed graphics and art books will
be for sale.
SEPTEMBER 20
Presented by Women In Film & Television
The
SEPTEMBER 19
Presented
by Women In Film and the Silver Screams Film Festival
Print out the pass below as your admission ticket to this free screening. Seating is not guaranteed, it is first come, first served. Get there early! It’s also a great networking opportunity.
AUGUST 23, THURSDAY
JUNE 14, THURSDAY
JUNE 15, FRIDAY
IMPORTANT
JUNE 19, THURSDAY
JUNE 23 AND 24, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
JUNE 30, SATURDAY
APRIL 15, SUNDAY
THE LEGEND OF YIN AND YANG, DOCUMENTARY SCREENING WITH SPEAKER/COMPOSER
6:00 PM mix & mingle, 7:00 program, Room 417, Performing Arts Center, Houston Community College-NW (Town & Country campus at Beltway 8 and I-10). Admission is free to WIFT members, $5.00 for
non-members.
6:00-9:00 PM, Goode’s Armadillo Palace (an 1800’s style western saloon), 5015 Kirby Drive (beside the original Goode Company Barbecue), 713-526-9700, www.thearmadillopalace.com. You can’t miss this place. Just look for the giant armadillo out front. Come party, network with industry folks, and raise money for the Texas Motion Picture Alliance! Admission is a $10 donation to TXMPA (more if you’re able) enabling the Alliance to lobby for production incentives in the state. Free chips, salsa, queso, guacamole, cash bar. Music on stage by Wayne Hubbard and Cody Kouba. Tell your friends! Have you joined TXMPA? Membership is free and your support is urgently needed, go to www.txmpa.org. Get the facts, spread the word. TXMPA SHINDIG co-sponsored by Women In Film & Television/Houston and the Houston Film Commission.
February 28, 2007
Women In Film & Television/Houston is proud to co-sponsor with the University of Houston
February 22, 2007 Russian Documentary Showcase at the River Oaks Theater
Marina Goldovskaya, a celebrated Russian-American documentary filmmaker, will be in Houston February 22 to participate in the first Russian Documentary Showcase at the River Oaks Theater. The new showcase hopes to bring "the best in contemporary Russian documentary film to Texas audiences."
February 20, 2007
Producing Local Television
JANUARY 28, 2007
13th
Annual
November 15, 2006
Writing for Television
Featuring Veteran Hollywood Screenwriter David Carren
M Networking Mixer With a Special
Sa
6:00 PM Networking Mixer With a Special Salute to the Reel Men of the Houston chapter
of Women In Film & Television 7:00 PM Program with David Carren
David Carren, a member of the Houston chapter of Women In Film & Television, has written and/or produced more than 200 TV shows and feature films. His credits include Star Trek: The Next Generation, Stargate SG-1, Diagnosis Murder, Walker, Texas Ranger, and Murder, She Wrote, and his work on Capitol earned him a Writer’s Guild Award nomination. He co-wrote and co-produced Mr. Hell, a horror film that was recently shot in Houston and available on DVD at stores nationwide, and his latest feature, My Monster, is in pre-production at Quixote Entertainment. Scott Rice is directing.
Free copies, while they last, of Create Magazine and MovieMaker Magazine will be provided to particpants at the event. October 3, 2006
Women In Film
& Television/Houston Presents
Winner of the 2006 "Master of the Mask Award" for Excellence in Artistry from the Movie & TV Monster Mask Association, Phil Nichols' Houston-based creature shop and art studio serve the professional
motion picture industry world-wide.
6:00 Mixer -
7:00 Program
Houston Production Studios in the Heights
Admission $10 (WIFT members and students
$5)
www.wift-houston.org , (713) 788-8075
The good "doctor" will share
how the
special make-up effects and creature design process works, from script to screen
- - conceptual drawing sketches, the sculpture of maquettes, fabrication of the actual creatures, effects for film, preproduction testing, and on-set work. He'll discuss rates for this type of work and will bring samples,
including a life-sized Raptor (photos below). See Phil's website for lots more,
http://home.flash.net/~monsters/
Sister and business partner Melissa Nichols, aka Miss Monsterella, will join Phil at his presentation. Their stories about working in this side of the film and television business are to die for. Heh, heh, heh.
September
28, 2006
Fundraiser for the Texas Motion Picture Alliance
Rudyard's British Pub
Music and Mixer 6pm to 9pm
Cost $10 at the door (cash bar) to raise money and awareness
for the Texas Motion Picture Association
(
www.txmpa.org)
which is trying to pass legislation to bring more film/television/video game production to the Lone Star State! Come grab a beer, listen to great music, spend some time with old friends and help TXMPA bring a lot more work to town.
If you or your company would like to volunteer to help and/or donate money or items to this fundraiser...or if you have a question or
comment...please contact Susan Fowler at 713-408-6208
Special thanks to Rudyard's for volunteering the venue, Scott Szabo for arranging the music and Joe Omelchuck for volunteering his technical services. Check out Rudyard's website for directions and see what else is coming up on their calendar: www.rudyards.com
September
22-24, 2006
Women
In Film & Television/Houston, Community Collaborator for the
Feature length and short films will be screened at the Angelika Film Center downtown Houston. The HGLFF celebrates the art of filmmaking and the understanding and creative expression of diverse communities. Opening night pre-party September 22 begins at 6:30 PM. WIFT/Houston will be on hand for the "Girl Shorts" program on Sunday, September 24th at 5:00 PM. These are six short films, all directed by women. For further information and a full festival schedule, visit http://www.hglff.org September 1 , 2006
Women In Film & General Motors Announce
Outstanding Women Pursuing Careers in Entertainment
LOS ANGELES – July 24, 2006 – For Immediate Release – The second annual Acceleration Grant for Emerging Filmmakers competition was announced today by the national organization of Women In Film (WIF) and the General Motors Corporation (GM). The grant, awarded annually, is a program of the WIF/GM Alliance, the goal of which is to support talented filmmakers from under-represented communities.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for new, female talent,” said Judith James, chair of the WIF/GM Alliance. “Women In Film steadfastly believes in mentoring, fostering and supporting exceptional women who want to work in the entertainment industry. And the emphasis of the grant is to support emerging filmmakers from diverse communities. “Last year’s inaugural launch was tremendously successful,” James continues, “and the recipients have clearly been able to advance their careers as a result. This type of business and creative foundation has proven to open doors and will benefit both the new talent and the industry for years to come. ”Yasmina Cádiz from Chicago, Ill., was a winner of a 2005 grant, based on her eight-minute short, Mama Said, about the unbreakable spirit of a nine-year-old girl left by her mother. The short has since screened to critical acclaim at 15 film festivals and is scheduled at two more. Recently relocated to Los Angeles, she is at work on her first feature film.
Said Cádiz, “Access is far more valuable than money to someone in the beginning stages of a career. I acquired such a better understanding of the business side of the equation. Sure, you need the passion and creativity, but unless you understand that filmmaking is a business, you’re not going to make it. My entire experience was extraordinary because it was all about the sharing of information—without ego, jealousy or insecurity.”
“By providing the opportunity to attend dedicated workshops and to network with professionals from all aspects of the filmmaking industry,” said James, “these grants will provide these women with a broad base of skills and knowledge of how to turn creative ideas into reality.”
A selection committee comprised of industry representatives – including executives, directors, producers and distributors – will evaluate all applications. Winning applicants will be notified Friday, Oct. 6, 2006 and winners will be announced Monday, Oct. 16, 2006. The Women In Film/General Motors Alliance was created to support women in the entertainment industry and to expand Women In Film chapter programs across the country. The initiative was announced in Los Angeles in January 2005 and is supporting programs as diverse as the Film Finishing Fund, Women’s Film Preservation Fund, Legacy Series, PSAs, scholarships, mentorships and local WIF chapter award events across the nation. For more information about the WIF/GM Alliance and WIF/GM programs, visit www.women-in-film.com. Founded in 1973 in Los Angeles, Women In Film ( www.wif.org ) is the leading non-profit organization dedicated to women in the global entertainment industry. Its purpose is to empower, promote, nurture and mentor women in the industry through a network of valuable contacts, events, programs, workshops, finishing funds and scholarships. In the U.S., there are chapters in Arizona, California (3), Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas (2), Washing-ton and Washington, D.C. The international network, Women In Film and Television International (www.wifti.org), of which WIF-Los Angeles is a founding member, boasts 35 chapters on six continents. Member chapters range from developing nations to countries with established industries, including the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom, to name a few. General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 75 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 327,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2005, 9.17 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM operates one of the world’s leading finance companies, GMAC Financial Services, which offers automotive, residential and commercial financing and insurance. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
GM is a long-time contributor to both women’s initiatives and to the arts and culture. GM and the GM Foundation support a variety of arts and cultural institutions that promote appreciation of the arts, recognition of diverse cultures and awareness of arts in education programs.
August 12, 2006
Grey’s Anatomy Actors Honored
Women In Film And Television (WIFT) and the national Women In Film/General Motors Alliance will recognize native Houstonians Isaiah Washington and Chandra Wilson, stars of TV’s hottest drama, ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, at the Hobby Center For The Performing Arts, August 12 th. The two will be honored as 2006 recipients of the Houston chapter’s Reel Stars of Texas Award. A 2:00 PM Champagne Reception hosted by Park Plaza Hospital & Medical Center will offer an opportunity to toast the two stars in the Hobby Center’s glamorous Founder’s Club. The awards ceremony itself, 3:30 PM in Zilkha Hall, will be quite different from the norm - an in depth interview conducted by chapter member’s Melanie Lawson, KTRK-TV News and Rob McKinnon, film director. It will be recorded for later broadcast.
P
HOTOGRAPHY CREDIT: AMERICAN BROADCASTING COMPANIES, INC.
Tickets are on
sale now at the Hobby Center Box Office, (713) 315-2525, 800 Bagby.
WiFT members and students receive a substantial discount but must purchase
tickets in person with ID.
The Reel Stars of Texas Awards was created in 2002 by the Houston Chapter of Women In Film & Television to give recognition to Texans whose accomplishments in the industry have been outstanding in their field. Actress/producer Shelley Duvall, also from Houston, was first honoree. Funds raised from this event benefit the programs and educational endeavors of the organization. Renowned Texas sculptor Edward L. Hankey designed the porcelain awards statuette, graciously underwritten by the Houston law firm Hughes Watters Askanase.
July 31, 2006
Advance Screening and Q & A With The Directors
May 31, 2006
Town Hall Meeting
The Houston Film Commission and Southwest Alternate Media Project (SWAMP) invite you to participate in a town hall meeting with Director of the Texas Film Commission Bob Hudgins, who will introduce The Texas Motion Picture Alliance, a new organization being created to address current issues facing the film, video, and new media industries in the state of Texas.
May 31, 2006
No-Budget Film School
This class is recommended for all filmmakers who are ready to go out and make a feature with whatever resources they have available to them right now. The class offers a broad overview of Production, Post Production and Distribution, with the focus on a series of ideas that encourage filmmakers to throw out whatever old templates they may have on the filmmaking process. The approach taught asks filmmakers to look at their specific circumstances—their limitations and their resources—and develop their script and filmmaking technique from that, essentially reinventing the moviemaking process to suit their unique situation.
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music for The Legend of Yin and Yang, a musical that toured the United States and China and was filmed and aired for PBS Tampa, WEDU. The production was a cultural exchange organized by the author of the musical Burton Wolfe, the Chinese Ministry of Culture, and the Players Theater of Sarasota, Florida, and features fifty Chinese and American actors and acrobats. Dr. Gehman wrote ten original songs and incidental music for the musical and recorded the instrumental tracks in his studio in Houston. Recording the singers, however, was anything but easy and Dr. Gehman carried three flight cases filled with recording equipment halfway around the world. He recorded hundreds of tracks to give the music the illusion of a big choir, all in an ordinary hotel room. “The room was designed for sleeping, not recording,” he says. “To control acoustics and make enough space for the eight singers, I leaned the mattresses, comforters and box springs on the walls. It was a little crowded, but in the end, I got very clean tracks (although guests in neighboring rooms may have
wondered what was going on.”
Marc Isaacs
Jeffrey Gardner
Melannie O’Connor
