HOT TOPIC: Write what you know?
“Do not wear yourself out to get rich.” Proverbs 23:4-5
This week @ Sisterhood Cinema we’ve been focused on not wearing ourselves out by having vain ambitions ($). But, sometimes our reasons are completely pure/right; but we instead wear ourselves out by simply going about it the wrong way. Case in point, I recently stumbled upon this quote by director Nia Dacosta:
“Something we are taught in film school is to write what you know, and I used to take that literally … But I soon realized that what it meant to me was to write what I knew emotionally, because that’s how you connect with people who are completely unlike you and have different lived experiences.”
So, how do you know if you are going about something the right way? Well, usually, other people are included. In the same way, Dacosta realized that “write what you know” really meant “write what everybody knows”, we also have to dig deep to figure out how what we are doing can be of true/authentic (no point in pretending to care if you don’t) benefit to others. Then, & only then, will we be going about things the right way!
DOPE EVENTS: FREE Legal Clinic for Freelance creatives (NYC)! (SN: this is completely unrelated but the Lawyers for the Creative Arts is a fab resource)
>Representation Matters: A Panel Series For Black Writers (LA), will connect Black writers, show-runners, script coord., writers asst., etc. w/ Black agents, managers & attorneys. Moderated by Warner Bros. Writer/Exec. Prod. Wendy Calhoun.
>Black Women Film Summit (ATL), celebrating the work of WOC in film/TV. Attendees will receive networking opps & resources to further their careers.
>Black Girls Rock Fest! (DMV) a celebration of Black women’s contributions to the arts w/ special performances by Ms. Lauryn Hill & Alice Smith. We specifically wanted to S/O our SC film favs casting dir. Robi Reed & film producer Dolly R. Turner!
IN THE NEWS: Apple creative exec. Michelle Mendelovitz is heading to 20th Century Fox Television to become the studio’s Sr. Vice Pres. of drama development.
>Animation Studio Bento Box (Bob’s Burgers) has hired Brooke Keesling to lead talent development & Caitlin Winiarski to oversee creative. #WomenInAnimation
>Octavia E. Butler’s estate announced the launch of her official new website! With Viola Davis, Victoria Mahoney & Ava Duvernay adapting her books into Amazon series - all updates, news & contact info. can be found there!
OPPS ON OPPS: >Apps are now open for the 2020 Sundance Native Filmmaker Lab. - deadline 3/16! #IndigenousFilm
>Submit your screenplay to the Austin Film Fest Script Competition!
>The Viacom/CBS Global Inclusion Directing Initiative allows participants to be matched & mentored by working CBS episodic directors - deadline 5/31.
>Apps are now open for the Gucci/Tribeca Doc. Fund - deadline 4/6!
>This UK Netflix/Warner Bros. Apprenticeship Program is now recruiting for 20 participants to receive a 2+ yr. fixed production contract - deadline 3/22!
>UCB Improv LA is looking for applicants for their diversity program - deadline 3/15!
JOB HUNT SUPPORT: The NY Times is in need of a audio producer for their culture podcast ‘Still Processing’
>Picture Motion is hiring a Director to lead their Impact Distribution team in NYC.
>LinkedIn is looking for a Social Media Producer!
“Being a writer, I can be introspective & insular. As a child, I spent a great deal of time daydreaming & reading books - lost in my imagination. That side of me comes very naturally. But, as an actor, I had to present another side of myself; the performer:”
Check out our most recent SC Interview w/ Kasi Lemmons:
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