Finding Funding
Join Film Fatales for an online discussion about Film Financing and Packaging for Scripted Feature Films with Apoorva Guru Charan (Producer, Joyland), Mollye Asher (Producer, Nomadland), and Tiffany Boyle (President, Ramo Law). Moderated by Film Fatales Member Ruth Du (Director, Samson).
Funding a Feature Film can be the hurdle that stops creators in their tracks. We’re bringing together a panel of experts to help demystify the process of packaging and raising money for your scripted feature. They will discuss all the different ways a film can secure funding which will put you on the path to getting your film made.
With support from event partners Black Film Space, BTTL, Free the Work, Ghetto Film School, NALIP, Stowe Story Labs, The Gotham, WIF and Wrap Women.
Additional Resources:
Creative Regeneration
Film Fatales members were invited to an interactive Creative Regeneration led by Bristol Baughan. The experience was a way to gain some insight and inspiration in one’s creative life. The workshop discussed ways to focus energies to avoid burnout and maximize creativity.
Recommended Reading
An Inner Astronaut’s Guide to Harnessing Heartbreak written by Bristol Baughan
Approaching 30… Spiritually written by Bristol Baughan
Loaded Beauty written by Bristol Baughan
The Book of Trees written by Manuel Lima
What is Regenerative? written by Bristol Baughan
Additional Resources
Virtual Shadowing
Join Film Fatales online for an in-depth Episodic Television Directing Class with two-time Emmy award-winning television director Mary Lou Belli, whose directing credits include True Lies, Sweet Magnolias, NCIS: New Orleans, and The Ms Pat Show.
Learn how to prep from a working TV director! In this interactive workshop, you will explore casting, location scouting, script breakdown, scene blocking and shot listing. You can then compare your work to an actual episode that has already aired and evaluate how your choices would be an alternative option, or what you might change to make the work more “shootable.”
Eight emerging episodic directors will participate live in this highly interactive class as virtual shadows. Filmmakers of all experience levels are invited to audit the class by reading the script, observing the live class, and watching the completed episode after.
Mary Lou’s extensive teaching experience includes the 2023 Warner Brothers Discovery Access Directors Program as well as many vibrant diversity programs including ABC/Disney, CBS, Sony, HBO Access, and AFIDWW mentoring the next generation of directors.
The discussion will be recorded and a video replay link will be available for an additional 48 hours after the class ends. With support from event partners Film at Lincoln Center, Ghetto Film School, NYWIFT, The Gotham, and WrapWomen.
Recommended Reading
Acting for Young Actors written by Mary Lou Belli
Behind The Curtain: TV director and showrunner responsibilities written by Scott Meyers
Backstage: How To Become A TV Director written by Benjamin Lindsay
Directors Tell the Story written by Mary Lou Belli
Essential 10 Step Guide to Shot Lists with Free Templates written by Jackson Kingsley
Read the Directors Guild of America’s article: Directing Comedy 101 written by Ray Richmond
Top Five Female TV Directors on Breaking Barriers written by Debra Birnbaum
The Science of Filmmaking written by Ann Hall
The Ultimate Pre-Production Checklist written by StudioBinder
What are A, B, C Stories? written by TV Calling
What is a Storyboard and Why Do You Need One? written by Vyond Team
Women Are Directing More TV Shows, but Minorities Aren't written Cara Buckley
Women TV Directors Can Call the Shots’ written by Libby Hill
Women Directors on Breaking Down Barriers written by Debra Birnbaum
Women Director of Color Still Marginalized in Television written by Kristen Lopez
3 Reasons Why Great Directing Hinges On Prep Work written by Noam Kroll
10 Things to Know About Directing for Television written by Shipra Harbola Gupta
Creating Safer Sets
Join Film Fatales for an online workshop about Creating Safer and Supported Sets with Olivia Troy, Dr. Annalise Ophelian, and N. Jasmine Johnson from Reps on Set. Moderated by Body Parts director Kristy Guevara-Flanagan. Co-presented by Level Forward.
How can directors get the most out of working with an intimacy coordinator? How do you tell stories about marginalized communities authentically? When is it appropriate to bring a therapist to set? Get the answers to these questions and more in this webinar hosted by the team from Reps On Set, a BIWOC-led consulting firm specializing in intimate storytelling, cultural coordination, and on-set mental health services. You'll learn about the role of intimacy coordinators (including how to hire and work with them), the importance of cultural coordination in storytelling and set dynamics, and how mental health providers can support the well-being of your cast and crew. The presentation will be followed by an interactive Q&A, giving filmmakers the opportunity to ask questions and gain practical advice on how to bring these resources to their productions. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from industry experts and improve the safety and well-being of your cast and crew.
Recommended Reading
A New Must-Have for TV and Movie Shoots: Therapists written by Alex Marshall
I’m an on-set intimacy coach written by Brooke Kato
Intimacy Coordinators Are Very Important, Actually written by Maybelle Morgan
It’s Hard to Search for a Therapist of Color. These Websites Want to Change That. written by Christina Caron
Film and TV production is stressful. Some sets are turning to therapy written by Anousha Sakoui
Let’s Talk About Simulated Sex: Intimacy Coordinators Two Years On written by Emily Hilton
SAG-AFTRA Sets Rules for use of Intimacy Coordinators On Sets written by Anousha Sakoui
What It’s Like to Be a Black Intimacy Coordinator in the Era of Consent written by Candice Frederick
When Clothes Fly Off, This Intimacy Coordinator Steps In written by Jennifer Harlan
A Hollywood Secret: On-Set Therapy written by Gary Drevitch
Hugh Jackman Says Mental Health Support On Film Sets Is Needed written by Carly Thomas
Yes, Therapy Can Make You a Better Actor written by Joanne Baron and D.W. Brown
Film and TV production is stressful. Some sets are turning to therapy written by Anousha Sakoui
Additional Resources
Transcendent Storytelling
Join Film Fatales and Outfest Fusion for a panel discussion about Authentic Storytelling. Hear from new voices in trans cinema including Fatales Forward fellows Grace Evangelista (Burning Well) and Seyi Adebanjo (Afromystic) as they discuss their filmmaking process and the power of storytelling as a tool for meaningful cultural change. Moderated by Nava Mau (Genera+ion). Despite the increased visibility of trans characters on screen, opportunities for gender-expansive directors behind the camera are virtually non-existent. By sidelining gender nonconforming voices, Hollywood is actively contributing to the misrepresentation that leads directly to real-world violence. We need more gender-nonconforming storytellers behind the camera to ensure the authenticity of the stories being told.
Fatales Forward: Trans Stories is a trailblazing fellowship from Film Fatales created to uplift trans and gender diverse filmmakers by fostering an enduring collaborative community of creators. This event is free and open to the public.
Recommended Reading
A Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Youth written by The Trevor Project
A Guide To Gender Identity Terms written by Laurel Wamsley
Amateur written by Thomas Page McBee
Assuming a Body written by Gayle Salamon
Body Alchemy written by Loren Cameron
Daniela Sea On “The L Word,” Gender Identity, and Imagining Queer Liberation written by Drew Gregory
'Dig Deeper And Do Better' On Representation written by Marina Fang
How a New Class of Trans Male Actors Are Changing the Face of TV written by Trish Bendix
How Oprah Worked With GLAAD to Prepare for Elliot Page Interview written by Elena Nicolau
No Transgender Characters In Major Studio Releases Again Last Year written by David Robb
Queer Representation Rises in Studio Films, but Trans Characters Shut Out written by Matt Donnelly
Redefining Realness written by Janet Mock
Surveying Transgender History in Film and Television written by Willow Catelyn Maclay
TED Talk: Ending Gender by Scott Turner Schofield
The Bold and the Beautiful's Scott Turner Schofield Speaks Transgender Truth to 30 Million written by Mitch Kellaway
The Debate Over Language on the Left written by Amy Harmon
Three Trans Actors Discuss The Double-Edged Sword of Visibility in the Media written by Morgan Noll
Transforming Manhood written by Ryan Sallans
Why Films By Trans People Matter for Everyone written by Thomas Flew
Why Transgender Representation in Media Needs to Change written by Ritika Joshi
Why You Should Consider Transgender Awareness Training In Your Workplace written by MeiMei Fox
Additional Resources
Film Fatales at SXSW
The Film Fatales Meetup at SXSW was an in-person gathering in support of filmmakers of all marginalized genders and those interested in amplifying underrepresented voices in the industry to make connections and build their network. Co-hosted by Co-hosted by Dawn Porter (The Ladybird Diaries), Michelle Mower (The Never List) and Ondi Timoner (The New Americans).