Episode 122: Terri Edda Miller, Creator/Showrunner/Director/Writer

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Terri is a Creator, Executive Producer, Showrunner and Director. Watch her season finale of Take Two tonight on ABC (9/13/18). She was also the executive producer of the award-winning hit ABC series “Castle” for its first seven seasons. 

Terri is an award-winning writer and director of numerous shorts and documentaries. Her films have appeared worldwide, including top Sundance and International Film Fest favorite “DysEnchanted,” starring Alexis Bledel, Sarah Winter and Jim Belushi. She has developed features and television pilots with DreamWorks, NBC, Disney and ABC. Miller serves on both the executive committee of the board of Young Storytellers and on the board of the Writers Guild Foundation.

Miller and her producing partner, Andrew W. Marlowe, first met when they both won the prestigious Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Under the MilMar banner, the pair has developed projects for ABC, Endemol and CBS Studios. Their productions have garnered honors from the People’s Choice Awards, Imagen Awards, ALMA Awards, PRISM Awards, TV Guide Magazine and the Primetime Emmys®.

We had a great conversation about her journey as a writer, her thoughts about leadership, and the state of women in this moment.

Episode 118: Mir Harris, Time's Up, Activist

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Mir is the Manager of Operations and Community Engagement at Time's Up. I was first introduced to Mir through a piece she wrote that knocked me out. I asked her to read it on the show. Mir is an activist, a thoughtful and conscious leader, and possesses a personal power that is expressed through service. Prepare yourself, you are about to be inspired. I mean no pressure, I don’t mean to oversell it. You tell me. (You’ll be inspired.)

Episode 117: Marie Cantin, Producer and Educator

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Marie Cantin is a Producer and Educator, having worked in independent and studio film and television productions. She was an Associate Dean at the AFI Conservatory, and in 2017 was the recipient of the Frank Capra Achievement Award from the DGA – a very big deal.  Some of her many credits include, Torch Song Trilogy, Save the Last Dance, Dante’s Peak, and Things to do in Denver When You’re Dead.

We talked about her long and circuitous journey into the business.  At one point she was rumored to be a nun. There’s a story.

She says it is important to figure out who you are and how you want to be in the world. This will inform your path. I think she’s right.

Episode 115: Monica Levinson, Producer, Production Executive

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Monica is the President of Production for ShivHans Pictures and comes from a long line of working women in her family. In fact, her grandmother owned a liquor store and her mother started the First Women’s Bank of Maryland.

Monica produced Bruno, Borat and Zoolander (to name a few), and she was the production supervisor on Private Parts. Check out her IMDB, you will be impressed.

We got real about the business and how to balance self-preservation with ambition in this male-dominated industry.  When do you speak up vs when do you send your message through other channels? Do you want to be right or do you want to be effective?

Episodes 108 & 109: Dana Belcastro and Debra Bergman, Production Executives

Dana Belcastro is EVP Feature Production at Twentieth Century Fox and Debra Bergman is EVP Production and Head of Production Scripted at Paramount TV. They are also the co-founders of the Women’s Production Society – the organization for female top-level production executives. We talk about their journey up through production and to the top of the studio machines.

There was a moment in the last year when they realized as a body of women they are powerful, and are in a unique position to create some change. So, that is exactly what they are doing.

We talked for so long and about so many topics, this will be two episodes. This can be your week to binge on female production executives.

These women are formidable.

Episode 94: Heidi Philipsen, Actor, Writer, Director

Heidi is an actor, director and producer, and is currently releasing her feature film called “Darcy,” that is making its rounds on the film festival circuit and will be screening at the Socially Relevant Film Festival in NYC as the Closing Night Film on Thursday, March 22nd, 8 p.m.

Heidi has a very interesting story that takes her to Germany after college, where she got her start in television before coming back to the United States. Now a gentle word of warning. We do talk about adult themes in this episode in the #metoo genre, so if you usually listen in the car with your kids, perhaps you listen with your headphones in.

To find out more about Heidi:

www.heidielizabethphilipsenmeissner.com

www.personaeentertainmentpictures.com

Episode 93: Lily Mercer, Writer

Lily is a Writer. She started out as an actress in the theatre, is a fellow Violet (NYU) and runs a female writer’s group called Bechdel Babes Writing Partners.

Her group is putting on a FREE industry only showcase welcoming Producers, Directors, Showrunners, and Literary Managers/Agents on March 22nd and 23rd. I’m going, meet me there. Get your ticket here: http://www.bbwritingpartners.com/showcase.

We talk about Lily’s mid-career change (a familiar theme in my circle), a bit about ‘kids these days’ and the importance of keeping arts in schools, and the vital need for women to be front and center in telling the stories.

And this career changing moment: “How are the kids? Pass the salt.”

And I had a big sense memory while I was editing. Voices are distinct.

Episode 91: Christina Kallas, Director, Writer, Professor

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Christina is a Writer, Director, and a Professor. Her latest film The Rainbow Experiment recently debuted at Slamdance to much acclaim. Her first film, 42 Seconds of Happiness won numerous awards, including Best Feature Film at WTxFF in Texas, Best Ensemble Cast at Harlem IFF, Indie Spirit Award and Best Ensemble Cast at Princeton IFF, just to scratch the surface.

She has been teaching at Columbia University’s and Barnard College’s Film Programs since 2011, and is the author of six books, including Creative Screenwriting: Understanding Emotional Structure and Inside the Writers’ Room (Palgrave/Macmillan, 2010 & 2014).

She has a unique perspective on the writing process, actors, and multi-protagonist filmmaking. She has the voice of an artist.

Episode 90: Lynelle White, Writer, Director

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Lynelle is a Writer and Director, whose first writing job was on Army Wives. Her first actual job was as a pilot in the Air Force. She flew the plane that refuels other planes while IN THE AIR. She is currently one of six participants the Film Independent Episodic Writers Lab.

Originally, she wanted to be a space pirate. Like Han Solo.

She has a BS in Engineering and an MFA in Screenwriting.

She was already a grown up while the rest of us were trying to figure out who we were in our 20s.

Not to brag, but this is a really good conversation.

Episode 88: Marilyn Anderson, Writer

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Marilyn is a Writer with many TV and Film credits and her most recent book, “How to Live Like a Millionaire When you’re a Million Short.” Her book answers one of the biggest questions of the Universe, “How does Marilyn live?” You can find it here. She has written on Murphy Brown, FAME, Friday the 13th and many others.

She started life as a scientist and then had one lucky break after another. She has a million stories and she cracks me up. Doesn’t everyone book a Broadway show their first week in New York?

Episode 87: Chelsea Steiner, Writer/Director

Chelsea is a Writer/Director and is currently producing her webseries called Thank You, Come Again. You can find her (NSFW) Indiegogo campaign here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/thank-you-come-again-sex-lgbt#/  

Chelsea came up as a film and television writer while also being a sex educator and diversity advocate. While working her day job as the Social Media Manager at The Pleasure Chest in West Hollywood, she looked around and realized this was show that writes itself. So, she wrote it and has set out to produce it.

I was admittedly nervous to interview Chelsea, as at heart I am a WASPY girl who grew up in Catholic school and would certainly never discuss sex publicly. But Chelsea is a smart, open, and talented woman who gave a very interesting interview and helped me mature just a little bit more. But, do listen to the episode with your headphones in and don’t play it in the car during carpool.

Episode 86: Shannon and Tia Ayers

Shannon and Tia are writing/producing partners under the company Borndreamer. They came up separately through production and comedy, while still making viral videos and other projects together, until they decided to relaunch the company their mother started years ago. Together, they made the film Firm with a Purpose, which was the Audience Favorite at the Women in Comedy Festival in 2017, and screened last night at the Women in Film Annual Shorts event.

We had a funny and thoughtful conversation that ranged from competitions and collaboration, to motherhood and bias.  What does success really mean? And if you say, “Well, I guess I’m a badass,” are you?

They are launching a podcast called Sister Stuff soon, where they will be telling stories, talking about their journey in filmmaking and trying to make each other laugh. You can follow them and find out more at borndreamer.com. 

Episode 85: Amy Spies, Writer

Amy wrote on 90210 and Melrose Place (the OG) among many other shows, but those are what made me fangirl. She comes from a Hollywood family - her parents were moved out to Los Angeles by Desilu Studios. (As you do.) And although she resisted joining the family business, she eventually did, going on to write “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.”

I loved hearing her stories and her journey and I think you will too. She’s a writer, a teacher, a mentor and is deeply into mindfulness. She teaches a mindfulness writing program which helps people, especially women, find their voice. This is the time that we all need to find our voices.

This is a Master Class.

Episode 83: Selyna Warren and Marissa Read, Producers, Writers, Actors, Directors

Selyna and Marissa are Show Runners/Executive Producers of their YouTube Red show called Foursome. They sold their first show at 24 and they are going strong, making their unique mark in this business. They are prolific writers, passionate actors, and have just added Directors to their resumes.

And they have warned you, steer clear of the common table at Republic of Pie if you don’t want to get caught in their uproar.

Episode 77: Women in Entertainment Summit 2017

Patty Jenkins talks with WIE Co-Founder Gretchen McCourt  

On November 2nd, I went to the third annual Women In Entertainment Summit.  I love this event.

The day started out with Geena Davis. The Geena Davis Institute for Gender in Media Studies has provided a heap of data surrounding women and girls in media. She presented some data on the day, and as usual, representation of women on screen and behind the scenes are still dismally small.  There are some very easy fixes however, and this is a point that really resonated with a lot of people.

She told us that Media can actually fix the problem is has created.

There was a also a lot of talk at the conference about the parts that we own - namely, confidence and advocacy. 

On the side, we talked about #metoo.

During the lunch break I caught up with McKenna Koon and Dana Kelly who both work at FullScreen, and I talked with Shirley Davis, EVP of Production at Alcon Entertainment.

On this episode I share a lot of the high points and inspiration from the day – from women such as Geena Davis, Victoria Mahoney, Dee Rees, Jordyn Wieber, Christine Simmons, Gabrielle Carteris and Greta Gerwig.

It was a great day, and this is but a tip of the iceberg.

And my must see films list from the summit: LadyBird, Mudbound, Fear Us Women

Episode 66: Lee Jessup, Career Coach and Consultant for Screenwriters

Lee is a Career Coach and Consultant for Screenwriters. She is also an accomplished author with 2 books under her belt. She coaches writers through entering the Hollywood machine and climbing the ladder, and mentors established writers as they identify and then reach their next goal post.  She got into this field because her clients made her.  They demanded and she supplied. Talk about finding your true purpose.

She has such delicious perspective on this industry.  If you don’t fill your personal well of joy and life, you will have nothing to draw upon to create your art.  Being the tortured artist is actually optional, and really not necessary.

You can have it all, “even while female,” and you should not start eliminating things because you think you have to in order to make it.  In her words, that’s bullsh**.

You must have community, you must believe in yourself, and you must do the work.

And how unfair is it that her father, an accomplished Producer, refused to engage in nepotism?!

You can find Lee here:  http://leejessup.com/

Episode 46: Stronger Than Pretty, Jaret Martino, Pat Branch, Marjorie LeWit

Stronger Than Pretty is a film about Jaret’s mother. She took her three children out of an awful situation and created a life for them all, despite everything she was expected to do as a nice Catholic girl in New York in the 70’s. In addition to that extraordinary tale, it is remarkable that her son recognizes the strength of her story and has created a piece to celebrate it. 

Jaret Martino is an actor and producer, with 10 films already under his producing belt, most of them with distribution. He is committed to hiring female crews on his projects to help counteract the dismal statistics for women in the industry.  He is a true feminist and is leading by example.

Pat Branch is a comedian, writer and teacher, and wrote the script for this project, with passion, humor and empathy.

Marjorie LeWit is an actor and director, who directed this film and the companion project Inner Warrior, which they tell us all about.

This is a master class in purpose driven content – purpose driven life. Their kindness, empathy and desire to bring people together drives their work and their lives. It is a joy to hang out with them, if only for an hour.

Remember this:  money is not what makes art.  Although, feel free to send the money anyway.  Strongerthanpretty.com.

Episode 45: Kat Coiro, Director

Kat is a Film, TV and Commercial Director.  For this, I call her a unicorn. She started as an actor but started to realize she wanted to have more influence on the final product. Kat went on to make a short with Funny or Die, where Janeane Garofalo told her to "stop f**&^%ing apologizing!" Oh, to have Janeane Garofalo yell at you!

Later she wrote and directed a beautiful film called And While We Were Here.  You can find it on Hulu.  It really is gorgeous. And she did it with no money. In Italy. While pregnant.  That is badass.

Currently, she is directing television - all your favorite shows, The Mick, Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce, and Alone Together.

She tells us her journey in directing, the state of women in the business, and what inspires her.

And, it turns out you can get big female stars to show up for your tiny shoot if you just ask them to act in a scene with another woman. With dialogue. This is the revolution.

And of course...preparation, preparation, preparation.

Episode 40: Carole Angelo, Digital Creative and Producer

Carole is a Digital Creative and Producer at TBS/TNT.  She came up through the digital world at NBC when digital was barely a thing, and she helped create it.  Along the way, she launched some obscure series you’ve never heard of, like “Friends” and “Seinfeld.” And her digital work with “The Office” launched the writer’s strike.  Yup.  She is patient zero.  But, it all got worked out in the end.

We talked about growing up at a studio, negotiating (or not), and would I please stop bringing that up?!  This was a really fun interview, even though I’m pretty sure she drove off with my parking pass.

Episode 38: Olivia Baptista, Multi-hyphenate

Olivia is the co-creator, writer, co-star and producer of Here We Wait, a new Indie web series drama available on YouTube and already getting a lot of attention, and a co-founder of the aptly named Multihyphenate Productions.  She already has several films under her belt, all of which seem to find homes at festivals and distribution.  She’s not messing around.

We talked about creating diverse projects, how sick Americans in Bosnia lose their appendixes, and how important it is to say YES! when the agent calls from LA and you’re sitting in New Jersey eating and bemoaning your fate.