Tag: Female Filmmakers

Imagine This! Girl Power Film + Media Summit – Attendee Reflection

by Briana M. Andrews, posted in business, Personal, Women In TV & Film
Briana M. Andrews attends Girl Power Film + Media Summit in New York in March 23, 2019.

This past weekend I attended the Girl Power Film + Media Summit and Showcase in New York.  This event was presented by Imagine This Productions (creators of the Women’s International Film Festival).  I had a phenomenal time, and I am still working my way through the goodie bag containing Cinema Femme Magazine, Eden BodyWorks, Good! Snacks, Ursa Major 4-in-1, Curls liquid hair growth vitamins and more.  I love freebies! 

As a small business owner who actively freelances, I’ll admit, getting my P’s and Q’s together from a business standpoint was definitely a work in progress. I am a creator, and at least initially, my focus was primarily on doing what I love … creating! I spent countless hours developing my craft, writing screenplays, filming, editing etc. However, the same level of dedication wasn’t replicated from a financial perspective. It is no secret that many filmmakers struggle to monetize their projects. Many never quite make it out of the red. I am happy to reach a stage where I can actively book freelance projects and assist companies with telling their stories. However, that is only a start! I wasn’t quite as diligent as I should have been with invoicing, retaining receipts, tracking mileage etc. From a tax standpoint, I am almost certain I left money on the table. Nonetheless, I was eager to soak information up like a sponge at the summit and implement findings with my own practice.

Panel 1: The Female Gaze – Cinematographers’ Talk included a lineup of accomplished ladies of the lens.  The overarching theme was that these ladies don’t wish to be an anomaly.  They desire increased integration so it’s not a shock when they are on set, let alone behind the camera.  All of the panelist emphasized the importance of networking, as fostering relationships can work wonders for your career, and you will learn more in the field than you will ever learn in a classroom.

Summit Attendee Pass, Branded Materials and Goodie Bag from the #GirlPowerSummit

Discussion included female representation in film, and offered insights into their creative processes.  Some of the panel members started out with Canon 7D, Bolex or Super 8 cameras.  There was dialogue about affluent students at some of the nation’s most revered film programs having access to state-of-the-art equipment, and not experiencing challenges securing funding to shoot their student films. Isabella Tan, founder of Rebel Motion attended NYU.  She stated, “Some people are privileged and have funding for great equipment, don’t get discouraged.” A poignant response statement from Valentina Caniglia, Director & Cinematographer of “Gypsy” and “The Stand” is “a great camera can still produce a bad product.” 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Camera doesn’t matter! It is about the cinematographer who tells the camera what to do.
  • Emphasis should be placed on THE STORY and DRIVING THE NARRATIVE, LENS SELECTION, LIGHTING and TONE.
  • Ultimately, the director and overall collaboration are greater project contributors than equipment.

The Distribution Down Low with Christina Raia from Seed & Spark was particularly informative.  Christina is a Crowdfunding Director who successfully led several campaigns.  Distribution is usually a confusing topic for independent creators, so it was wonderful to have her break it down with tips and tricks, and an explanation of the economics for every aspect from VOD to theatrical.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Understand the importance of DATA TRANSPARENCY.  Raia stated, “They don’t want to share the info because it gives power to the creators.”
  • DON’T COMMIT to only one revenue source.
  • Explore niche markets and innovative ideas to reach your audience.  TAKE RISKS with your independent film.

This was my first time attending an event held by and geared towards women in film and media. This blog post barely grazes the surface with topics discussed. Overall, the atmosphere was amazing and definitely female-centric! I’d like to thank Susie and Patrice, the organizers and everyone else involved with bringing this event together. I am also extremely grateful for the guest-list addition (as the tickets were $95 otherwise). The Girl Power Film + Media Summit & Showcase was worth much more than the ticket price. The value of the knowledge I walked away with far exceeded the associated cost.

Black Female Filmmaker Series: Interview Featuring Briana M. Andrews from BibbyFame Digital, LLC

by Briana M. Andrews, posted in Personal, Women In TV & Film

Happy to share news that I was interviewed and featured for the #BlackFemaleFilmmakerSeries

#BlackFemaleFilmmakerSeries Socials Graphic – Briana M. Andrews

This was a pretty in-depth interview and I had a great time opening up and sharing information about my journey and what’s to come.   This series was curated and published by Alana Marie Woodson, a St. Louis-based filmmaker, storyteller and digital content creator.  I’d like to encourage you all to check it out.

Find out how I got my start as a filmmaker, if I ever dealt with imposter syndrome and what I classify as my best work to date. Find out what’s on my film bucket-list and hear why I think other it’s important not to get “pre-occupied with optics.”  I also describe my personal, female-centric artistic style and provide advice and words of encouragement to other young and/or aspiring female filmmakers.

Here is an excerpt from the interview transcript where I detail why I feel like it is important to have our voices represented:

“There is value in each of our experiences; women need to find our own voices, control the narrative and take ownership of our portrayal in television, film and new media.  These industries need to tune into and be empathetic to the needs of various audiences.  The film industry cannot be a monolithic arena and expect to be relevant with diverse communities.  Film has to serve our communities, and reflect it.”

I’d like to give a special shout-out to Alana Marie for using her platform to provide a forum for other female content-creators during Women’s History Month.

All the best!

Selected BTS Photographer / Videographer, Upcoming NYC Women’s Weekend Film Challenge

by Briana M. Andrews, posted in Personal

I am absolutely thrilled to share that I have been selected to work on the upcoming Women’s Weekend Film Challenge taking place April 4-7, 2019 in New York.  They fielded hundreds of applications, and I am happy for the opportunity to be a team player for the challenge.  This women in film initiative places professional female filmmakers on crews to write, shoot and edit a short film over the course of a weekend.   This will be highly collaborative and intense experience where we pool resources and talents to conceptualize and create a polished competition-worthy short-film in an incredibly tight time-frame.

Screening of the completed film will take place at The Museum of Moving Image on April 18, 2019.  Visit Women’s Weekend Film Challenge to learn more.

Women’s Weekend Film Challenge

New York City Based Female Filmmakers, Upcoming Events – Women’s History Month

by Briana M. Andrews, posted in Women In TV & Film

There are several upcoming events in the New York City area that should be on the radar for all established and aspiring female filmmakers.  These events offer an excellent opportunity to network, learn and support fellow women in TV and film.  From festivals and conferences, to funding panels, round-tables and screenings – these are events you don’t want to miss!

On Sunday, March 17, 2019 at MOMA PS2, the inaugural Black Women Film Conference co-organized by The New Negress Film Society will take place. This is a treat, particularly for Black / African-American female filmmakers because this community-building event will feature an exchange of filmmaking strategies and offer a space for our voices and experiences.

Next up, on Thursday March 21, 2019, the NYC Women Filmmakers (NYCWF) will hold a Creative Financing Panel at the NYU Tisch School of the Arts.  This is another opportunity for knowledge exchange, collaboration, resource sharing and support for female filmmakers.  This event is particularly useful for budgeting and learning strategies to fund your next project.

On Saturday March 23, 2019, the Girl Power Film + Media Summit curated by Imagine This Productions offers a day of discussions, panels, film screenings, workshops, and a dinner party.  This event celebrates Women’s History Month, and also serves as an inspirational launchpad for the future of women in the film and television industries.

International Women’s Day and Women In Film 2019

by Briana M. Andrews, posted in Women In TV & Film

I’d like to start off by wishing all of our female readers a Happy Women’s Day / International Women’s Day!

You may ask, what is the specific correlation between Women’s Day and Female Filmmakers? However, there is much to celebrate, and 2019 has been a great year thus far for women in film above the line and below the line.

To name a few examples, this year was historic with a record number of women winning Oscars. Also, for the first time in history, each of the major movie studios have at least one female-directed movie slated for release this year. Many are stepping up to the plate with the 4 Percent Challenge and we’ve seen both France and the City of New York issue grants or subsidies to female filmmakers.

There were notable milestones and I am excited for what’s in-store.  As women, we need to continue to find our own voices. We also need to push to control both the narrative and our portrayal in film.

Introducing “To Each, Her Throne” – A Female-Centric Docuseries

by Briana M. Andrews, posted in Women In TV & Film

I am pleased to introduce you to “To Each, Her Throne,” a docu-series with an all-female cast and crew.  The Director, AD, Producer, DP and even the studio-owner are female. Visit to contribute and find out more. You can donate to obtain merch and/or tickets for the upcoming screening in New York. 

We are on the heels of Black History Month and now Women’s History Month is underway.  This project was conceptualized by black female filmmakers with the goal of breaking the ice on societal mandates. Women from different ages, backgrounds, sexualities, religions, races and ethnic groups will come together for judgement-free discourse on the female experience. Be on the lookout for details.

  • Director: Danielle Privat
  • AD / DP: Alecia Allen
  • Producer: Briana M. Andrews

Read more about the TEHT project, cast and crew => #ToEachHerThrone

Female Filmmakers Community | Women in TV & Film | Female-Centric Creators

by Briana M. Andrews, posted in Women In TV & Film

This page is for ANYONE in favor of a more diverse and inclusive film community.  We are here to showcase women in television and film.   Female directors, producers, writers, editors, camera-operators, DP, cinematographers, photographers, sound designers, graphic designers, composers AND everyone in between.  We’d also love to see professionals in marketing, digital media, distribution, casting, higher education, gear and festivals. 

Celebrating our second year of operation, BibbyFame Digital LLC founder, Briana-Makena Andrews expressed the desire for a renewed vision, with operation as a purpose-driven company.  For her New Media Practicum at Rowan University, she proposed the creation of a blog and forum dedicated to female-centric creators, with an emphasis on film and TV.   

Women In TV & Film – New Media Practicum Proposal [Submitted]

by Briana M. Andrews, posted in Assignments, Women In TV & Film

We need film more than ever!  Film connects people through the art of storytelling.  Much of what we see in film has roots in our backgrounds, upbringing, demographic area, socioeconomic status, cultural norms and gender.  The film industry cannot be a monolithic arena and expect to be relevant with diverse communities.  Film has to serve our communities, and reflect it.  For my New Media Practicum project, I will create a forum for diversity and inclusion in film.  Read my full submitted proposal here, and view the associated presentation here.

There is value in each of our experiences; women need to find our own voices, control the narrative and take ownership of our portrayal in film.