Tag: Women In TV & Film

What Can People Do to Change Things? How Can I Help Women in TV and Film?

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

This is a very important question.  One that doesn’t have a straightforward answer.  It’s easy to slap together statistics to paint the dire picture of what is transpiring with women in the television and film industries.  However, generating a solution or corrective action plan isn’t quite so simple.  With the creation of Women in TV and Film, I was extremely cautious not to make this a finger-pointing, blame-game or pity-party because no one is rolling out the red carpet for us to access the boys club.  I wanted to highlight positive attributes and micro-level methods to evoke change that both you and I can implement NOW.  In the introductory stages of conceptualizing the project, I asked myself two fundamental questions:

  • What can I do to help?
  • How can I build awareness and change perception?

I don’t have money.  My career is still in infancy stages.  I don’t have the power to create macro-level change.

Do I delve into why things are the way they are, or do I paint a picture that visualizes HOW IT COULD BE?  I chose the latter.

My approach with this project was to:

  • Actively work in a filmmaker capacity
  • Work alongside other women in TV and Film
  • Showcase various women in TV and film through my social media and web platforms
  • Document the innerworkings of film sets with exclusively female cast and crews
  • Attend events, conferences and screenings that support female filmmakers
  • Network and build relationships with experienced women actively working in the industry
  • Develop a rolodex (contact list) of women that can fulfil various above and below-the-line roles for future usage, reference and recommendation
  • Show the world WOMEN MAKE MOVIES and WE ARE BADASS

Now, it’s YOUR TURN.

Companies:  You should HIRE female filmmakers.

Filmmakers: You should recommend female filmmakers and take steps to ensure you have an inclusive work environment.

Consumers: You should support, watch and buy diverse and inclusive projects.

We can talk about corporate big-wigs but the reality of the matter is CONSUMERS HOLD THE POWER.  When you buy food, you read the label.  Similarly, when watching shows and films … you should research the credits.  You should know about the content you are consuming.  Female filmmakers know about the problems that exist, however, a large chunk of the TV-watching and movie-going population are completely oblivious.  The program you love:

  • Did a woman write it?
  • Did a woman direct it?
  • Did a woman edit it?
  • Did a woman shoot it? 
  • How many women were involved in the production? 

The population is 50/50 and women represent roughly half of movie-goers but we have less screen-time and less control of the narrative.  YOU have the power to decide and evoke change.

THANK YOU – College of Communication & Creative Arts Showcase [BTS Photos] – REMINDER: Upcoming NMP Showcase

by Briana M. Andrews, posted in events, New Media Production, Personal

I’d like to provide a special thank you to everyone who visited my workstation May 4th at the CCCA Awards and Showcase.  The event served as awesome primer for the New Media Practicum showcase that will be taking place at Chamberlain Student Center from 10-1 PM on Tuesday May 7th, 2019.  I encourage you to attend; admission is free and open to the general public.  You will have the opportunity to see the Women in TV and Film new media project and mini-documentary showcasing my activities over the course of the semester. 

Here are a few images shared on social media during the event:

  • Briana M. Andrews poses with production book and artifacts from the Women in TV and Film project at the Rowan University CCCA Awards and Showcase
  • Instructor for New Media Practicum, Professor Rachael Shapiro and Dr. Sanford Tweedie, Dean of Rowan University’s College of Communications and Creative Arts discussing Optik Topic on May 4, 2019

This subject is near and dear to my heart and the project demonstrates micro-level steps we can take as a community to ensure there is more diversity, inclusivity and representation in storytelling.  The feedback was overwhelming positive and the energy was lively during the event. The CCCA Showcase was particularly memorable for me since it was one of the few times during my undergraduate career where I experienced all majors from CCCA (biomedical art, public relations and advertising, journalism, communication studies etc.) under the same roof displaying their body of work.  If you missed it, you missed out – however, I’d love to see you on Tuesday at NMP.

Tomorrow, I will post an article on WomeninTVandFilm.com outlining things that filmmakers, businesses and consumers / viewers can do to support women in this profession. Stay tuned.

Boomerang Social Media Post, Originally Posted on Instagram During CCCA Event

What Were the BIGGEST CHALLENGES during the creation of Women in TV and Film? Project Completion [Reflection]

by Briana M. Andrews, posted in business, New Media Production, Women In TV & Film

Funding limitations were one of the greatest challenges I experienced throughout the creation of the Women in TV and Film project.  One of the aspects that contributed to the success of the project was BEING THERE.  Enough footage exists on the market that I could have slapped together project from content curation alone, but I wanted to SEE, FEEL, TOUCH and make this experience REAL for myself and for anyone who views the project.  The need for female voices in television and film is heavily documented with articles and videos that address everything from gatekeepers and green-lighters to budgetary constraints and limited access.  However, Women in TV and Film is unique since it isn’t a perspective from the outside looking in.  Again, it was about BEING THERE.

Official Poster – Women in TV and Film – New Media Project and Mini Documentary. Designed by Briana M. Andrews.

If I had to summarize the challenges, it would come down to time and money.  I didn’t have all the time in the world to work on this project.  I submitted and defended my project proposal on February 14, 2019 and had roughly two months to take this from concept to completion with a tangible showcase-worthy project.  There were schedule and timeline tweaks and adjustments when reality set in with how much can realistically be accomplished within the allowed timeframe.  

Some of the investments made included gas, tolls (ugh, tolls), back-up batteries for my SLR, additional SD cards and the usual suspects, like my Adobe CC subscription.  I also had to combat loss of income, since I couldn’t actively freelance while simultaneously putting in long hours toward the Women in TV and Film project, and my directorial debut, Thug Motivation.  Leading up to April 2019, I resigned from my position as a Studio Photographer with Picture People since they needed someone with weekend availability, especially with the Easter holiday approaching.  I knew in advance I would have to spend each weekend in March and April either shooting, editing, designing graphics, or attending events and production meetings.

VROOOM – Time and Distance. How Much Did You Have to Travel to Pull Off the Women in TV and Film Project?

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

I am forever thankful for the opportunities that were presented over the course of this semester and took advantage of as many as I could.  I had to travel quite a bit and put a considerable amount of mileage on my car traveling back and forth between Manhattan and Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ (where I reside during the academic year).  My residence is in Northern NJ, relatively close to New York City.  My family … grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins are all in New York.  I luck out in a sense where there was always a local place to crash when I head into the city, but I also had classes and campus activities, so it was never long before I had to drive back to school.

Not-so-fun Facts: The Verrazano Bridge is $19.  There is an EZ-Pass toll discount, however it only applies to NY pass holders and the deep(er) discount is only for Staten Island Residents.  The Port Authority tolls (Goethals Bridge, Lincoln or Holland Tunnel) are $12.50 with the discount.  The NJ Turnpike Tolls vary anywhere between $5 and $11.  A typical trip from Rowan University (exit 3) to Lower Manhattan (exit 14C) can run about $11.  I took the train to Astoria, $17 round-trip on New Jersey Transit plus another $5.50 on the MetroCard for the MTA.

Location Details:

  • To Each Her Throne was shot in TriBeCa, NY
  • Daughters of Solanas was shot in Staten Island, NY (main shoot site and on-location cemetery site)
  • Women’s Weekend Film Challenge Pre-Production was in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
  • Screening of Daughters of Solanas at the Museum of Moving Image in Astoria, Queens, NY
  • Girl Power Film and Media Summit was in Dumbo, Brooklyn, NY

What is “Women in TV and Film” Anyway? Is it a Documentary or New Media Project?

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

Well, technically both.  The result of Women in TV and Film is a mini-documentary, however, it is very much an interactive new media project.  All connections were initially secured online, and I handled content curation and social media management for three profiles across two platforms, not including my personal page.  As of May 1, 2019, there were a total of 125 posts on social media from the accounts documented in this project.  There are also an additional 20 applicable category posts on this website.  Across all platforms, these posts include (but is not limited to) building awareness to the struggles for women in film, showcasing women in TV and film and motivation for female filmmakers. 

Women in TV and Film – New Media Practicum Project re: Female Filmmakers. What Do You Want to Ask Me?

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

The Women in TV and Film Project will showcase at the 2019 New Media Practicum Showcase at Rowan University next week.  After the premiere, I plan to post the mini-doc online and it will be embedded right here on this website.  I would like, however, to field questions from visitors so I can share my experiences and benefit from constructive criticism and feedback.  Feel free to comment, click the link for the contact box or DM me on social media.

I will use these messages to drive future blog posts and engage in dialogue about the status of women in the television in film industries.

Women in TV and Film MiniDoc and New Media Project – 2019 NMP Showcase at Rowan University

by Briana M. Andrews, posted in Assignments, events, New Media Production, Women In TV & Film
Official Poster – Women in TV and Film – New Media Project and Mini Documentary. Designed by Briana M. Andrews.

The official screening for Women in TV and Film, the mini-documentary and new media practicum project will be presented at the 2019 New Media Showcase at Rowan University.  This event is taking place on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 from 10AM-1PM in the Chamberlain Student Center.  Admission is free and open to the general public.  If you can attend, please come out and support.   

This event is an interactive, personal, meet-and-greet style setting where you can check out this semester-long multimedia body of work at my designated workstation and discuss the project directly with me.  The mini-documentary hasn’t been published anywhere and I’ll have a display with the artifacts, supporting documents and the poster for this project.  Don’t miss out!

[BTS] Daughters of Solanas Film Screening at MoMI

by Briana M. Andrews, posted in events, Women In TV & Film
Celebratory Crowd Photo from Women’s Weekend Film Challenge (New York) Official Screenings at the Museum of Moving Image. Photos by Terrence Hamilton, April 18, 2019.

In April 2019, I had the pleasure of being selected to participate in the Women’s Weekend Film Challenge in New York. My crew, Team Banks created Daughters of Solanas which was screened at the Museum of Moving Image. I detailed my personal experience from that night here, but wanted to share some of the incredible images captured at the event from Photographer, Terrence Hamilton – @theimagetaker

Booked and Busy – Reflection and Appreciation [Women in Film]

by Briana M. Andrews, posted in Biography, Personal
I’m sure Ava Duvernay would approve! #DirectHER

I am super proud of the three projects I worked on during April.  I wrote and Directed one of the projects, Thug Motivation, which is currently in post.  I Produced To Each, Her Throne where we recently completed the shoot for our five-episode series. I was also selected to participate in the Women’s Weekend Film Challenge where I shot Behind-the-Scenes Photo / Video and managed the social media presence of Daughters of Solanas.  

To Each, Her Throne Film Crew – BTS, Post Shoot Group Shot – April 27, 2019.

Two of these projects had an entirely female cast and crew, and one was a culminating project for my Film Production II course at Rowan University.  In May, I’ll be participating in the College of Communication and Creative Arts Showcase and I’ll also be at the New Media Practicum Showcase debuting my Women in TV and Film project. I am scheduled to handle a project with Inspimind as well (details to follow).

This June, I will resume freelancing and I’m currently working out details to document the Veterans film premiere at the Broadway Theater in Pitman, NJ.  Be sure to bookmark this site and keep up on socials.  As always, I appreciate all of the encouragement and support.

Women in Film – Meet the Team Behind Female-Centric Docuseries “To Each, Her Throne” (Part 1)

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

Last night, we finished shooting season one of To Each, Her Throne. TEHT is a female-centric docuseries where diverse women participate in discourse about preferences, views and struggles in today’s society. This project was partially funded by an IndieGogo campaign which secured over $2000 from 44 backers. Each episode will focus on a different obstacles and how it affects the everyday life of a woman. Learn more about the project here. Visit the Instagram account here.

To Each, Her Throne – Docuseries Graphic

Below, meet some of the talented women behind To Each, Her Throne.

Giovanni Jackson is the DP on To Each, Her Throne.

Giovanni Jackson – Director of Photography – To Each, Her Throne

Giovanni is an NYU Tisch alumni who majored in film and television. Her passion is being a writer and videographer. She also loves to travel and make new experiences for storytelling.

Julie Gribble is a Producer on To Each, Her Throne.

Julie Gribble – Producer, To Each, Her Throne

After 19 years and 2 Emmy nominations in sound mixing, Julie left a successful career at NBC Universal to launch New York Media Works, LLC, a creative production company which provides content for New Media, Film, Television, Theater and Publishing and creates “street docs” – short films that document citizen action.  As a screenwriter and independent filmmaker with strong storytelling skills and technical ability, she provides narrative fiction and documentary content for NYMW projects. Her specialties include writing, directing, and producing narrative films.

Morgan Jones is the Sound Mixer on To Each, Her Throne.

Morgan Jones – Sound Mixer, To Each, Her Throne


Morgan is a sound artist from Milwaukee. She loves to record, mix and edit sound. She also loves experimental cinema.

Victoria Lewis is the Gaffer on To Each, Her Throne

Victoria Lewis – Gaffer. To Each, Her Throne

Victoria Lewis is a New York based creative: photographer/lighting tech. As a photographer she specializes in portraits of young people of color. She upholds a high level of sensitivity for her subjects, and high attention to detail to achieve accurate skin coloring. This plays right into her work as a video lighting tech, in which she blends colors to create great lighting for skin. She also focuses on storytelling via color. Victoria currently works at a digital media company as a studio manager, and her biggest goal is sharing her knowledge as a visual artist with the youth.