Category: women in film

1) Why did you decide to get into this industry?

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to perform in some way, whether that be as an actor, singer, or dancer. I truly can’t imagine doing something else and being as happy as I am working in this crazy industry.

 

2) What’s a defining moment in your life?

Moving across the country at 18 to study at my dream school The Boston Conservatory.

 

3) What is your biggest concern with the future?

Not getting too caught up in wanting to get there. It’s important to enjoy and live in this moment. That’s what I will reminisce about once I get to my future, so I want to make the present worth reflecting on.

 

4) What is a successful moment in your career so far?

Producing and co-starring with my fiancé in the short film “Into Light” this past January.

 

5) What advice do you have for other women in the industry?

Be you. Someone is looking for exactly what you bring to the table, so don’t try and be like someone who is more “successful” than you. You are enough.

 

6) What, if anything, do you collect?

I keep cards (thank you/birthday/congratulations) in a box on my bookshelf.

 

7) What are you working on next? In addition, if people want to find out more about you, where can they find you on social media?

I just finished writing my first short film, and I am taking the first steps towards producing it.

http://www.sarahbusic.com and http://www.facebook.com/sarahbusicactor

IG: @sarahbusic

TW: @sarahbusic4

1) Why did you decide to get into this industry?

I’ve always loved story telling whether it be dramatic, comedic, suspenseful, period or contemporary. As a teen in Australia I studied with a drama teacher who encouraged me to read all the classics. I trained as an actor at theatre school and was then fortunate to put myself through a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre and art by booking acting gigs on television and film. I left Sydney to work in the industry in the UK and Europe prior to coming to the US. Writing screenplays and plays has also been hugely important to me and I’ve returned to Europe often to film as well as attend many Film Festivals with my films.

Photo: The Aerial Girl

 

2) What’s a defining moment in your life?

More than one defining moment! Living in London as a very young actor with no family or contacts was challenging, but I managed to work frequently on stage and some times TV. Also going to NY to study with great teachers and soak in the beautiful yet often harsh reality of life as an immigrant in NYC and forge ahead there with my acting. The third defining moment was when writer Terri Sissman asked me to help adapt and consequently, direct The Aerial Girl, a film she wrote as a play. Terri saw a play I wrote and directed for a festival at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollyood. Although I’d written and acted in films, I’d never directed one, so I was grateful that she gave me a shot. We labored over every detail for The Aerial Girl and it was well worth it. I’m proud of it and the experience tested me in more ways than I ever imagined. The film won a bunch of awards and screened at nearly forty festivals worldwide.

Photo: Opening night, NYC International FF.  Screening of The Aerial Girl

 

3) What is your biggest concern with the future?

My biggest concern? Where do I start! On a global level, I’d say poverty and climate change. We’re also going through huge upheavals politically, not just in the US but in many countries. I believe that however we’re able to as story tellers, affect and educate, entertain and inspire, is of paramount importance.

Photo: On location with THE AERIAL GIRL with Joel Stoffer and Sarah De LA Isla

 

4) What is a successful moment in your career so far?

Adapting my play, Chasing Chekhov and starring in the film version shot in Prague and Pasadena. A period and contemporary story combined, it won the British Academy of Film & TV Arts/ Los Angeles ‘Best Film’ and ‘Screenplay’ award at the Member’s Film Festival. My film company, VisionFire Films, which I’ve run with my husband Peter Sands for a number of years, produced the film with Peter directing. Then I’d say the awards night at La Femme Film Festival in Beverly Hills where The Aerial Girl screened. Patty Jenkins was awarded for her phenomenal filmmaking career and a few minuted later I was surprised to win the Filmmaker Honorable Mention Award. I met amazing women that night and it was great to have a chance to chat with Patty.

Photo: Shooting Chasing Chekhov in Prague

 

5) What advice do you have for other women in the industry?

My advice would be not to wait for opportunities as they may not knock! If they do, great- grab them- but if not, make your own way. As a member of Alliance of Women Directors I see more and more women getting our there and making it happen, however difficult it may be. It’s so inspiring. Seek out great stories however you can, whether you direct or produce someone else’s script or write your own. If you’ve just started to write, be prepared to rewrite…. a lot. Really hone the script and go over it assiduously. Have readings! Gather actors to hear it out loud until it’s ready. Find supportive groups to help achieve your goals.

Photo: With Rutger Hauer and Peter Sands for screening of Chasing Chekhov at I;ve Seen Film International FF, Milan

 

6) What, if anything, do you collect?

I’m not a big collector as I tend to clear spaces often in my home. I like to de-clutter as it clears my mind. I guess I’ve collected a few paintings and photographs over the years. I also admit to having a fairly extensive movie DVD collection which I don’t even need as everything seems to be on Hulu, Netflix or Amazon Prime!

Photo: with Ronnie Marmo and Lisa London at Garden State Film festival, NJ, with Finding Momma

 

7) What are you working on next? In addition, if people want to find out more about you, where can they find you on social media?

You can find out more about me at http://www.annasimonescott.com;

My company’s website: http://www.visionfirefilms.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annasimonescott Instagram: Annasimonescott8

Currently I have three projects. With my film company and partner Peter, I recently wrote and starred in a TV spec pilot. Post is almost complete so we’ll be pitching and hopefully shooting more episodes in the near future. I’ve written a feature to direct: Tough 2 Love and I have a stage play, The Grass Couch, which was developed by a Broadway company and is moving to next phase of production.

Photo: Picking up the Filmmaker Award for THE AERIAL GIRL, La Femme Int. Film Festival

Photo: with actress/director Tasha Smith and Patty Jenkins taken of us on the awards night at LA Femme Film Festival  back in 2011.

 

1) Why did you decide to get into this industry?

I was big into drama in high school and in grade 11 my guidance counselor suggested that I go on set rather than backstage. It wasn’t exactly what I wanted to do, but I am also one for trying as many things as possible. For 2 days I job shadowed a friend’s father who is a director while he was filming a series of commercials and I was just hooked. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do in the industry, but I knew this direction was the one to go in.

 

2) What’s a defining moment in your life?

I have had a few in different aspects of my life and they mostly center around interactions or memories with other people. In terms of my career, I have almost always just gone with opportunities that have arisen, which on the one hand has meant that I have a lot of experience in many different areas of production and post, but on the other, it made me feel like a Jack of all trades and a master of none. Documinute became a defining moment in my career because for the first time I am doing exactly what I want to do but I have also realized that the years of generalizing have helped me build the skill set I need to specialize and focus on Documinute.

 

3) What is your biggest concern with the future?

I try (not always successfully) not sweat the small stuff and to also let things happen, trying to control everything is exhausting…but one thing that is really important to me is to get my video project, Documinute, funded so I can make this my full-time job. I love telling stories and I’m hooked now that I have found my thing.

 

4) What is a successful moment in your career so far?

I’m lucky to have had a few wins over the years but my most recent was actually on a Documinute shoot. I had crammed 11 shoots into 6 days and I was exhausted. I was on the final one with an acapella group. When they started to sing, it just hit me – I was standing there holding out a little lapel mic to record a room full of people, I was exhausted and ready to go home, but hearing them sing made me realize I literally have the best job in the whole world. I get to meet amazing people, I have the luxury of turning off my phone for hours at a time just to talk to a total stranger and even though I haven’t monetised this project yet, there is nothing else I would rather be doing. (I had to look down a lot to hide the tears welling up). There was no accolade or money involved, but it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and that is a pretty darn successful day at the office if you ask me.

 

5) What advice do you have for other women in the industry?

A male producer does not aspire to be a better male producer, but he does aspire to be a better producer. Start thinking about yourself as a person in the industry rather than a woman in the industry. You are not a female director, you are a Director. You are not a female cinematographer, you are a Cinematographer. I think the sooner we stop making it ‘us and them’, and discontinue a multi-camp divide based on gender, we will normalise the fact that there are people from all walks of life on set and that definitely makes it a better set. While what makes us different is our strength, to continuously point it out is to make it the only thing that differentiates us and defines us. I would rather be known for the quality of my work than the gender I identify with.

 

6) What, if anything, do you collect?

I am in the process of trying to let go of collections and reduce the amount of ‘stuff’ I have. I want to collect memories and experiences going forward.

 

7) What are you working on next? In addition, if people want to find out more about you, where can they find you on social media?

Documinute is on Instagram: @documinute, Facebook: @documinute, Twitter: @Documinute_SA and YoutTube: youtube.com/c/documinute. Next up is taking Documinute to a full-time job level and releasing two Documinutes a week – meet more people, have more conversations and tell more stories!

1) Why did you decide to get into this industry?

The silly answer? I saw “The Mummy” hundreds of times as a child and wanted to be just like Rachel Weisz. The serious answer? I’ve loved movies my whole life and have always wanted to tell stories.

 

2) What’s a defining moment in your life?

Getting into the prestigious BFA program at my dream school — USC.

 

3) What is your biggest concern with the future?

Longevity in my career.

 

4) What is a successful moment in your career so far?

Having the first film I wrote and produced premiere in two film festivals.

 

5) What advice do you have for other women in the industry?

Tell your authentic story — don’t change it for anyone else.

 

6) What, if anything, do you collect?

Books!! It’s always been a dream of mine to have a huge library in my home.

 

7) What are you working on next? In addition, if people want to find out more about you, where can they find you on social media?

Producing and acting in a short film that I wrote — “Mel and Ruby.”

www.juliamanis.com

IG and Twitter: @juliamanis26

 

1) Why did you decide to get into this industry?

I didn’t. It decided to work on me.

 

2) What’s a defining moment in your life?

I woke up half drunk in Cannes after a wild night at the festival. I needed to get my Prada shoe from across the room and didn’t want to get out of bed just yet. The only thing within reach was a champagne bottle to which I used to nudge a Gucci belt closer to me. Then tossed the buckle end of the belt across over to the shoe and drug it back like a couture Macgyver. It worked and that’s the very moment I figured out my true purpose in life. #thereelwomen #womeninfilm #hollywood

 

3) What is your biggest concern with the future?

Getting everything I want to do done before the next trend comes along and ruins it all. #thereelwomen #womeninfilm #hollywood

 

4) What is a successful moment in your career so far?

I’ve been working for 18 years so there are many but 2 most recent are pretty amazing. Acting wise I got to do a scene with Jon Lithgow and it was magical. On the producing side I’ve been able to ask for more money and get it without question.

 

5) What advice do you have for other women in the industry?

Keep going and be about your business. No single person has the power to make or break you except you. #thereelwomen #womeninfilm #hollywood

 

6) What, if anything, do you collect?

Chanel, Hermes & Louis Vuitton.

 

7) What are you working on next? In addition, if people want to find out more about you, where can they find you on social media?

I want to do more of the same but get more time efficient in the process.

I do a weekly show on Public House Media called #NoFilterFriday where I discuss all things #Metoo from inside Hollywood. You can download the podcast on iTunes, Iheartradio, Spotify & Google Podcasts.

IG: @rachelannmullins

Twitter: @rachelamullins

 

 

1) Why did you decide to get into this industry?

My favorite part of film school was editing. I sat by myself in the dark and spliced the film strip together with tape. Then watched the results fly past on the moviola. I had created meaning. I was hooked and determined to do this for a living.

 

2) What’s a defining moment in your life?

Listening to the Clash’s “London Calling”. I played it over and over again. It gave voice to my frustrations as a teenager and my uncertainty for the future. But it also confirmed for me that the last thing I wanted for my life was conformity. I wasn’t gonna work for the clampdown.

 

3) What is your biggest concern with the future?

I fear for this country, for the future we inflict on the entire world. I fear that a large sector of voters have been fooled. Their worst demons have escaped and I don’t know if we can put the lid back on, let alone change their minds. I fear that Trump has ruined us in irreparable ways.

 

4) What is a successful moment in your career so far?

Working on the Emmy winning “Witness: Katrina” and being forever changed by the images I saw.

 

5) What advice do you have for other women in the industry?

Trust your unique voice. Your voice may not be the loudest in the room, but if you remain sensitive to the footage, the choices you make will give voice to many more than just your own.

 

6) What, if anything, do you collect?

It used to be records. But now it’s outdoor plants in the spring.

 

7) What are you working on next? In addition, if people want to find out more about you, where can they find you on social media?

I have a television series I’m working on now that will air on the Travel Channel in March. I’m also in a new town, Austin, where I hope to find new filmmakers to work with.

www.ksimic.com

 

1) Why did you decide to get into this industry?

A couple of years ago, I was an assistant professor in applied mathematics at Yale. I realized I was about to become a mediocre researcher and (or because I was) an unhappy frustrated lonely person. Joy and inspiration were gone, routine set in. I thought of all the friends I have in arts and film and how much I enjoy being around them, so I decided to start over. The first movie I produced called “Everything is Wonderful” can already be bought on Amazon and iTunes!!

I know I could do many things in my life, but honestly, I just want to have fun. That’s why I work in this industry.

 

2) What’s a defining moment in your life?

The births of my younger sisters. I don’t have children, but I do know how unconditional love and care feels because of them.

 

3) What is your biggest concern with the future?

I’m always afraid of the moments (even short moments) when I’m full of fear and concerns. I try to remind myself that these moments are just necessary pitstops on a highway to where I want to go. But I’m horrified of the thought that my car could break down at one of those ugly gas stations.

 

4) What is a successful moment in your career so far?

I’m in general a very lucky person with many very good friends in the industry, which kind of leads to a lot of successful moments. I’m lucky for example that the first feature movie I’ve ever produced (“Everything is Wonderful”) became such a beautiful charming film.

 

5) What advice do you have for other women in the industry?

What advice do you have for other women in the industry? There’s no advice I could give. I constantly watch and learn, so I can grow.

But a very successful female producer I worked for half-jokingly said once: “If you’re a producer, don’t wait for Thank You’s”. Best reminder to stay humble:-)

Premiere of Everything is Wonderful – photo by Peter Lueders

 

6) What, if anything, do you collect?

I’m crazy about essential oils!

 

7) What are you working on next? In addition, if people want to find out more about you, where can they find you on social media?

In addition, if people want to find out more about you, where can they find you on social media? I keep working on studio projects with great filmmakers as I’m preparing for my own projects through my company W Film Productions. I have a couple of scripts on the table I’d like to produce. One of these projects is a comedy called “Edi has a tumor” written by Pia Mechler, who also directed “Everything is Wonderful”.

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimquydang/?hl=en

http://everythingiswonderful-movie.com

http://wfilmproductions.com