The Reel Women

Tag: women in media

  • @thelesliebecker @organizedactor

    @thelesliebecker @organizedactor

    What pulled you into film and TV in the first place?

    I fell in love with film when my mom introduced me to movie musicals as a kid. She loved them and they opened a world for me that led a 25-year career performing musicals on Broadway, which led to also appearing in various TV and film roles. Now I’m focusing on the writing side. I have two full-length musicals that have been produced (and another on the way) as well as a TV sitcom and dramatic episodic in development.


    What do you think the industry gets most wrong about women like you?

    It’s still shocking to me that when a woman is strong and direct and passionate she is looked at as difficult, but when a man is the same way, he is revered. Also, as much as there is a culture of needing to have multiple creative outlets, there are still some people who don’t believe you can be really excellent at a lot of things. That’s the beauty of being a creative though, using all the gifts God gave you, not just the ones somebody else says you should use. Women in their very nature can do a lot of things well and I like to celebrate that.


    What does success mean to you?

    To me success is a very personal thing. It’s knowing that I’m living out my purpose every day to empower, entertain and educate others, and to be a source of strength and bravery for the human spirit. If I’m doing any form of that, I consider that a successful day. I do that through my brand The Organized Actor® which began with a bestselling book I wrote in 1994. This year I released a digital app, Organized Actor® Online, that helps actors manage the business side of their careers, from tracking auditions, bookings, contacts, income and expenses, goals and more. And my podcast, Unstoppably Creative, helps fellow creatives build their confidence so the highs and lows of a creative life are balanced by a strong belief in themselves. When I empower someone else, I feel successful.

    What are you most proud of that most people don’t know about?

    I suffered from extreme audition anxiety in my early years, particularly singing. So it’s still amazing to me that I overcame that and made a living singing to thousands of people a night. The pinnacle moment was performing a solo concert of my original songs in Times Square back in 2019.

    What keeps you going when the industry makes it hard?

    I always think it’s best to face reality for what it is, not as you wish it would be or as it used to be. So when the industry blocks me, I find a way around it. I feel like I’m a master pivoter.

    For more on Leslie, check out her website: https://organizedactor.com

  • “Seeking Gender Parity at Sundance”

    “Films that are diverse both in cast and crew consistently perform better at the box office than their more homogenous counterparts.”

  • “What the #4PercentChallenge to Hire Women Directors Needs to Succeed”

    “This initiative is thrilling and a hearty brava to the activists who understood that the key to greenlighting pictures with women directing is for talent to commit!

    “I would like to urge those who created this initiative and those who have signed on to be audacious in seeking out directors they may not yet have heard of. If you want to change the stats, you must have open minds. Sit down with us, talk to us, hear our vision and see if you are inspired. The #4percentchallenge is just what we need right now but it won’t become a four percent solution unless we move together in a whole new way. As more feature films are directed by women, not only will the statistics grow but so will the chances for some of us to garner nominations and wins at The Academy Awards.”

    READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

     

     

     

  • “Female entrepreneurs must act like the boss to succeed”

    Do you think this advice is possible in our industry?
     
    “But what some women lack is confidence and this is non-negotiable if they want to succeed and grow their business. Whether you are closing a deal, securing a funding round, or hiring staff members, you have to show everyone you deal with you will not accept anything less than what you believe you should.”