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PALM SPRINGS WOMEN IN FILM & TELEVISION       September 2009

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In This Issue
PSWIFT Calendar
How to Join PSWIFT
Board of Directors
September Mixer
Film Fest Submission Info
Documentary Showcase Submission Info
Member News
Help Needed

CALENDAR

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
 
SAVE THE DATES
 
Sept. 15 - (Tuesday) WELCOME BACK MIXER
5:30 - 7:30 PM
Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
Palm Desert, CA
(more info in article on right)
 
RSVP REQUIRED:
or contact us at:
760-238-0306
 
Oct. 10 - (Sat. AM)
Luncheon & Guest Speaker
Nov. 14 (Sat. AM)
Luncheon & Guest Speaker
Dec. 15 OR 16
(Date & Time tbd)
HOLIDAY MIXER
Jan. 9 (Sat. PM)
Mixer (PS Film Festival)
Feb. 20 (Sat. PM)
BROKEN GLASS AWARDS
Mar. 16 (Tues PM)
"Meet the Board" Mixer
Apr. 10 (Sat. AM)
Luncheon & Guest Speaker
May 15 (Sat. AM)
Luncheon & Guest Speaker
June 15 (Tues. PM)
End of Season Mixer
 
 
Would You Like to Sponsor an Event?
Your Logo Here
Visit Our Sponsor
Contact us at:
[email protected] or call 760-238-0306 

BECOME A PSWIFT MEMBER

HOW TO JOIN
PSWIFT logo B-W

 For more than 35 years, Women in Film has been the leading non-profit organization dedicated to women (and men) in the global entertainment industry.  If you are interested in becoming a member there are several ways you can join:
     Call: 760-238-0306 and we will mail you an application, CLICK on the logo or visit http://www.pswift.com.   Click on the link to Join PSWIFT and follow the prompts.  It's that simple, and you are on your way to reaping the benefits of membership. 

Quick Links...
 
 
Join Our Mailing List
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
Executive Committee
Diane Ahlstrom,
Co- President
Associate Producer,
"Easy Gourmet with Kris Capra"
 
Fern Field Brooks,
Co- President/Education Chair
Consultant, "Monk", TV Series
Artist-in-Residence,
CSUSB/Palm Desert Campus
 
Denise DuBarry Hay,
Past President & Marketing/Public Awareness Chair
Thane International, Co-Founder
Kaswit Inc., President
Blue Moxie Entertainment, President
 
Sharon Bell,
Secretary
Consultant, Business & Legal Affairs,
Media Strategies International
 
Patti Gribow,
Vice President
CEO Gribow Entertainment, Inc.
The Patti Gribow Show,
Host & Producer
 
Board of Directors
Leanna Bonamici
President / CEO, Casablanca Studios
Entertainment, Inc.  
Founder PSWIFT, Past President
 
Sheri Davis
Director, Inland Empire Film Commission
 
Gloria Greer
Producer/Host Time Warner's "Conversations with Gloria Greer"
and PBS' "Classic Conversations" and  "Exploring the Arts"
 
Sherry Halperin,
Membership Chair
Television/ Film Writer, Producer
and Author
 
Haddon Libby,
Development Chair
CFO of Western Community Bancshares
 
Kim Waltrip
WonderStar Productions, Producer
 
Platinum Circle
Jackie Lee Houston
Owner, CBS-2 Affiliate
Alexandra Sheldon
Philanthropist
Rozene Supple
Owner, R&R Radio Group
& The Camelot Theater
 
Advisory Board

Mary Bono Mack,
Congresswoman
Bonny Dore
Past President Women in Film-LA
President, Bonny Dore Productions
Pattie Daly Caruso
Producer/Host My 13's "Valley Views"
 
PSWIFT Staff
Cheryl Blythe,
Administration
Abbie Bliss,
Bookkeeper
Annette Bonetti,
Office Support
Jade Flynn,
Office Support
Elise Whitworth,
Webmistress

WE HAVE A NEW LOOK!
 
Our newsletters have been growing with more and more news - which is wonderful, but also made it difficult to send to everyone.  We hope you find this a much easier way to read at your leisure.
 
We'd like to formally welcome and introduce our new Co-Presidents of Palm Springs Women in Film and Television.
 
Diane A-casual
Diane Ahlstrom
 
A former senior human resources executive with Nabisco, Inc. Diane,  as the Vice President of Executive Compensation, has broad human resources experience with primary focus on executive compensation and development of Board Compensation Committee meetings, as well as professional experience in facilitating IPO's, due diligence, Change of Control and stockholder relations.  During her tenure at Nabisco, Inc., she served as a board member of the Allegacy Federal Credit Union of North Carolina with assets of $1.2 billion and over 100,000 members.
 
Since relocating to Palm Springs and Los Angeles in 2003, Diane became active in community and philanthropic efforts.  She was elected president of the newly-formed Movie Colony Neighborhood Organization in Palm Springs and served in that capacity until 2008.  During that time, she also participated as a member of the Palm Springs Office of Neighborhood Involvement Committee -- working closely with city officials and other neighborhood groups.   Most recently she became a member of the Board of Directors of "Friends of Palm Springs Animal Shelter."
 
Currently, Diane is the Associate Producer of the cooking show, ''Easyway Gourmet with Kris Capra", a production of Wonderful Life Entertainment, which is airing on PBS affiliate stations coast-to-coast.
 
Diane is also an Executive Producer of "Visiting", a short film produced by Wonderstar Productions.


 
Fern Field
Fern Field Brooks
 
Currently consultant on the 8th and final season of MONK - a show she produced for 5 years.  Her producing/directing/writing career, which spans more than 30 years,  has garnered numerous awards including Emmys, the Humanitas Prize,  NAACP Image Award, Peabody Award and she received the Distinguished Service Award from the President of the United States for her work with the disabled.
Field speaks six languages and has supervised productions all over the world.  She is a member of the WGA, DGA, PGA, AMPAS, ATAS and The Caucus for Writers, Producers & Directors, and was president of Women in Film in 1987.  Field is also the author of two books, and is currently writing her third book based on her experiences in the entertainment industry titled PRODUCERS DON'T CRY.  
She is also very proud of her newest credit, Artist-in-Residence CSUSB PDC.
 
Denise DuBarry Hay , Past president,  will continue to be our Marketing/Public Awareness Chair.
 
Your Board of Directors has been hard at working creating an event filled calendar for 2009-2010.  Guest Speakers & Seminars, fun Mixers for networking, Awards programs and more.  We look forward to seeing you at our September Mixer, and offering you the opportunity to expand your contacts, knowledge, and have a great time.
SEPTEMBER MIXER
SEPTEMBER 15, 2009
 
Ruth's Chris SHPSWIFT's WELCOME BACK MIXER - September 15, 2009
 
 
 
It's been a long, hot summer, and we're gearing up for the upcoming season, starting off with a mixer - a chance to catch up with old friends, and make new ones.
 
Please join us at:
 
Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
74740 Hwy 111
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(At Cook Street- on the border between Palm Desert and Indian Wells)
 
5:30 - 7:30
$15 Members / $20 Non Members
Price includes hors d'oeuvres & wine.
 
Ruth's Chris Steakhouse has generously offered a GIFT CERTIFICATE drawing for one lucky PSWIFTer!    BRING A BUSINESS CARD!
 
(You can read more about the "ultimate dining experience" by clicking on their logo above.)
 
RESERVATIONS ARE A MUST!
 
You can RSVP immediately at http://www.pswift.org
Or contact us at [email protected] or call 760-238-0306.
FILM FEST SUBMISSIONS & INFO
WHEELS ON REELS FILM FEST
 
 Wheels Film Fest
 
 A new film festival is being added to Cathedral City's calendar of cultural and art events.  The Wheels On Reels Film Festival will take place October 23 and 24 at the Mary Pickford Theatre, 36850 Pickfair Street, Cathedral City, California, 92234. 
 
Student filmmakers and professionals working in the film industry are invited to submit film for consideration.  Dubbed as "a race to find the best film projects featuring cars or motorcycles," films will be selected through a submission process of professional and student filmmakers, artists working in the advertising industry, and amateur hobbyists that have captured their 2,3,4, or 18-wheeled vehicles on film.  Unique to most film festivals, an amateur category will be featured, which Wheels On Reels expects will become a major highlight of the annual event.  Festival Director, Bernadine Bogdanovs comments "anyone that loves their car enough to capture it on film is encouraged to enter their work for consideration in the Festival lineup of screenings.  In years to come, the Festival hopes to devote a full day to the amateur
category alone."

As a result of a tragic automobile accident that killed three Palm Springs area high school teens in 2007, proceeds from the Wheels On Reels Film Festival will help fund safe-driving programs for area teens. 
 
The Wheels On Reels Film Festival will not only raise funds and develop awareness for this important cause, but will present an opportunity that up until now, never existed.  For the first time ever, members of the automotive community will have a venue in which they can meet trend-setting filmmakers that use their automobiles and products.  These filmmakers influence millions of television and movie audiences and they are members of an exploding new cottage industry developing film projects that reach a worldwide audience through Internet video websites.
 
Criteria for submissions: the subject matter must involve automobiles or motorcycles as a major focus.  The cost for advertising agencies to submit film for contention is $100.  For all others, including independent, student and amateur filmmakers, the cost is $25. 
 
Submissions must be received in DVD format by September 8, 2009, and mailed to Wheels On Reels, 100 S. Sunrise Way, #299, Palm Springs, CA 92262.

Contact: Bernadine Bogdanovs (760) 213-6826
[email protected] 
(Click on logo to read more)
American Documentary Showcase 
 
Nominating documentaries for possible inclusion in The American Documentary Showcase

Mission:

The American Documentary Showcase (Showcase), funded by and as a cooperative program with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (BECA) of the U.S. Department of State (DOS), and administered through a cooperative grant to the University Film and Video Association (UFVA), is a curated selection of contemporary documentaries that is offered to US Embassies for screening abroad.  The Showcase is designed to travel American documentaries and their filmmakers to international overseas venues, including, U.S. Embassy organized events and/or U.S. Embassy supported international documentary film festivals.

The goal of The Showcase is to offer a broad diversified look at life in the United States and the values of a democratic society as seen by American documentary filmmakers.  The Showcase is intended to demonstrate the role documentary plays in fostering understanding and cooperation among people.

With renewal of a grant by BECA to UFVA, we are now able to include 5-10 new titles and filmmakers in the second round of the Showcase, which runs through December 2010.  Filmmakers may nominate their own films.  Student films of exceptional quality are welcome.

Qualifications for Consideration:

Documentaries nominated can be of any length and style, although the emphasis is on shorter, under one hour films in this grant cycle.  They must have a release date no earlier than January 2007 and must be completed by September 2009, and available on DVD.  They must be made by an American citizen, focus primarily on American subjects (this can be Americans overseas, but the main emphasis must be on American citizens), and fit in to one, or preferably more, of the following categories:

Subject Categories:

The Democratic Process
Emigration/Immigration
Environmental, Nature, Our Planet
Ethnic Diversities
Health
Innovation in Education
Music and Society - no concert film or music videos
Popular Culture
Women, Families and Children

A panel of experts will recommend up to 10 films for possible inclusion in the Showcase.  BECA will make the final decision about inclusion.

To nominate a film, four NONRETURNABLE DVDs must be submitted along with a short SYNOPSIS and CREDIT LISTS.  Entries must be shipped PREPAID.  Nomination Postmark Deadline:  SEPTEMBER 25, 2009

Inclusion in the Showcase grants BECA, the DOS, the UFVA and the International Documentary Association (IDA) the right to use brief clips, photographs, and biographical data of filmmakers and their subjects for publicity and promotional purposes, including UFVA/IDA/DOS websites, podcasts and internet feeds.  If a film is chosen to be included in the Showcase, the copyright holder further grants permission to the Showcase to make DVD duplicates and to screen the entire documentary, or portions thereof, at American Embassies and overseas venues selected by the Embassies, including foreign film festivals.  The copyright holder also agrees to allow the Showcase to subtitle the film as deemed necessary by the Showcase.

All materials must be shipped/mailed with all charges prepaid to:
Betsy McLane, PhD
Showcase Director
3801 University Avenue
Suite 260
Riverside, CA  92501

For more information visit www.ufva.org/showcase
Any questions not addressed above should be directed to:
[email protected].
 
MEMBER NEWS
KAZ AKERS
KaZ KaZ Akers shot a pilot for a new reality series.  All The Single Ladies, focuses on 4 galpals who find themselves single at the same time. The series follows KaZ Akers, Josie DiVincenzo, Maria Quinones, and Merry Simkins - four funny, intelligent, accomplished, attractive and busy women in the entertainment industry as they navigate life in the single lane.  Executive Producer:  Cheryl Hines  http://www.allthatkaz.com
 
BASRA ENTERTAINMENT's COMEDY HIT NOW ON DVD
 
Bart Got A Room
BART GOT A ROOM", the William H. Macy-Cheryl Hines comedy based on writer/ director Brian Hecker's life as a pathetic nerd growing up in South Florida is NOW available on DVD!
 
This film received rave reviews from Variety and the Hollywood Reporter.  It's available on Amazon and at most major retailers selling DVDs.

Click on artwork to view YouTube video with William H. Macy & Kate Micucci. 

TERE BRITTON
Tere-Shiny AppleTere Romero Britton, coordinator of the Coachella Valley BookPALS (Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools) program, receives a Shiny Apple Award from Gary Jeandron, president of the Palm Springs Unified School District board.  BookPALS reads in three PSUSD schools and 6 other schools in the valley. BookPALS, a program of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation, will continue to grow in the Coachella Valley.
 
Easyway Gourmet with KRIS CAPRA 
Easyway Gourmet
 
The second season has launched with, at last count, the show appearing on PBS affiliate stations coast-to-coast in over 20 million potential households carrying the entertaining, informative and upbeat program. Home cooks of all skill levels find Capra's easygoing style in the kitchen a refreshing change from television's current crop of sometimes over-hyped celebrity chefs and cooking "stars". Her message?  That genuine gourmet cooking can be affordable, easy and stress-free, and that the best gourmet cooking is a simple and direct reflection of the love of family, friends and good times.
 
In the Coachella Valley, watch the show on KCET Desert Cities, Channel 218, on Monday and Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., Thursday at 10:00 p.m. and Friday at 9:00 a.m. or KVCR Channel 9 on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.   Also you may watch the show throughout California on PBS affiliate stations.
  
(Click on the logo to read more... )
ROBERT JAYE
Robert JayeRobert Jaye has just completed production on fine art photographer Karen Baker's new film "The Baby Opens a B&B at the Salton Sea. " This fun short film can be viewed at Karen's web site - http://www.thebaby.biz and can also on his new site at http://www.MoviesForArtists.com
SHELLIE KARABELL
Shellie
 
SHELLIE KARABELL is leaving the desert to work in France for a year as the online Deputy Editor of "Knowledge," published by the international business school INSEAD, beginning in September. The site has more than 70,000 subscribers. INSEAD is the European equivalent of the Harvard Business School.
     She will continue to file reports monthly for Desert Business Report.
      This past summer she was joined by four local businessmen for a week in France at the prestigious investment conference focused on green technology, entrepreneurship, and international investment. Jim Ferguson spoke on Palm Desert's energy-conservation program, Andy Montgomery spoke on investing in second-tier cities, and Dick Shalhoub and Mitch Blumberg were part of the jury evaluating presentations by start-up tech and green-tech companies from around the world. Karabell moderated the conference (for the second year) at the Atlantic seaside resort town.
       The Valley businessmen were able to meet the French Finance Minister, Christine Lagarde; make contacts with companies
potentially interested in re-locating to the region, and identify potential funding sources for various local "green" projects.
 
The show may be seen online:
http://www.desertbusinessreport.com
. (produced by ELAINE CHURCH)
KIM WALTRIP 
Kim W
KIM WALTRIP, Producer and JIM CASEY, Executive Producer are currently filming the independent feature, "THE CHRISTMAS MOVIE," written and directed by award winning Dan Gordon.  Their stellar cast includes: Elliott Gould, Cloris Leachman, Lainie Kazan, Cybill Shepherd, Linda Gray, Gene Simmons, Della Reese, Fred Willard and Olesya Rulin.
           "The Christmas Movie" is the story of a runaway pregnant teenager, with all the trappings of an upscale life, who learns the real meaning of love and family when she finds herself in a downtrodden trailer park in a small New Mexican town.
           A Wonderstar Production for release Christmas 2009.
(Click on Kim's picture to read more about Wonderstar Productions) 
Sneak peek at The Christmas Movie at:
 
HELP NEEDED
SAG Foundation BookPALS Needs Your Help
BookPALS
 
BookPALS (Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools) is a unique volunteer program of professional actors who read aloud to children, helping to introduce them to the wonderful world of reading and literacy. 
 
 
The SAG Foundation Coachella Valley BookPALS needs volunteer readers and is looking for new and "gently used" books for 1st through 5th graders in Valley schools from Desert Hot Springs to Indio. The books will be given to students in the BookPALS Program.
To volunteer or to donate books, please contact Tere Britton, coordinator of the program at  (760) 898-4052 or [email protected].
(Click on the logo to read more about us) 
PALM SPRINGS VIRTUAL FILM OFFICE
PALM SPRINGS FILM OFFICE Website
PS Film Office The PS Film Office website has become an invaluable resource for production companies, both local, and out of the area, looking to shoot in the Coachella Valley. 
      If you haven't yet, please take a moment to visit the site.  If your business falls into any of  the categories shown,  please take a moment to GET LISTED.
      If you ARE already on the site, but it's been over a year since you last updated your information, LOG-IN and edit your profile.  Allow 24 hours forthe site to process the new information.
  http://www.psfilmoffice.com or click on the logo.
 Questions? Contact:  [email protected].
NEW & RENEWING MEMBERS
NEW & RENEWING MEMBERS  
           NEW 
GENERAL
Shelli Becken
Kaz Akers-Brownlee
Carole Sumner Krechman
Haddon Libby
Christy Majors 
ASSOCIATE
Patricia (Patti) Craine
Wendy Girard
Diane M. Kline, Ed.D. 
LUMINARY
Joyce Bulifant
 
          RENEW
FRIENDS OF PSWIFT

KPSP Local 2
Don Perry, VP & GM
            Cricket Prescott
            Joyce Wheelock
GENERAL
Kris Capra
Pattie Daly Caruso
Jenell Fontes
Lenore George
Bonnie Gilgallon
Kristin Johnson
Shellie Karabell
Carol LaFourcade-Hightower 
Christy Lane
Samantha Lockwood
Betsy McLane
Cindy Shoemaker 
Y. Eileen Traub
ASSOCIATE
Dixie G. Angelo
Greg Baran
 LUMINARY
Sharon Chase
Sally Hedberg
Roger Kramer
Joan P. Loven
Norma Margot 
Jorie Parr
Jean Lee Porter
Alden West
Ellen Zimmerman 
ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS:
Don't forget to send in your entertainment-related news to us at: [email protected]
Every effort will be made to have it published in the next newsletter or announcements
 
ALSO:
When you enter your news on the www.pswift.org website, BE SURE TO LOG IN before entering your information. 
If you have any problems, please contact
[email protected].
 
Reminder:  On the PSWIFT website, you can enlarge the typeface by simply clicking the 'FONT' in the upper right hand corner of the home page!
 
If you would like to offer a discount for your business or services, take advantage of our DISCOUNT COUPON (below)!  Just call the office 760-238-0306 or email us [email protected] for more information.
 
Hope you had a terrific summer, and we'll see you soon. 
Palm Springs Women in Film & Television
78-140 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA 92253
760-238-0306   [email protected]
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       Headshots, Portraits & Family
        Studio and/or Natural Light
      Bring or mention this coupon!
 
            Phone:  760-564-0667
Offer Expires: December 31, 2009                                                        PSWIFT Aug 2009