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PLEASE NOTE: If you want to forward this to a friend, PLEASE use the forward link at the bottom of this announcement. DO NOT use your personal email program 'forward'. Your recipient's name will not automatically be added to our mailing list, and this will prevent YOUR name being accidentally removed from our list.
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| Palm Springs Women in Film & Television |
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| Contact Us |
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78-140 Calle Tampico
La Quinta, California 92253
760-238-0306
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 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Members and Friends of PSWIFT,
It's unanimous! Everyone loved Michael Wright. He was accessible, smart, funny and gave us lots of information to think about. Your loss if you didn't join us at this luncheon.
But onward we march. I'm going to the May first seminar - are you? Are you coming to our May 15th luncheon? I certainly hope so. These talks and educational events are to help YOU. So please support the effort. Learn and enjoy.
Now picture this: Sherry Lansing is at your spa for an evening massage; Goldie Hawn stops by your store for a little shopping spree; Drew Barrymore grabs a latte at your coffee shop and Charlie Sheen stops by the bar of your restaurant for a . . . . I can't promise these stars will come by but I know some of next year's speakers will - if you donate some gift certificates that we can give them. So be creative and help us out so we can thank our speakers with something that will make their desert stay EVEN more memorable. Email me, sherryhalperin@aol.com, and I'll arrange to pick up the certificate at your convenience. Thanks for your help and generosity.
See you around our PSWIFT campus.
Best,
Sherry Halperin
PSWIFT President
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PSWIFT ADDS NEW MEMBER CATEGORY FOR STUDENTS |
| Palm Springs Women in Film and Television is pleased to announce that we now have a membership level reserved for students in High School, College or University.
In our on-going efforts to reach out into the community, we encourage students studying theater arts, media, and all other entertainment industry related studies to take advantage of the low Membership fees, and attend as many of our Seminars and Guest Speaker luncheons as possible.
New and annual renewal dues are $25.00. On the applications, students need to indicate the school they attend, their Student ID or grade level. A special student member discount rate will be offered for PSWIFT events, and students will be able to post their entertainment industry related news on the website and in the newsletters.
Information and Registration is available on the website under Members/Levels & Qualifications and Applications. www.pswift.org
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MICHAEL WRIGHT LUNCHEON:
We had a full house on Saturday, April 10th for the luncheon with Michael Wright, Executive VP/Head of Programming for TNT, TBS and TCM. He was pleasantly surprised to see so many people indoors on such a beautiful day. We, in turn, were delighted to have an opportunity to meet Michael as he generously shared his life experience with us. From his early career as an actor and his epiphany during yet another casting session when he looked around the room at the other hopeful actors and at the well dressed producer with the expensive car and realized that he wanted to be THAT guy. He became an agent, then a CBS executive, then moved on to TNT.
The topic turned to his amazing track record of series programming. The bulk of his talk concentrated on "The Pitch." TV is all about characters. There are a lot of doctor / lawyer / law enforcement shows out there. We watch the people. The crime or disease of the week isn't as important to a viewer as how it affects the characters. His anecdotes of memorable pitch sessions were both entertaining AND educational.
Lessons we learned included coming with material appropriate to the network you're pitching. It will also flatter the network that you know their work. Be brief! If you don't hear some version of "tell me more," STOP TALKING. And, be able to back up your idea. Ideas are a dime a dozen. You need to show you can execute it. If YOU aren't the talent, you need to find it and attach it to your project. Pitching a pilot, you have a general idea of where it can go. Genre and tone are often overlooked. It's crucial you take this into consideration. If it's a drama, it needs to have some humor. Humor needs a little drama, but be clear on what you're presenting.
The time flew by, and all too soon it was over. We left feeling we had a much better understanding of series programming and the people responsible.
Next month, we are again blessed with the opportunity to meet the Senior VP Production for Sony Pictures' Screen Gems, Glenn Gainor, and anticipate an inside look at successful film production. (More on this below)
Our Member authors also sold their books after the luncheon: Jean Lee Porter, DeAnn Lubell, Fern Field, David Steward and Sherry Halperin. Fern donated all her sales to the Education Committee for the upcoming Seminar series; the others all donated a percentage of their profits to PSWIFT. Thank you all!
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SKILLS FOR SUCCESS SEMINAR: SOLD OUT
PSWIFT and Cal State University San Bernardino, Palm Desert Campus hosted the The Skills for Success Seminar on May 1. Our on-going efforts to reach out into the community to share the wealth of knowledge we've accumulated is paying off. In addition to our regular Members and interested non-members, we had high school students from the Coachella Valley Unified School District, Theatre Arts students from College of the Desert and the Management students from CSUSB PDC.
During the registration process, we enjoyed a continental breakfast of bagels & cream cheese, muffins and Danish, juices & coffee.
At 10:00am Sherry Halperin welcomed the SRO audience. Fern Field, as always, delighted the audience with her production experience anecdotes. The interactive portion of her Problem Solving questions was met with an interesting variety of suggested solutions. So often we are faced with the RESULTS of a problem and are at odds as to how to resolve it. What we learned was how to identify the ROOT of a problem, so time isn't wasted -- A skill that carries into any business and in life.
We came out at lunch time to find a fabulous spread of food and beverages, including the best pizza ever, generously donated by All Pro Pizza, Michael Salotti, (corner Cook St. and Country Club). Some time to network, review what we'd just learned... then it was back inside to meet Carole Kirschner.
A woman who has reinvented herself several times, Carole's been a stand up comedienne, teacher, a VP with Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment and Comedy Development Executive at CBS and is now a Career Consultant. She gave us invaluable tips on how to make ourselves stand out in a crowd... whether it's in a workplace where you want to move up the ladder, or getting your resume to the top of the pile in a new environment. This was especially important to students venturing out for the first time to go after that 'dream job.'
No one wanted to leave! During our "Nibbles and Networking" at the conclusion of seminar, everyone was excited about the presentations. We plan for these to be a series of Seminars in the fall. Those of you who couldn't make it last Saturday, we encourage you to watch for our notices in September.
Lastly, we want to give a big "Bravo!" to our corps of volunteers, without whom we couldn't have made this possible: Leanna Bonamici, Arlyn Rudolph, Sharon Bell, Pamela Farr, David Steward, Janet Johnson, Mary Brennecke, Connie Taylor, Jonathan Mosack, Steve Warren and our staff, Cheryl Blythe and Annette Bonetti, and from CSUSB Dean Fred Jandt, Mike Singer, Tina Howe, Professor Cathy Levitt, Gil Trevino and Katrina McDowell. |
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PSWIFT CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR 2010 | |
Sat. May 15 Guest Speaker Luncheon with Glenn Gainor (more info below)
Sun. May 23 ¬Punch with Patti Gribow, Pattie Daly Caruso and Gloria Greer
Producing / hosting local television
(1 - 3 PM FREE location tbd)
Tue. June 15 End of Season Mixer
Ruth's Chris Steak House (time tbd)
¬ FREE SEMINARS are MEMBERS ONLY and are space limited.
All other events are open to Members and Non-Members.
Information on all of these events will be in the PSWIFT newsletters or please go to our website: www.pswift.org
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LUNCHEON WITH GLENN GAINOR - HEAD OF PRODUCTION, SCREEN GEMS |
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 MAY 15, 2010
GLENN GAINOR
Senior VP Production, Sony Pictures' Screen Gems
La Quinta Resort & Spa
49499 Eisenhower Dr.
La Quinta, CA
Check in: 10:45 / Luncheon: 11:30am - 1:30pm
Members: $35.00 /Non Members: $50.00
Student Members with school ID $10.00
Non Member students with school ID $15.00
RSVP: On line www.pswift.org
GLENN GAINOR is the Senior Vice President in charge of physical production for Sony Pictures' Screen Gems, a position he has held since January of 2007.
As quoted in Kodak's In Camera Magazine, Gainor says, "We are committed to reviving the tradition of producing films in Los Angeles, where we can draw upon a deep pool of talented people who are happy to be working at home. We are building a family with many people collaborating with each other on different projects."
He was the 2009 recipient of the California on Location Signature Award, given in appreciation for his efforts in preserving California's film industry. Gainor also served as keynote speaker at the COLA Awards
Gainor executive produced the thriller Vacancy for Screen Gems as well as recent box office hits Prom Night, Quarantine, and Obsessed.
As head of physical production, Gainor oversaw production on This Christmas, First Sunday, Lakeview Terrace, The Stepfather and Armored as well as the upcoming film Burlesque. Additional films Gainor is producing for Screen Gems includes the Neil LaBute comedy Death at a Funeral and the post-apocalyptic thriller Priest.
Other executive producing credits include the comedy Strange Wilderness for Adam Sandler's Happy Madison Productions, Grandma's Boy, Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo, Sonny, directed by Nicolas Cage, Starship Troopers 2, and the thriller Skeletons in the Closet.
Gainor served as line producer on A Rumor of Angels as well as the critically acclaimed Panic, directed by Henry Bromell. Gainor co-produced George Hickenlooper's The Man from Elysian Fields, as well as Happy, Texas. Gainor has also produced for the stage, teaming with Ovation Award winning director Andy Fickman for the musical "Sneaux."
Glenn was recently honored by the LA City Council for his work in bringing film production back to Hollywood. To read the LA Times article, please click here or go to www.pswift.org.
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MEMBERS IN THE NEWS | |
KaZ AKERS recently appeared on the pilot No Ordinary Family with Michael Chiklis. KaZ played Officer Haskell, a cop accosted by a Meth Head, played by actor Christian Stokes. With the help of fellow officers they take the perpetrator down. KaZ was thrilled to be back in action as a stunt actor and had no problem getting tossed around for a day! Have knee and elbow pads, will travel!! |
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DENISE DuBARRY HAY - PROUD PARENT
Denise's daughter, WHITNEY co-stars in the Marywood Palm Valley original musical production of Moonwatch as "Luna", the spirit of the moon. If you are looking for a something fun and uplifting to do, bring your child, nephew/niece or your inner child and come and support the middle school drama class at Marywood-Palm Valley. Each year, English teacher Ken Sarkis creates an original play for the middle school students to perform; this season's production is Moonwatch, a musical offering ninety minutes of charm, inspiration and fun set to original music.
With over 38 middle school performers and 20 high school students and 36 parents working backstage, this is no ordinary middle school musical. These kids have poured their heart and soul into this production. If you like the television series "Glee", you will love Moonwatch.
Stardust Outdoor Theater; MWPV Campus; 35-525 Da Vall Drive
Saturday May 1 - 8 pm
Thursday May 6 - 8 pm
Friday May 7 - 8 pm
Saturday May 8 pm
Cost: $10 General Admission and $20 Premium Seating.
For More Information and ticket sales call: Tonya Carr at 760-328-0861 or
tcarr@mwpv.org
PLEASE NOTE: Several PSWIFTers are working backstage. The school will be looking for all phases of production (volunteer, mentor) help for next year's production; tech people, lighting, sound, set design, voice coaches, acting coaches, wardrobe, choreography, makeup, etc.
Anyone with experience in theater, come watch this play so that you can see how you can mentor next year. (Please contact Valohna Wynn if you are interested in helping with any of
these positions: valohnaw@aol.com) |
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| | Prize-Winning Writer DeANN LUBELL presents The Last Moon, a page turning masterpiece set to captivate readers' hearts.
Set in the island paradise of Martinique as Mt. Pelée erupted in a cloud of gas and fire in one of the most awesome and destructive pyrotechnic displays ever offered by nature on May 8, 1902, thirty thousand citizens lay dead or dying, and the town was engulfed in flames. Mother Nature was not entirely to blame for this disaster. Who were the real culprits responsible for the occurrence of this devastating catastrophe?
Through The Last Moon, readers will discover various realizations and will find an amazing story that portrays the world of corrupt white French officials and men of business who placed politics, greed, and racial intolerance above the welfare of the island people.
Book Signing: Borders at the River in Rancho Mirage
May 8 and 9 from 1-4
760-779-1314 (Borders)
Gwen Ramstead, General Manager
Signing to take place on the 108th Anniversary of the Tragedy |
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SHOOT THE HERO starring PSWIFT Member Samantha Lockwood, Jason Mewes, Taylor Negron, Nick Turturro, Mike Hatton and Danny Trejo just screened at the Boston Film Festival and at the Newport Beach Film Festival on April 28th.
Director, Christian Sesma, Producer, Denise DuBarry, Samantha Lockwood, Mike Hatton and other cast members are out promoting the film. Shoreline Entertainment is busy selling the foreign rights. Middle East and German rights have sold! More on the way.
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NEW TELEVISION SHOW SPOTLIGHTS INDEPENDENT SHORT FILMS |
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 LEANNA BONAMICI, PSWIFT Founder, Independent Producer Film, TV and Video, has just launched her new TV series SHORTS SHOWCASE on Time Warner Channel 111/110 On Demand, and airing in San Diego through the Time Warner System, currently airing in over 1 million homes, 24/7 and to a global audience on-line.
Created, written, produced and directed by Leanna, the show features short films from all over the world. Special submission rates are offered for students and WIF members worldwide.
Watch the show - vote for your favorites. Many of the films selected for broadcast have the opportunity to submit for regional Emmy Awards consideration, and are eligible to win a grand prize of studio time and cash toward their next project.
Please visit www.shortsshowcase.com for more information (or click on logo).
To read Palm Springs Examiner story, click here. |
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GRANTS: WIF FOUNDATION FILM FINISHING FUND |
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WOMEN IN FILM MEMBERS:
2010 WIF Foundation Film Finishing Fund
APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE!
Application Deadline: April 30, 2010
Winners Notified: August 15, 2010
WIF Los Angeles has made the decision to extend the WIF Foundation's Film Finishing Fund grant submission deadline to Friday, May 21st. They will still notify winners during the month of August. The Women In Film Foundation's Film Finishing Fund (WIFF FFF) supports films by, for, or about women by providing cash grants of up to $15,000 and in-kind services. The new grant cycle is currently open and WIFF FFF is accepting submissions. Filmmakers who are eligible can find more information through our online application.
CLICK ON LOGO for APPLICATION!
http://www.wif.org/fff-application-2010/
Join WIF Foundation's Film Finishing Fund on facebook!
TWO EASY STEPS:
1. Log in & search for "Film Finishing Fund"
2. Click on "Become a Fan" |
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SAVE THE DATE: MAY 13-16, 2010 - 10th ANNUAL ARTHUR LYONS FILM NOIR FESTIVAL |
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Save the Date for the 10th Annual Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival to screen Thursday, May 13 through Sunday, May 16 at the Camelot Theaters in Palm Springs.
Founded in 2000 by the late mystery author and Palm Springs community leader Arthur Lyons, the popular Film Noir festival includes an eclectic mixture of rarely seen and sometimes obscure stylish black and white "B" movies. This classic "Film Noir" era literally meaning "Film Black" of the 1940' and 50's was filled with sexual motivations, cynical attitudes and focused on intriguing crime dramas.
Each year, the festival showcases the best of noir while being a magnet for a scintillating array of "A" list actors for Q&A's, autographs and book signings.
The 2010 Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival once again combines the formidable talents of co-founder Barbara Lyons, author Alan K. Rode as host/programmer and long time Hollywood casting director Marvin Paige as producer. Jason Bruecks, General Manager of the Camelot Theater, Michael Green and Stephen Boyd Design rounding out the stellar team of players. This year's festival is being executive-produced by J. Hocker and Associates.
For more information on the how to support the Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival visit: www.ArthurLyonsFilmNoir.com.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Palm Springs Cultural Center a 501(3) c founded in 2007 by Ric & Rozene Supple.
For sponsorship, partnership or how to volunteer contact Jeff Hocker at 760-320-5272 or jeffhocker1@gmail.com. |
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The Sun Runner Magazine has opened the submission period for the fourth annual Desert Writers Issue. The Sun Runner is seeking submissions of poetry, short fiction, essays, book excerpts, and prose from writers throughout the California desert region, or writers with strong ties to the region.
Each year, the Desert Writers Issue has grown. Submissions are juried by a panel of writers, editors, educators, and readers, with the highest rated contributions appearing in the August/September issue of The Sun Runner. In September, the magazine hosts the Desert Writers Celebration, with all past and present contributors invited to attend, read, and meet fellow desert writers and poets.
Previous year's celebrations have included a "Sheeple Burger" barbecue (in honor of a short story by Tom Loret), and readings by authors such as Deanne Stillman, and Mary Sojourner (who also hosted a successful women's writing workshop).
This year's Desert Writers Issue will include a special section: Letters Home, a section for active duty military personnel and their families stationed in the desert. Letters Home contributions may be short essays on life apart, military life at home or abroad, or personal reflections, thoughts, poems, or letters that share insight into what it is like to serve our country, or live a military life, based in the desert. Prizes are being solicited from the business community for the top contributors to this section.
Full submission guidelines for the Desert Writers Issue and Letters Home special section are easily available at www.thesunrunner.com. Deadline for submissions is July 6, 2010. Questions should be sent to Steve Brown at publisher@thesunrunner.com. |
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THE GREAT AMERICAN PITCH FEST |
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This year's GREAT AMERICAN PITCHFEST is taking place on June 26th & 27th, at the Burbank Marriott Hotel & Convention Center (2500 No. Hollywood Way) in Burbank, California.
This is your opportunity to pitch your stories/ideas to over 100 production companies, agents, managers, and studio executives.
SATURDAY is full of FREE classes, and anyone who wishes to attend is welcome.
SUNDAY is the pitchfest where it is your time to pitch your ideas to the many companies that attend!
Visit their website to read more and register.
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How To Make A Great Preschool Series
Three-Day Intensive
Little Airplane Academy will be conducting an intensive, three-day preschool television workshop. Participants will learn the fundamentals of creating a preschool series from pitching through writing, character design, directing and producing both live action and animated shows.
Location: Little Airplane Productions
207 Front Street (between Fulton and Beekman) South Street Seaport New York, NY 10038
Dates: The course is comprised of three full days as well as optional
evening activities. The course will take place on the following dates:
Saturday, August 14th
Sunday, August 15th
Monday, August 16th
Fee: $1500 for the course
Discount for Women in Film Palm Springs: the course cost will be $1000 instead of $1500. In your email with your applications please put that you are member of Women in Film Palm Springs and we'll apply the discount.
Space in the course is limited and a simple application and resume are required. There is no fee to apply.
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HOW TO JOIN PSWIFT |
If you would like to reap the benefits of membership, please go to the website: www.pswift.org and click on Membership / Application. Just follow the prompts. It's that easy. If you have questions, we are here to help. Just call 760-238-0306 or email us at: office@pswift.org. |
PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS HERE
If you have a business or service you'd like to promote, consider becoming one of our "Member Benefits". You just need to offer a discount to PSWIFT Members... We'll add your company to our WEBSITE - and for only $20, you can place a 'COUPON' in our newsletters with a link to your website. |
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Please contact PSWIFT at office@pswift.org and let us know how we can help promote YOU! |
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ATTENTION MEMBER AUTHORS |
If you are an author and have books you'd like to sell at our luncheons, please contact us at office@pswift.org and let us know so we can have a table for you.
You MUST RSVP to attend the program, and be willing to donate 15% of your proceeds to PSWIFT.
Book sales will be done AFTER the program.
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ATTENTION MEMBERS: |
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Don't forget to send us your entertainment industry related news. We'll make every effort to see it is published in the next newsletter.
If it's been a while since you updated your profile on the Palm Springs Film Office website www.psfilmoffice.com please take a moment to do so. (Remember to allow 24 hours for the site to process)
And, if you are interested in VOLUNTEERING on any of our events or committees, please contact the office at: office@pswift.org or call 760-238-0306. The more help we have, the more we can get done!
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