Making It: Women in Film
By Bonnie and Braw & LS Films
Making It: Women in FilmFeb 01, 2022
#70 | Our Lives Shaped by Film with Creative Producer Briana Pegado
Welcome to the last episode of the season! Briana Pegado is a creative producer with more accomplishments on her resume than can be fitted into this box. In this conversation, Briana shares her life story - from getting her first guitar to becoming student president, creating and directing Edinburgh Student Arts Festival, signing a book deal, and so much more. And what better way to do that, than by pinpointing the movies that were with her throughout it all, and what they have meant to her?
Stick around till the end for our roundtable where Lauren and Evita share a drink and reminisce over this season.
Learn more:
- High Tide Media
- Boom Saloon Magazine
- The Delicate Rebellion
- The National Theatre of Scotland
- Custom Lane - Scotland's Centre for Design & Making
- ESAF - the Edinburgh Student Arts Festival
- Fringe of Colour Films
- We Are Here Scotland
- The Black Queer Travel Guide
For more conversations with Briana:
- The Artist Is Mourning featured in The Skinny Magazine in October 2022
- A Pinch of Magick Podcast on Healing, Transformation and Ethics
- The Modern Craft: Powerful Voices on Witchcraft Ethics Edited by Alice Tarbuck and Claire Askew. (Read chapter 13 for Briana's own contribution.
- Our Movement, Our Stories: Rhys Hollis on OMOS in the Skinny Magazine
Follow her on Twitter | Instagram
Keep up to date with the podcast on Instagram @MakingItWomeninFilm and @TheBonnieAndBraw
Thank you.
A production by Bonnie and Braw and LS Films. Host/Editor: Malin Evita Ditlefsen. Researcher: Lauren San Miguel. Music "Lo Fi Kitchen and Cooking" by MusicDog.
#69 | From Naval Officer to High End Producer with Louise V Say (Shetland, Les Miserables)
Louise V Say started early in the navy. But she always knew she had a creative streak; that she was a storyteller. And with the leadership and resilience she had learnt in service, what better route to go than by implementing those skills as a producer? From there, she entered the theatre, then got her foot into documentary production, and has now produced several high-end drama series, including Shetland, Les Miserables, and Dracula. This is her fascinating story, and the stories she aims to tell.
Stick around until the end for our roundtable, where Lauren and Evita discuss the Oscar 2023 nominations and review the latest season of Ginny and Georgia.
Notes
A production by Bonnie and Braw and LS Films. Host/Editor: Malin Evita Ditlefsen. Researcher: Lauren San Miguel. Music "Lo Fi Kitchen and Cooking" by MusicDog.
#68 | How Filmmaking, Environmentalism, and Equality Intersect with Screen Sustainability Manager Maire Claire Bowser
Mairi Claire Bowser has worked in set decoration for the past 10 years, with titles such as Killing Eve, Paddington 2, Maleficent, Mission Impossible: Fallout, and many, many more. Through this, she saw first-hand how much waste this industry produces. So she began to go in a different direction, and for the past year, she has worked as the Screen Sustainability Manager for the Scottish Screen Industry.
Listen now to learn how filmmaking, environmentalism, and equality intersect. And what to be done with it.
All opinions are her own and not representative of any organisations.
Stick around till the end to hear Lauren and Evita's thoughts on the movie The Menu (2022, dir. Mylod)
Learn more:
- Bectu
- Mairi's website
- Mairi's LinkedIn
- Follow Bonnie & Braw's Instagram for updates
A production by Bonnie and Braw and LS Films. Host/Editor: Malin Evita Ditlefsen. Researcher: Lauren San Miguel. Music "Lo Fi Kitchen and Cooking" by MusicDog.
#67 | Healing Through Filmmaking with Director Nisha Platzer ("back home")
Nisha Platzer is a filmmaker and artist who strives to explore the depths of visual expression. Her feature debut, "back home" follows her journey of connecting with her brother who took his own life 20 years ago. "back home" has been selected for the Cannes Docs and had its world premiere at the Vancouver International Film Festival. Nisha shares how this film came to be, and talks about how experimental filmmaking can allow for a unique expression of grief and love, and ultimately lead to healing. This is her story.
Roundtable talk begins at 50:00 | Topic: 2023 movies made by women to look forward to.
Movies mentioned:
- The Marvels, dir. Nia DaCosta (Nov. 11)
- Barbie, dir. Greta Gerwig (Jul. 21)
- Jeanne du Barry, dir. Maïwenn (N/A)
- The Nightingale, dir. Melanie Laurent (N/A)
- A Winter's Journey, dir. Alex Helfrecht (N/A)
- Perfect, dir. Olivia Wilde (N/A)
- Legally Blonde 3, dir. Jamie Suk (N/A)
Recommendation of the week:
- Ali & Ava, dir. Clio Barnard (Netflix)
Follow us on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and connect with us on LinkedIn! Don't forget to follow/subscribe to the podcast, give it a five star rating, and share it on your socials! We couldn't do this without you.
A production by Bonnie and Braw and LS Films. Host/Editor: Malin Evita Ditlefsen. Researcher: Lauren San Miguel. Music "Lo Fi Kitchen and Cooking" by MusicDog.
#66 | In Conversation with BAFTA-winner and MD / Exec. Producer Sarah Drummond
#65 | Comedy Made for and by Women w/ Playwright Rachel O'Regan ("The Beatles Were a Boyband")
Rachel O'Regan is a playwright who writes for women. She writes feminist comedies, battling and balancing issues like we do when we talk with our girl friends. She is part of F-Bomb, a women-led theatre company, and was also part of the BBC Writers Room programme. Today, Rachel talks to Evita about the power of theatre, admiration of TV, and how to open up to feedback - from coworkers and critics alike.
Links:
A production by Bonnie and Braw and LS Films. Host/Editor: Malin Evita Ditlefsen. Researcher: Lauren San Miguel. Music: "Lo Fi Kitchen and Cooking" by MusicDog.
#64 | Mothers and Daughters with Co-Directors Carmine Pierre-Dufour & Sandrine Brodeur-Desrosiers ("FANMI")
Enjoy this episode with the French-Canadian co-directors Sandrine and Carmine! Stick around to the end for Lauren and Evita's holiday film recommendations, and as always, why don't you give us a quick 5 star rating and make sure you're subscribed? In the spirit of holidays, and all that.
Produced by Bonnie and Braw and LS Films.
#63 | Lessons in Leadership with Indie Filmmaker Dania Denise
She answered a casting call and went down the model to commercial to drama actor path. Then, she held a camera, and met like minded people. A fire was sparked which couldn't be tamed, and Dania Denise set out to become a filmmaker. A producer. The head of her own independent production company, Runaway Mill Productions. This is her story.
Stay tuned until the end of the episode for our roundtable where we get into the portrayal of masculinity on screen. Segments include Teen Wolf, The Banshees of Inisherin, with donkey tangents and fangirling over Derry Girls!
Links:
- Instagram: @DaniaDenise & @RunawayMillProductions
- https://www.runawaymillproductions.com/
- "Scott runs to Allison Teen Wolf" (watch at own risk: you will never be the same)
Follow us on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and connect with us on LinkedIn! Don't forget to follow/subscribe to the podcast, give it a five star rating, and share it on your socials! We couldn't do this without you.
A production by Bonnie and Braw and LS Films. Host/Editor: Malin Evita Ditlefsen. Production Supervisor: Pegah Meridies. Researcher: Lauren San Miguel. Music "Lo Fi Kitchen and Cooking" by MusicDog.
#62 | Making History with Creative Producer Carmen Thompson
From the Kenyan sensation "Rafiki" (2018, dir. Kahiu) to "The Gravedigger's Wife" (2021, dir. Ahmed) the first Somali feature film, Carmen is dedicated to bringing movies from the African Diaspora to UK audiences. But this is not an easy job, when the film market so heavily caters to one type of movie, to one type of person. This commitment to bringing communities together, to bringing people together through cinema, carries on through her work as a programmer and curator too. This is her story, and the stories she wants to share.
Listen to the end for our in-house roundtable discussion on the representation of love on screen, and the diversity (or lack of) within it.
Notes:
Follow us on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and connect with us on LinkedIn! Don't forget to follow/subscribe to the podcast, give it a five star rating, and share it on your socials! We couldn't do this without you.
A production by Bonnie and Braw and LS Films. Host/Editor: Malin Evita Ditlefsen. Production Supervisor: Pegah Meridies. Researcher: Lauren San Miguel. Music "Lo Fi Kitchen and Cooking" by MusicDog.
Rountable: Let's Talk About Diversity in Love on Screen
Love is good. In this roundtable, host Malin Evita Ditlefsen and researcher and media assistant Lauren San Miguel expand on their last conversation (listen to that at the end of episode #61) on representation, and this time delve into the representation of love on screen. Love between mixed couples, love between queer couples, love between cultures, and family, and friends. Enjoy.
Follow us on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and connect with us on LinkedIn! Don't forget to follow/subscribe to the podcast, give it a five star rating, and share it on your socials! We couldn't do this without you.
A production by Bonnie and Braw and LS Films. Host/Editor: Malin Evita Ditlefsen. Production Supervisor: Pegah Meridies. Researcher: Lauren San Miguel. Music "Lo Fi Kitchen and Cooking" by MusicDog.
#61 | Beyond Subtitles with Producer Corinna Vistan
She was the director of creative and digital content at Marvel for nine years, where she won a Golden Clio and two Silver Tellies. Now she is the Head of Originals at VIU Philippines - the leading streaming service in Asia. This is her story, and the stories she aims to tell.
Stay tuned at the end for our first roundtable between host Evita and research/media assistant, Lauren San Miguel. Tangents include: The Mummy (1999), Latina and bisexual representation in media, and trans visibility in film.
Follow us on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and connect with us on LinkedIn! Don't forget to follow/subscribe to the podcast, give it a five star rating, and share it on your socials! We couldn't do this without you.
Notes:
- Find more information on streaming K-Love here
- Watch Lingua Franca on Netflix US
- Watch Disclosure on Netflix WW
A production by Bonnie and Braw and LS Films. Host/Editor: Malin Evita Ditlefsen. Production Supervisor: Pegah Meridies. Researcher: Lauren San Miguel. Music "Lo Fi Kitchen and Cooking" by MusicDog.
#60 | Sculpting Anatomy and Aliens with Special Effects Make-Up Artist Suzi Battersby
Known for her work on movies such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Alien: Covenant, Morbius, and series including Doctor Who and Holby City, Suzi Battersby is an incredible special effects make-up artist, designer, and founder of the women-led company Red Girl FX. This episode includes, amongst other topics: The making of silicone alien babies, BB8, blood spurting, tumours, autopsies, and emotional moments watching actors on set and lessons learned from starting and running a game-changing company.
Join our community of women in film on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and check out our website, womeninfilm.co.uk!
Episode Notes:
- Suzi's Website: suziebattersby.com
- Company Website: redgirlfx.com | Instagram @RedGirlFX | Facebook
- Stuart Bray, YouTube
- Stuffed Short Film
Credits:
Making It: Women in Film is produced by Redeeming Features (@Redeeming_Features & redeemingfeatures.co.uk)
- Host & Editor: Malin Evita (@MalinEvita & malinevita.com)
- Production Supervisor: Ruth Aitken (@RaitkenFilm)
- Researcher: Lauren San Miguel (@Laur.VSM)
- Production Assistants: Shania Bethune (@ShaniaBethune) & Abbie Wise
Got any feedback for us? Email MIWIF.feedback@gmail.com!
#59 | Lost in Character with Actress and Producer Gillie Jones
Gillie Jones is an actress and producer, known for her work on The Curse of La Patasola. This episode includes… the psychology and physicality behind getting into character, filming in a horrifying, giant spider-infested forest, her advice for producing an ultra-low-budget feature film, and a discussion on gender roles and relationships within the realm of horror!
Join our community of women in film on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and check out our website, womeninfilm.co.uk!
Episode notes:
- Gillie’s Instagram (@Gillie_Jones)
Credits:
Making It: Women in Film is produced by Redeeming Features (@Redeeming_Features & redeemingfeatures.co.uk)
- Host & Editor: Malin Evita (@MalinEvita & malinevita.com)
- Production Supervisor: Ruth Aitken (@RaitkenFilm)
- Researcher: Lauren San Miguel (@Laur.VSM)
- Production Assistants: Shania Bethune (@ShaniaBethune) & Abbie Wise
Got any feedback for us? Email MIWIF.feedback@gmail.com!
#58 | The Sound of Cinema with Sound Designers Zoë Irvine and Heather Andrews
Happy International Women's Day! In this episode, the accomplished Scottish sound designers Zoë Irvine and Heather Andrews talk all about the world of sound design - from their personal connections to the element, the true state of the industry, the barriers for underrepresented artists, and how movies utilise - and forget - sound as part of narration and worldbuilding.
Join our community of women in film on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and check out our website, womeninfilm.co.uk!
Episode notes:
- Zoë: LinkedIn, Facebook, zoeirvine.net
- Heather: Twitter, heather-andrews.com
Credits:
Making It: Women in Film is produced by Redeeming Features (@Redeeming_Features & redeemingfeatures.co.uk)
- Host & Editor: Malin Evita (@MalinEvita & malinevita.com)
- Production Supervisor: Ruth Aitken (@RaitkenFilm)
- Researcher: Lauren San Miguel (@Laur.VSM)
- Production Assistants: Shania Bethune (@ShaniaBethune) & Abbie Wise
Got any feedback for us? Email MIWIF.feedback@gmail.com!
#57 | Baptism of Fire: Soaps, Celebrities, and Stalkers with Nicola Quilter
From acting in the long-running soap opera Home and Away, becoming a filmmaker, and writing her own TV show Combustione, English-Australian creative Nicola Quilter speaks to Evita about everything from having a stalker, the concept of celebrity, finding your creative truth, and your perfect dream space!
Join our community of women in film on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and check out our website, womeninfilm.co.uk!
Episode notes:
- Elizabeth Gilbert TED Talk
- Nicola's Production Company: Rocket Room Films
- Directors UK
- Women in Film and Television UK
Credits:
Making It: Women in Film is produced by Redeeming Features (@Redeeming_Features & redeemingfeatures.co.uk)
- Host & Editor: Malin Evita (@MalinEvita & malinevita.com)
- Production Supervisor: Ruth Aitken (@RaitkenFilm)
- Researcher: Lauren San Miguel (@Laur.VSM)
- Production Assistants: Shania Bethune (@ShaniaBethune) & Abbie Wise
Got any feedback for us? Email MIWIF.feedback@gmail.com!
#56 | Power, Artistry, and Equality with VFX Supervisor Tehmina Beg
Tehmina Beg is a VFX Supervisor known for her work on shows such as Marvel's The Defenders, Iron Fist, DC's Legends of Tomorrow, Miracle Workers, Modern Love, and most recently: The Sex and the City reboot And Just Like That... In this episode she walks us through her career journey, the down and upsides to the booming usage of VFX, her most trying projects (including making an entire forest) and her proudest creations, everything you never knew was VFX, and the incredible exclusion of women in VFX - especially in positions of power.
Join our community of women in film on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and check out our website, womeninfilm.co.uk!
Episode notes:
- Follow Tehmina on Instagram @Ikonoklasm
- Check out her work on her website, tehminabeg.com
Credits:
Making It: Women in Film is produced by Redeeming Features (@Redeeming_Features & redeemingfeatures.co.uk)
- Host & Editor: Malin Evita (@MalinEvita & malinevita.com)
- Production Supervisor: Ruth Aitken (@RaitkenFilm)
- Researcher: Lauren San Miguel (@Laur.VSM)
- Production Assistants: Shania Bethune (@ShaniaBethune) & Abbie Wise
Got any feedback for us? Email MIWIF.feedback@gmail.com!
#55 | What They Don't Tell You About Screenwriting with BAFTA-winner Anna Maloney
Anna Maloney is a BAFTA-winning screenwriter and the mind behind BBC shows such as Unprecedented, which was one of the first pandemic organised shoots entirely over Zoom. In this episode she shares her odd and unexpected journey into the film industry, what it's like to get commissioned, BAFTAs, feedback, and all those other misconceptions you have about actually getting your script produced!
Episode notes:
Credits: Making It: Women in Film is produced by Redeeming Features (@Redeeming_Features & redeemingfeatures.co.uk)
- Host & Editor: Malin Evita (@MalinEvita & malinevita.com)
- Production Supervisor: Ruth Aitken (@RaitkenFilm)
- Researcher: Lauren San Miguel (@Laur.VSM)
- Production Assistants: Shania Bethune (@ShaniaBethune) & Abbie Wise
Got any feedback for us? Email MIWIF.feedback@
#54 | Filmmaking Beyond Borders with Yixi Sun
Yixi Sun is a Chinese filmmaker and the founder of the Filming East festival in the UK, celebrating Asian filmmakers and cinema history. In this episode she sat down to talk all about becoming a filmmaker: From refining your skills, getting funding, learning on the job, and casting sea lions (and that's not a metaphor.)
Follow us on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and tag us on your stories to get a shout out in the next episode! Visit womeninfilm.co.uk for more.
Episode notes:
- Follow Yixi on Twitter @YixiSun
Credits: Making It: Women in Film is produced by Redeeming Features (@Redeeming_Features & redeemingfeatures.co.uk)
- Host & Editor: Malin Evita (@MalinEvita & malinevita.com)
- Production Supervisor: Ruth Aitken (@RaitkenFilm)
- Researcher: Lauren San Miguel (@Laur.VSM)
- Production Assistants: Shania Bethune (@ShaniaBethune) & Abbie Wise
Got any feedback for us? Email MIWIF.feedback@gmail.com!
#53 | An Honest Talk About the Film Industry with Screenwriter Lorna King
Lorna King is a Ghanaian-Scottish screenwriter and filmmaker. In this episode, she opens up about her journey into the film industry, and the good and bad that's come alongside it. She specifically talks about her process of studying for a Masters in Screenwriting, how she has navigated the industry as a Black neurodivergent woman, balancing work/life when work is life, and how the industry really treats the mental wellbeing of its workers.
Follow us on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and tag us on your stories to get a shout out in the next episode! Visit womeninfilm.co.uk for more.
Episode notes:
- Follow Lorna on Twitter @Lorna_King
- Read her piece for the Black Ballad, "How Systems Of Oppression Use Storytelling To "Hack" Our Brains"
Credits:
Making It: Women in Film is produced by Redeeming Features (@Redeeming_Features & redeemingfeatures.co.uk)
- Host & Editor: Malin Evita (@MalinEvita & malinevita.com)
- Production Supervisor: Ruth Aitken (@RaitkenFilm)
- Researcher: Lauren San Miguel (@Laur.VSM)
- Production Assistants: Shania Bethune (@ShaniaBethune) & Abbie Wise
Got any feedback for us? Email MIWIF.feedback@gmail.com!
#52 | Creating Character Iconography & Authenticity Through Hairstyling with Nani Casillas ('Station Eleven')
Nani Casillas is a Hairstylist, known for her work as Department Head on HBO's newest apocalyptic drama Station Eleven, as well as Get Shorty. She has also worked on the hair for projects including Big Little Lies*, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire**, and Lost***.
In this episode, Nani walks us through her journey from working with drag queens in Hawai'i, to moving to L.A. at 25 with three kids, and working her way up the ladder. She also reveals the nitty-gritty details of working on Station Eleven and her process of characterisation through hair!
Follow us on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and tag us on your stories to get a shout out in the next episode! Visit womeninfilm.co.uk for more.
Episode notes:
- Watch Station Eleven on HBO Max (U.S.) and through Starzplay from Jan 30th (U.K.)
- Follow Nani on Instagram (@ic_nani)
- Listen to episode #18 with costume designer Helen Huang here.
Credits:
Making It: Women in Film is produced by Redeeming Features (@Redeeming_Features & redeemingfeatures.co.uk)
- Host & Editor: Malin Evita (@MalinEvita & malinevita.com)
- Production Supervisor: Ruth Aitken (@RaitkenFilm)
- Researcher: Lauren San Miguel (@Laur.VSM)
- Production Assistants: Shania Bethune (@ShaniaBethune) & Abbie Wise
Got any feedback for us? Email MIWIF.feedback@gmail.com!
* Head of Department: Michelle Ceglia
** Head of Department: Linda D. Flowers
*** Head of Department: Doreen F. Schultz
#51 | In Conversation with BAFTA-winning Producer Rebecca O'Brien ("I, Daniel Blake")
Rebecca O'Brien is one of Europe's leading producers within independent filmmaking. Some of her credits include the Cannes Palm d'Or winners The Wind that Shakes the Barley (2006) and I, Daniel Blake (2016), as well as Land and Freedom (1995) and You Were Never Really Here (2019). In this interview, Rebecca tells host Evita about her career journey, her long term collaboration with writer Paul Laverty and Ken Loach, and how making political movies have changed her views on the world.
Follow us on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and tag us on your stories to get a shout out in the next episode!
Visit SixteenFilms, created by Rebecca O'Brien and Ken Loach. Follow @KenLoachSixteen on Twitter.
- Making It: Women in Film is produced by Redeeming Features (@Redeeming_Features & redeemingfeatures.co.uk)
- Host: Malin Evita (@MalinEvita & malinevita.com)
- Production Supervisor: Ruth Aitken (@RaitkenFilm)
- Researcher: Lauren San Miguel (@Laur.VSM)
- Production Assistants: Shania Bethune (@ShaniaBethune) & Abbie Wise
Visit womeninfilm.co.uk for more. Got any feedback for us? Email MIWIF.feedback@gmail.com!
#50 | In Celebration of Women in Film 2021
It's an episode fifty special! For this final 2021 episode, Evita talks about highlights from the season, covers industry news from Patty Jenkins to Angela Basset, some significant shifts that are happening in a certain studio (is Marvel the leading studio in bringing in new female creatives?), and rounds up her favourite movies directed by women of the year so far!
The show will be back in January 2022, and the monthly Chick Flix Film Club will continue to be released the first Monday of every month! In the meantime, there'll be a focus on our editorial site, womeninfilm.co.uk, and Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm - so don't forget to follow along. See you next year!
News covered:
- Patty Jenkins on Streaming
- Scarlett Johansson Lawsuit
- Angela Basset Earnings
- Nia DaCosta Box Office History
Shows/Films mentioned and where to watch them:
- Black Widow | Disney+
- WandaVision | Disney+
- The Falcon and The Winter Soldier | Disney+
- Loki | Disney+
- Ms. Marvel | Late 2021/TBD, Disney+
- Eternals | Theatres, Nov. 5 2021
- The Marvels | Theatres, Nov. 11 2022
- Nomadland | Hulu/Disney+ Star
- Beginning | On Amazon with MUBI
- Shiva Baby | On Amazon with MUBI
- Sophie Jones | Rent on demand
- Candyman | In theatres
- Zola | In theatres
- Respect | In theatres
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings | In theatres
Hosted by Malin Evita, @MalinEvita on IG, malinevita.com.
#49 | Cinematic Worldbuilding with Production Designer Eve McCarney
Eve McCarney is an American production designer who has worked on loads of projects - from A24's The Ballad of Lefty Brown, to the horror anthology shows Into the Dark and Ryan Murphy's new American Horror Stories. In this episode, Eve takes us through her journey as a newspaper graphic artist to an immensely talented PD. She also talks about her design and research projects, favourite rooms she's put together and gives us some easter eggs to search for in AHS!
Follow us on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and visit womeninfilm.co.uk for more!
- Keep up to date with Eve on evemccarney.com and view the mentioned plans and BTS pics!
- Follow Evita on Instagram @MalinEvita, malinevita.com
#48 | Documentaries and Women Who Box with "BAM BAM" Director Alex Shipman
Join our online community of women in film on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm, and check out womeninfilm.co.uk!
Follow @BAMBAMFilm and @AlexShipmanFilms on Instagram for more
Follow Evita on Instagram @MalinEvita, malinevita.com.
#47 | An Honest Conversation About Creativity, Productivity, and Mental Health with Filmmaker Natalie Rodriguez
Natalie Rodriguez is the director behind the two indie movies The Extraordinary Ordinary (rent on demand) and Howard Original (available with an Amazon Prime membership). She is currently working on an animated web series called Young Dario - which you can support through their GoFundMe here! In this episode, Evita and Natalie have a very open conversation about how their perception of creativity and "hustling" has changed as they've been able to take a step back during the pandemic and reevaluate their approaches.
If you are struggling with COVID anxiety and your mental health, visit Smile's help guide here.
Follow us on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and visit our site womeninfilm.co.uk for more!
- View more from Natalie's production company through their website, and follow her on Instagram @NatChristineRod and Twitter @NatChrisRod
- Follow Dominicana on Instagram @Chicana_Inc
- Follow Evita on Instagram @MalinEvita, malinevita.com
#46 | Storytelling Through Clothing with "Ready or Not" Costume Designer Avery Plewes
#45 | Explore Cinematography with Shiva Baby DoP Maria Rusche
Maria Rusche is a Cuban-American, NYC based cinematographer behind the recent indie hit "Shiva Baby," (2021, dir. Emma Seligman.) In this episode, she sat down with Evita to talk about her journey as a DOP, her creative and managerial process and tells us all about the making of Shiva Baby.
Join our online community of women in film on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and womeninfilm.co.uk!
- Follow Maria on Instagram @MariaRuscheDP, mariamrusche.com
- Follow Evita on Instagram @MalinEvita, malinevita.com
Destigmatising Mental Health with Jaimi McPeek & Ellie Davies | Community Highlights Vol. 2
Welcome to the second edition of our Community Highlights! Do you want to be part of our next volume? Send an email to makingitwomeninfilm@gmail.com and introduce yourself! This is open for all women with a passion for film, no credentials needed.
Follow us on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and check out our website womeninfilm.co.uk
Timestamps:
02.15: Jaimi McPeek | GoFundMe | FoaC Support Group | Follow her on Instagram: @JaimiXOXOXO & @FlipOfACoinFilm
26.10: Ellie Davies | Watch Aftermath here on YouTube | Follow her on Instagram: @EllxGracee
This episode was produced and hosted by Malin Evita. Follow her on Instagram @MalinEvita, malinevita.com
#44 | From Intern to Hollywood Director with Rachel Winter
Rachel Winter is an Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker and producer who made her feature directorial debut this spring with "The Space Between" for Paramount Pictures. She received an Oscar nomination for producing the award-winning drama "Dallas Buyers Club," and in this episode she sat down to take us through her inspiring career journey - from an intern at a porn production to a Hollywood director. She also speaks all about her new movie, which can be rented on VOD in the U.S. now!
Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and check out womeninfilm.co.uk
- "The Space Between" iTunes U.S.
- Rachel Winter IMDB
- Malin Evita's Instagram: @MalinEvita, malinevita.com
Subscribe and reach out on IG or through makingitwomeninfilm@gmail.com!
#43 | Character Roots Through Production Design with Amy Williams ('Master of None')
Amy Williams is an Emmy-winning production designer with years of experience, having worked on projects like Master of None, The Wilds, Little America, A Crime to Remember, and We Need To Do Something. In this interview, Amy goes in-depth as to how her design process works and what production design means for a movie. She also tells all about working with Aziz Ansari, Alan Yang, Lena Waithe, and Naomi Ackie and how they together created the deeply rich and authentic world of Master of None - from New York to Italy and artwork to books (and five hundred teddy bears.)
Join our community of women in film on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and check out womeninfilm.co.uk!
- Follow Amy on Instagram @AmyRWilliams
- Watch all three seasons of Master of None on Netflix
- Follow Evita on Instagram @MalinEvita, malinevita.com
- For questions and conversations, contact us through makingitwomeninfilm@gmail.com
Subscribe and we'll see you next week, in conversation with producer and director Rachel White!
#42 | The Main Character with Writer-Actress Mariah Goolsby
Mariah Goolsby is a California based actress, writer, and activist. In this episode, she sat down with Evita to talk about the power of storytelling through acting, being vulnerable with your art, and telling your own stories. They spoke about her upcoming short film MESSY (support them here) and about subverting audience expectations by telling the story of the stereotypical side character.
Join our community on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and check out our website, womeninfilm.co.uk!
- Follow Mariah on Instagram, @MariahGoolsby -- mariahgoolsby.com
- Follow Evita on Instagram, @MalinEvita -- malinevita.com
This episode was produced by Malin Evita. Get in touch through makingitwomeninfilm@gmail.com.
Meet Vic Morel & Alyssa Thordarson | Community Highlights Vol. 1
Welcome to the first edition of our new segment: Community Highlights! Do you want to be part of our next volume? Send an email to makingitwomeninfilm@gmail.com and introduce yourself! This is open for all women with a passion for film, no credentials needed.
Follow us on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and check out our website womeninfilm.co.uk
Timestamps:
- 02.15: Vic Morel | Watch Stay here, on Youtube | Follow her on Instagram: @ViclMorel
- 13.00: Alyssa Thordarson | Contribute to the After production campaign here | Follow her on Instagram: @AlyssaThorsHammer
This episode was produced and hosted by Malin Evita. Follow her on Instagram @MalinEvita, malinevita.com
#41 | Bringing Truth to Screen with "Pieces of a Woman" Birth Consultant Elan Vital McAllister
Join our online community on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and check out our website, womeninfilm.co.uk!
Watch Pieces of a Woman now on Netflix.
Get in touch with Elan through her website, elanvital.love
Malin Evita produced this episode; follow her on Instagram @MalinEvita, malinevita.com
#40 | Pride: The Moments We Feel Seen
Donate to Galop - An anti-violence charity for LGBTQ+ people.
Happy Pride! This week, Evita sat down for a solo episode talking all about memorable moments of queer representation, the power of representation, as well as shedding light on several LGBTQ+ filmmakers and their movies.
Join the conversation over on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and check out our website, womeninfilm.co.uk!
Follow Evita on Instagram @MalinEvita, malinevita.com
Media mentioned:
- Rowan Ellis' YouTube Channel
- Womxn In Film Zine
- Pretty Little Liars
- Grey's Anatomy
- Love, Simon
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine
- Blue is the Warmest Color
- Atypical
- Booksmart
- Fleabag
- Scream
- Tomboy
- Moonlight
- Schitt's Creek
- The Haunting of Bly Manor
- The Arrowverse
- The Last of Us
- Perks of Being a Wallflower
- Victim
- I Killed My Mother
- Heartbeats
- Laurence Anyways
- Matthias and Maxine
- Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
- All About My Mother
- Pain and Glory
- Kaboom
- Totally Fucked Up
- Mysterious Skin
- The Matrix franchise
- American Horror Story
- Pose
- The Assassination of Gianni Versace
- Portrait of a Lady on Fire
- Waterlillies
- The Watermelon Woman
- Pariah
- Bessie
- Mudbound
- Appropriate Behaviour
- The Miseducation of Cameron Post
- The Bisexual
- Lingua Franca
- The Half of It
- Saving Face
#39 | Awareness v. Exploitation with Actor/Producer Oriane Pick
Best known for critically acclaimed series 'Call It a Day' and nominated film 'Say Your Name', Actress & Producer Oriane Pick has played many multi-dimensional characters with a unique story, always aiming at subverting taboos, across all topics and genres. She is also the founder of Candid Broads Productions, a production company dedicated to amplifying diversity and emerging artists. This week, Oriane sat down with host Evita to talk all about her journey, thoughts on conscious inclusion, educating yourself on topics, and the line between spreading awareness and exploiting said topic.
Don't forget to follow @MakingItWomenInFilm on Instagram and check out womeninfilm.co.uk for more!
Instagram: @Oriane_Pick (itsoriane.com) & @Candid_Broads_Productions (candidbroadsproductions.com)
Hosted and produced by Malin Evita, malinevita.com
#38 | The Music of Editing with Summer Spiro
Summer Spiro is an editor and actress who joined Evita to talk about the underrated power and musicality of editing, and how editing the web series 'PLATONIC' (watch it here), an LGBTQ+ show about modern relationships, where she also starred as the lead, led her to an intense confrontation of acceptance.
Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and read our online zine, womeninfilm.co.uk!
IG: @SummerSpiro | summerspiro.com
If you would like to ask us any questions or find out more, feel free to email us at makingitwomeninfilm@gmail.com
This episode was hosted and produced by Malin Evita.
#37 | The Dirty Laundry of Filmmaking with Roxy Shih
Roxy Shih is a Taiwanese-Dutch-American director of horror projects such as Dark/Web and Mira Mira. In today's episode, she sat down with Evita to talk about the true filmmaking experience: From failure to microbudgets, hope, and fighting for the 'Magic'.
Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and check out our online magazine womeninfilm.co.uk
Instagram: @RoxyShih | RoxyShih.com
- Dark/Web: Available on Amazon Prime Video
- Mira Mira: Available through Crypt TV (watch here)
- Listen to her podcast, Two Horny Goats, on all major podcast platforms | twohornygoats.com
This episode was produced and edited by Malin Evita (@MalinEvita).
#36 | How to Be a Successful Freelancer in the Film Industry with Nikki Petersen
Nikki Petersen is an American, Paris-based filmmaker who runs her own business and has worked with Vogue, Armani, Lancôme, YouTube Original, and more! In today's episode she spoke with Evita about her career journey, differences between the French and American film industry, key advice on being a successful freelancer and running your own business, and developing healthy work/life balance habits.
Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and check out our online magazine, womeninfilm.co.uk
Follow Nikki on Instagram @NikkiPetersenFilm / nikkipetersenfilm.com
This episode was hosted and edited by Malin Evita.
#35 | Ageism and Abuse in Hollywood with Film Historian Pam Munter
Pam Munter is a film historian, writer, former performer, and retired clinical psychiatrist. She is also the writer of "Fading Fame: Women of a Certain Age in Hollywood" (purchase it here); a collection of short stories and plays about women in Hollywood and their lives after fame. In this episode, she and Evita talk all about classic Hollywood - the mythical creatures celebrities used to be - and what it really looks like behind the curtain. They also dig into the blatant, misogynistic ageism that female actresses face and what things we can do to combat it.
Check out Pam's website here.
This episode was hosted and edited by Malin Evita, IG: @MalinEvita
#34 | Stories with Impact with Jade Zaroff & Sarah Franco
Happy Earth Day (Week)! Jade Zaroff and Sarah Franco are the makers and leads of the environmentalist comedy web series, Jade & Jaded. In today's episode, Evita sat down with the two talk about everything from how to tell activist stories without coming off as "pushy", their journey through creation and filmmaking, to the most valuable things they have learned from each other and the four-year process of this project. It is an episode filled with love and creative nourishment, I really hope you enjoy it.
- Follow us on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and check out our website womeninfilm.co.uk for more!
- For updates on Jade & Jaded, follow them on all socials at @JadeandJaded and watch their pilot here!
This episode was hosted and edited by Malin Evita, follow her on Instagram @MalinEvita.
#33 | Be the Change You Want to See, with Filmmaker Caris Rianne
Caris Rianne is a British filmmaker and founder of Rianne Pictures - a volunteer-run production house of everything features, shorts, etc. a mentor programme ("Evolve") and a film festival ("Women X")! In today's episode, Evita and Caris spoke about everything from her upbringing, (lack of) working-class accessibility in the industry, taking direct action to be the change you want to see, female and queer stereotypes that need to GO, the Women X festival, and so much more. It is an incredibly inspiring, open, and entertaining conversation.
Follow us on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and check out our website, womeninfilm.co.uk!
For updates on everything they do, follow @RiannePictures on all social media platforms and find out more about them on riannepicture.com
Submit your short film to Women X (at least one person who directs, writes, or produces must identify as a woman or non-binary) on Film Freeway.
Hosted and edited by Malin Evita. Follow Evita on Instagram @MalinEvita
#32 | Taboos on Screen with Director Ana Pio
This week we have another exciting episode for you! Our guest this week is the amazing Ana Pio. She is a film director who studied Music, specializing in Piano, from the age of 10. Later, she pursued her studies in Cinema at University of Beira Interior in Portugal, complemented with a semester at the University of Lincoln, UK. She directed and produced her debut short film, in 2014, "I Welcome You to This House", funded by the Portuguese Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual. In 2015, she specialized in Directing by completing "Ode" and "Eden" during her Masters at Met Film School, in London, where she currently lives. "Eden" screened in over 25 international film festivals, won the Women in Film Achievement Award at the New Renaissance Film Festival and was later distributed by Shorts International.
In this episode we talk to Ana about her introduction into the film industry and her current passion for destigmatising women's relationship with blood in films!
Join our community of women filmmakers over on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFim
See you next week for another exciting interview!
This episode was hosted by Malin Evita and Shania Bethune, guest starring Ana Pio, and edited by Shania Bethune. For more information go to womeninfilm.co.uk
#31 | Mental Health in Film with Self Charm Director Ella Greenwood and Producer Karina Michel
We are back with another exciting episode! And our guests this week are the amazing 'Self Charm' Director Ella Greenwood and Producer 'Karina Michel'.
Karina is passionate about supporting young, female talent in the industry, and worked with 19 year old Ella Greenwood, who works as a mental health activist and is an ambassador for teenage mental health charity stem4. She was awarded 'Positive Female Role Model Of The Year' in the 2020 Darkus Awards. These amazing women collaborated on short film 'Self Charm', which tackles the issue off self harm and it sees Bukky Bakray, BAFTA winning Actress from Netflix 'Rocks'.
Join our community of women filmmakers over on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm.
See you next week for another exciting interview!
This episode was hosted by Malin Evita, guest-starring Ella Greenwood and Karina Michel', and edited by Shania Bethune. For more information, go to womeninfilm.co.uk.
Additional Sources include: https://womeninfilm.co.uk/2021/02/06/changing-the-narrative-mental-health-awareness-in-film-fiction-statistics-solutions/
#30 | Women's Film History
Read about more women throughout film history here.
Women's History Month is an annual declared month that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. In honour of that, Shania and Evita sat down to highlight key women in the film industry, their experiences and successes, aswell as discuss their own views on the part women play with the film industry.
- Watch the restored version of The Curse of Quon Gwon on YouTube.
- Read the full Persephone Magazine article on Marion E. Wong
- Read the full transcript of Francis Coppola talking about women in film and history.
Follow us on Instagram at @MakingItWomenInFilm for more content like this, and check out our website, womeninfilm.co.uk. This episode was hosted by Shania Bethune and Malin Evita and edited by Shania Bethune.
Additional sources include: Domestika, The New York Times, Atlas Obscura, and Women Film Pioneer Project.
#29 | Making the Casting Room a Safe Space with Casting Director Suzanne Smith
Suzanne Smith is an Emmy-award winning casting director - most recently, you might be familiar with her work on shows like Outlander, Good Omens, and Warrior Nun. She has years of experience in the industry and has worked with both live theatre, cinema, and television - all the while watching it grow and evolve. For this episode, she spoke with Evita about how the casting industry as changed over the years, focusing on creating a safer work environment (discussion around sexual harassment and the "casting couch" at 35.00-46.00) and the increase of diverse roles.
Follow us on Instagram at @MakingItWomenInFilm for more content like this, and check out our website, womeninfilm.co.uk.
This episode was hosted and edited by Malin Evita, guest-starring Suzanne Smith.
#28 | Women's Day 2021 Special
Happy Women's Day! In celebration, we wanted to hear from you listeners - your thoughts, opinions, people you wanted to celebrate. So we made a call-out on our Instagram (keep an eye out for future ones, @MakingItWomenInFilm) asking for submissions. So here's what we've got on the programme today:
- 1.00 - Nancy Clarke: Women in the Film Curriculum (IG: @NancyRoseClarke, nancyroseclarke.wixsite.com)
- 6.20 - Lauren & Reilly: Celebrating Eachother and (laurenpiskothy.com & reillyshanahan.com)
- 14.00 - Abiola Olaitan: Is the Femme Fatale Archetype Sexist?
- 18.30 - Flaminia Marchetti: Representation in Italian Cinema (IG: @flaams)
- 25.30 - Olivia Morrison: Working Class Cinema in the U.K. (IG & Twitter: @OliviaGMorrison)
Thank you all so much for your contribution and support - you're incredible.
This episode was hosted and edited by Malin Evita, guest-starring Nancy Clarke, Lauren Piskothy, Reilly Shanahan, Abiola Olaitan, Flaminia Marchetti, and Olivia Morrison.
#27 | Eating Disorder Awareness in Film & TV with Brooke Trantor
Find resources and support for dealing with eating disorders at beateatingdisorders.org.uk or call their helpline 0808 801 0677 (UK) or go to nationaleatingdisorders.org or call their helpline at (800) 931-2237, reach their crisis text line by texting NEDA to 741741.
Brooke Trantor is an actor, filmmaker, and improviser who joined Evita for a discussion around eating disorder awareness, her movie Yours Are Mine, how our body image is influenced by the media, and the depiction of ED in film and television. You can watch Yours Are Mine here on Flixa - a free trial is available. For updates, follow Brooke on Instagram @BrookeTrantor and check out her website, brooketrantor.com.
TRIGGER WARNING: This is a very vulnerable conversation about ED and ED recovery. Please skip this episode if this is a triggering subject for you. Here are the topics and timestamps so you can jump back and forth comfortably and safely.
- 00.00 - 24.00: Talk about ED recovery and fear of relapsing. Vulnerable, in-depth.
- 00.45 - Meet Brooke: Her journey into acting and filmmaking.
- 04.40 - The making of Yours Are Mine; creating a safe space on set.
- 20.00 - How to stop second-guessing yourself
- 24.00 - 51.00: Personal stories of poor body image and discussion around the portrayal of eating disorders in the media, recovery and healing. Vulnerable, in-depth.
- 24.00 - How pop-culture influences our body image
- 30.00 - Beauty standards and the need for reflecting truth
- 35.40 - How eating disorders are represented on screen (the mentioned article)
- 47.10 - How to support someone with an ED
- 51.00 - Women who inspire shout out
- 54.20 - A last message to the people listening
For more content on women in the film industry, follow us on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and check out our website, womeninfilm.co.uk. Happy Women's History Month - we will see you next week!
This episode was hosted and edited by Malin Evita, guest-starring Brooke Trantor.
#26 | Spreading Awareness Through Film with Ipek Ensari & Camille Hollett-French
Scientific researcher Ipek Ensari and filmmaker Camille Hollett-French are the co-directors of ENDOMIC - a Slamdance accepted film about endometriosis. Shania sat down to talk to them about how they found each other and developed this idea, what it was like to shoot during COVID, working together but never meeting each other, and how we can use film as a way of spreading awareness and make science accessible to the wider population. Enjoy!
Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm and check out our website womeninfilm.co.uk
- ENDOMIC Film IG: @abloodycrisis
- Ipek's website: ipekensari.com
- Camille's IG: @thiscity0fmine, website: camillehollett-french.com
- Shania's IG: @shaniafilm
- Evita's IG: @malinevita
This episode was hosted by Shania Bethune, guest-starring Ipek Ensari and Camille Hollett-French, and was edited by Malin Evita.
#25 | Personal Transformation Through Filmmaking with Gretl Claggett
#24 | 6 Years — 1 Documentary: The Making of Bleeding Audio with Chelsea Christer and Erin Persley
Music Documentary BLEEDING AUDIO was accepted as an official selection in Slamdance Film Festival 2021 for February. This feature film by Chelsea Christer is gripping the hearts of critics with its rise and fall story on the alternative punk band "The Matches." It is one of only eight documentaries in the feature selection to screen. Not to mention, the cast and crew are 100% female!
Join our community of women filmmakers over on Instagram @MakingItWomenInFilm
This episode was hosted by Malin Evita and Shania Bethune, guest-starring Chelsea Christer and Erin Perlsey, and edited by Shania Bethune. For more information, go to womeninfilm.com or email us at makingitwomeninfilm@gmail.com.