FEBRUARY 2024

GreenLight Women - February 2024 Newsletter

Iris GrossmanDear GreenLight Women,

As you know, my term as your President has come to an end. It has been my honor and pleasure to have served the organization.

The past three years were met with tremendous challenges. We went through the COVID-19 pandemic, two strikes, WGA and SAG/AFTRA respectively, and with your determination we came out of these demanding ordeals intact.

Because we are seasoned professional women, we did not fold our tent or run, but rather we met the difficult challenges head on. We continued to service our organization with virtual membership meetings, connection events, town halls, and supportive check-in-chats.

GreenLight Women also kept a watchful eye on the isolated at the Motion Picture Home and donated goods and services to the Los Angeles homeless at Alexandria House. We held Black History Month events and celebrated Juneteenth with our DEI committee. We contributed to stranded women in Ukraine. I am happy to report that during this administration, we created an International Writers Workshop at Theater West and held many wonderful staged readings.

In the industry, we demonstrated our strength by creating a new website, and supporting female filmmakers. We gave out substantial film grants to Peabody Award winner, Melissa Haizlip for her film “Mr. Soul!,” as well as Alice Doyard for her Academy Award winning short film “Collette.”

I would like to thank the officers and the Board of Directors I served with during my term. I appreciate all the countless hours of hard work they contributed to the organization. Without them, none of the above achievements would have been possible.

I wish you all continued success.

Sincerely,
Iris Grossman



Arden Teresa Lewis

Arden’s first feature documentary film, “Leveling Lincoln” has launched on the PBS APP and is distributed by NETA for a one-hour TV broadcast. The full-length director’s cut is available for community screenings or DEI corporate events at www.levelinglincoln.com. Her feature script, “Gravel Road”, was a 2022 semi-finalist at the Ojai Film Festival, the Big Apple Film Fest, the Manhattan Film Fest, theLady Filmmakers Fest, among others. She directed Garry Michael Kluger’s critically acclaimed “Walking in Space” and “Thorn in the Family Paw” at Theatre West in Hollywood. She directed “The Night Forlorn, or Waitin’ on Godsford”, and received the “Best Production of a Play Award” at the 2018 Valley Theatre Awards. She has acted at Primary Stages, the Bouwerie Lane Theatre, Soho Playhouse, the Paper Mill Playhouse and the La Mirada Civic Theatre. She received the Lilian Nesburn Award from the Beverly Hills Theatre Guild for “Grandma Good”, and was a semi-finalist for the Jane Chambers Award with her play, “Baby Dreams” Her play “Little Rhonda” was produced at Theatre Geo and is in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theatre Archives at the Los Angeles Central Library. Published in two anthologies: Scenes For Women By Women and Even More Monologues For Women By Women. She holds a BA in theatre from UCLA. FB or IG-ATLewisFilms or Website: www.ardenteresalewis.com


Jennifer Goldson

Jennifer Goldson is a screenwriter who specializes in character-driven material. She has developed material for such acclaimed filmmakers as Kevin Tent, Lesli Linka Glatter and Andy Tennant, and has also written for such companies as EMA, Glenn Williamson Productions and Nuyorican Productions.

Screenplays currently on the market include: “Mr. & Mrs. Clark”, a biopic on David Hockney which focuses on his complicated relationship with fashion designers Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell, a dark indie comedy “Rent Control” with Kristin Fairweather attached to direct, and finally, the father/daughter dramedy “Egbok” (“everything’s gonna be okay”), winner of Stage 32’s Female Driven Screenwriting contest.

Produced features include the romantic comedy “Off The Menu”, starring Santino Fontana, available on HBO and Amazon Prime, and Lifetime’s “Evil Doctor”.

Goldson has also worked in the world of docu-series and was a co-producer of the three-part PBS special “The Great American Muslim RoadTrip”. She has also worked extensively in the television and film business, including at NBC Universal, Sony Pictures Studio and Walt Disney Studios.

She is represented by Dallaslyn Lamb at RAIN.


Susan Ashley

Susan Ashley’s writing encompasses all mediums from plays to television to features. She began her career working with Fran Drescher on “The Nanny” and ventured into features working on the film “15 Minutes”. Susan reteamed with Ms. Drescher on “Happily Divorced” and is thrilled to support women’s charities, such as Cancer Schmancer. She was recently commissioned to adapt the novel “The Mermaid Upstairs” into a screenplay and is currently developing “In The Rough”, a comedy exploring a woman’s journey into menopause through the eyes of the most unlikely of characters, a womanizing ex-pro golfer. To get better acquainted please visit susanashleywrites.com


Danna Rosenthal
Instagram
I am working on developing a Social Impact Screening Series under the name Positive Disruption. I am currently planning to create a social impact screening series under the LLC Positive Disruption Impact. The hope is to invite films/TV in both narrative and documentary formats addressing “hot button” issues and giving tools to the audience to create awareness, volunteer/get involved, and help support or pass legislation. I hope to have it up and running this year. I am still struggling to figure out how to monetize the series as I won't charge filmmakers to participate, audiences or nonprofits/NGOS. It will either have to be grants or sponsorship driven. Any advice is welcome. In addition to that, I am looking to join a team full-time in the social impact entertainment area. Any connections are much appreciated. Yes, I am looking for work either full-time or freelance/consulting.




Judy Chaikin

My short story TURBULENCE was just published in the Airplane Magazine. Here’s the link.  http://airplanereading.org/story/4921/turbulence


Kathryn Ricco
kathrynriccio121@gmail.com

Happy 2024 to all! 2023 was a tough one but I ended the year producing an iPhone campaign for Media Arts Lab (AOR for Apple). It was a great experience and I’m ready for more!

My goal this year is to produce in the branded content/non-fiction space, delivering high quality work with a positive social impact. If anyone has leads or contacts in this area (brands, directors, agencies, production companies, non-profits), I’d welcome an introduction.

I’m also eager to give back to GLW, so if you need support with production – general logistics, budgets, schedules, crew recommendations, vendor ideas – hit me up! If you’d like fresh eyes to read your script or watch your rough cut, I’m happy to do that as well. I am not a “financing producer” so not a good resource if your needs are for fundraising.

Finally, I’ve been connecting with a few fellow GLW members one-on-one – this is such a great organization and everyone has been kind and welcoming. It’s wonderful to build new relationships. Thank you!



Sardia Robinson
@aidras

Sardia Robinson performed her award-winning, one woman show, “From a Yardie to a Yankee”, to a packed house at Theatre West on Saturday, February 10th. The story portrays Sardia’s epic struggles from the murderous streets of Kingston, Jamaica to the deadly consequences of Chicago’s drug wars. The show is full of colorful characters (she portrays eleven different roles), obstacles overcome, and heartwarming humor. The show grips your heart and imagination. After the standing ovation, the crowd enjoyed Jamaican food catered by Coley's. It was a great night, with delicious food, wonderful people and a stunning performance.

Congratulations to our own GreenLight Women member, Sardia Robinson!

"Fascinating, funny and sometimes heartbreaking. I highly recommend that you see it if you are lucky enough to." -Samatha Simmonds-Ronceros

"An extremely gifted performer and writer. A stage presence so thrilling, you can't help but want to listen." -Ben Moroski

Nikki Cole
(photo by Erin Brown Thomas)
www.movingvisionsproductions.com

I’m delighted to share that I am now on the 2024 #Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase Screening Committee. So many great films out there that need to be seen!


Linda Yellen
lindayellen@gmail.com


Happy to report that we had a splendid time filming “One Stupid Thing” and we've now just begun post production. This is my 27th feature, and while I'm in post, my team and I are now turning our attention to “The Hive”, which is my dream feature. It's a bigger budget period piece about five young guys who lived together in poverty in Paris before becoming the most famous artists in the world! Would love to hear from anyone who can help find international funding and talent for the project!

DEADLINE: ‘One Stupid Thing’: Filming Begins On Linda Yellen And Traina Productions Suspense Thriller Starring Corey Fogelmanis, Jack Wright, Sky Katz, Shelby Simmons, And Alfredo Narciso


Rosser Goodman
@rossergoodman @tanorising.film - both on IG

Last month Rosser Goodman kicked off the new year by completing 50 Women Can Change the World in Entrepreneurship Program - a certificate program through Take The Lead Women. Rosser was accepted into the program last year as the founder of Tano Film. Rising - a philanthropic film finance company in Los Angeles.

With her 25 years as a filmmaker in every area of the business, Rosser decided to take her indie experience, her love of finance and her passion for DEIA to a whole other level - The Tano Rising. Film mission is to represent the underrepresented, to elevate those who need it most, to unite those with the means to those with the voice.



Robyn Symon
robyn@symonproductions.com

I’m on a film scout in Queretaro Mexico for my new film Queen of Shock.


Roxanne Messina Captor
@rmcfilms, www.roxannemessinacaptor.com
Facebook and Linkedin: roxanne messina captor

Roxanne Messina Captor was appointed to the CA Arts Council by Governor Newsom in 2022. In December of 2023 the council elected her Chairperson of the Council. Messina Captor continues Directing/Producing the documentary on Grammy winner and famed Jazz musician Stanley Clarke for BroadStage.

Her documentary "Homecoming:Veterans, Wives and Mothers" has been licensed by Amazon Prime. This documentary screened at the UN and for Doctor Biden's organization Common Defense.

I am looking for a part time assistant. Mainly office work. Can work remotely. mcfilms7625@gmail.com

Jan Reesman
Saintfelixcatrescue.com

I have a non -profit 501c3 Saint Felix Cat Rescue. We are fortunate to have the Diane Warren Foundation set up a senior cat sanctuary on her rescue ranch in Malibu.


Neema Barnette

Film nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Best Comedy Director. Also my Black History Mini Docs are featured at the Academy Museum in the Netflix Lounge every Friday from 1-3pm I've attached information for both! Dates: Friday, February 16th @1pm or Friday, February 23rd @ 1pm.

Susanne Jacobson
susannecj@gmail.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanne-jacobson-8bb2828/

I am currently looking for more clients in need of theatrical releasing and I am looking for additional work doing theatrical sales

Entertainment sales professional with extensive experience in motion picture distribution, sales, marketing, theater programming and related advertising. Strong skill set, including negotiations and collections, developed through the theatrical distribution and sales of a wide variety of film releases.

I am looking for GLW Members who work in Impact for a client of mine.

Jennifer Goldson
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-goldson-a8357b20a/

In February, I am going out with two projects. A pitch based on Richard Blade’s best-selling autobiography “World In My Eyes” about his love-affair with Terri Nunn of Berlin fame called NO MORE WORDS, plus a comedy spec, co-written with Patrick Tobin (“Cake”), called KIDS WITH BENEFITS.

Rep: Dallaslyn Lamb, RAIN.


Maggie Egan-Cummings
Imdb.me/maggieegan
https://www.ttiktok.com/@maggieegancummings https://www.instagram.com/maggieegancummings/ https://www.facebook.com/maggie.egancummings
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-egan-cummings-991b6962/ https://www.facebook.com/CupidFestFilm/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-egan-cummings-991b6962/
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qpd-XBWSkB4&feature=youtu.be

Our destination comedy Cupid Fest won Honors at the Pitch Session at the American Film Market 2023.

I went to the Sundance Film Festival 2024. It's amazing, complicated, difficult, and has a horrible website, but I met wonderful people, saw some great movies and attended some really worthwhile panels. Sundance demystified...Check!!! The best part was staying with high school friends who let my writing partner and I stay at their condo with them, and we had a great time hanging out with them. Thus I conclude how true the Girl Scout motto is: "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other's gold."

Looking forward to making new friends with Greenlight Women!


Karin Silverstein
Karin@sireniamedia.com

I am a Podcast Producer and currently have room for 1-2 new clients. If you are interested, or know someone who wants to start a podcast, or is doing one now and needs some help, let me know. I help with all parts of podcasting including content, platform set-up, help with talking points, editing, data sheet write ups for all platforms, clips for social media and YouTube, and other various responsibilities. I can be hired as a consultant and/or an on-going Producer.

I come from the television unscripted world and have been a talent and development exec at many networks such as OWN, E!, etc and also been a producer on many talk shows including David Letterman, Howie Mandel, etc. If interested please email me at Karin@sireniamedia.com.

And you can take a look at my website www.sireniamedia.com to see more about me and the work I have done.




Marlene Sharp
https://linktr.ee/marlenesharp

Please join entertainment industry employers - plus aspiring neurodivergent employees - at the inaugural Autism in Entertainment Conference on Friday, April 5 at the Skirball Center in Los Angeles. Admission is free! Also, the Conference enthusiastically accepts tax deductible donations of gift bag giveaways (consumer products) and legal tender (to support our dream for an end-of-day networking reception). Meet cast members from Netflix’s hit series LOVE ON THE SPECTRUM, superstar animator Jorge Gutierrez, esteemed filmmaker Scott Steindorff, reps from Ubisoft, Nickelodeon, Disney, and more! Contact fellow Greenlight Women member Marlene Sharp (also AIE Conference PR & Sponsorships Chair) for details. https://autisminentertainment.org

Arden Teresa Lewis
IG @AtLewisFilms FB @ArdenLewis and @ATLewisFilms

As a new member I would like to invite you all to a screening of my feature documentary “Leveling Lincoln” being presented at Theatre West in Hollywood in honor of Black History Month. Sunday, February 18th at 2 PM, $15 suggested donation at the door, free street parking, and a $10 lot across the street. www.theatrewest.org for more information https://theatrewest.org/on-stage/leveling-lincoln, Address 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West 90068

Thrilled to be part of this vibrant and productive group!




Meredith Riley Stewart
@Meredithville

Meredith's most recent feature as producer, FOR WHEN YOU GET LOST, won the Audience Award for Best Comedy Feature at the Austin Film Festival in October. Next month, it will screen at the Sedona International Film Festival (March 2nd) and the Durango Independent Film Festival (March 1 & 3rd). Our team is currently looking for distribution opportunities, so any ideas from the GLW hive mine are welcome! Please get in touch - mrileystewart@gmail.com.

As an actor, Meredith has recently partnered with theatrical agent Stuart Alexander at Eris Talent, where she is also repped commercially.

See details here: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm1982444?ref_=hm_prof_name

Filmmakers Brunch

Ellen Gerstein
https://www.instagram.com/ellengerstein/  
www.ellengerstein.com

Ellen Gerstein just shot the role of Judge Mary Elizabeth Meyer on David E Kelly's wonderful show “The Lincoln Lawyer”. After that she shot the role of Bessie on the Untitled Aaron Foster pilot. Her scenes were with Kristen Bell and she had a lot of fun. She created a Film Festival once a month for short films at the Actors’ studio for members. Ellen Gerstein offers a dynamic actors’ workshop for individuals seeking acting classes and coaching in person and online. She is one of the top specialists in script analysis. More information at https://ellengerstein.com/ellen-gerstein-coach/


Alexis Krasilovsky
www.instagram.com/alexiskrasilovsky
www.facebook.com/alexis.krasilovsky
www.alexiskrasilovsky.com
www.imdb.com/name/nm1893243

Alexis Krasilovsky's feature screenplay, "Tuki the Tiger," co-written with writer/director Shameem Akhtar of Dhaka, Bangladesh, is a finalist in the GEMFest International Screenplay Competition 2024. As of February 4th, she has moved up to the semi-finalist round for the RespectAbility Entertainment Lab. As part of an East Coast tour from March 1 -14th, she'll be screening her film, "End of the Art World" (newly restored due to a grant from the National Historical Preservation Foundation to Yale Film Archives, and featuring Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns and others) at 7 PM on March 7th at Yale, and at 7 PM on March 13th in New York City at the New American Cinema Group/The Film-Makers' Cooperative, 475 Park Ave South, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10016, as a double bill with another film that she also wrote and directed, "Shooting Women."

Linda Arroz
linda.arroz@gmail.com

Ghostwriting is in the zeitgeist! Excited to be doing public relations and business development for fellow GLW member, Loren Stephens, whose new ghostwriting collaboration, "Live in 5, My Extraordinary Life in Television," with Jeff Margolis will be published February 13, 2024.

Words are my currency; strategy is my mantra. I’m a solution/results-oriented guide and advisor, providing insight and strategy to develop your road map for success. Public relations, business development, networking, and social media campaigns, as well as freelance writing for your various needs.


Paula  Tiberius
https://www.paulatiberius.com/
https://www.instagram.com/ptiberius/

I'm currently in post-production on a short film called “Idyllwild” created as a proof of concept for a TV show. I'm also finishing up a first draft of a pilot for another show entitled “12 Days of Freedom”, and I'm teaching a writers’ retreat in the high desert April 8-11th. Link included! Feel free to share : ) https://www.desertflowerretreat.com/writers


Jerri Sher
jerrisher.com
quietexplosions.com
@JerriDGA
@Quietexplosions

Jerri Sher’s latest film has won 5 awards. U.S. doctors donate their skills to operate on children with cleft lip and palate disease in third world countries. A remarkable look at dedicated surgeons and nurses who are changing the lives of those who would not be able to afford these operations.


Arati Misro
arati.misro@gmail.com

Just wrapped a feature film as a producer called “Designed by Preeti” and I wrapped a TV show episode as a consulting producer called “Meet the Drapers”. Polly Draper is on the show! Season 6 finale!

Offering services as a producer, business development and project manager professional. Specialties are creating business plans, models, copy for decks for startups, inventors, media companies.


Akiva Penaloza
@iamkeevz
akiva@akivapenaloza.com

Hello! Juggling multiple projects including three collaborations with GLW members! More to come…

Let me design your pitch deck! I'm a screenwriter so I can also help craft synopses, loglines, and more.

EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS



Monday, March 4, 2024 6:30-8:30 pm PST
In-person Workshop with Jim Arnoff MAXIMIZING YOUR OPTIONS, TAKING BOLD STEPS TO CREATE THE ENTERTAINMENT CAREER YOU DESERVE.
This is an immersive interactive workshop open to the first 25 members who RSVP.
MORE INFO & RSVP: https://greenlightwomen.org/event/jimarnoff/

SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday, March 20th -  Virtual Story Slam celebrating Women’s History Month

We'd love to hear stories about mothers, grandmothers, aunts, partners, mentors or any woman that has influenced your life. All are welcome to participate and share a story 5-minutes or less.

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
Join the private GreenLight Women’s directory on our website. To create your profile, go to this link:  https://greenlightwomen.org/membership/directory/ You will come to a Password Protected page.  Enter this password:  GLW2023md   Create your profile.  If you are having problems contact akiva@akivapenaloza.com or linda.arroz@gmail.com.

MEET WITH CONNECTIONS
If you’d like to meet with the Connections Committee please fill out your information here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSchQnB14_E-pLY9CldKR8eg37duk-enuh3jlAsGa_tlK3lNmQ/viewform?usp=sharing

If you have problems accessing this google document please email barbweintraub@gmail.com.


Follow Us on Social Media

   


Members, send us your latest news and information on your projects for the next GreenLight Women newsletter - now@greenlightwomen.org


Website: www.greenlightwomen.org

{{Unsubscribe URL}}