Shows
A BRIGHTER LENSThe Creative Team Behind MY NAME IS PAULI MURRAYWe sat down with directors Julie Cohen and Betsy West and producer Talleah Bridges McMahon to chat about their new film MY NAME IS PAULI MURRAY, which premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival.
The film takes an in-depth look at the life and ideas of Pauli Murray, a non-binary Black lawyer, activist and poet who influenced both Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Thurgood Marshall.
The film comes out in theaters today (September 17) and will be available on Amazon Prime after theatrical release. 2021-09-1721 min
A BRIGHTER LENSEmily Best and Seed&SparkEmily Best is the founder and CEO of Seed&Spark, a platform that makes entertainment more diverse, inclusive, connected and essential. Over the last 8 years, Seed&Spark has developed an unprecedented pipeline of unique voices and award-winning content through its education and crowdfunding platform. Seed&Spark’s platform and national education program have helped thousands of bold storytellers raise millions to bring to life entirely new stories, and Seed&Spark delivers those stories into workplaces for employee training, engagement, and intelligence through its proprietary Impact Screening Platform. 2021-09-1023 min
A BRIGHTER LENSARIEL MARX & Rebel HeartsThis week, we chat with Ariel Marx, composer of the documentary Rebel Hearts, which premiered at Sundance this year. An eclectic composer and multi-instrumentalist, Ariel draws from many genres and often combines orchestral and rare instruments with electronics to create unique worlds of sound. Her scores have premiered in films at Sundance, TIFF, SXSW, Tribeca, Woodstock, Criterion Channel, as well as Amazon, Netflix, HBO, and is a Sundance Film Music and Sound Design Lab fellow. We really enjoyed hearing about her collaborative process with Pedro Kos (director of Rebel Hearts), discoveries she had while working on the music, and her...2021-04-0116 minA BRIGHTER LENSMEI MAKINO & Inbetween GirlThis week, we chat with writer/director Mei Makino, about her feature film debut Inbetween Girl, which just had its premiere at SXSW! For three years, Mei taught filmmaking to youth in the Austin area which inspired her to tell honest stories about kids and teens. She’s written and directed short films that have played at The Dallas VideoFest, PBS, and ESPN’s Longhorn Network, and is an AFS grant recipient. Makino is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a B.S. in Radio-TV and Film. Enjoy!2021-03-2515 minA BRIGHTER LENSWHITNEY SKAUGE & The Beauty PresidentThis week, we chat with Whitney Skauge, director of the short documentary The Beauty President, premiering at SXSW this week. The Beauty President asks the question, “If a bad actor can be president, why not a good drag queen?” In 1992, Joan Jett Blakk made a historic bid for the White House as an openly queer write-in candidate. Today, Terence Smith, the man behind the persona, reflects back on his place in gay rights history at the height of the AIDS crisis. By making this film, Whitney’s vision is to fill in one of the many gaps in the oral histor...2021-03-1812 minA BRIGHTER LENSBRENDA WACHEL & Script SupervisionBrenda Wachel is a veteran script supervisor. She has worked closely as a script supervisor for directors and producers including Joe Johnston, Paul Haggis, Steven Spielberg, Michael Mann, John Dahl, Gary Sinise, on projects such as Jurassic Park 3, Hidalgo, October Sky, and The Next 3 Days. Additionally, Brenda recently wrote, produced, and directed a Get Out The Vote video called “America, Vote!” We chat with her about all things script supervision, and about her exploration into directing. Enjoy!2021-03-1124 minA BRIGHTER LENSJESSIE BARR & Sophie JonesThis week, we check in with Jessie Barr, director of SOPHIE JONES. We talked to Jessie at the beginning of the pandemic and wanted to chat with her again now that her film is out in the world. The film tells the story of a teen who [ushes the boundaries of her newfound sexual awakening as she copes with the recent loss of her mother. Jessie discusses the distribution journey during a pandemic and what she’s looking forward to in 2021 (hint: lots of space to daydream). The film is now available on VOD. After our check-in, we re-air our fi...2021-03-0432 minA BRIGHTER LENSAMY WILLIAMS & The WildsThis week we chat with Emmy award-winning production designer, Amy Williams. Amy has worked on over 40 films, including a number of Sundance selections, in addition to several TV shows. She won an Emmy for her scenic design work on A Crime To Remember, and some of her other work includes Master of None season 2, HBO’s Crashing, and the Apple+ series Little America. We chat specifically about Amy’s recent work on Amazon Prime’s new series, The Wilds. Enjoy!2021-02-2516 minA BRIGHTER LENSASHLEY O'SHAY and MORGAN JOHNSON & UnapologeticThis week, we chat with director Ashley O’Shay and producer Morgan Johnson about their film Unapologetic. They talked about collaborating, their love for Chicago, and why this doc following two fierce abolitionist leaders coming of age within the Movement for Black Lives in Chicago is a timely watch. The film most recently screened at TIFF Next Wave Festival and will be playing at the Black Lesbian Film Festival and Big Sky Documentary Film Festival this weekend. Check out unapologeticflm.com to see where you can watch. Enjoy our conversation!2021-02-1826 minA BRIGHTER LENSGILLIAN WALLACE HORVAT & I Blame SocietyThis week, we chat with Gillian Wallace Horvat, a Los Angeles-based filmmaker, writer, and film programmer about her new film I BLAME SOCIETY. I BLAME SOCIETY is Gillian’s feature film debut; previous projects include KISS KISS FINGERBANG, which was awarded the Jury Prize in the Midnight Shorts category at the 2015 South by Southwest Film Festival, and a Vimeo Staff Pick. She has also produced several documentaries and is a guest columnist for Filmmaker magazine. I BLAME SOCIETY is available to watch on demand February 12!2021-02-1116 minA BRIGHTER LENSBEANDREA JULY & Sundance 2021 RoundupIt's a Sundance tradition! We welcome back friend of the pod + film critic Beandrea July to chat with us about her Sundance Film Festival 2021 virtual experience and her favorite films.
Beandrea July (@beandreadotcom) is a freelance film critic based in Los Angeles who works in print and audio. Her work has appeared in several publications including Vanity Fair, The New York Times, Time, The Hollywood Reporter, Hyperallergic, Level and NPR. She has also been a guest on the NPR shows 1A and The Takeaway as well as KPCC SoCal’s The Frame. Of the nine films that Sidney Poitier has di...2021-02-0921 minA BRIGHTER LENSAMEY RENÉ & Marvelous and the Black HoleHappy (virtual) Sundance Film Festival! We're warching films from our living rooms all week and bringing you interviews with Sundance filmmakers.
We chatted with a favorite past guest, Amey René, casting director of MARVELOUS AND THE BLACK HOLE, directed by Kate Tsang. She tells us about the casting process for the film and what special skills she brought to the table for this project!
MARVELOUS AND THE BLACK HOLE synopsis: Thirteen-year-old Sammy is struggling to cope with the death of her mother. After she is caught vandalizing one of her school’s restrooms, her father, fed up with her wild beh...2021-01-3015 minA BRIGHTER LENSSUNDANCE: Julia Baylis, Deanna Gibson & WIGGLE ROOMHappy (virtual) Sundance Film Festival! We're watching films from our living rooms all week and bringing you interviews with Sundance filmmakers. First up, we chatted with co-director/co-writer Julia Baylis, and actor Deanna Gibson, about their short film WIGGLE ROOM.
WIGGLE ROOM synopsis: Determined to save her wheelchair ramp from repossession, Daisy confronts the shady insurance agent who owes her money. *This short is available on-demand throughout the Festival with purchase of a pass.2021-01-2909 minA BRIGHTER LENSCHANTAL POTTER & Balloon ManThis week we sat down with award-winning director, producer, and writer, Chantal Potter, and talked with her about her directorial debut, Balloon Man. Chantal founded Made For T.V. Productions in 2008 and she was previously known for BET Network's award-winning docu-series, The Defining Moment & Turning Point, where she was the creator, Executive Producer, and host.
Her feature directorial debut Balloon Man, is an intimate portrait of a her father--a former NFL athlete who learned how to navigate through the clouds, becoming the first African American Hot-Air Balloon Master Pilot in the world. Balloon Man will be released worldwide on-demand on...2021-01-2818 minA BRIGHTER LENSLAURA CRISTINA ORTIZ & SynchronicThis week, we chat with costume designer Laura Cristina Ortiz. She chats with us about discovering her love for costuming (it’s in her blood!) and her passion for ethical fashion. She talks with us about her recent project, the film Synchronic which can be found on VOD, and the fascinating design challenges she faced on that. Enjoy our conversation!2021-01-2127 minA BRIGHTER LENSSUJATA DAY & Definition PleaseWith her infectious personality and unique sense of humor, Pittsburgh native Sujata Day has established herself as a performer, creator, writer, and director. She regularly performs in Upright Citizen Brigade's hit Asian AF show. Sujata is known for her starring role as CeCe in Issa Rae’s The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl. She's recurred for three seasons on HBO's Insecure. Sujata is a Sundance Lab fellow, Sundance Film Festival influencer, and Sundance Collab advisor. Her short film, Cowboy and Indian, sold to a major studio for series development with Sujata writing, producing and starring. She served as HBO Visionaries Am...2021-01-1429 minA BRIGHTER LENSSADE NDYA & The Red FutonThis week, we chat with Sade Ndya, an LA based Cinematographer, who also specializes in Fine Art Photography and Community Organizing. Through her creative work, Sade is actively dedicated to providing safe creative spaces for fellow BIPOC to carry out their personal visions and endeavors. At only 19, she started her own freelance production company called The Red Futon, where she cultivates space for BIPOC talent to freelance creating content for local brands and musicians. Additionally, she is also a Cinematography mentor at Made In Her Image, which is a non-profit that provides young brown and black girls education, resources and in...2021-01-0719 minA BRIGHTER LENSTARA MIELE & Wander DarklyThis week, we have a conversation with writer/director Tara Miele about her recent feature film, Wander Darkly, which premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Tara is well known for the viral video 'Meet a Muslim' which she created to combat Islamophobia. The video has been featured on Refinery 29, Buzzfeed, Upworthy, and was shared around the world over 45 million times. Tara recently directed the backdoor pilot Green Arrow and The Canaries, and has directed episodes of Arrow, Batwoman and Hawaii Five-0, as well as four micro budget feature films. She is also a graduate of Ryan Murphy's Half Foundation and...2020-12-1726 minA BRIGHTER LENSKENNA WRIGHT & PalmsThis week, we bring you a delightful conversation with Kenna Wright. Kenna is an actress, dancer, and choreographer based in Los Angeles. She has appeared on TV shows such as Veronica Mars, Grown-Ish, The Affair, Fresh Off The Boat and multiple national commercials. Kenna recently directed, wrote and produced her own short film PALMS, that takes a deeper look at the world through the eyes of a young African American girl. PALMS is currently being submitted film festivals around the country and has received a series of awards and acknowledgements. Enjoy!2020-12-1021 minA BRIGHTER LENSTRACY DISHMAN & Black BearSpecial Episode! We're so excited to re-air this conversation (and one of our last in-person interviews!?) with film production designer, Tracy Dishman. We chatted with Tracy at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival about the film Black Bear, which she designed for. Black Bear was directed by Lawrence Michael Levine and stars Aubrey Plaza. We loved getting to hear about how Tracy found her way into production design and what her process was like designing for Black Bear. Tune in for our conversation with Tracy and check out Black Bear on demand, today!2020-12-0416 minA BRIGHTER LENSHILLARY SPERA - The Craft: Legacy & RunHillary Spera is a cinematographer based in Brooklyn, NY. We’ve coinicidentally watched a handful of Hillary’s films during the pandemic, so we were delighted to chat with her about a couple of her most recent ones! We specifically talked with her about her work on the Blumhouse/Sony Pictures reboot of THE CRAFT, directed by Zoe Lister Jones, as well as the Lionsgate feature RUN, directed by Aneesh Chaganty.
Hillary’s credits include Zoe Lister-Jones’ BAND AID, Miguel Arteta’s DUCK BUTTER, Craig Johnson’s ALEX STRANGELOVE, and THE PACKAGE, directed by Jake Szymanski, executive produced by Ben Stiller. Her...2020-12-0321 minA BRIGHTER LENSKELLY WALKER & My FionaKelly Walker is an Australian multi-hyphenate award winning filmmaker. She's had multiple short films in the festival circuit, most notably The Brownlist, directed and edited by Walker, which received the Jury Award for Best Short Film at Bentonville Film Festival. We chatted with Kelly about her debut feature, My Fiona. She was invited to participate in Australian's In Film's Writers Lab for her script and completed shooting the film in the summer 2019. My Fiona was set to world premiere at BFI Flare in London in March 2020, but due to Covid-19 the premiere was cancelled.2020-11-1912 minA BRIGHTER LENSANNA KERRIGAN & CowboysAnna Kerrigan is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker with a background in independent film, digital storytelling and theater. HOT SEAT, which she wrote and directed, premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. She also directed THE CHANCES, a digital series written by and starring two deaf actors, which also premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. We specifically chatted with her about her film Cowboys, which was a 2020 Tribeca selection, in addition to Outfest, Frameline, Nashville, Newfest, and Leiden. Anna won the award for Best Screenplay at Tribeca and the film won the Audience Award for Best Feature at Nashville Film Festival. And...2020-11-1221 minA BRIGHTER LENSKYRA JONES & The Right SwipeKyra Jones is a Black queer screenwriter, actor, and filmmaker based in Chicago. She holds a degree in Theatre and Gender Studies from Northwestern University. In 2019, Kyra co-wrote, executive produced, and starred in the award-winning web series,The Right Swipe (OTV), which was an official selection at Austin Film Festival, Urban World Film Festival, and several others. Her half-hour comedy pilot script, Good Vibes Only, has placed in several competitions, including the Sundance Episodic Lab, Diverse Voices, and the Nashville Film Festival. She's currently in pre-production for her first feature, Go to the Body, a boxing film that explores sexual violen...2020-11-0527 minA BRIGHTER LENSJESSIE KAHNWEILER & He's The OneThis week, we chat with Jessie Kahnweiler about her short film He’s The One. Jessie first became known for writing, directing and starring in a short film called ‘Meet My Rapist’ that imagines Jessie bumping into her rapist at the farmer’s market, and then dating him. Jessie then wrote, directed, and starred in ‘The Skinny’, a dark comedic series based on her 10-year relationship with bulimia. ‘The Skinny’ was produced by Jill Soloway, Paul Young, and Refinery29, and premiered at Sundance. Jessie also developed ‘Viagra Diaries’ for CW, ‘Bump’ for ABC Digital, and staffed on ‘Skam AUSTIN’ for Facebook Watch. Jessie’s short fil...2020-10-2917 minA BRIGHTER LENSKIM TRAN & Zoe and HanhThis week, we chat with Kim Tran, a first-gen Vietnamese writer, director and comedian who once rode her bike from Texas to Alaska. Her films have been official selections of SXSW, Palm Springs ShortFest and Short of the Week. Her film Zoe and Hanh recently earned a Vimeo Staff Pick. She received the Michener Fellowship to pursue her MFA in Screenwriting and Playwriting at the University of Texas at Austin. As a writer, she has written for Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls, was a semifinalist for the Humanitas, NBC and Disney writing programs and a finalist for the HBO Pitch Co...2020-10-2221 minA BRIGHTER LENSBRIDGET MOLONEY & BlocksFor this week's episode, we talked with Bridget Moloney, back at the beginning of quarantine! Bridget is an award-winning writer and director working in television, film and commercials. We talk to her about the short film, BLOCKS, that she wrote and directed. She is also the writer/director of the independent television pilot I Was A Teenage Pillow Queen that premiered at the 2018 Tribeca TV Festival. Bridget shot Blocks while a member of AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women 2020. The AFI Directing Workshop for Women has been dedicated to advancing the number of women working professionally as narrative screen directors si...2020-10-1528 minA BRIGHTER LENSSATINDER KAUR & Blood and GloryFor this week’s episode, we talked with writer, director, and U.S. Army veteran, Satinder Kaur about her short film Blood and Glory. Blood and Glory premiered at Tribeca Film Festival and won the Grand Prize in Women in Media CAMERAderie initiative. Kaur is a fellow of the Writers Guild Foundation’s Veterans Writing Project. She recently started the Global Talent Development & Inclusion program through NBC/Universal, where she is currently writing two features as part of the program.
Blood and Glory Synopsis:
Two homeless, female veterans’ friendship is tested when they confront adversity, discrimination, and even mother nature itself...2020-10-0819 minA BRIGHTER LENSKEYLEE KOOP-SUDDUTH & BackslidersKeylee Koop-Sudduth is a Texas born and raised actor, writer, producer, and director now living in Los Angeles. In 2013, she co-founded the award-winning independent production company Bob Billiams Productions with her husband and creative partner Micah Sudduth. Keylee’s original projects have become Official Selections of Tribeca Film Festival (2018, 2020) and won awards like Best Series at LA Indie Fest and Sunset Comedy Series. Keylee’s latest project, BACKSLIDERS, is an Official Selection of Tribeca Film Festival 2020. She is currently co-writing a half-hour comedy pilot under the same title with Micah Sudduth and co-writing a feature film with Micah Sudduth and Matt...2020-10-0125 minA BRIGHTER LENSISABEL SANDOVAL & Lingua FrancaAn emerging auteur recognized by the Museum of Modern Art as a “rarity among the young generation of Filipino filmmakers for her muted, serene aesthetic", Isabel Sandoval is a US-based filmmaker who has written and directed three features. Isabel's third feature LINGUA FRANCA (2019), co-starring Eamon Farren (Twin Peaks: The Return), premiered at the Venice IFF, where she become the first trans woman director to compete at the festival. LINGUA FRANCA follows an undocumented Filipina trans woman Olivia (Isabel Sandoval) after she has secured a job as a live-in caregiver for Olga (Lynn Cohen), an elderly Russian woman in Brooklyn’s Brig...2020-09-2418 minA BRIGHTER LENSMONICA SOTTO & Drunk HistoryWith 15 years in the entertainment business, Monica Sotto is just beginning her path as a full-time Production Designer. Monica is a first generation Filipina-American who grew up in Pasadena, CA. Earlier this year, Monica won an Art Directors Guild Award for her Production Design work on the hit Comedy Central TV series, “Drunk History.” Additionally, she and the Drunk History Art team recently nabbed a Primetime Emmy nomination in the 72nd annual awards. While we just found out she and the Drunk History team lost the Emmy to SNL, we’re still so excited for Monica and, as she says, ‘the hono...2020-09-1729 minA BRIGHTER LENSJESSIE BARR & Sophie JonesBack at the beginning of quarantine, we chatted Jessie Barr. Jessie is a filmmaker and 2020 Sundance Fellow based in Los, Angeles. She is an actor, writer, director and producer with a background in independent film, digital storytelling and theater. She makes her feature film directorial debut with Sophie Jones, from executive producer Nicole Holofcener.
Sophie Jones will have its world premiere in competition at the 2020 Deauville American Film Festival in France today, Sept 10th. Jessie is one of the seven first-time directors screening in competition. Additionally, eight of the 15 films in competition are directed by women. Stay tuned for upcoming...2020-09-1021 minA BRIGHTER LENSLEAH MEYERHOFF & Film FatalesLeah Meyerhoff is an award winning independent filmmaker who wrote and directed the narrative feature film I BELIEVE IN UNICORNS starring Natalia Dyer and Peter Vack, which was released theatrically after premiering at SXSW, winning the Grand Jury Prize at the Atlanta Film Festival and additional awards from Tribeca Film Institute, San Francisco Film Society, Woodstock Film Festival, and the Adrienne Shelly Foundation.
Leah is the founder of FILM FATALES, a non-profit organization which advocates for parity in the film industry and supports hundreds of women feature film and television directors around the world. Over the past five years, she...2020-09-0340 minA BRIGHTER LENSTAHAJAH SAMUELS & Black PR Girl MagicFor today’s episode we interviewed film publicist, Tahajah Samuels. Tahajah (pronounced: ta•hay•ja) serves as Senior Digital Publicist at BRIGADE where she manages digital publicity campaigns for films' theatrical, streaming, PVOD and/or home entertainment releases. Clients of hers include Focus Features (The High Note, Johnny English Strikes Again) Lionsgate (John Wick: Chapter 3, Uncle Drew), Netflix (6 Underground, Da 5 Bloods, Dolemite Is My Name, The Irishman, Project Power), United Artists Releasing (Creed II, No Time To Die), and Universal Pictures (Breaking In, First Man) to name a few.
Additionally, in 2017, Tahajah founded community and digital platform Black PR Girl Magic™...2020-08-2721 minA BRIGHTER LENSBEANDREA JULY & Film in the Covid EraWe're happy to have friend of the pod, Beandrea July, return for a discussion about the film landscape during pandemic times. Beandrea is a freelance writer and audio producer focused on culture. Her film criticism has been published in several outlets including The New York Times, Time, The Hollywood Reporter and broadcast on NPR. She is a regular contributor to TheCherryPicks.com a website that prioritizes women’s voices in film criticism. She has also been a guest on the NPR shows 1A and The Takeaway as well as KPCC SoCal’s The Frame. She is based in Los Angeles, alth...2020-08-2029 minA BRIGHTER LENSTANYA SARACHO & VidaTanya Saracho is a playwright and television writer who serves as creator, showrunner, and executive producer of the critically-acclaimed series Vida on Starz, which earned 100% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its first, second and third seasons. The show, which recently aired its third and final season, featured all Latina directors in seasons two and three, including Saracho, who made her television directorial debut last year. The series had an all-Latinx writers room for seasons one and two, and in season three, the room was composed of all Latina writers. We chatted with her about making the jump from writing...2020-08-1337 minA BRIGHTER LENSLINDA GOLDSTEIN KNOWLTON & We Are The Radical MonarchsLinda Goldstein Knowlton is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker, working in both documentary and scripted feature films, as well as in television. Linda directed and produced WOMEN AND HOLLYWOOD, one of the six, one-hour documentaries for the Emmy-nominated PBS MAKERS: Women Who Make America series. Prior to that, she produced CODE BLACK, Best Documentary winner at LA Film Festival and the Hamptons International Film Festival, and the basis for the new CBS one-hour drama of the same name. Previously she directed and produced SOMEWHERE BETWEEN, which won the Sundance Channel Audience Award at the Hot Docs Film Festival, and was released theatrically...2020-08-0628 minA BRIGHTER LENSSUE DING & The Claudia Kishi ClubWe’re excited to announce our new name: A BRIGHTER LENS! In this time of reflection and learning, we wanted to have a more inclusive and expansive name. We’re still committed to spotlighting women in the film industry, but also want to feature more trans and non-binary folks as well and wanted our name to reflect that.
For our first episode of Season 3, we chatted with Sue Ding, director of The Claudia Kishi Club. Sue is a documentary filmmaker and new media producer based in Los Angeles. As a freelance filmmaker, Sue directs and produces nonfiction media—from feature docume...2020-07-3022 minA BRIGHTER LENSNISHA GANATRA & The High NoteWe have a special bonus episode for you today featuring one of our favorite past guests, Nisha Ganatra, director of the recently released The High Note, starring Tracee Ellis Ross and Dakota Johnson. Check out watchthehighnote.com to find out where you can digitally watch it! Hope you enjoy the conversation and stay tuned for our upcoming Season 3!2020-06-1817 minA BRIGHTER LENS(Re-Air) In Memory of Lynn SheltonWe were so sad to hear of the passing of beloved filmmaker and director, Lynn Shelton. We wanted to honor her memory by re-airing her episode in which we discussed her recent film Sword of Trust. Lynn was deeply loved in the film community (and beyond) and known for both her own films and her extensive TV directing resume.
Her films include We Go Way Back, My Effortless Brilliance, Humpday, Your Sister’s Sister, Touchy Feely, Laggies, Outside In, and Sword of Trust. She had also directed episodes for The Good Place, GLOW, New Girl, The Mindy Project, Casual, Fresh Of...2020-05-1926 minA BRIGHTER LENSSundance Film Festival RoundupWe’re back from Sundance and have finally had a chance to catch our breath and regroup in Los Angeles! We were so inspired by the festival and by all of the films we saw. First, we interview our favorite film critic Beandrea July for her festival hot-takes and in-depth thoughts on her favorite films. We had the chance to watch some films with her during the festival and loved hearing her takeaways. Next, we interview production designer Tracy Dishman. Tracy designed for Black Bear, which was directed by Lawrence Michael Levine and stars Aubrey Plaza. We loved getting to he...2020-02-2454 minA BRIGHTER LENSSANDRA MAE FRANK, ActressSeason 2 Finale! Thank you to all our listeners for tuning in this season. This week we reflect on our personal favorite moments about women in film in 2019, as well as our favorite AFL moments! Then, we interview Sandra Mae Frank. Sandra is a deaf trained stage and film actress, best known for her role as Wendla from Deaf West’s Spring Awakening on Broadway. She’s performed in numerous regional theatre productions, as well as Netflix's Daybreak and Freeform’s Switched at Birth. We interview her with the help of her translator, Paul Racy. Please find a transcript of our interv...2019-12-2345 minA BRIGHTER LENSNATALIE BRONFMAN, Costume DesignerThis week, we chat about the recent Golden Globes nominations and the absence of women in the Best Director category. Then, we interview Natalie Bronfman, costume designer for film, TV, and theatre. Most recently, she has designed for The Handmaid's Tale. In between projects, she can be found doing runway shows during fashion week.2019-12-1639 minA BRIGHTER LENSFREE THE WORK x A FEMALE LENS Presents: Sophia TakalThis week is the third installment of our collaborative series in partnership with Free the Work, which is a curated talent-discovery service of underrepresented creators. Free the Work is a non-profit founded by Alma Ha’rel. Check out their new platform at freethework.com.
For our third episode of this series, we interviewed writer and director Sophia Takal. Sophia directed ALWAYS SHINE starring Mackenzie Davis and Caitlin FitzGerald, which played at the Venice Film Festival and the Tribeca Film Festival. Takal co-wrote and directed NEW YEAR, NEW YOU, the January installment of the INTO THE DARK Hulu horror anthology series. An...2019-12-1330 minA BRIGHTER LENSSAMANTHA MCINTYRE, WriterThis week, we chat about the recent DGA report on female and minority TV directors and how they directed 50% of all episodic TV this year. Then, we interview writer Samantha McIntyre, who recently wrote Netflix’s Unicorn Store, directed by Brie Larson. Samantha has written for HBO’s Bored to Death, TBS’s People of Earth and is an alumnus of both the Warner Bros. Writers Workshop and the Sundance Screenwriters Lab (where Unicorn Store received the Annenberg Film Fellowship Grant). Samantha is currently a Supervising Producer on NBC’s upcoming musical dramedy, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.2019-12-0954 minA BRIGHTER LENSYVONNE HUFF LEE, Actress and ProducerThis week, we’re discussing the streamlined “French Hours” shooting schedule Marielle Heller used on A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, which made it feasible for cast and crew to see their children while in production. Then, we interview actress and producer Yvonne Huff Lee, who is Co-CEO of Lagralane Group. This year, Yvonne has executive produced The Body Remembers When The World Broken Open, as well as Sundance darling The Infiltrators through Lagralane Group. Yvonne currently serves as president of the board at Lower Depth Theatre Ensemble and is also a board member of Array Alliance, an initiative founded by Ava...2019-12-0240 minA BRIGHTER LENSGERSHA PHILLIPS, Costume DesignerThis week, we're discussing the Hollywood assistants' revolt and #PayUpHollywood and the implications this has for the rest of the industry. Then, we interview costume designer Gersha Phillips.
Gersha is a costume designer who has designed for more than 30 films and numerous TV series. She currently designs for CBS’s Emmy-nominated Star Trek: Discovery, now in its second season. Her work on Season 1 earned her a Costume Designers Guild Award nomination. She has also worked on House of Cards, Black Panther, and American Psycho.2019-11-2545 minA BRIGHTER LENSFREE THE WORK x A FEMALE LENS Presents: Minhal BaigThis week is our second installment of our collaborative series in partnership with Free the Work, which is a curated talent-discovery service of underrepresented creators. Free the Work is a non-profit founded by Alma Ha’rel, whom we recently interviewed. Check out their new platform at freethework.com
For our second episode of this series, we interviewed Minhal Baig, writer/director of Hala. Hala is her debut feature film, about a Muslim teenager coping with the unraveling of her family as she comes into her own. It premiered in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. Hala is...2019-11-2256 minA BRIGHTER LENSSHERRI CHUNG, ComposerOn this week's episode, we discuss The Academy's recent announcement that their "Best Foreign Language Film" award is now titled the "Best International Feature Film" award, and the controversy surrounding the disqualification of the entry films from Nigeria and Austria. Then, we interview film and television composer Sherri Chung. Sherri currently composes the scores for Riverdale (CW) and Blindspot (NBC). Her most recent show, The Red Line, produced by Greg Berlanti and Ava DuVernay, is a limited series which premiered on CBS and currently airs on CBS All Access. Her latest Warner Bros. film, Nancy Drew and The Hidden Staircase...2019-11-181h 13A BRIGHTER LENSALISON KELLY, CinematographerOn this week's episode we discuss recent controversy over the censorship of same-sex love scenes in Olivia Wilde's film "Booksmart" for in-flight entertainment. Then, we interview cinematographer Alison Kelly. Alison is the cinematographer behind the ABC drama Grand Hotel, which is executive produced by and stars Eva Longoria. Alison has worked on other notable projects including AMC’s Dietland, MTV’s Finding Carter, Who's Afraid of Vagina Wolf?, and STARZ’s Counterpart. Enjoy!2019-11-1144 minA BRIGHTER LENSNENA ERB, EditorThis week, we discuss Geena Davis, the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, and their new tool "GD-IQ: Spellcheck for Bias." Then, we interview Nena Erb, ACE, an Emmy-winning editor based in Los Angeles. Nena has been the editor on productions for HBO, Universal, CBS, ABC, and others. In 2016, she received an Emmy award for her work on HBO’s documentary series Project Greenlight, and in 2019, she received an ACE Eddie nomination for her work on HBO's Peabody award-winning series Insecure. Currently, she is editing Little America, an anthology series on America's immigrants, produced by Kumail Najiani, Emily V. Go...2019-11-0442 minA BRIGHTER LENSAMEY RENÉ, Casting DirectorThis week we're discussing the Big Little Lies S2 director debacle, and the writer pay disparity on the Crazy Rich Asians sequel. Then, we interview Amey René, an Artios Award nominated Casting Director. Many of her films have premiered at Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca, Cannes and Toronto International Film Festivals. She had three films premiere at the Sundance 2019 Film Festival, including Greener Grass, which is currently in theaters.2019-10-281h 07A BRIGHTER LENSCHRISTINA CHOE, Writer/DirectorWe are back for Season 2! We have an exciting slate of interviews this season and we're so thrilled to announce our new associate producer, Elise Welch! To start the season off, we're talking about the number of top films directed by women (so far) in 2019, which has already exceeded the number directed by women in 2018. Then, we interview writer and director Christina Choe, who's feature film debut NANCY premiered at Sundance in the 2018 US Dramatic Competition, where it won the Waldo Salt Best Screenplay Award. Enjoy!2019-10-211h 07A BRIGHTER LENSFREE THE WORK x A FEMALE LENS Presents: Liza MandelupThis week, we’re introducing our new monthly collaborative series in partnership with FREE THE WORK, a 501c3 non-profit founded by Alma Ha’rel (whom we recently interviewed). This revolutionary talent discovery platform connects women and underrepresented creators to those who hire in film, television, advertising, and media. Check out the launch of the FREE THE WORK website on October 17.
For our first episode of this series, we interviewed Liza Mandelup, director of the new documentary film, Jawline. She talks to us about her process and approach to documentaries, how she stays inspired to keep working, and her experience in the...2019-09-2036 minA BRIGHTER LENSSummer Movie Roundup with Beandrea JulyWe're thrilled to have film critic Beandrea July back on the podcast to discuss her take what a "summer movie" is, how it's changed over the years, and what's on her summer 2019 box office radar!2019-08-1919 minA BRIGHTER LENSLYNN SHELTON, DirectorThis week we interviewed director Lynn Shelton about her new film, Sword of Trust which stars Marc Maron, Jillian Bell, Michaela Watkins, and Jon Bass. Tune in for our chat with Lynn about her improvisational approach to the film, what she looks for in fellow collaborators, and her filmmaking process. Sword of Trust is out in theaters today, July 12!2019-07-1225 minA BRIGHTER LENSAlma Har'el + Free The Bid“That’s what I’m aiming for: a renaissance of creativity.” —Alma Har’el
Bonus episode alert: this week we chatted with Alma Har’el about her initiative Free The Bid and its upcoming relaunch!2019-06-1744 minA BRIGHTER LENSNISHA GANATRA, DirectorWe're taking a break from our break to bring you a special bonus episode! Listen for our interview with Nisha Ganatra, director of the film LATE NIGHT. LATE NIGHT stars Emma Thompson and Mindy Kaling, and is written by Mindy Kaling. We love the film and had an amazing time talking with Nisha. Check out our episode, then go see LATE NIGHT in theaters! Stay tuned for Season 2 of AFL later this summer.2019-06-0735 minA BRIGHTER LENSHADEEL REDA, ProducerWe are thrilled to share our Season 1 Finale episode of A Female Lens with you! We have a SXSW Film Festival roundup, and then we interview inspiring producer, Hadeel Reda. Thank you for all of your support and for lending your ears to our podcast. We have had a fantastic first season, and we're already hard at work on Season 2! Stay tuned.2019-03-1834 minA BRIGHTER LENSAMY ADRION, DirectorThis week we’re going back in the archives and talking about a female directing team that was not given equal credit on an episode of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Then, we interview Amy Adrion, director of the documentary Half The Picture.2019-03-1147 minA BRIGHTER LENSWomen's Weekend Film ChallengeThis week we’re talking about Emma Thompson’s letter regarding her decision to depart Skydance’s animated film, Luck. Then, we interview the team behind the Women’s Weekend Film Challenge. Stay tuned!2019-03-0420 minA BRIGHTER LENSALICIA MALONE, Film ReporterThis week, we’re talking about Brie Larson’s inclusive press tour for Captain Marvel. Then, we interview film reporter, film critic, and author, Alicia Malone, about her work and her new book The Female Gaze.2019-02-2539 minA BRIGHTER LENSBRITT RENTSCHLER, ActressThis week, we’re celebrating the women nominated for Academy Awards this year. Then, we interview actress Britt Rentschler about her recent film, Instant Family which just wrapped up a theatrical release and is available to watch on Amazon Prime tomorrow, February 19.2019-02-1824 minA BRIGHTER LENSWomen of Virtual Reality at SundanceWhile we were at the Sundance Film Festival, we had the opportunity to talk with two virtual reality artists and one team about their virtual reality projects premiering in the New Frontier program at the festival. First, we interview Melissa Painter about her project, Embody. Then, we talk with the team behind Mechanical Souls: Gaëlle Mourre, L.P. Lee, and Céline Tricart. Lastly, we interview Teek Mach about her project, Grisaille.2019-02-1333 minA BRIGHTER LENSEMMA FORREST, Writer/DirectorThis week, we’re discussing an essay by Emily Best, the founder of Seed & Spark, a crowdfunding site for films. Then, we interview writer/director Emma Forrest about her new film, Untogether which was released in select theaters on February 8th.2019-02-1132 minA BRIGHTER LENSSundance Film Critics: Beandrea July + Aramide TinubuWe caught up with film critics Beandrea July and Aramide Tinubu at the Sundance Film Festival to get their take on this year's festival!2019-02-0615 minA BRIGHTER LENSAMBER SEALEY, Writer/DirectorIn this week's episode, we discuss the ad placed in Variety honoring female directors that were overlooked this year by the DGA and the Acadamy Awards. Then, we interview Amber Sealey who we met at Sundance. Her short film, How Does It Start, premeiered at this year's Festival. We are joined by her main actress, Lola Wayne Villa at the end of the interview. Please enjoy (and forgive our voices-we both have Sundance colds!)2019-02-0433 minA BRIGHTER LENSJESI NELSON, ComposerIn this week's episode, we discuss women in film in the news at Sundance (since we're at the Sundance Film Festival!) Then, we interview film composer Jesi Nelson.
Jesi Nelson is a Los Angeles based composer for film & media, conductor and orchestrator. She received her BFA in Music Composition and Technology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Master of Fine Arts in Music Composition for the Screen at Columbia College. Upon her move to LA, she interned for Danny Elfman at Studio Della Morte, and soon after started assisting composer Michael Kramer, writing additional music for the Emmy nominated Disney...2019-01-2833 minA BRIGHTER LENSTIFFANY LITTLE CANFIELD, Casting DirectorTiffany Little Canfield, CSA is a casting director for theatre, film, and television at the prestigious bi-coastal casting office, Telsey + Company. Some notable projects include This Is Us, Mary Poppins Returns, Atypical, Smash, The Intern, Into the Woods, The Intern, Ricki and The Flash, and Masters of Sex. She received the Independent Spirit Robert Altman Award for her work on Margin Call in 2012. She was also nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Casting for a Limited Series, Movie, or a Special for her work on Grease Live.2019-01-2132 minA BRIGHTER LENSELIZABETH CHOMKO, Writer/DirectorIn our first episode we discuss and celebrate some of our favorite accomplishments and strides that women in film made in 2018. Then, we interview writer and director, Elizabeth Chomko. We saw the premiere of Elizabeth's film at the Sundance Film Festival last January and we were absolutely blown away by her film and her work. Happy listening!
**Elizabeth Chomko** is a director and writer best known for What They Had (2018), starring Hilary Swank. Her screenplay for What They Had won an Academy Nicholl Fellowship in 2015 and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. She is also a playwright and theatre actress...2019-01-1434 min