October Herror Fest: Directress #6

It's October, which of course means there are no women who make horror films. So here's a feature by another director who doesn't exist:

Elizabeth Schieffer

Schieffer has pulled off a coup that is all too rare for female directors of any genre...she has won a studio-sponsored short film contest. Universal Studios (who should know a thing or two about horror) has awarded her short JASPER its top honors for Halloween Horror Night. And the prize package also gets her short seen on the not overly friendly to female filmmakers SyFy.com and Chiller TV. Three birds with one ricocheting stone!

Actually, don't get too excited about ladies taking over Hollywood just yet...the Hollywood judges picked the top ten and then online voters picked Elizabeth as the deserving winner (Viva the democratization of filmmaking and filmmgoing!).

Unlike all the seasons of PROJECT GREENLIGHT and those other horrible industry contests that were milquetoast showcases for interchangeable frat boys, we get to enjoy Ms. Schieffer's challenging and inspiring short online right now...and we better get to cheer her on to at least a few Hollywood meetings. Perhaps if the suits actually watch Beth's smart, funny, stereotype-bending work they'll know not to judge a dame by her gender.

The Dallas Observer's coverage of the win.
The official press release from Universal.

And for your viewing enjoyment, below is the entire three minute award-winning short JASPER...directed, produced, and special fx-ed by Elizabeth Schieffer:

October Herror Fest Directress #5

It's October, which of course means there are no women who make horror films. So here's a feature by another director who doesn't exist:

Barbara Stepansky

A student Emmy winner for her brilliant short thesis film THE TROJAN COW, Stepansky is a writer/director/producer with a film masters from both AFI and USC. She cut her teeth on Christopher Nolan's no budget first feature FOLLOWING, and has come to the horror world via her skill at building suspense scenes. Barbara's seven figure feature directorial debut HURT is a for hire project that drips with atmosphere and pathos, and makes her one of a handful of women currently hired to helm horror projects over the million dollar mark.

While waiting for funding for her next for hire feature HYSTERIA, Stepansky made the no budget ghost story FUGUE, an intimate interstices of drama/thriller/horror mores that was so personal it was shot in her own home. FUGUE is currently on the festival circuit; you can check for upcoming screenings here. And expect one of them to be soon at my very own BLEEDFEST in Los Angeles, where I'll also be showcasing her amazingly taut retro thriller ROAD RAGE (Full disclosure: I'm a producer on RR...I can't help it if I have mothereffing talented friends).

"I have a hard time categorizing women in horror vs women in the film industry because I don’t really see that women directors in general get the proper recognition. The numbers of theatrically released films made by women hasn’t really risen throughout the years, and there’s only a handful of female directors tackling action or horror movies on a larger scale. Even though women have started to run studios and huge productions, this didn’t necessarily translate into hiring more women directors. I find the numbers out there quite discouraging but that definitely won’t keep me from continuing making movies." -Barbara Stepansky

Here is a recent interview with Barbara conducted by stalwart indie supporters Rogue Magazine.
Heidi Martinuzzi's FanGirltastic site has a new review of Fugue.

Rental Suggestion: HURT

October Herror Fest: Directress #3

It's October, which of course means there are no women who make horror films. So here's a feature by another director who doesn't exist:

Jackie Kong

Writer/director/producer of 80s exploitation/horror features THE BEING, NIGHT PATROL, and BLOOD DINER.

"I try never to insult my audience. That's my number one goal. I try to treat my audience as though they're very smart and will know my next move unless I'm clever enough to surprise them."- Jackie Kong

Rental Suggestion: BLOOD DINER

Here is a clip from BLOOD DINER:


Thank you to Hart Fisher, the mastermind behind TV show AMERICAN HORRORS for the suggestion of Jackie Kong! Readers, keep those suggestions coming to me...

Rethinking Gender Bias in Theatre

The New York Times has a great, well-researched article a reader recommended that suggests there are fewer female playwrights being produced because of female gatekeepers' prejudice against them.

I have to say, it gels with many of my personal experiences in Hollywood.

Ellen Degeneres commencement speech

It's that time of year again, and Ellen has outdone every speaker everywhere. A gorgeous must see via Fishbowl LA.

Sooooo....yeah. it's true.

To those of you who have been coming here to try to get this information the last three weeks; my apologies. Chauntal's was not my story to tell. But yes, the rumors are true.

My good friend and genius lead actor of THE COMMUNE Chauntal Lewis was in a bad car accident on March 18th. She survived to grace the world with her soul, but she gave up her left hand.

Chauntal is more beautiful, positive, and full of love and light than ever and is going to change the world.

She has received much love and care from friends. You've never SEEN so many flower arrangements in a hospital; she was royalty! (And the new brown hair color on Queen Chauntal is DIVINE!).

Oh and yes, I am already hard at work writing a feature screenplay for her with a character created by Bill Cunningham...a beautiful, witty, noir superspy with an amazing mechanical hand. You will see Ms. Lewis again in the media...as a badass superhero. I also have a whole album-worth of more song lyrics, and am planning on getting into the studio with Chauntal and her musician father as soon as she wants...

Please show your support to our wonderful Chauntal and her rock of a gorgeous sister, Riawna (I love you lady!) by supporting them in the following manner:

From Riawna Capri:

Hey friends,

Riawna here, below are details about the fundraiser this monday and april 20th. And if u open the attachment, its in a way cuter format. :) please post it on facebook, myspace, anywhere and send out to anyone! The more the merrier! Even if u don't want to get hair services, come for the bake sale, silent auction, tanning by Sunset Tan or even just to see the Laker Cheerleaders :) come just to hang out and support the cause :)

Thank u to each and everyone of u. For getting the word out and being SO supportive of my sister Chauntal.


Dear Friends,

We are writing to invite you to the first ever Ken Paves Salon-Beverly Hills day-long fundraising events. A very close friend to the salon, Chauntal Lewis, was involved in car crash leaving her with a need to purchase a prosthesis. Chauntal is the sister to our loved stylist, Riawna. In an effort to raise money to aid Chauntal in purchasing the prosthetic limb, we are offering our services for discounted prices ranging from 35-60 percent less than regular prices. Every dollar that we collect on these days will go towards helping Chauntal. Below you will find information on the time, location, rsvp contact, and the prices for the services we will offer. If you cannot make it we would greatly appreciate any donations and feel free to tell your friends and/or colleagues about this event.

Thank You!!

Dates and Times:
Monday April 6, 2009 - 10am to 9pm
Monday April 20, 2009 - 10am to 9pm

**please note, the salon days of operation are normally Tuesday through Saturday**

Location: Ken Paves Salon 409 N. Robertson Blvd. Beverly Hills, CA 90048

RSVP Contact: Jaisy, (310) 205-0087

Prices: Haircuts $75 (reg. $125+, $90+) Base Color $75 (reg. $95+) Partial Highlights $100 (reg. $150+) Full Highlights $175 (reg. $225 +)> Brazilian Keratin Treatment $300-$350 (reg $500+) Blow Dry $50 (reg. $75+) Extensions $1000-$1800 (reg. $2500+)



TWO OF MY FAVORITE LADIES: Chauntal Lewis

Riawna Capri

Politics, people...Empowerment!

More YOU can do in 1 MINUTE to make our world better. For you men out there, this is a fantastic way to protect and provide for your women! Be our hero!

From PLANNED PARENTHOOD'S EMAIL:

This month, we celebrate a real victory that will make a huge difference in the lives of women who have been waiting too long for a simple mistake to be corrected. Since Congress unintentionally sent birth control prices skyrocketing in 2005, affordable birth control has been out of reach for low-income women and college students — until now.

With your strong backing, Congress stood up for women's health by including the fix for affordable birth control in the Omnibus Appropriations Act. On March 12, President Obama signed the Act into law.

More than a victory, this moment is a reminder that supporters of women's health have the power to make real change — and that it can take months and years of public support before even commonsense measures are finally enacted.

That's why it's crucial for all of us to use the public comment period to show our support for the Obama administration's new HHS proposal. By adding your name to our list and showing your support, we can all look forward to President Obama restoring the rights of patients to receive complete and accurate reproductive health information and services, without fear that health care providers will withhold vital information and services based on their personal biases.

The deadline for public comments is April 9, so don't wait to add your voice.