January 2001

Susan Kouguell, award-winning screenwriter, filmmaker, and chairperson of Su-City Pictures East, is no stranger to the film industry. To filmmakers like Louis Malle or Harvey Weinstein, she needs no introduction. To working or aspiring screenwriters who may not know of her yet, she is an accomplished screenwriter and script doctor who has quite possibly written the most comprehensive new book you will read this year, "The Savvy Screenwriter."

Imagine if big Hollywood studios with monstrous budgets and sleek marketing engines suddenly started tumbling down, making way for the rise of indies. Sound like your dream come true? Well, perhaps now you might picture the glee of smaller-shop entertainment web sites observing the demise of the star-studded iCAST and Pop.com. Trust me, I should know. As the founder of two such sites (NewEnglandFilm.com and BuyIndies.com), I’m feeling that glee myself.

Women who are involved in the media industry, no matter their level of experience, career goals, or position within the field, can benefit enormously from the encouragement and sense of community provided by a professional association. The New England Chapter of Women in Film & Video (WIFV/NE) supports its members’ efforts in film, video, and new media, while heading out into the community to assist local non-profit organizations with their own compatible missions. WIFV/NE seeks to present positive images of female read more...

The reality of filmmaking is this: you gotta have money. Since few of us are independently wealthy enough to fulfill our dreams, we have to look outside for the funds to complete our life’s work. Fundraising can certainly become a full-time gig, but luckily there are organizations out there committed to helping independent filmmakers succeed. One such organization is the International Film Financing Conference, or IFFCON, held annually in San Francisco.

A young woman lies in bed, a drop of blood welling under one nostril. "Frances," She says, in voiceover. "Frances Collins. I’ve been married five years and that still sounds like someone else’s name." So begins Todd Verow’s "Little Shots of Happiness." After showering and rehearsing happy faces in front of the mirror, Frances leaves her wedding ring on top of the medicine cabinet, throws some clothes into a suitcase, walks out the door, and goes… well, she goes to work. Work for her means drearily read more...

Film Festivals

Jorge Diaz, a 26-year-old New Yorker, had just bought a DV cam to take on his honeymoon and wanted to start using it. But unlike the famous semi-trash couple Pamela and Tommy Lee, Diaz had a more family-friendly idea, and pitched it to a streaming video site, DSCOOP.COM.

"I submitted my video to DSCOOP after emailing them and letting them know the idea I had to do a doc on the artsy fake cows that were being put all over the streets of New York," Diaz said. "They were totally into it. They said to go for it."

There lives amongst us a unique subculture of hairstyle contestants; beauty school students who travel great distances to compete in the execution, competition, look, and desirability of "updos." "Most people are unaware of the subject matter of this film," comments editor, producer, and director of "Hairdo" John Sahula, "we are going to a place that you and I don’t know."

Filmmakers DeMane Davis and Khari Streeter head to Sundance this month with their feature film "Lift." Shot in Boston, "Lift" is Davis’ second film. His first, "Black & White & Red All Over," premiered in the Dramatic Competition at Sundance in 1997. Yet despite such a track record with the prestigious film festival, "getting into Sundance," says Davis "is and will always be a daunting task." Tiffany Patrick recently caught up with Davis and discussed "Lift," filmmaking and, what else, Sundance.

Remember that scene in "Mrs. Doubtfire" where Robin Williams shows up at his brother’s door ready to be transformed into a woman? This is the power that makeup artist Joe Rossi wields so keep reading because so can you.

Getting Started