The Other 50%

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Episode 88: Marilyn Anderson, Writer

February 06, 2018 by Julie Harris Oliver in Coaching, Comedy, Consulting, Diversity, entertainment, entrepreneur, Film & TV, family films, hollywood, Independent Film, theatre, WGA, women, Writers

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Marilyn is a Writer with many TV and Film credits and her most recent book, “How to Live Like a Millionaire When you’re a Million Short.” Her book answers one of the biggest questions of the Universe, “How does Marilyn live?” You can find it here. She has written on Murphy Brown, FAME, Friday the 13th and many others.

She started life as a scientist and then had one lucky break after another. She has a million stories and she cracks me up. Doesn’t everyone book a Broadway show their first week in New York?

February 06, 2018 /Julie Harris Oliver
WGA, writers, women in entertainment, women in tv, women in comedy, author, how to live like a millionaire, FAME, Murphy Brown, women in film
Coaching, Comedy, Consulting, Diversity, entertainment, entrepreneur, Film & TV, family films, hollywood, Independent Film, theatre, WGA, women, Writers
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Episode 87: Chelsea Steiner, Writer/Director

January 30, 2018 by Julie Harris Oliver in Comedy, Digital content, Diversity, entertainment, Film & TV, healthcare, hollywood, Independent Film, investment, LGBT, webseries, WGA, women, Writers

Chelsea is a Writer/Director and is currently producing her webseries called Thank You, Come Again. You can find her (NSFW) Indiegogo campaign here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/thank-you-come-again-sex-lgbt#/  

Chelsea came up as a film and television writer while also being a sex educator and diversity advocate. While working her day job as the Social Media Manager at The Pleasure Chest in West Hollywood, she looked around and realized this was show that writes itself. So, she wrote it and has set out to produce it.

I was admittedly nervous to interview Chelsea, as at heart I am a WASPY girl who grew up in Catholic school and would certainly never discuss sex publicly. But Chelsea is a smart, open, and talented woman who gave a very interesting interview and helped me mature just a little bit more. But, do listen to the episode with your headphones in and don’t play it in the car during carpool.

January 30, 2018 /Julie Harris Oliver
webseries, women in entertainment, women in film, women in tv, women in comedy, writers, female director, sex positive, pleasure chest
Comedy, Digital content, Diversity, entertainment, Film & TV, healthcare, hollywood, Independent Film, investment, LGBT, webseries, WGA, women, Writers
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Episode 86: Shannon and Tia Ayers

January 23, 2018 by Julie Harris Oliver in Comedy, Commercials, DGA, Digital content, Diversity, entertainment, entrepreneur, Film & TV, film festivals, hollywood, Independent Film, PGA, webseries, WGA, women, Writers, youtube influencer

Shannon and Tia are writing/producing partners under the company Borndreamer. They came up separately through production and comedy, while still making viral videos and other projects together, until they decided to relaunch the company their mother started years ago. Together, they made the film Firm with a Purpose, which was the Audience Favorite at the Women in Comedy Festival in 2017, and screened last night at the Women in Film Annual Shorts event.

We had a funny and thoughtful conversation that ranged from competitions and collaboration, to motherhood and bias.  What does success really mean? And if you say, “Well, I guess I’m a badass,” are you?

They are launching a podcast called Sister Stuff soon, where they will be telling stories, talking about their journey in filmmaking and trying to make each other laugh. You can follow them and find out more at borndreamer.com. 

January 23, 2018 /Julie Harris Oliver
women in film, women podcasters, women in tv, women in comedy, comedy, video, digital content, short film, writers, producer
Comedy, Commercials, DGA, Digital content, Diversity, entertainment, entrepreneur, Film & TV, film festivals, hollywood, Independent Film, PGA, webseries, WGA, women, Writers, youtube influencer
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Episode 85: Amy Spies, Writer

January 16, 2018 by Julie Harris Oliver in Coaching, Consulting, Digital content, Diversity, entertainment, entrepreneur, Film & TV, hollywood, PGA, soap opera, webseries, WGA, women, Writers

Amy wrote on 90210 and Melrose Place (the OG) among many other shows, but those are what made me fangirl. She comes from a Hollywood family - her parents were moved out to Los Angeles by Desilu Studios. (As you do.) And although she resisted joining the family business, she eventually did, going on to write “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.”

I loved hearing her stories and her journey and I think you will too. She’s a writer, a teacher, a mentor and is deeply into mindfulness. She teaches a mindfulness writing program which helps people, especially women, find their voice. This is the time that we all need to find our voices.

This is a Master Class.

January 16, 2018 /Julie Harris Oliver
women in film, women in tv, writers, WGA, female entrepreneurs, 90210, Melrose Place, feminism
Coaching, Consulting, Digital content, Diversity, entertainment, entrepreneur, Film & TV, hollywood, PGA, soap opera, webseries, WGA, women, Writers
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Episode 83: Selyna Warren and Marissa Read, Producers, Writers, Actors, Directors

January 09, 2018 by Julie Harris Oliver in business, Comedy, DGA, Digital content, Diversity, entertainment, Film & TV, hollywood, webseries, WGA, women, Writers, youtube influencer

Selyna and Marissa are Show Runners/Executive Producers of their YouTube Red show called Foursome. They sold their first show at 24 and they are going strong, making their unique mark in this business. They are prolific writers, passionate actors, and have just added Directors to their resumes.

And they have warned you, steer clear of the common table at Republic of Pie if you don’t want to get caught in their uproar.

January 09, 2018 /Julie Harris Oliver
women in film, women in tv, women in entertainment, youtube, foursome, writers, WGA, female director, director, actor, musical theatre, digital marketing, digital content, YA, multi-hyphenate
business, Comedy, DGA, Digital content, Diversity, entertainment, Film & TV, hollywood, webseries, WGA, women, Writers, youtube influencer
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Episode 82: Rachel Feldman, Director, Writer

January 02, 2018 by Julie Harris Oliver in DGA, Diversity, entertainment, Film & TV, hollywood, Independent Film, women, Writers

Rachel is a Director and Writer. She has Directed many hours of television as well as films, and is currently developing the Lilly Ledbetter story for a feature film that she will also direct. Having been in this business since she was the voice of Lucy in the Peanuts cartoons, she has an important perspective on this business and where we are headed – for women in particular.

She has been directing television since Doogie Howser. And yet, she is asked to shadow before being hired. The hiring criteria for men and women is still different, and we are still operating under the myth that women in general need more training. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of female directors ready to work right now. No more training required. Let’s shift the focus away from more training and onto the people who hire to insist on more inclusion.

And you can sense an artist when you are talking to them.

January 02, 2018 /Julie Harris Oliver
women in film, women in tv, Lilly Ledbetter, DGA, female director, Alliance of Women Directors, filmmakers, film & TV, director, Directing, diversity
DGA, Diversity, entertainment, Film & TV, hollywood, Independent Film, women, Writers
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Episode 81: Nicole Feenstra, Actor, Writer, Producer

December 19, 2017 by Julie Harris Oliver in Comedy, Commercials, Digital content, Diversity, entertainment, Film & TV, hollywood, Independent Film, investment, webseries, women, Writers

Nicole is an Actor who also wrote and produced her webseries called Broken Hearts Division. You can find it here: www.brokenheartsdivision.com. It is hilarious, with a brilliant premise. There is a division of LAPD that prosecutes crimes of the heart. At least, there should be.

She came up through theatre and also advertising and marketing. All of her skills came together in producing the pilot to her series and launching a crowdfunding campaign.

We did this interview as a simulcast facebook live and Instagram live and it now lives on video on YouTube and you can watch it here: http://bit.ly/2zYt8CE

December 19, 2017 /Julie Harris Oliver
women in film, women in tv, webseries, broken hearts division, film & TV, digital content, digital marketing, writers, showrunner, producer, actor, acting
Comedy, Commercials, Digital content, Diversity, entertainment, Film & TV, hollywood, Independent Film, investment, webseries, women, Writers
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Episode 77: Women in Entertainment Summit 2017

November 21, 2017 by Julie Harris Oliver in AFI, Comedy, animation, Commercials, DGA, Digital content, Diversity, documentary, Editorial, entertainment, entrepreneur, Film & TV, film festivals, hollywood, Independent Film, investment, LGBT, Music Videos, PGA, Politics, PTSD, theatre, webseries, WGA, women, Writers

Patty Jenkins talks with WIE Co-Founder Gretchen McCourt  

On November 2nd, I went to the third annual Women In Entertainment Summit.  I love this event.

The day started out with Geena Davis. The Geena Davis Institute for Gender in Media Studies has provided a heap of data surrounding women and girls in media. She presented some data on the day, and as usual, representation of women on screen and behind the scenes are still dismally small.  There are some very easy fixes however, and this is a point that really resonated with a lot of people.

She told us that Media can actually fix the problem is has created.

There was a also a lot of talk at the conference about the parts that we own - namely, confidence and advocacy. 

On the side, we talked about #metoo.

During the lunch break I caught up with McKenna Koon and Dana Kelly who both work at FullScreen, and I talked with Shirley Davis, EVP of Production at Alcon Entertainment.

On this episode I share a lot of the high points and inspiration from the day – from women such as Geena Davis, Victoria Mahoney, Dee Rees, Jordyn Wieber, Christine Simmons, Gabrielle Carteris and Greta Gerwig.

It was a great day, and this is but a tip of the iceberg.

And my must see films list from the summit: LadyBird, Mudbound, Fear Us Women

November 21, 2017 /Julie Harris Oliver
women in tv, women in film, directing, diversity, digital content, DGA, film & TV, documentaries, filmmakers, women's conference, women's summit
AFI, Comedy, animation, Commercials, DGA, Digital content, Diversity, documentary, Editorial, entertainment, entrepreneur, Film & TV, film festivals, hollywood, Independent Film, investment, LGBT, Music Videos, PGA, Politics, PTSD, theatre, webseries, WGA, women, Writers
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Episode 76: Allison Rhone, Tribeca Film Festival

November 14, 2017 by Julie Harris Oliver in Digital content, Diversity, documentary, Film & TV, hollywood, Independent Film, women, film festivals

Allison is the Director of Audience and Social Media at Tribeca Enterprises which runs the Tribeca Film Festival. She came up through social media marketing and communications before landing this, her dream job.

Consuming content is part of her job and she is passionate about it. We are living in these times of a constant national conversation, which is unprecedented, and which we should use for good. She is doing her part for diversity, inclusion, and representation while sometimes being the only person of color in the room.

We spoke during the same week as the tragedy in Charlottesville, so that definitely impacted our conversation.

 

November 14, 2017 /Julie Harris Oliver
women in tv, women in film, tribeca film festival, independent film, diversity, Tribeca Film Festival
Digital content, Diversity, documentary, Film & TV, hollywood, Independent Film, women, film festivals
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Episode 75: The Ladies Who Podcast

November 07, 2017 by Julie Harris Oliver in Diversity, entertainment, entrepreneur, Film & TV, hollywood, women

This week I did something completely different and was a guest on someone else’s podcast! “The Ladies Who” podcast is a show out of New Orleans hosted by three lovely ladies, Christa, Beth and Bishop – who also, it should be noted, work in Entertainment.  They invited me into their Red Tent for a chat.

We talked about the origins of The Other 50% and what is going on in the zeitgeist about women.  They also heard the call early last year and knew that it was the time for the ladies to start talking!

We talked about the #metoo of it all, and raising kids, and the themes that have come up during the run of The Other 50% - a Herstory of Hollywood.

And game shows. As you do.

This was really fun, they are great, and I think you will enjoy the conversation.

You can find them here: The Ladies Who.  Add them to your podcast subscription list.

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November 07, 2017 /Julie Harris Oliver
working women, women in tv, women in film, women podcasters, diversity, new orleans, podcasting, women in entertainment, me too, mothers, girls, sexism, sexual harassment
Diversity, entertainment, entrepreneur, Film & TV, hollywood, women
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Episode 71: Myah Hollis, Writer, Producer, Actor

October 24, 2017 by Julie Harris Oliver in Diversity, Digital content, entertainment, Film & TV, webseries, Writers, women

Myah is a Writer/Producer/Actor.  She recently released her webseries called Or Die Trying.  Watch it here.  It’s really good.

She says you can’t enter the entertainment industry without people throwing the likelihood of your failure in your face.  And yet, she persisted.

I’m glad she did.  This is a woman who is going places.

And Twilight.  Can we just talk about Twilight?!

October 24, 2017 /Julie Harris Oliver
women in film, women in tv, independent film, webseries, digital content, diversity, Or Die Trying, writers
Diversity, Digital content, entertainment, Film & TV, webseries, Writers, women
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Episode 66: Lee Jessup, Career Coach and Consultant for Screenwriters

October 03, 2017 by Julie Harris Oliver in Comedy, Diversity, entertainment, Film & TV, hollywood, Independent Film, WGA, women, Writers, Consulting, Coaching

Lee is a Career Coach and Consultant for Screenwriters. She is also an accomplished author with 2 books under her belt. She coaches writers through entering the Hollywood machine and climbing the ladder, and mentors established writers as they identify and then reach their next goal post.  She got into this field because her clients made her.  They demanded and she supplied. Talk about finding your true purpose.

She has such delicious perspective on this industry.  If you don’t fill your personal well of joy and life, you will have nothing to draw upon to create your art.  Being the tortured artist is actually optional, and really not necessary.

You can have it all, “even while female,” and you should not start eliminating things because you think you have to in order to make it.  In her words, that’s bullsh**.

You must have community, you must believe in yourself, and you must do the work.

And how unfair is it that her father, an accomplished Producer, refused to engage in nepotism?!

You can find Lee here:  http://leejessup.com/

October 03, 2017 /Julie Harris Oliver
writers, women in tv, women in film, gender equality, coach, consulting, WGA
Comedy, Diversity, entertainment, Film & TV, hollywood, Independent Film, WGA, women, Writers, Consulting, Coaching
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Episode 59: Melissa Harper, SVP Production

August 22, 2017 by Julie Harris Oliver in Diversity, entertainment, Film & TV, hollywood, Independent Film, women

Melissa is the SVP of Physical Production at Starz. And like many in this town, she started out as an actor. It’s actually excellent training for life – as is waiting tables – which goes with pursuing acting. She worked her way up producing films until she went in house and rose to the top of the production ladder.

She has sage advice for all of us…such as take every opportunity that is presented.  You never know what may happen, and the joy of life is in the unexpected journey. And if you have a dream – pursue it.  Don’t end your life full of regrets as to what might have been.

And let’s take a little pressure off of mothering and perfection. Amen to that!

And gratitude is everything.

August 22, 2017 /Julie Harris Oliver
working women, women in tv, women in film, gender equality, Starz, theatre, acting, producer, production executive
Diversity, entertainment, Film & TV, hollywood, Independent Film, women
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Episode 56: Anabella Casanova, Producer, Director

August 01, 2017 by Julie Harris Oliver in Comedy, Digital content, Diversity, documentary, entertainment, Film & TV, hollywood, Politics, webseries, women

Anabella is a Producer and Director and she owns a production company with her husband called Vacation Theory.  Her eyes were opened young to socio-economic differences and social justice issues.  She realized early that real change happens with the people and what shapes people is the stories we tell and the art we consume. She wanted to be a part of the storytelling.

Here is some great advice: develop an artisan skill to leverage against the thing you want to do. That means learn a craft to get into the room to gain the influence to get the job you want. In other words, your day job should be on set, not at a coffee shop.

Serious, smart and curious goes a long way. Soak up everything you can from that first job.  You are getting way more out of it than what are you being paid.

And Anabella’s driving priority – be a good human first and create a life.

As for feminism, let’s bring femininity back to feminism – we’ll unpack that.

And my cat makes a cameo. Welcome to my home studio.

You can see some of Anabella's work here:  That's What She Said and That's What He Said. And her company is here:  www.vacationtheory.com.

August 01, 2017 /Julie Harris Oliver
women in film, women in tv, webseries, WIF, producer, director, Directing, film & TV, feminism, gender equality
Comedy, Digital content, Diversity, documentary, entertainment, Film & TV, hollywood, Politics, webseries, women
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Episode 55: Heather Cappiello, Director

July 25, 2017 by Julie Harris Oliver in DGA, Diversity, entertainment, Film & TV, hollywood, women

Heather is a Director. Her TV directing credits include Freakish, Madam Secretary, Criminal Minds, Blue Bloods, and Saving Grace with Holly Hunter. Before transitioning to Director, she was a sought-after Script Supervisor for many years.  Think Six Feet Under, Carnivále, Huff, Monk, Being Mary Jane, etc., etc. Her initial training was in theatre. She is the real deal.

She says that script supervising is the best day job that leads to directing.  And how could it not be?  You’re sitting next to all the directors for the best master class you can have.

We talked about steeling your courage to throw your hat in the ring, balancing your life and family, and how TV directing is a G*dd*&$n spiritual practice.

July 25, 2017 /Julie Harris Oliver
DGA, women in tv, women in film, working women, theatre, television, single mothers, WIF, director, Directing
DGA, Diversity, entertainment, Film & TV, hollywood, women
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Episode 54: Kate Mines, Actor

July 18, 2017 by Julie Harris Oliver in Comedy, daytime drama, Digital content, Diversity, entertainment, Film & TV, hollywood, PGA, soap opera, webseries, women

Kate is an actor.  And a writer and producer. She recently created and produced the series called Dropping the Soap that can be seen on Amazon. Her other acting credits include Doubt, American Crime, Gilmore Girls, Grey’s Anatomy, The Mindy Project, The Mentalist…all the shows you love. She was in the scene where Denny got his heart transplant on Grey’s. Say no more.  I’m a fan.

She produced Dropping the Soap in part to get exposure doing comedy.  Which she did.  Jane Lynch is in it too by the way, along with a lot of other faces you will recognize.

She gives a lot of great advice about producing and about acting.  For acting – know your place and be a good guest.  If you are invited to a dinner party, bring a lovely bottle of wine, don’t lug in the entrée.  And when producing, ask. Have good material, and they will show up.

And all the real networking happens at school.

July 18, 2017 /Julie Harris Oliver
women in tv, webseries, SAG, acting, producer, writers, Jane Lynch, Kate Mines, comedy, digital content, amazon
Comedy, daytime drama, Digital content, Diversity, entertainment, Film & TV, hollywood, PGA, soap opera, webseries, women
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Episode 53: Charlie Gelbart, Actor, Writer, Producer, Director

July 11, 2017 by Julie Harris Oliver in Comedy, Digital content, Diversity, documentary, entertainment, Film & TV, hollywood, webseries, women

Charlie is an actor, writer, producer and director. She recently created, produced, directed and starred in a web series called The Charlie Orange Show. You can watch it here.  She plays three different characters in her woman-on-the-street hidden camera series.  She likes to push the envelope as far as she can and capture people’s honest reactions. This is all in service of seeking human connection and creating deeper empathy. 

Charlie just won Best Director at the London Independent Film Awards. Pretty rad.

And she majored in finance because it was easy. Go figure.

July 11, 2017 /Julie Harris Oliver
Charlie Orange, women in film, women in tv, IOWest, Second City, webseries, Fat Barbie, Brenda the Bride, accounting, actor, writers, director, producer
Comedy, Digital content, Diversity, documentary, entertainment, Film & TV, hollywood, webseries, women
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Episode 52: Lane Allison, Actor, Writer, Producer, Director

July 04, 2017 by Julie Harris Oliver in Comedy, Digital content, Diversity, entertainment, Film & TV, hollywood, webseries, women

Lane is an actor, writer, producer and director. First, let me tell you she is in a play that you should go see – Welcome to your Alternative Reality.  Here’s the link. I went last weekend and loved it.  Theatre in LA is alive and well.

Lane just wrote, produced, directed and starred in a pilot called After Pluto.  Watch it here.

Here’s the thing: more and more women are now writing complex female characters for themselves and are producing the shows and putting them out there. I think it’s an incredible revolution.

Risk, fail, risk again.

Lane leaned in big time. And she is a delight.  And if you happen to cast for animation, have a listen to this voice!

And as I have oft suspected, there is something to marrying your college sweetheart.

July 04, 2017 /Julie Harris Oliver
working women, women in tv, women in film, webseries, after pluto, independent film, writers, Directing, producer
Comedy, Digital content, Diversity, entertainment, Film & TV, hollywood, webseries, women
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Episode 51: Bri Castellini, Writer, Producer, Director, Actor

June 27, 2017 by Julie Harris Oliver in Comedy, Digital content, Diversity, entertainment, Film & TV, hollywood, webseries, women

Bri is an award-winning indie film and web series writer, producer, actress and director.  And her day job is as the Community Liaison at Stareable, a web series community. She is of the generation that is creating their own content, putting it out in the world, and getting lots of accolades and attention. I gotta say, I love that.  It’s ballsy and brave.

We talked about faking it until you make it, finding real confidence, and embracing your femininity.

And show business is mostly jazz hands.

You can find more about Bri here.

June 27, 2017 /Julie Harris Oliver
women in film, webseries, women in tv, film & TV, digital content, digital marketing
Comedy, Digital content, Diversity, entertainment, Film & TV, hollywood, webseries, women
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Episode 45: Kat Coiro, Director

May 16, 2017 by Julie Harris Oliver in AFI, DGA, Diversity, entertainment, Film & TV, hollywood, women, WGA

Kat is a Film, TV and Commercial Director.  For this, I call her a unicorn. She started as an actor but started to realize she wanted to have more influence on the final product. Kat went on to make a short with Funny or Die, where Janeane Garofalo told her to "stop f**&^%ing apologizing!" Oh, to have Janeane Garofalo yell at you!

Later she wrote and directed a beautiful film called And While We Were Here.  You can find it on Hulu.  It really is gorgeous. And she did it with no money. In Italy. While pregnant.  That is badass.

Currently, she is directing television - all your favorite shows, The Mick, Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce, and Alone Together.

She tells us her journey in directing, the state of women in the business, and what inspires her.

And, it turns out you can get big female stars to show up for your tiny shoot if you just ask them to act in a scene with another woman. With dialogue. This is the revolution.

And of course...preparation, preparation, preparation.

May 16, 2017 /Julie Harris Oliver
women in film, women in tv, working women, gender equality, DGA, director, Directing, diversity, film & TV, independent film, The Mick, Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce
AFI, DGA, Diversity, entertainment, Film & TV, hollywood, women, WGA
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