Tag: Black TV Writers

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BTFC in Solidarity: WGA Strike Info Session

You asked for a deep dive into the WGA Strike – we made it happen!

Are you a non-union writer concerned about what the strike means for you?

Confused about whether you can #MakeYourWork without becoming a scab?

Concerned about the future of equity for writers in Hollywood?

On Friday, May 12th at 12 PM PT, join the Black TV & Film Collective virtually as we discuss the WGA Strike and how it affects us all!

This conversation features WGA members – Hilliard Guess and Barrett Helms.

Bring your questions and concerns to this info session and get the information you need to navigate the WGA strike.

Meet Hilliard Guess

Hilliard Guess was born in Detroit, raised in the ‘hood near San Francisco, youngest of five in a family pegged “The Cosby Show in the Ghetto.” Hilliard’s a fun, 80s style MOD/Rudeboy/Afro Punk with a knack for writing underdog/redemption stories in the bio, music, horror or murder-death-kill world. His knowledge of the craft and instinct for unique, flawed characters have won him attention or awards at Sundance, Nicholls Fellowship, Scriptapalooza, The PAGE Awards and NEXTV, to list a few.

Hilliard was a writer on the Russo Bros action SYFY series DEADLY CLASS and is an EP on the new rotating genres Digital Series TICKER. He keeps the lights on as an “assignment writer” and is busy developing TV & Film projects for some top producers in town. He serves on the following WGAW Committees: Co-Chair – Committee of Black Writers (w/Michelle Amor & Bianca Samms), Co-Chair – The Education Committee (w/Showrunner Jeff Melvoin) and he’s also a member of the LGBTQ+, Latinx and Genre Committees.

You can also find Hilliard on the cover and featured in the popular iTunes book “THE TOP 100 INDIE WRITERS IN THE WORLD.” Through his company Hilldog Productions, he produces TV Pilots, Films, POC’s, Shorts, Digital Series and Music/Historical Documentaries.

Hilliard also interviews A-List writers at the WGAW Theater, 3rd & Fairfax Podcast and his very own Screenwriter’s Rant Room

Twitter: @HilliardGuess @ScreenwritersRR

#MakeYourWork

Join us at the WGA Strike Info Session to get the information you need to #MakeYourWork! 

This event will NOT be recorded.

Need help? Contact [email protected]!

Interested in becoming a member? Sign up for our BTFC Membership HERE! 

Follow us on Instagram @BlackTVFilmCollective

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BTFC Producer’s Circle

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! On Wednesday, May 10th at 7 PM ET, join the Black TV & Film Collective virtually for the relaunching of our Producer’s Circle!

This event is open to ALL (member or not) so you don’t want to miss the opportunity to connect and build with people across the country!

We are gathering together to support the needs of producers to address:

➤ the development process

➤ best practices for pitching a project

➤ tips and strategies to for production from pre to post

➤ marketing the life of a project

➤ and more

Whatever your end goals, this circle of producers is here to help you achieve success.

Producer’s Circle

Producing can be a lonely and isolating journey so our on-going circle is how we ensure that each producer within our ranks feels supported. You join the collective because our goal is to make sure our members “MAKE THEIR WORK,” so this is not only a space of learning and collective problem-solving to overcome resource challenges and production-related issues in an intimate and value-add way.

Led by seasoned producers, our Producers Circle is a vital community and energy giving environment that you need if you want to take your project over the finish line.

#MakeYourWork

Join us at the Producer’s Circle and get the information and inspiration you need to #MakeYourWork! RSVP today!

This inaugural Producer’s Circle Open to Members and Non-Members.

Need help? Contact [email protected]!

Interested in becoming a member? Sign up for our BTFC Membership HERE! 

Follow us on Instagram @BlackTVFilmCollective

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BTFC New Member Orientation

Join us VIRTUALLY on Sat. May 6th at 1:30 PM ET for New Member Orientation!

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet fellow members, share your ideas, and become better informed about the BTFC! If you have not yet signed up for membership but want to learn more, you’re welcome to join us!

The Black TV & Film Collective holds member orientation because we want to ensure that members new and old are aware of simple, easy steps you can take to maximize your membership. Now that you’ve joined our organization (or are considering joining), we want to make sure you both know the tools and resources that are available to you, and how to use them. This BTFC orientation session is important to ensure that you understand the process for seeking and lending help. We want to hear what you seek to gain from your membership and encourage you to jump right in and get involved. We also want you to meet each other!

If you haven’t had a chance to explore the BTFC website, take some time to review it. Come to our member orientation with an open mind and come with ideas on ways to make the BTFC better serve your needs!

➤ Staple BTFC professional development events

➤ The BTFC Member Database

➤ Ways to stay informed and connected with other members

➤ Ways to get involved

We’re looking forward to meeting you and helping you move forward in your creative journey!

See you soon!

Need help? Contact [email protected]!

Interested in becoming a member? Sign up for our BTFC Membership HERE! 

Follow us on Instagram @BlackTVFilmCollective

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BTFC New Member Orientation

Join us virtually on Saturday, January 7th at 1:30 PM ET for New Member Orientation! Don’t miss this opportunity to meet fellow members, share your ideas, and become better informed about the BTFC! If you have not yet signed up for membership but want to or want to learn more, you’re welcome to join us!

The Black TV & Film Collective holds member orientation because we want to ensure that members new and old are aware of simple, easy steps you can take to maximize your membership.  Now that you’ve joined our organization (or are considering joining), we want to make sure you both know the tools and resources that are available to you, and how to use them.

This BTFC orientation session is important to ensure that you understand the process for seeking and lending help. We want to hear what you seek to gain from your membership and encourage you to jump right in and get involved. We also want you to meet each other!

Come to our member orientation with an open mind and come with ideas on ways to make the BTFC better serve your needs!

 

We’re looking forward to walking you through:

  • – Staple BTFC professional development events
  • – The BTFC calendar
  • – Ways to stay informed and connected
  • – Ways to get involved

 

 

Let’s work together to help you move forward in your creative journey! See you soon! 

Like this event? Check out other upcoming events and member opportunities.

Need help? Contact [email protected]!

Interested in becoming a member? Sign up for our BTFC Membership! www.blacktvfilmcollective.org/join

Follow us on Instagram @BlackTVFilmCollective

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The BTFC Presents The Download LIVE in New York

*Seats are limited. No tickets will be sold at the door. Vaccination required, masks are optional*.

On Friday, October 28th at 4:00 PM ET, join us for another edition of The Download LIVE at the Urbanworld Film Festival in New York City!

The BTFC and the Urbanworld Film Festival are partnering up to host a conversation that highlights the multiverse of paths creatives can take to build a career in TV & Film. 

Meet Our Moderator

Okema T. Moore is an Emmy Nominated, PGA producer and rising director. She produced the narrative 2019 ABFF winner Little Apple, and The Future is Then, which was a Tribeca N.O.W. 2019 selection. She has directed and produced branded content for clients including Lifetime, Netflix, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, FOX, and Disney/Marvel. Her most recent work includes docs The Color of Care (OWN), UNLADYLIKE (PBS/American Masters) and Klutch Academy (BET), as well as culinary hits The Kitchen and Beat Bobby Flay (Food Network). She Showran and Directed her first series in 2021, Hella Late! with Hollie Harper (BRIC TV), and was a finalist in this year’s Blackhouse Producer’s Lab, as well as a semifinalist Stowe Story Lab Diverse Voices Fellowship, the Commercial Diversity Director’s Program and The Sundance Producer’s Track for 2022. In 2021 Okema was a Fellow for Minority in FILM’s inaugural 2021 Branded Lab for directors while helping to run the Black TV & Film Collective’s Black Producer Fellowship. Okema serves on the boards of both The Black TV & Film Collective Board of Directors and NY Women in Film & TV and is committed to continuing to lift while she climbs to build up womxn, queer, IPOC and Black creatives.

Meet Our Panelists

Luis G. Santos

Luis G. Santos was born and raised in the Bronx, NY to a hustler business-man Father and a white-collar worker Mother who’s a closeted writer. As a child, Luis observed his father’s strong business acumen by day, & snuck around the house to find his mother’s beautiful-yet-hidden writings at night. This juxtaposition is what sparked Luis’ obsession with developing a strong business sense and his never-ending dedication to perfecting his artistic craft.

While writing & directing his own short films in hopes of developing projects for TV & FILM, Luis climbed the corporate ladder – starting an internship at 72&sunny and later producing at Mother NY, McCan, & VEVO. This collection of experiences has helped Luis attain a deep understanding of how to excel as a director, writer, and producer in Film, TV, & Commercial productions while also enabling him to properly understand the corporate structure firsthand. Luis has also carved a lane for himself in the Music & Live entertainment spaces, directing work for artists such as Future, Jessie Reyes, Pusha T, Latto, & many more.

Artesia Balthrop

For over a decade, Brooklyn‐bred film/television/video producer Artesia Balthrop has racked up a laundry list of credits working on a variety of projects at flagship media brands like VH1 (Hip Hop Honors, Storytellers, The Great Debate), Bravo (Kandi Factory), TLC (Next Great Baker); E! (Kourtney and Kim Take New York); Essence magazine’s award-winning website ESSENCE.com, and with JAY-Z on his award nominated YouTube channel, Life + Times. Her present works finds line producing for Comedy Central’s Hell Of A Week w Charlamagne Tha God and Eyes On The Prize (HBO). She has also Executive Produced the independent short African BootyScratcher (2008, dir. Nikyatu Jusu); which premiered at the American Black Film Festival and was licensed by HBO for their Black history month collection. She also produced the viral documentary Where I’m From on JAY Z’s inaugural concert series to open the Barclays Arena. Ms. Balthrop attended Duke University, where she majored in Public Policy. In her teens, she learned to embrace key Quaker values like simplicity, equality and community by attending The Brooklyn Friends School. She now imbues her visual projects with similar ideals, and is a staunch proponent of using film and television as a storytelling tool.

The Download

Offered multiple times a year, The Download is a special virtual guest conversation series hosted by the Black TV & Film Collective. It features impactful filmmakers who provide insider knowledge to help Black creatives do their work.

First, our guest participates in a 1:1 conversation with our host about their journey and current career.

Then, we provide selected BTFC members with an opportunity to take a seat at the table with our guests and ask questions and advice of this industry veteran. In turn, our members are provided with an opportunity to engage in conversation with someone whose career might inspire them. Those who attend are also further encouraged and motivated to make their work! Recent guests on The Download have included Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, Charlene Polite Corley, the editing team of A Black Lady Sketch Show and Janine Sherman Barrois. 

#MakeYourWork

Join us at this edition of The Download and get the information and inspiration you need to #MakeYourWork! RSVP today!

Questions? Contact [email protected].

Interested in becoming a member? Sign up for our BTFC Membership!

*Seats are limited. No tickets will be sold at the door. Vaccination required, masks are optional*.

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BTFC End of Summer Mixer: Los Angeles

*Seats are limited; RSVP today to secure your spot for this exclusive event! * Vaccination is required.

The BTFC will beLIVE in Los Angelesfor the first time! Come mix and mingle with us on Saturday, September 17th at 3 PM PT at the Blackbird Collective for an evening of great conversation and networking.

 

Your ticket covers hors d’oeuvres catered by award-winning celebrity chef, Chef Qwith a tasteful selection of wines by 1010 Wines, a Black woman-owned wine company!

AND… we have BIG NEWS!

This mixer will feature members of ourADVISORY BOARDfor our very first LIVE session ofThe Download! 

If you’ve ever attended The Download, you know the line-up for this one will be INCREDIBLE!

Get ready to:

– Mingle and network with the Black TV & Film Collective team, board and members

– Learn more about upcoming programs and initiatives at the BTFC

– Gain insight and information from industry veterans

– Enjoy great food and great company

The Download LIVE: Activate Your Passion, Make Your Work

Meet our Panelists

Hilliard Guess is a writer/producer who has written on shows such as The Russo Bros SYFY series DEADLY CLASS and was recently the EP/Showrunner of the digital series TICKER (winner Best Series at the 2021 World International Film Festival). He has made a name for himself in the indie world and has built a strong career that’s made him invaluable, from managing sets and productions, in numerous writers/development rooms and producing TV/Film from script-to-screen.

Currently, Hilliard is the Director of Development at Showrunner Ben Watkins Blue Monday Productions. He is a powerful voice in the writing community, promoting BIPOC writers and inclusion and dedicates his time to the WGAW Co-Chair – Committee of Black Writers (he co-penned the viral article DEAR HOLLYWOOD ), serves as Co-chair of The Writers Education Committee and is also a member of the LGBTQ+, Latinx and Genre Committees.

Hilliard is building a name for himself across social media as the longtime host/moderator of the popular Screenwriter’s Rant Room, as well as the WGAW 3rd & Fairfax podcasts where he interviews A-list writer/producers from a long list of our favorite films and TV shows.

D. Woods has performed throughout the U.S. and internationally in Johannesburg South Africa, trained at the Alvin Ailey School, New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts Acting Program and Study Abroad Dance Program in Havana Cuba. D. Woods received her Bachelor of Arts in Individualized Study through NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. She performed and toured with major recording artists and appeared in music videos, and ultimately became a household name in the pop/R&B group Danity Kane, songwriting and contributing creatively to both of the group’s multi-platinum albums. In 2009 D. Woods launched her independent label WOODGRANE ENTERTAINMENT, releasing music and producing live performances and visual content.

Returning to her theatrical roots, D. Woods has been featured in many Film/TV, Off Broadway and Broadway theater productions such as; acclaimed film BLACKBIRD by Patrick Ian Polk, , HOLLA IF YOU HEAR ME directed by Kenny Leon, her semi-autobiographical One Woman show “MY FAVORITE COLOR: Trouble in Paradise”, TALES on BET and most recently the seven-time TONY AWARD nominated Broadway revival of Ntzoke Shange’s ‘for colored girls…” Audiences can now see D. Woods the ALL BLACK streaming network series STUCK WITH YOU and Yha Mourhia Wright’s new film “DON’T BE DESPERATE”. Stream her latest music release CALL IT QUITS, available on all digital music platforms.

Denzel Whittaker

Born in Torrance, CA, Denzel Whitaker is best known for his award-winning role in THE GREAT DEBATERS, performing opposite his namesakes Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker. Denzel has also graced the screen in film and TV fan favorites like BLACK PANTHER, CUT THROAT CITY, THE PURGE TV SERIES, WARRIOR, U SHOOT VIDEOS?, ABDUCTION, and TRAINING DAY.

In 2011, Denzel began developing his skillset behind the camera. Since then, he’s worked 5 years at Cartoon Network on hit shows including BOONDOCKS and BLACK DYNAMITE, became a published fashion photographer, and the music videos he’s directed have garnered millions of views.

Denzel founded his production company, BLACKMOUF, in 2013. His latest project, 5150, won SeriesFest’s Audience Award for Best Drama Pilot, and was selected for Tribeca Now and HollyShorts Film Festival. Directed and co-written by Denzel, 5150 stars Jovan Adepo, is executive produced by David Oyelowo, and is currently being developed as a TV series.

Don’t miss out! You want to be in the room with heavy hitters and up-and-coming filmmakers in the film industry!

Come dressed to impress! We look forward to seeing you there!

This event is open to all. 

Members, contact [email protected] for your discount code. 

Please Note: Tickets will NOT be sold at the door. Tickets are transferable, not refundable.

Proof of vaccination will be required in order to attend this indoor event. Masks are optional.

Interested in becoming a member of the BTFC? Visit www.blacktvfilmcollective.org/join