Join the Celebration: Women in Film & Video Turns 45!

Women in Film & Video (WIFV) is turning 45! To mark the occasion, there’s going to be a big dance party on Friday, September 13. In this episode, host Sandra Abrams chats with WIFV Board President Connie St. John to learn more about the organization and the celebration. They discuss how this amazing non-profit got started back in 1979, how it serves a diverse visual media community, and why you should come to the party. St. John also explains many of the wonderful membership benefits including funding options for media projects and networking opportunities available here in the DMV! If you’re not already a member, you’ll want to join this supportive community of creative media makers, no matter your experience level, and whether you work in front of or behind the lens.

You can buy tickets to our 1970s & 80s costume-themed 45th anniversary party, which will be held at metrobar in DC, here: WIFV Dance Party

To learn more about Connie’s production company: No Weapon Production

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We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

Transcript

00:01 - VO (Host)
Quiet on the set All together. 

00:06 - VO (Host)
And action. Welcome to Media Maker Spotlight from Women in Film and Video in Washington DC. We bring you conversations with industry professionals for behind-the-screens insight and inspiration insight and inspiration. 

00:30 - Sandra (Host)
Women in Film and Video. Dc, also known as WIF, is celebrating a big birthday this year and we're having a big party to celebrate. September marks our 45th year since we started. To learn more about how we got here and the party. I'm your host, sandra Abrams, and in this episode I'm chatting with Connie St John, the president of this amazing organization. Connie's going to share some history about WIF, how we are celebrating this major milestone and how you can get tickets to the September party. Connie's also here to explain all the wonderful membership benefits, including how WIF can help you navigate the funding issue for your project. 

01:12
So a little bit more about Connie. She has been a media industry executive for many years and I read. You did publicity for Columbia TriStar. You worked for Turner in Atlanta. You managed PR for Oprah Winfrey. You've written over 100 stage plays and skits. You founded your own company, no Weapon Productions, in 1999. You've had several short films that have been screened at the Cannes Film Festival Wow. So I just want to say welcome to the WIF Podcast. Connie Media Maker Spotlight. Thank you for being here. 

01:49 - Connie (Guest)
Thank you so much, Sandra. I'm so happy to be here. 

01:52 - Sandra (Host)
Now I mentioned in your bio, you've been in LA, you've been in Atlanta, you've been in Chicago. How did you end up in the DMV? 

01:59 - Connie (Guest)
Oh, my goodness, I moved here the first time for love, and I was engaged. 

02:07 - Sandra (Host)
I think we've all can relate to that story. We've all moved somewhere for love. 

02:12 - Connie (Guest)
Yes For love. Yes, that was short-lived. However, I fell in love immediately with DC. I fell in love. I became a convention planner when I was here the first time and then started getting into event production, which led me into television production, but I loved it. I love DC, I love that you have your finger, we have our finger on the pulse of the world in this area and it doesn't feel like any other place that I've lived and I've lived in a lot of places. So I came back again in 2019 from Los Angeles. So I moved here shortly before the pandemic and I'm so glad I was here closer to family, which is, you know, around this area, midwest and East. So I've been back for five years. 

02:58 - Sandra (Host)
And now you're leading your company no Weapon Production. Tell us, how did you get that name? 

03:11 - Connie (Guest)
So no Weapon Productions comes from a scripture actually in the Bible that says it's Isaiah 54, 17, no weapon against man shall prosper. And there's a song also by an artist named Fred Hammond that is called no Weapon, and I love the song, I love the scripture and it just makes me feel empowered. So our production company is family friendly. It doesn't have gratuitous sex violence or profanity. It doesn't mean it doesn't have any, it's just not gratuitous, because even you know sex violence and profanity is in the Bible. So we're not trying to skip it, but everything we do has a family-friendly or change-your-life element to it for the better. And so people don't know. If they don't know scripture, they don't know no weapon productions comes from the Bible. So they think it's about not having weapons. So the no-gun advocate people they're like oh that's great, that name. 

04:11 - Sandra (Host)
Fine, perfect, for whatever reason, you love it. I'm glad you love it. Well, thank you for sharing that. I know that scripture it's one of my favorites, so, but speaking of being in power, that's what I think WIF does. It empowers us as media makers, so, but I wanted to hear from you how would you describe WIF to somebody that's not familiar with our nonprofit? 

04:29 - Connie (Guest)
Well, that's a really great question. So I heard about WIF, this organization, and there are WIF organizations around the country and they're not, they're not part of one umbrella, they're not chapters, they're their own, separate 501c3s. I think my feed had barely touched the ground here in DC when I was approached from a fellow filmmaker, a woman who's on the board, manda Webb, who told me about WIF and she immediately said got to be part of this. What I love about WIF and what I tell people is it is a filmmaker, media makers community. It's supportive, it gives you education, it gives it shares networking events You'll find jobs through with, you'll find people that you need to hire through with, so it really is an empowering community. 

05:19
We advocate for parody in front of and behind the camera, and it's such a spectacular organization. What I love most about it because I am, as I said, familiar with some of the other WIF organizations this one is all about collaboration. No one feels like an opportunity that they share with you is something that they're losing for themselves. So they meet you and they think about what you're doing and they say you know what? I have somebody you need to meet. That's unique to this region and it's one of the things I love most about WIF and why I encourage people to join. If they're in the media making world at all, they should be part of it, because they will immediately be part of a big family. 

06:01 - Sandra (Host)
Well, given the fact that WIF is that collaborative and there's always somebody here, this year we're celebrating our 45th year we've been in existence, so that speaks to what we're doing something right and I think it started back in 1979. It started in someone's kitchen table, or maybe it was in someone's living room, but maybe you can speak a little bit more to the history about with that you've learned. 

06:28 - Connie (Guest)
And it is a journey. I learn more and more every day. To be honest with you, every time I think I got it. I know all there is to know there's another, no way we did that kind of thing. So I think that's pretty awesome. 

06:41
I know my understanding is that it did start in the living room of a group of powerful women who were in the media making field, one of whom is part of our 45th anniversary committee and her name is Michael Carr, and we talk a lot about how can you imagine creating, creating something and being able to watch it grow beyond you? And she's still involved, but it's not dependent upon her. They created something lasting and so it started there and then just grew and grew. Because, of course, there were people in the industry who were interested in being part of it. They were happy to pay a membership fee and say I want to be part of that team that's doing this thing. There's a group that's helping other female media makers and filmmakers in this region. I'm there and it then just grew and grew and grew, and I love it. 

07:39 - Sandra (Host)
Well, as I said, we're having a big party to celebrate and you're leading this committee, so tell us how are we going to be celebrating 45 years of being in existence? 

07:51 - Connie (Guest)
Well, you know, we really started already celebrating, just I mean, as soon as the calendar turned to January 1st. We started celebrating Earlier this year, in May, we had Women of Vision Awards and that was a little bit of the kickoff as well for the 45th anniversary. Our official anniversary is September. So in September, on Friday the 13th, september 13th, we are having a big dance party celebration at a location called Metro Bar in Northeast DC. We are so excited. I mean it's going to be experiential, we're going to dance, we're going to wear costumes, we have giveaways, there are our trivia contests. I'm excited to share that. We have a sponsor, a national sponsor. Mattel is giving us. I know some women in film Barbies and some fashionista Barbies, because their career doll of the year is a women in film Barbie. So they are happy to support us. So we're going to have a ball at this event. It is specifically designed to be fun. It's a celebration and so it's different. The Women of Vision Awards is a more elegant, lovely evening where we honor three to four amazing trailblazers in the industry, and it's done very elegantly. It was at the National Museum of Women in the Arts and it was so spectacular. But then we got to say and bring your costumes, come prepared to dance. We're celebrating 45 years in September, so that's the kickoff. 

09:22
Really, the celebration at Metro Bar is the kickoff event, but all year long for our 45th anniversary year, we'll be having celebrations. We'll be having impactful panels. We're going to have four panels between September of 24 and September of 25 about issues that face the industry. These will be media panels as well. We'll invite media to come and let our women, our amazing, accomplished women, speak to issues of concern for media makers in the area and beyond. And that is just going to be. It's part of our year. It's to talk about impact. So first we'll celebrate and then we'll drive home the impact that WIF has had, has had previously and continues to have. 

10:10 - Sandra (Host)
Well, I just want to, before we get more into about the impact that WIF has, I just want to ask about the dancing, all right and the costumes All right. If someone's listening to this, they're saying costumes what kind of costume? Because it's not yet Halloween. 

10:25 - Connie (Guest)
Well, it's a theme party. So it's a 70s, late 70s, early 80s dance party. So you wear something from the 70s or 80s. I don't even know what I'm wearing, even though I know a lot of people have already. They said I got my costume already and I'm so behind I don't know what I'm wearing. I think bell bottoms were a thing I don't know, but cause it's past poodle skirts, so don't go that far back. But you know, between bell bottoms and I think the 80s were leg warmer, so there are things between the 70s and the 80s and there will be a prize for best costume. So we'll have prizes for best costume. 

11:05
I don't remember all the dances from the 70s and 80s, but there were some. I think the robot was out back then. So we'll have some dance contests and that will be a lot of fun as well. So, yeah, look up Google. What were people wearing back in the 70s and 80s, wear that, wear that. And then, you know, learn one of those old dances and bring that to the table as well. It's going to be fun. 

11:25 - Sandra (Host)
All right, so tell us who can come. It's members. Is it open to people who are not members? 

11:35 - Connie (Guest)
members. Is it open to people who are not members? Oh, yes, yes, it is open to members and non-members alike. So there is a membership rate which is $45, because it's 45. And then the public rate I want to say is 60. I believe I should know it by heart, but I'm not a non-member, so I don't know for sure. But there is the membership rate. Just become a member and pay $45. So the $45 includes a free drink and I think we have a little bit of light refreshment. But there will be food trucks there for people to purchase their own, whatever they want to eat, as well as purchase more drinks. But one drink comes with your ticket price, as well as some of those really cool giveaways that we're having for the event. So, yes, members, I've already had my friends say I'm getting a ticket, and they're not even in the media making industry, they just support filmmakers, and so they're already buying their tickets. 

12:28 - Sandra (Host)
And where can people purchase tickets? Where on the website you go? 

12:32 - Connie (Guest)
to WIFVorg, click on the calendar and then go to September 13th and click the button and you can purchase your tickets right there. It's so easy WIFVorg, w-i-f-vorg, and then go to the calendar and go to the date September 13th. You can't forget the date Friday September 13th. 

12:52 - Sandra (Host)
But it's not going to be a bad day. It's going to be a wonderful celebration. 

12:56 - Connie (Guest)
It is it is we're going to have a ball. 

13:00 - Sandra (Host)
Well, I wanted to get back to talking about WIF itself, because it hasn't lasted this long without its wonderful members, but also its wonderful programs and benefits. And one of the things that you talked about was impact, and one of the things I think about with WIF is the fact that it offers professional development, you know, for people, and what's great about this area is the fact that we have students from American University, from Howard University, from George Mason, who can find information and get help them get started with their film career. But we also have people who worked for the government for 20 years and now retired. They're looking at their second career and they're saying I want to start doing voiceover work, I want to be an actor, I want to start researching a documentary film, and there's also resources to develop that second career as well. So maybe you could share a little bit more about what you're finding in terms of benefits. 

13:57 - Connie (Guest)
You know I love the fact that WIF is for both emerging, all the way through, highly experienced filmmakers and all ages and all genders. So you know, yes, we are there for parody in front of and behind the camera, with a focus on women. No question, it's in our name. But we have a. Yes, we are there for parody in front of and behind the camera, with a focus on women. No question, it's in our name. But we have a lot of men who are members as well. It's probably 70-30 in terms of percentages. But those men are allies. They want parody as well and the programs that we offer are for both. They're for emerging and experienced filmmakers. 

14:33
We have over 200 programs that we offer a year, in addition to networking opportunities and our flagship events that we host every year. The educational programs that we have they span listening to a filmmaker and learning their process, or an expert in a field, might be an editor, or it might be somebody who we've been getting things on consent and so it could be any topic. So it's from that to hands-on training. We have a production assistant training. That's two full days. We have Script DC that has programs throughout the year and then in the fall has a two and a half day intensive of masterclasses, and so our programming it is about professional development. So, and and you know, for me to have been in the industry for 30 years and still come and learn things, that's a big deal. That means it's not just for you know, it's not just. 

15:31
We do have a lot of student members, and that's wonderful. But somebody who, like, for instance, I'm a writer, director, but I really want to learn more about cinematography, so I take advantage of all those cinematography programs that we offer so I can learn more about what it looks like to look through the lens of it, as a DP would, and I love that I can come to WIF and get that training. So we have it all for our members. We have round tables which are really volunteer-led, member-led, on specific subjects. It might be editing, it might be writing. 

16:04
We're looking to start a composers one because we're starting to attract more composers in the area, which is exciting. And then we have other programs that are moderated by either our wonderful executive director, melissa Houghton, or a board member, that are a moderated conversation, or we have filmmakers present to the people who are observing and then leave room for questions and answers. So I love that the programming is not all done the same. It's not all. This is the format. So different formats for different people, which, of course, as media makers, we appreciate, because we learn differently, we create differently, which means that WIF has something for everybody. So the membership benefits are amazing. They really are. 

16:51 - Sandra (Host)
Well, speaking of one benefit that I think is unique to us and maybe other women in film organizations offer. But we have funding and grant opportunities, which I think is incredible. Especially we have a lot of documentary filmmakers and that can be one of the toughest issues is to get either a the seed money or to get something to even. You know you've already started your film, but then you want to finish your film. I know that there's also one of the things that we do. We have what's called the fiscal sponsorship and this is to support film and media projects for our members. Now, I do know the deadline is coming up that's October 21st but maybe you can speak a little bit more to the fiscal sponsorship. 

17:37 - Connie (Guest)
Absolutely, and I do want to comment on some of the things that you said. So we have a seed fund for documentary films. So if you're in the early stages, like you said, of making a film and you're a documentarian and it could be anything it could be you need help for research or to be. You know, you need a little extra money while you're doing research and taking those couple of weeks off work or whatever it might be. It could be to shoot early interviews or for your travel or just to make your rent while you're in the middle of the thing. 

18:04
We offer two of those a year. It's $2,500. We give them to two different and that's really amazing. It's an amazing opportunity for documentary filmmakers, for people like me who are narrative. We also have a short narrative film finishing fund and we've been doing that since 2018. The documentary seed fund has been since 2015. It used to be a financial grant that you would get, but now it's in-kind services that can be up to $15,000 worth of in-kind. It's color correction and graphics and titles and audio makes it's huge. 

18:44 - Sandra (Host)
It's huge. That is a really big deal for people because that when they get to a certain point where they need those other things that may not be in their wheelhouse, that can make a huge difference. 

18:55 - Connie (Guest)
It. Can, it really can we do one project per year for the finishing fund because of so much outlay from our partners, and so that's pretty amazing. It's pretty amazing that deadline is mid-August, so you may have just missed it or you may just barely have time for it, depending on when you're listening to this podcast, but just know there's one per year. We have also a past presidents fund, where they offer about $2,500 in cash as well as in fee waivers to attend the main workshops, the main media workshops, to attend the main workshops, the main media workshops, and we have one person that receives that past president's grant every year, and so that's pretty amazing too, and it's for mid-career filmmakers. So there's something for everybody. There's something, whether you're at the beginning, whether you're at the end, whether you're mid-career, there's something for everyone. You mentioned the fiscal sponsorship, so let me speak to that. Whether you're mid-career, there's something for everyone. You mentioned the fiscal sponsorships, so let me speak to that. 

19:55
This is really something that many organizations don't provide, and it's a wonderful thing that WIF does, because we're all about member services. So we have two deadlines per year, as Sandra mentioned. The next one is coming up in October, and you submit to have WIF fiscally sponsor your project. Now what that means? It doesn't mean they finance it. It means that WIF because we are a 501c3, can either partner with you in writing grants, sometimes submit grants on your behalf so that you can get grant funds, or individuals can make tax deductible donations to your project and we're the pass through. 

20:37
We support you in what you're doing and of those, I think we have about 30 active projects right now, 30 fiscally sponsored projects that are active right this moment. Thankfully, it benefits the organization as well because we get a small percentage of the donations that are received. That's how we're able to do what we do. Melissa is very active in helping to write those grants and knowing what the projects are, she can suggest grants whether she's writing it or the filmmakers are writing it, because most of the time they're just busy doing their film. They just need help doing their film. So we offer that service in terms of that grant writing and being there to receive those funds so that your donors for your film, your supporters of your film, can get that tax write off and you might get some extra money that you didn't expect to get because we know about a grant that you might not know about. So it's a wonderful. It's a wonderful program and the deadline's coming up. Don't miss it if you have a project. 

21:38 - Sandra (Host)
Grant writing is a unique skill and I have to say we are so fortunate to have Melissa, our executive director, have that unique skill and definitely, if anybody in the audience you're hearing this and you want to know more about it, you can go to our website and you'll find the information about the fiscal sponsorship. It is a great opportunity for all media makers out there. Now, Connie, I wanted to ask you about any other thing that maybe we haven't talked about, that you think is really important to highlight about with, or to highlight about our 45th celebration. 

22:18 - Connie (Guest)
Well, okay, I'm going to be biased here for a moment. I get to co-chair the film club. The film club is held every third Monday of the month. Now let me tell you why it's important. Having a conversation with your peers about a film. There's nothing like it. There's nothing like it. And so what happens? It's like a book club. You watch the film in advance and then you come prepared to talk about it. At film club it's Mondays, 7.30 to 8.30. 

22:51
I have learned so much from terminology that I'd never heard before, to just ways of looking at a film looking at the writing, the directing, the cinematography, all of that. There are films that I never wanted to see, that got selected and I watched them and had a greater appreciation because of Film Club. So to me, film Club is kind of it's programming, yes, but it's the fun aspect. That is exactly what WIF is. It's collaborative. It puts filmmakers, media makers in a room and lets us discuss and brainstorm and talk about what's good, what works, what doesn't, and we take those tips and tools away from the meeting and we can implement them. It's my favorite, of course, because I love watching movies and talking about them, so I just love it. So I have to plug that. They'd be mad if I didn't. 

23:41
And it's free. Here's the thing. It's open to with members and non-members there's no fee. That's the thing. It's open to WIF members and non-members there's no fee. That's the other thing. A lot of our programming is free. The roundtables are free to attend for members. There are things that are free for members or discounted if you're a member versus a non-member, and so the film club is just one of those freebies. And super fun and informative, educational, great discussion, enlightening and that's to me that is the epitome of WIF. That is who we are. We're great fun, we're enlightening, we're educational. That's exactly who we are and that's what the 45th year is all about as well. It's all about celebrating all those things, how much we offer in that whole spectrum fun, education, enlightenment, all of it. That is with. 

24:30 - Sandra (Host)
You heard it here straight from the president's mouth. Thank you, madam President. Thank you so much. I, just as we close, though, I just wanted to ask what projects are you working on that you can share that we might look forward to, because I know you've been traveling for business, so is there any projects that you have coming up? 

24:54 - Connie (Guest)
I do. I do so. This hasn't even been announced to all the people in my company, so let me just share this officially Breaking news. 

25:04 - Sandra (Host)
This is breaking news. 

25:05 - Connie (Guest)
This is breaking news. Share this officially. This is breaking news. This is breaking news. So I have written a short musical, a 30-minute musical that is called we Don't Do that here, and it is to combat bullying in middle schools. And the way it's designed is for high school students who perform it for middle schoolers, and it uses three different evidence-based approaches. One is the role model, so high school to middle school, one is live theater and one is music and how they hit the brain differently. 

25:38
And I learned just a couple of months ago we did a proposal to present again at the Art School Network Conference, which just so happens this year to be in DC at Duke Ellington School of the Arts, who's one of our partners. So when we found out they were going to be here for their annual conference, which is a conference of art school educators all over the country, we submitted a proposal to do the actual production. Three years ago we did a teaser video and we presented in Chicago at the Art School Network Conference. This time we can show them the full production because the Ellington students have done it, we've done it and we got the call. Not only did they approve our requests, they asked us if we would do a longer presentation. And then they said instead of presenting at Ellington, would you be willing to present at the Kennedy Center? And so we are presenting. 

26:34
We don't do that here at the Kennedy Center in October, and how amazing is that. So that's a wonderful project. It's another change your life. That's our tagline change your life entertainment. And it's another project that is going well. I'm so excited to present it there. It is for the art school educators. Everybody's asking me where do I get tickets? It's not that kind of thing. It's for the art school educators first, and then, if there are extra tickets, I'll let people know. But that's what I'm working on. I care about things that improve lives for the better, and using entertainment to change lives is my specialty. So I am so excited and so honored that we've been asked to present a second time, and we are one of the few that gets to present at the Kennedy Center. So how awesome is that. 

27:20 - Sandra (Host)
Well, we're very lucky to have you as our president. What's the website for people who want to buy tickets? What's that website again? 

27:28 - Connie (Guest)
For the 45th anniversary celebration. I'm assuming we're talking about again, it is WIFVorg, w-i-f-vorg. Click on calendar and then go to September 13th and get your tickets before they sell out. I'm declaring we're going to sell out this time because you know who gets to go to an event and get a Barbie, who gets to go get a women in film, barbie, dance, dress like you're in the 70s and 80s, win prizes, drink great drinks and eat great food, all in one night as a celebration. It's worth it. So it's 6 to 930 is the time of the event on Friday, september 13th. Tickets are $45 if you're a member and if you're not, they're more than that. 

28:11 - Sandra (Host)
Well, thank you, connie, for joining Media Maker Spotlight. You work so hard for our organization, so I'm so glad the podcast was able to get to know you and get to know more about WIF and what a wonderful organization it is. Thank you, thank you so much for having me. 

28:28 - Connie (Guest)
I'm so honored. 

28:30 - VO (Host)
Thanks for listening to Media Maker Spotlight from Women in Film and Video. To learn more about WIF, visit w-i-f-s-n-frank-v-s-n-victororg. This podcast is created by Sandra Abrams, candice Block, brandon Ferry, tara Jabari and Jerry Reinhart, and edited by Michelle Kim and Inez Perez, with audio production and mix by Steve Lack Audio. Subscribe to continue learning from more amazing media makers. Please visit mediummakerspotlightcom for more information.