It’s been a year exactly since I began writing down my inspiration to start kicking ass with Ms. In The Biz. Spring is here again and once again I feel motivated to take my career to the next level. So much has changed in this last year, and yet, it is that time of year when I feel the call to step it up once again. As many of you know I am embracing my skills as producer and will produce and star in two festival shorts that I have written in 2014. I have found a creative community and am thrilled to collaborate with fantastically talented artists. I endeavor to find more women collaborators and to create projects that speak the messages I want to share with the world. I am more motivated than ever to be a fearless champion for women in media, and to break the barriers that exist for women, in Hollywood and globally. When we look at a world, with so much warfare, violence, poverty and environmental destruction, I know that women’s empowerment can help to solve global issues, which is why I am stepping up as a voice for women in media.
It is with this spirit that I am proud to say this last year of “Getting Out of My Own Way and Kicking Ass” has lead me to find my voice as a woman in the media arts. I am no longer bound by the shackles that held me back, afraid to be myself, afraid to be “unmarketable” and worried about my “brand”. My “brand” is that of intelligent, bold, and outspoken woman. I will stand up for what I believe in and make my own opportunities when necessary. I will be fun, spunky, and positive on set and have the most fun doing what I love, all the while encouraging other women to follow their dreams.
After one year of monthly inspiration that I have shared with you, my audience, collaborators, inspirers and fellow-women-in-media, I will be shifting the energy of this blog. For my next chapter of what I want to share with the world are tools of inspiration. I will share the dirty details of disheartening statistics for women in media, and then I will interview women who are breaking down those barriers and empowering others through their successes in the industry.
I am so excited for the next chapter of this collaboration with Ms. In The Biz, and thrilled to share inspiration from the women who have come before to lead the way for the next group of women leaders in entertainment (US!).
As a wrap up, here are the top 5 things I have learned from this year of kicking ass:
1. Make your challenges your allies. Let difficulties and failures teach you, inspire you to do better, and motivate you to move forward.
2. Be a champion for other’s success. Don’t be a hater: the best way to develop amazing working artistic relationships is to be a champion of the great work of others.
3, Drop the Haters: don’t accept any sort of abuse from people who pretend to be in your corner. Get these people out of your career and out of your life immediately.
4. Always say yes: be the person that says yes to new opportunities. Go out of your way to help others and the favor will be returned ten-fold.
5. Make your art. If you feel like you are not represented by the projects you are auditioning for: make your own opportunities. Step up to be the leader, and be the voice that you want to hear in the world.
Until next month ladies, keep kicking ass!