Author: Jennica Schwartzman

“That’s Daddy on TV! He’s being funny. He’s dancing silly. …Why is he doing that?” So, it is officially time to sit my kids down and have “the talk” about why they may see Mommy and Daddy on the TV doing weird things. I thought they’d be too young for this talk. I also thought I just wouldn’t show them our films for a long time. Buuuuut, we are producers as well now. We make films and sometimes we are in those films and for quality control purposes, I watch the films in various stages multiple times… and I work…

I got in the car after leaving the ER. My husband strapped in our 2 year old behind me in the minivan (which I lovingly call the Millennium Falcon). I got out my phone and began texting the many people in our life that I was no longer pregnant and that Ryan and I are doing fine and everyone else is healthy. I called my Mom, you can’t text your Mom that sort of thing. I remember it vividly. I miscarried during my second pregnancy about a few months ago. In comparison to many, I had a gentle miscarriage. Very…

It means you are a Stay-At-Home-Parent. But you need a babysitter sometimes (when you can afford it). You work constantly on different film projects, but don’t really get paid. You’re stressed and pulled in 2 very different directions and have to balance it all. You seem SUPER busy, but never have much to show for it without a complicated conversation. You are doing what you love, but you may not seem like you are from the outside sometimes. (Can you read it on my face that this kid loves to drive me crazy?) It truly is the longest shortest time…

Life’s complicated right now. I wake up everyday a ‘Mom.’ But I also wake up a wife & filmmaker… Filmmaking is a passion, so it creeps into everyday even when it isn’t planned. The work? I’m an actress/producer/writer. We are all hyphenates now. I arrived in LA just before the writer’s strike and never knew the world before. I live in the digital indie wild west film world where we make stuff whenever, however we can and work many jobs of many levels at the same time. I am presently drowning in work wrapping up my last feature I shot…

From a writer/producer/actor married to a writer/producer/actor… Making a film is like having a baby… so, shouldn’t pre-production be like making love? Nope, it doesn’t work that way. But it is a spectacular bonding experience. Like camp. Or war. My husband Ryan and I write together, produce together, and are often awarded the opportunity to act together. An important step in collaborating successfully is learning each other’s strengths. It doesn’t hurt to be self-aware and able to have honest discussion without hurt feelings. Hurt feelings are ok sometimes, just say so when it happens. That’s also a general rule for…

“Great question. The director and I discussed this at length. We felt the music was the back bone of the film and we began making an inspirational mix of local artists before we even finished writing the film. After finding 2 or 3 amazing artists that had the feel of the film’s road trip- we happened to be filming in this restaurant one night and their band that was booked for the night was phenomenal. We asked them to stand in this alley behind the place and record live for us to use in the film. It was a little…

“I’m Jennica, a filmmaker in Los Angeles. My husband and I are coming to your town with my film- which is showing at your film festival! I’m honored to come and am open to any suggestions of some great places to eat or must-see places to visit. I’ll be there opening night in the “Gordon Family Tree” shirt with red hair and a HUGE pregnant belly. Don’t be a stranger, I’d love to meet you in person. Hopefully you can make it to my screening Saturday at 2:30PM in the main theater. It’s right after the Distribution panel. I hope…

“What would get you to go to a local film festival, Joseph?” “I don’t know, I’ve never been to one… maybe an invitation?” I guess that makes sense. Just inviting my friend to go see a movie with me is probably enough to get him to come to this film festival. Is that enough though? Will people actually come and will the film festival survive? I have personally seen half a dozen film festivals disappear before my eyes over the last 8 years. I have attended, networked, enjoyed, and made friends and then when it comes time to submit again……

“Hi, I’m Jennica, I live in Los Angeles and I’m producing a feature film that takes place in YOUR city in about 6 months and wanted to talk to the owner about filming in your beautiful location… May I leave my name and phone number with you? Thank you. I’ll be sure to contact them right away. I’ll give you a call in a few days to try and set up a meeting. …I’ll also email you all this info, where may I send this? …I’ll be sure to come in person at least 1-2 more times and call or…

“Remember that time we shot that movie?” Jennica said to her husband with tired eyes. “What movie?” He said as he slowly drifts off to sleep… We’ve been working on this film for 2 years. My husband and I developed, wrote, financed, kickstarted, produced, and acted in this feature. We’ve poured our whole life into this project. Including all our credit, attention, and mental ability. We are tired, hungry for real food, and giddy about the thing we are on the edge of forgetting. Here is a short list of what I ‘suggest’ you do in this exact situation… You…

An Indie Producer’s perspective on why I didn’t (couldn’t) invite you to work on my set. Oh look, we have another email! We’ve actually had dozens since MadeInArkansas.org published our press release. We have tons of fans that want to work on our next film! It is an amazing feeling. Look at all of these… “I don’t have much experience, but I’m a hard worker!” “I LOOOVE movies, it’s on my bucket list to work on one!” “I can take a few days off of work and move some sand bags.” “You don’t have to feed me or anything, I…