Author: Jennica Schwartzman

This article is for women and men. Truly. Share this with men. Pumping or breastfeeding on set is absolutely federally protected, culturally encouraged, and still uncomfortable. Every employer (gender neutral) needs to be able to talk about the needs of a lactating person (milk producer). Breastfeeding and pumping education is absolutely vital to every single industry in which a lactating person may work, even the film industry. Every single man and woman needs to be familiar with these principles and strategies- YESTERDAY. I’m a mom, a producer, an actress, and an activist. I’ve breastfed, expressed, or pumped milk for my…

The film industry media complex will reject you. Yes, it will. Ok, now that you know that, we can move forward with how to deal with it. I am not going to list self-care routines from which you can pick your favorite inspirational mantra. But, I will tell you how to start the process of letting rejection roll over you and propel you forward. Rejection Reaction Guide Waiting Period There is an unwritten rule that you should practice a 24-hour waiting period to react to rejection. You must go through the necessary steps of grief and whatever else you do…

I’ve recently had a difficult time watching an acquaintance go through what I like to call, “The Hollywood Filmmaking Master’s Program.” This refers to the bright talented young person going out to make their first feature ‘the Hollywood way’ and talking about it to every person that asks. I’ve watched this young person explain all their hopes and dreams and goals as well as their ‘strategies’ that they’ve learned… all while hoping they succeed. Truly. I want all my people to succeed, I want all the best stories to be told by all types of people. But there is a…

While Ryan, our kiddos, and I were in Arkansas for the holidays, we drove 4+ hours across the state to see our friend, director Hunter West, to shoot a pitch trailer for his next film. It was worth every minute. All 15 hours of shooting. With no real childcare for the day. Just a small extremely capable and efficient crew, a few of us actors, our kids, and the script. Ya see, I starred in Hunter West’s sex-trafficking crime drama “Ridge Runners” (Indican/Lionsgate) and I loved working with him. 3 1/2 years later, Hunter and writer Austin Lott have 3…

Cassie Self is a single mother of 3 starring in the PureFlix streaming female-centered “Sweet Inspirations” available Feb 1st. This film follows Cassie’s character (“Maggie”) as she and 3 of her fellow empty-nest-aged ladies pull their resources to save a private women’s shelter from foreclosing. Working alongside powerhouses like Natalie Canerday (Sling Blade) and Southern starlet Lauren Sweetser (Winter’s Bone), Cassie Self brings her real life struggle to balance family and taking care of her community in this inspirational and surprising film. I have had the pleasure of working alongside Cassie Self years ago and even stayed at her house…

I have lived across the street from UCB in Franklin Village for a decade. I LOVE comedy. I watch every single stand-up special on Netflix. I go see comedy all over the city and one of my closest friends in the whole world is a stand-up comedian. One of my favorite podcasts is taped at UCB in Franklin Village. When I take my kids for walks, we have to walk around the impossibly long lines at UCB in the evenings. I have never been to UCB. Wait, what? I have NEVER been to UCB? Why? Honestly, I’m not sure why…

I love a good film festival. I’ve written a 3-part series (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) on my best tips for film fests. I share my experience with anyone who’ll listen. So, I just got back from a 10-day trip to 2 fests and brought my family… There was a lot to consider. You may be in this same position soon, me too, I hope. This past month, I was invited to speak on a panel on filmmaking at the inaugural year of Ozark Mountain Webfest in Branson, MO. I ALSO had a film selected to screen at the…

“Don’t put out too much food.” I stare blankly at 4 grocery bags full of snacks from Trader Joes on our kitchen counter and don’t say anything. Hopefully Ryan won’t be able to decipher my silence through the phone as telling. “Oh, yeah, totally. I’m only putting out a few snacks. Ya know, a little salty, a little sweet.” But that was a lie. I put out yogurt covered pretzels, Oreos, flat pretzels, hummus, nuts, cookies upon cookies, grapes, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, … and some water glasses. I wanted to try to impress my actor friends who set aside this…

I’m an indie filmmaker. I sat down with several indie filmmakers (producers/directors) and casting directors to ask about the relationship between the filmmaker and the casting director. Below are a series of questions for the filmmakers regarding their casting director experiences in indie film. This partnership in the early stages of pre-production solidifies where the film is going to go. We all know what a casting director generally does, if you’re wondering about why a casting director is necessary or IF it is time to bring one on, I think Marc Hampson, DGA gave me a different and nuanced perspective…

I’m an indie filmmaker. I sat down with several indie filmmakers (producers/directors) and casting directors to ask about the relationship between the filmmaker and the casting director. Below are a series of questions for casting directors on the indie film process! Finally, we are demystifying this unique collaboration. If you’re wondering about why a casting director is necessary or why it is time to bring one on, I think Mathew Lessall, CSA says it best, “An opinion that is independent of family and friends. An opinion that is informed through experience. A good CD has a wide knowledge base and…

I’m an Indie film producer working on a series of articles detailing the benefits and logistics of hiring a casting director on your next film project. In a series of interviews with casting directors and filmmakers, I will be sharing my favorite things that I feel are most important for you to know about the film industry today and how it is changing. Here, I spoke with Jenifer Levy, a CD with years of experience with successful projects at HBO and the WB while launching some Sundance and Spirit Award winning indie actors. Here is an excerpt from our talk…

I’m an Indie film producer working on a series of articles detailing the benefits and logistics of hiring a casting director on your next film project. In a series of interviews with casting directors and filmmakers, I will be sharing my favorite things that I feel are most important for you to know about the film industry today and how it is changing. Here, I emailed with Matthew, the casting director on ‘FAST COLOR,’ ‘DEIDRE & LANEY ROB A TRAIN,’ and MANY other creative successes. Here is an excerpt from our talk this week: Jennica: How do you decide whether…

I’m an Indie film producer working on a series of articles detailing the benefits and logistics of hiring a casting director on your next film project. In a series of interviews with casting directors and filmmakers, I will be sharing my favorite things that I feel are most important for you to know about the film industry today and how it is changing. Here, I sat down with Elizabeth Barnes, the casting director on my last feature (“Parker’s Anchor” in theaters in 2017, available on Walmart shelves and iTunes now). Here is an excerpt from our talk this week: Jennica:…

“I want to be done auditioning and just get cast.” We all want to get there, but that’s not necessarily a good place to be. Yes, being Meryl Streep has its unrealistic perks, but some of the biggest actors you know have read for or discussed certain roles with creatives and still not gotten the part. And that’s ok. Reading for a role is actually a great place to be. I’m an actor. I am going to level with you, I am not being considered for ‘any’ roles right now. I know this. I’m a respected actor, had 3 films…