Who Is Behind All of This?

We're all pretty familiar with the actors and actresses of our favorite shows. But ever wonder who's on the other side of the camera? I do, so I did some research. As I was reading I noticed a curious pattern...Turns out most TV and movie writers and directors are male. But fear not!  More and more women are rising into successful writing and directing careers.  And they're making some awesome shows and movies. Just take the most recent (2013) Emmy Awards as an example:

5 of the 10 nominees for television directing were women!

Women swept the comedy and directing categories for the first time in the award show's history!

Here are three female directors (with one of their projects featured) who are rocking it in the entertainment industry:

1. Gail Mancuso - "Modern Family"

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Via Google Images

2. Sofia Coppola - Marie Antoinette

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Via New York Times

3. Nora Ephron - Julie & Julia

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Via Google Images

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If media production is something that interests you, DO IT! Your perspective is needed and so valuable in Hollywood and beyond.
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--Nicola

England's 'It' Girl

Kate Middleton

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Since that sunny April day when we all watched Kate Middleton parade through the streets of London in her beautiful white wedding gown to marry Prince William, it seems the world can't take their eyes off her. While we all know Kate for her beautiful hair and perfectly put together outfits, let's not forget that Kate was named one of Time's Most Influential People for more than just her style. Like politicians and other public figures, Kate has royal duties to fufill. Kate chooses to support charities that are most special to her like BeatBullying, Starlight Children's Foundation and Teenage Cancer Trust. We should all take notes from Kate and follow in her humanitarian footsteps! Kate truly has a passion for helping children, what's your passion!?

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"I really hope I can make a difference, even in the smallest way. I am looking forward to helping as much as I can."

-Kate Middleton 

-Jennifer

New Video of the Week!

I may be showing my age here (born in '92, hey), but sometimes there's nothing better than catching a Cosby show re-run on late night TV.  

No idea what the Cosby Show is? That's perfectly fine too.

The Cosby Show is a family sitcom starring Bill Cosby. It started airing in the mid-eighties (who says oldies can't be goodies?), and follows the lives and experiences of the Huxtable family.  Olivia, the youngest member of the family, has always been one of my favorite characters on TV.  She's a spunky kid, and endlessly entertaining. Check out the clip below! 

--Nicola

New Happy Endings

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Have you guys ever been watching a great movie or show and you get to the very end of the story and feel totally let down by the "happy ending"? I've seen so many movies that could have really impressed me if the writers hadn't messed up the ending by making the main characters ride off into the sunset. NEWSFLASH: NOT EVERY STORY CAN END WITH A SAPPY KISS AND HAPPILY EVER AFTER! 

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Let’s face it… the sunset is getting a little crowded with practically every movie couple of all time riding off into it. I’m sick of these same tired endings where the boy gets the girl, evil is defeated, the day is saved, and everyone has perfect hair. I’m laying out 5 new happy endings, because frankly the fairy-tale is getting old.

1.    Ambition Fulfilled…Main character pursues dream career and excels in their chosen field. Never undervalue the joy of someone’s career aspirations.

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2.    The Inception Ending… every once and a while it’s nice to not know all the details. Appreciate a movie that keeps you guessing.

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3.    Single and Proud… Main character discovers that the best decision for her/him is to be single right now and learn more about her/himself. Enough couples, let’s see some independence for once!

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4.    Ride off into the Friend-zone… Sometimes the main characters discover that the soul-mate they’ve been searching for is actually their best friend. Platonically ever after!

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5.    Find the Meaning of Life… Main character gains new perspective on life and becomes a wiser and happier individual. Maybe he/she will find that traveling the world, teaching children, or curing cancer is his/her purpose in life.   

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 --- Nicole

Non-Profits and Developing Countries

So I promised to provide links to more non-profits after my post on She's the First - there is a pretty great list that is mentioned in Half the Sky, a book that focuses on women in the developing world. The list, which includes non-profits that mostly focus on aiding girls and women in developing countries, are selected by the book's authors based largely on their efficiency:
http://www.halftheskymovement.org/pages/volunteer

Check it out in your free time - some of these movements are great opportunities for anyone who is interested in starting to volunteer early, or even just to pay attention to. In addition, since I am using their list, I'm also going to recommend Nicholas Kristoff and Sheryl WuDunn's book Half the Sky. Simply amazing introduction to some women's lives in developing countries/disadvantaged situations. I would personally recommend as a must-read to any of my college-aged friends, but it certainly never hurts to start early!

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Since we are on the subject topic, another book that concerns some children/women/people in the developing world is Katherine Boo's Behind the Beautiful Forevers. This chronicle and Half the Sky make for two of my all-time personal favorite books. Katherine Boo chronicles life in a Mumbai slum in a style that is easy to read. While Half the Sky is extremely informative, Behind the Beautiful Forevers can literally lead you into a world which you may have been unfamiliar to. Don't miss out on these experiences! Try them out and let me know in the comment section how you like these books. Hope you enjoy :)

~Joy

Woman of the Week!

The FINAL woman of the week

(Tacky drum role…)

Jennifer Lawrence!!!

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Ok first of all Hunger games=ridiculously awesome. Second of all this actress was constantly criticized about her weight and instead simply brushed off the comments like District 9 brushed off the Capital (Hunger Games Joke… Go read the book or watch the movie). Annnnyywayy what do we see? We see an accomplish actress that overcame criticism and became a success not because she became a movie star, but she stayed true to who she was.

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Desmond ;)

This Woman in History... Mary Queen of Scots

Move over Vampire Diaries, Teen Wolf, and all the rest of the paranormal romance dramas... there's a new leader in teen television. Or should I say an old leader. Reign on the CW takes the centuries old story of Mary Queen of Scots, and with some added dramatic flair obviously, brings it to life. Full of adventures, tragic romances, and, dangerous political games, Reign shows us that women like Mary have been leaders a lot longer than we thought. Before there was Hillary Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, Sarah Palin, and Condoleezza Rice, there were strong female rulers like Mary Queen of Scots, Elizabeth I, Catherine the Great, who changed the world of politics. If women could command nations in 1542, who knows what we can do today.

Check it out...

---Nicole