Women in Production Summit Talks Culture Shift

By Oz Online | Published on June 6, 2018

On Sat., June 16, Georgia’s film community will pack Atlanta’s Plaza Theatre for the Third Annual Women in Production Summit.

Focusing on the strong female cohort of film and television workers in the state’s entertainment industry, this year’s day-long event will address the topic top-of-mind for almost everyone in the business today: firmly establishing the shift to inclusivity and respect for women in front of and behind the camera.

“This event is organized by six film industry organizations that support women in our business,” says writer/producer/director Suzan Satterfield, who is helping organize the conference. “We’re the Producers Guild of America WIN (Women’s Impact Network), WIFTA (Women in Film & Television/Atlanta), Black Women’s Film Network, Film Fatales, Alliance of Women Directors, and the Atlanta Film Society. All women working in any capacity in our industry will get tangible benefits from coming to meet, learn, and network with each other.”

Taking the spotlight on culture shift at the event are some of the most influential women in production today, including Rachel Watanabe-Batton, Esther Pearl, and Judiffier Pearson. Each will address the changing landscape from her own perspective, whether it’s getting work financed, providing mentorship to teen girls through film, or leadership issues within the industry.

“The 2017 Summit was packed,” Satterfield says. “But this year, as parity issues around gender and pay continue to surface, we expect to reach capacity even more quickly than last year.”

This year’s event also will feature a panel update about Georgia’s anti-sexual harassment progress with Gabrielle Pickle, Laura Lundy Wheale, state representative Deborah Gonzales (D-Athens), and Suzan Satterfield. Safety Shot is an initiative that formed to address sexual harassment in media months before the Harvey Weinstein, #MeToo, and #Time’sUp movement surfaced. It debuted at the Second Annual Summit.

Tickets for the Women in Production Summit are available at Eventbrite, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/women-in-production-summit-2018-tickets-45790734319?aff=eivtefrnd for $25 each, and include access to speaker events, networking and the event after-party. The June 16 event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Atlanta’s Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce De Leon Ave NE,

Atlanta, GA 30306. The event networking cocktail party will be held across the street from 5-7 p.m. Guests must have tickets to the Summit to attend the party.

The Women In Production Summit is sponsored by the Producer’s Guild of America’s Women’s Impact Network Committee; Women in Film & Television Atlanta (WIFTA); the Black Women’s Film Network; Film Fatales; the Alliance of Women Directors; and the Atlanta Film Society.

RACHEL WATANABE-BATTON – CULTURE SHIFT & INCLUSION, A WIDE SHOT

As founder of Contradiction & Struggle, aysAmerican production and consulting company, independent producer and media strategist Rachel Watanabe-Batton is dedicated to telling authentic stories that reframe history and cultural understanding. She builds networks and distribution pathways by connecting film and television creators with capital, conscious causes, and global audiences. Watanabe-Batton serves on the board of the Producers Guild of America East (PGA) & many others.

ESTHER PEARL – CULTURE SHIFT & THE NEXT GENERATION – A TWO-WAY STREET

Former Pixar production manager, Esther Pearl, founded Camp Reel Stories six summers ago as a series of camps for girls and young women to write, shoot and edit their own movies while being mentored by industry pros. Originally based in the San Francisco Bay area, CRS has grown exponentially and now includes camps for girls in L.A. Now she’s ready to bring CRS to the next great film & TV market: Georgia

JUDIFFIER PEARSON – CREATING CULTURE SHIFT & IGNITING YOUR CAREER

Over the course of 20 years, Judiffier Pearson has built a successful business in an array of industries, including management consulting, publishing, film & entertainment, and multi-media training. Her company, Quest5 Consulting, focuses on entertainment economics, strategic planning, and leadership development. Pearson currently serves on the Creative Industries Board for InvestAtlanta, and as a consultant on the Film Supplier Taskforce, comprised of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, Tyler Perry Studios and InvestAtlanta.

Schedule:

11:30-12:30 p.m. Registration

12:35 p.m. Opening & Intro

12:45 p.m. Rachel Watanabe-Batton

1:35 p.m. Safety Shot Panel

2:20 Networking Coffee Break/Interviews

3 p.m. Esther Pearl

3:50 p.m. Judiffier Pearson

5 p.m. Networking Cocktail Party (Must be registered at main event to attend)

7 p.m. It’s A Wrap

EVENT SPONSORS:

Georgia Film Office Big Picture Con