THE CHIMAERA PROJECT Launches New Mentorship Program to Elevate Women and Non-Binary Filmmakers
Josh Millican
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The Chimaera Project announced today the launch of SUPPORT.HER, a new mentorship program to offer women (cis, trans, and non-binary inclusive) filmmakers from a variety of disciplines in the film industry guidance and career assistance. The first cycle of mentorships will begin virtually this fall with plans to expand and develop in-person mentorships, scholarships and job shadowing in future cycles.
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Founders of The Chimaera Project, Shana Betz, Cheryl Bookout, and America Young, said, “This mentorship program is the latest extension and growth of our organization, which has been dedicated to empowering women and non-binary artists and assist their career progress in a real way by being a true guiding force as they navigate their way through the challenges our industry can present.”
The brainchild of one of The Chimaera Project’s newest ambassadors, actor and producer Casey McKinnon (The Tragedy of JFK (as told by Wm. Shakespeare)), SUPPORT.HER launches with an inaugural group of six mentors spanning a number of disciplines in film and television, including writer Maurissa Tancharoen (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), composer Bear McCreary (Outlander), director Alexis Ostrander (Supergirl), writer Marc Bernardin (Star Trek: Picard), Passionflix founder and director Tosca Musk (Gabriel’s Inferno), and visual effects lead compositor Joe Censoplano (Eternals).
Each mentor will provide at least a one-hour session of career consultation and advice based on their experience in the industry, with some mentors offering as many as three sessions. All candidates submitting applications in the field of directing will receive an invitation to attend an exclusive visual directing workshop with Alexis Ostrander. The Chimaera Project will process candidate submissions and select individuals will then be contacted for a virtual interview. In order to prioritize diversity and equitable inclusion, SUPPORT.HER will ensure a diverse group of representatives will be utilized to filter submissions, conduct interviews, and contribute to the final decisions.
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Star Trek: Picard writer Marc Bernardin is offering his mentorship opportunity specifically to women of color. Bernardin said, “I have been lucky to have had the benefit of people taking time out of their busy lives to help advise and guide me on my path to being a working TV writer. As such, I feel a responsibility to help pay that forward—and as hard as it was for me to break in, I’m positive that it’s even harder for women of color.”
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. co-showrunner Maurissa Tancharoen, whose mentorship targets filmmakers from AAPI and POC communities, had this to add, “As an Asian-American writer/producer/performer, I’ve seen progress pertaining to representation over the years, but as always, there is still so much work to do. An organization that supports and amplifies diverse talented women is an invaluable resource for the changes we need to make in film and television.”
The Chimaera Project’s Casey McKinnon and America Young share, “As filmmakers, we deeply understand the value of spending even one-hour consulting with someone you admire in your chosen field – someone who has achieved a level of success you yourself are working toward. Learning from the mistakes of others and getting the support you need to propel you to the next level is priceless.” They added, “At the end of the day, we want these filmmakers to know that they aren’t an afterthought in the industry, they are the reason we wake up in the morning. Their voices matter and we recognize they have a unique vision that deserves to be seen.”
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Applications for SUPPORT.HER are now open at chimaeraproject.org/supporther/. All women (cis, trans, and non-binary inclusive) are invited to apply. The submission fee is $15.00. The deadline for submissions is July 31, 2021. For more info on The Chimaera Project, go to chimaeraproject.org.
The Chimaera Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women and non-binary filmmakers to fearlessly create, inspire and lead. Founded in 2013 by filmmakers Shana Betz, America Young and Cheryl Bookout, the organization supports film and TV professionals through their finishing fund initiative, provides an outlet to feature burgeoning talent, holds workshops on a wide variety of topics, and hosts panels highlighting careers in front of and behind the camera.
Are you also a supporter of The Chimaera Project and female filmmakers? Are you interested in participating in their SUPPORT.HER mentorship program? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! You can also carry on the convo with me personally on Twitter @josh_millican. Dread Central on Google News!
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