(From l. to r.) Film Con producer David Rountree, co-founders Parth Savalia, and Krishen Rangi, producers Richard Botto and Amanda Toney.
LOS ANGELES, CA (LA ELEMENTS) 4/1/2018- “What you need to find in a mentor is someone who wants to bring you along,” says the Gersh Agency talent agent and Vice President for below the line talent, Barbara Halperin. “I have many clients who are mentors. Michael Kahn, who mentors all of his assistant editors. Michael Kahn is Steven Spielberg’s editor. He works a lot. But he mentors his assistants and then when they get their first job editing, part of the process is Michael goes, ‘I will backstop him.’ So if they run into trouble, Michael Kahn, the dean of American editing, will come in and take a look at your film. That’s a mentor.” Halperin was part of the “Let’s Talk Representation! Agents and Managers” panel discussion at the inaugural Film Con Hollywood, which was held on Saturday, March 24 at the LA Convention Center.
Allen Maldonado
Allen Maldonado, from the hit series, Blackish, officially kicked off Film Con Hollywood 2018 with his keynote address. Following Maldonado’s remarks was a slate of panel discussions and events designed to gain an inside as well as in depth look at the business of entertainment. Sitting on the panels were acclaimed industry insiders such as civil rights attorney Lisa Bloom, director and producer Jennifer Warren, Deborah Shoenman (writer for Girls and The Newsroom), Alex Ferrari (director of This is Meg for Hulu) executives from Gersh Talent Agency, TCA, Buffalo 8 and more. Among the topics for discussion were Developing, Producing and Distributing Your Own Content, Independent Film Directing- The Craft And Business Today, It Starts With The Script- How To Write A Great Story That Sells and Power Panel: ‘Girls Rule Film Con Hollywood 2018’ Inclusion & Diversity In Today’s Hollywood.
Actress, director and producer, Jennifer Warren.
Film Con Hollywood offered workshops as well as some pretty amazing prizes to the aspiring actors, producers, directors and writers who registered for this event. At the conclusion of one of the morning panels, the latest version of Final Draft as well as a professional headshot gift package was raffled off. In the afternoon, top prizes of $1,000 were offered to winners of the short film competitions in the following categories: Open, Female Only and Pitch Script.
Also on the event’s agenda was Film Con’s recognition of comedy legend Chevy Chase who received the Lifetime TEA Award (Top Entertainment Award) of Distinction, Empowerment and Inspiration. Actress and Emmy nominated writer, Jillian Bell (Saturday Night Live) l also received a TEA Award for her work in the entertainment industry.
If Film Con Hollywood achieved its goal of immersing attendees in all aspects of the entertainment business in a single day, it was perhaps due to the strong industry backgrounds of the event’s founder and producers. Co-founders Parth Savalia and Krishen Rangi, (Rangi has executive produced a number of projects including the TV movie Hackers, starring Haylie Duff) teamed up with film director and LA Acting Studios co-owner David Rountree, Richard Botto, founder and CEO of Stage 32, and Amanda Toney, managing director of Stage 32. We’ll be looking forward to Film Con Hollywood 2019.
Civil rights attorney Lisa Bloom attends Film Con Hollywood.
We had the chance to catch up with civil rights attorney, Lisa Bloom who sat on the panel: ‘Girls Rule Film Con Hollywood 2018’ Inclusion & Diversity In Today’s Hollywood. A number of Bloom’s clients have been plaintiffs in several high-profile sexual harassment cases. Among them are Wendy Walsh, who filed the complaint against Bill O’Reilly that led to his dismissal from Fox News and legendary model, Janice Dickinson, who is suing entertainer Bill Cosby for defamatory statements made in regards to her allegations of sexual assault by the actor.
Any kind of pressure, considering the field you’re in and considering whom your mother is? (Editor’s note: Bloom’s mother is acclaimed civil rights attorney Gloria Allred)
“No not pressure. I mean my mother definitely encouraged me to go to law school and she thought that would be a good path for me. I was national debating champion when I was in college, so it seemed like a logical thing. I pushed back a little bit, but ultimately went to law school and it was definitely the right path for me. I was not pressured in any way. My daughter is now a lawyer at my law firm with me, Sarah Bloom, so we have three generations of women kicking ass and you know, no pressure on her either. I thought it would be a good path for her but it was her choice and I think she’s pretty happy with it.”
That’s fantastic. And always with the emphasis on advocating for women’s rights?
“Yes. Racial justice, LGBT rights, it’s all about everybody. But we do a lot of women’s rights cases and within that, a lot of sexual harassment, sexual assault and unfortunately a lot of that is in the entertainment industry.”
The issues that women faced over ten years ago compared to what they are facing today….
“You know, I think it’s just as bad today. I don’t see enough progress. I think women are being believed more now when we tell our stories thanks to the MeToo movement. But there’s still a long way to go. Every case I have, it’s a fight. The other side is not just going to roll over, especially, the bigger and more powerful they are. I get a lot of hostile, threatening letters, people threatening to sue me, etc. and maybe some of them will and do bar complaints, whatever. But, I’m in it to help women. I know how to navigate through this process and we win almost all of our cases. We are the fastest growing and biggest civil rights law firm around and we only get paid when we win, so that tells you something. I think we can move the ball forward but people need to stand up for their rights.
What would be the next major achievement that you would like to accomplish in your field? “Well you know, I’d like to break the glass ceiling and see women in leadership roles. So many of us are talking about having been victimized and those stories are very important but I want to go from victim to survivor to leader. So, that’s the next step and to become leaders, not only do we have to stand up for our rights, but we have to push through the glass ceiling. We have to show the world that we are tough, that we are competent, that we are successful, that we are accomplished and I think many of us are. I’m thrilled to see some of the men who are toppled by the MeToo movement get replaced by women. Like Matt Lauer getting replaced by Hoda Kotb. I just want to see more and more of that. And then when women, when we are in leadership roles, we have to extend a hand down and mentor other women and pull them up with us.”
Any regrets at all along the way?
“Many, many regrets. Anybody who is successful has made mistakes. You’re not trying hard enough if you don’t make some mistakes. So, I try to learn from them, but I also try to learn from the successes and I learn every day from my clients, from their courage stepping forward, becoming empowered saying, ‘Oh my God. It was scary but I did it. I’m so glad I did.’ My office is filled with beautiful thank you notes from my clients about how I changed their lives. And that’s the most meaningful. That’s the part I try to focus on to give me strength to fight the next battle.”
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