You, yes you, have everything it takes to get your passion project off the ground and onto the screen. Are you feeling stuck? Unsure of what your next steps should be? Emily can give you the tools, guidance and inspiration to move forward with confidence.
TESTIMONIALS
“Emily provides a safe space for filmmakers to feel comfortable being vulnerable, to ask questions and be asked questions. She knows the business inside and out, has a deep passion for indie filmmaking, and has so many invaluable tools and resources to share.” -ERIKA COHN, Director of BELLY OF THE BEAST, THE JUDGE, IN FOOTBALL WE TRUST
“Emily is a wonderful mix of critic, collaborator and vision guide, her notes are pure. I can’t recommend her consulting services enough. She has true passion for cinema as an art form, and she knows what it takes to get a movie made. Double trouble. Lots of notes I get in the industry are about how to make the script salable but Emily dials into the creativity of the work, without putting the demands of the market first. This is something very special about her services. The market is always shifting and changing, but creativity will always be in demand. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to see my work through Emily’s eyes. She’s smart, creative, organized, engaged. All the qualities a writer needs in a reader. The notes I received from her will 100% make the script better! I can’t wait to start re-writing! -LAURIE COLLYER, Writer/Director of SHERRYBABY, SUNLIGHT JR , NUYORICAN DREAM, BILLIONS, ETC.
"Emily is a true storyteller who uses her brilliant skills in writing, directing, cinematography and collaboration to create gorgeous, compelling films. She dives in deep, bringing her generous heart and experience to every project. She has insight and rigor in equal measure, which is then alchemized into poetry both on the page and onscreen. Working with her as a script consultant has been a pure delight. She's clear with notes, generous with ideas, consistently encouraging and honest about the work required. She also thinks cinematically and is judicious about what’s expendable. I honestly cannot wait to work with her again." -RIVKAHBETH MEDOW, Director/Producer Frankly Speaking Films
"It’s rare to find someone who takes the time to fully understand your project and your goals. Emily is patient, thorough and a pure delight to work with. She has an incredible wealth of knowledge and just a 90 minute conversation helped us get our feet on the ground with the confidence needed to move forward." -JOEL FENDELMAN, Director MAN ON FIRE, DAVID, REMITTANCE, etc
"It’s so hard to find someone that you truly trust to give you script notes. For me, Emily is that person. Her notes not only revealed what we needed to improve, but also gave us confidence in the areas that were working. She’s the perfect combination of heart and sword.” -DYANA WINKLER, Director of UNITED SKATES, Writer of BELL
“Within a matter of minutes, Emily feels like a friend you’ve been collaborating with for years. Her screenwriting workshop taught me as much in three hours as I imagine I would learn in a year of film school. With care, humor, and great artistry, Emily took a group of professional writers through all the steps — from idea generation, to script writing, and even to pitching. And rather than feeling overwhelmed, I left the workshop feeling inspired and equipped with tools to improve my own craft. It’s rare that an artist can both practice and teach her craft at a high level, but Emily is that rare kind of artist.” -GREG VOVOS, Writer/Director of HOW TO BE A RESPECTABLE JUNKIE
“Emily provided coverage of my script after many drafts when it was almost ready to shoot. We are so glad we had one more read with her. She helped us see that our characters needed to be more specific and that their journeys needed to be transformative. Since our script is a comedy, she also helped us plumb more humor and absurdity in our scenes. Because of Emily’s coverage and guidance, our script will ultimately be funnier, more original and attract better talent.” -JONATHAN SKURNIK, Director of BECOMING JOHANNA, Writer of MY IMAGINARY GIRLFRIEND
SCREENPLAY CONSULTING
Emily has been honing her screenwriting skills for twenty years. She began learning the craft of screenwriting during her MFA program in Film Directing at Columbia University’s Graduate School of the Arts. When she was awarded a Fulbright fellowship to make her thesis film, Emily had to affiliate with an educational institution in the UK so she got an additional masters in screenwriting from the National Film and Television School. Since then, she has received numerous accolades for her screenplays, had her work screen at Sundance and been hired by Hollywood producers to work her magic on the page. Here are a few ways Emily can help you get your script ready for prime-time…
Character Development. Great stories begin with great characters. Lets talk about yours and how to get them to the next level. (Hint: no struggle, no story)
You can’t reach your destination without a good map. Emily can help you create a killer outline for your script that will be your guiding light during the screenwriting process.
Not all notes are created equal. Emily can give you detailed feedback on plot, structure and dialogue that will help get your work noticed.
Screenplays must be sculpted. Emily will help you kill your babies. Less is more.
DOCUMENTARY PRODUCTION CONSULTING
Emily has directed/produced four feature documentaries as well as numerous documentary shorts, branded films, etc. All her features have aired nationwide (on networks such as PBS, Showtime and Starz) and she knows the business of documentary filmmaking from conception through distribution. If you’re making a documentary and feel like you need direction from a filmmaker with a proven track record, consider hiring Emily as a Story Consultant or a Consulting Producer. Here are some of the areas where she can help you get unstuck…
Getting Started. Emily is a pro at figuring out key character and story arcs. She can help you save thousands of dollars in post production expenses by mapping out these key story elements before you hit the set. Don’t shoot hundreds of hours of footage and then try to find the story in the edit. Shoot for the edit.
Cinematography Consultation. Want to save money and shoot it yourself but need some guidance on how to cover a scene or what camera to use? Emily can help.
Budget Consultation. Emily can spot the red flags and help you eliminate unnecessary expenses.
Feedback on Grant Applications. Emily has garnered numerous grants for her work (Fulbright, NYSCA, Jerome Foundation, NYFA, IFP, Third Wave, Playboy Foundation, Yip Harburg, Adrienne Shelley Foundation, Paul Robeson, etc) and raised over a million dollars in independent funding for her films. If you feel overwhelmed with the application process and don’t know where to begin or just need a little extra guidance finding the right grants to apply for, Emily can help.
Kickstarter Campaign Guidance. Emily raised $83,000 on Kickstarter for her film Daddy Don’t Go and $46,000 for her film Thirsty. She can coach you on how to create and implement a winning campaign that will meet its fundraising goal.
Editorial Consultation. You have a ton of footage, now what? With an eye towards saving time and money, Emily can help guide you in the post production process so you don’t get lost in the abyss of your footage.
Feedback on Rough Cuts. Fresh eyes are invaluable when it comes to the post production process. Emily can be yours and provide incisive notes that will help you elevate your film’s overall viability.
Distribution Guidance. The festival circuit. Sales reps. Broadcast deals. It’s all a minefield for the novice filmmaker and Emily can help you avoid rookie mistakes.
CAREER COACHING FOR INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS
Emily has five feature films under her belt including one that premiered at Sundance but her proudest professional achievement is that she’s been able to to financially endure in a tough industry. Indy filmmaking requires deep courage and is not for the faint of heart. Here’s a sample of topics Emily can help you navigate…
Financial Empowerment. If you don’t value your time, who will? Emily can guide you away from a starving artist mindset and towards skills that pay the bills.
Productive Partnerships. Filmmaking partnerships are like marriages. Before you move forward with yours, Emily can help you make sure the love is mutual and the terms are fair.
Overcoming Roadblocks. There’s a solution for every production problem. To find it sometimes you just need to talk things out with a supportive person who has been there before.
Emily is also available for public speaking engagements. She has spoken at numerous organizations, high schools, colleges and universities across the country (see related lists below). She is also an experienced educator who taught both narrative and documentary filmmaking at Princeton University from 2012-2015. Please keep her in mind if your event calls for the voice of a veteran female filmmaker or your students/employees/conference attendees need a good dose of creative inspiration.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS: Princeton University, University of Southern California, DePauw University, Western Washington University, Hunter College, SUNY Binghamton, Brooklyn Law School, Cleveland State University, Hunter College, Bronx Community College, York College, Concord Academy, The Spence School, Smashcut Online Film School and New York Film Academy.
GOVERNMENT ORGINAZATIONS/NON-PROFITS: 92Y Tribeca, NYC'S Human Resources Administration, Center for American Progress, The Doe Fund, NYC Agency for Children's Services, NYU's Bronfman Center,Women, Action & the Media Conference, Athena Center, Liberty Fund Conference and the Child Support Director's Association.
PUBLIC SPEAKING TESTIMONIALS:
“I was blown away by the way Emily immediately made a connection with us as writers and how she quickly yet thoroughly took us through her craft while brilliantly illustrating what it takes to write for the screen. I’ve taken part in many workshops over the years, and I can say without hesitation that Emily’s was one of the most useful and inspiring.” Greg Vovos, Playwright/Editor at American Greetings
"Emily is very intimate with audiences; each one of her responses communicates that she is “just like you” and also very grateful. Far from a diva who has had films at Sundance, she exudes a “power to the people” vibe—like she’d be happy to screen her film in your living room, as long as it meant that people would be informed and inspired by it." Courtney Martin, Author/Speaker
“Both students and alums were in awe of Emily's work ethic, creativity and determination. Not to mention her awesome dance moves!" Allison Levy, Concord Academy
"Lacking pretense and full of positive energy, Emily effectively engaged the students and effortlessly directed the conversations to the topic at hand." Diana Todhunter, Brooklyn High School for Leadership and Community Service
"Emily offered our students a fresh perspective on the way they could live a life of impact. She challenged and inspired them to tell their stories and also be a positive force against injustice.” Danielle Passno, Spence Academy