In The Trenches Productions Message Board

Becoming somewhat militant

pilarsings — Tue, 27 May 2008 02:24:33 GMT

Hello everyone,
I've never done this before but so many arrows have pointed me to this direction. I'm going to school at 58 to get my BA in Performance Arts. I am doing this thru the LEAP(Liberal Education for Arts Professionls) Program at St. Mary's College. It was created for dancers and ex-dancers. I'm absolutely over the moon about learning to write and I have just finished my term paper. "Ageism in Film for Women". Talk about an eye-opening experience. I was so fortunate to attend events at the SAG bldg. that contributed to my project. I'm a member of SAG but not trying to get work at the moment. With school, looking after my disabled brother and living so far away, I will be content to educating myself with this amazing journey thru the "trenches" of film ageisim and how it affects every female. When I started my paper I was merely curious, then I moved to being somewhat militant all in a couple of months. It's truly the second coming of the Women's movement!!! I'm hoping to get more and more involved. I haven't given up on the film world. Just creating a niche where I can try and help the cause and make sure women over, is it 35 now?, get to count and make themselves heard. My thesis was "What is the intrinsic value of women in film and why do they face so many obstacles?" I sure found out a lot about the world of big film studios, attitudes towards women and what we will have to do to alter the skewed mind-set of the public. I met Susan Davis and watched the film "Invisible Women". I attended the Women's Caucus that had many film professionals on the panel. I am so grateful for this forum and hope to get involved. Thanks so much for being here for us "valuable women". God bless your efforts, Pilar Walsh

Believe It Baby!

mandycane — Thur, 10 Apr 2008 02:22:58 GMT

If you have not yet had the pleasure of watching the video, "Believe It Baby," you are missing out on some words of wisdom from some great ladies... and lots of smiles.

Take a few minutes out of your busy day to click on "Believe It Baby" on the main page. You'll be glad you did. And don't forget to send the link to your friends -- they deserve a smile, too!

What a great site

Jacqueline — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:01:28 GMT

Hi there:

I've just dropped in from Beverly Mahone's email that talked about your site and I'm most impressed.Some wonderful moments with the ladies. I enjoyed the videos and they give me inspiration to start doing my own. I can learn a lot just watching yours. Thank you.

Look forward to seeing more.

All the best
Jacqueline

New at this

howejulie — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 17:06:05 GMT

So... this morning I'm propped in bed, laptop gently warming the tops of my flannel-clad thighs, dogs at my feet and thinking: I'm 46. I'm delusional. Give up this nonsense about trying to become a screenwriter. What could I possibly offer that anyone would read? At my age? Please!

In a last ditch effort to find something genuinely relevant to me and my hairbrained notions besides why I should get a colonoscopy or how to please a man in bed even if my boobs have boarded a southbound to my bellybutton and this site popped up. Eureka! There's gold in them there hills!

Thanks, girls. There may be hope for me yet.

P.S. Loved, loved, loved the short A Host of Trouble. I'm inspired to write the Baptist equivalent!

It's for our Daughters' Generation

mandycane — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 00:16:20 GMT

Hi, I'm a new registrant. I just discovered this wonderful site yesterday and my thoughts went immediately to my 19 year old daughter. She's unusual in that she's NOT so overwhelmed by society's view of what she should be. She has the usual insecurities of a young woman, but is basically happy with herself.

Others her age, however, are already planning surgeries and cosmetic procedures to improve what they see as--and what they've been told are--flaws. The messages they receive from the media are powerful. Youth and physical perfection are good. Maturity and laugh lines are bad.

I am 48 years old and feel good about my age, my appearance and what I can contribute. I would like to think that by the time my daughter is my age, the media will have learned to show a more honest portrayal of mature women. We come in many shapes and sizes, with many unique attributes and talents. We're smart, fun and, yes, even sexy!

Boomer guy's perspective

goinglikesixty — Thur, 29 Mar 2007 21:52:01 GMT

I enjoyed the "I believe" video. Interesting, thoughtful and funny.

If you're interested in what a boomer guy is writing about, please check out http://goinglikesixty.com

hey

Superheidi — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 04:43:53 GMT

New here, and not over 40 yet. But I think this site rocks and I am glad it's here.

I'm a film reviewer and a filmmaker, and us chicks have to stick together.

Think you LA gals would like this.

dzipp — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 03:06:14 GMT

Just wanted to let all you friends in Los Angeles who might need a night out to hang with other women about this group that meets once a month. The woman that runs it is a friend and terrific and the LA Times raves about it

WOMEN"S NIGHT OUT Thursday, June 15th !!!!

LA TIMES SAYS: "chardonnay infused, NC-17 version of 'the View'!"

http://www.womensnightout.info

Join us at MBAR - 7:00 seating for dinner; 7:30 show

for fabulous comedy, music, talk and some great guests!

Now AT M-BAR - 1253 NORTH VINE -

in the plaza on the SW corner of Fountain and Vine

Hollywood, CA

10$ food minimum at tables.

RESERVE NOW !! 323-856-0036

This months line up..

CIRCUS CIRCUS CIRCUS with your hosts and Kristi from Focus Fish!!

Angry Jello Bubbles (girl comedy)

fabulous real estate lady to the stars,>>> Anita Rich

ASK A MAN>>>>>Kevin Smith.. filmmaker, dad, husband

Monica Morris author of The Mature Womens Guide to Dating

And Issy Way, "what am I doing online dating?"

Someone from the American Girl store tells us the truth!!!

Dr Patti Britton talks about SEX

Your hosts

Alicia Brandt & Stacy McQueen

Moondance International Film Festival

grac1ela — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 23:31:33 GMT

Moondance International Film Festival
June 9 - 11, 2006
Raleigh Studios (5300 Melrose Ave, Hollywood, CA)

The Moondance International Film Festival, popularly known as the "American Cannes", is one of the premier venues for the exhibition and promotion of feature and short films in the US, and one of the leading indie film festivals in the world. Dedicated to celebrating and sharing with international audiences the absolute best in the world of films and screenplays, film scores, and some 25 other genres, the festival features special presentations, retrospectives, workshops, pitch panels, a gala awards reception and ceremony, and many of the worlds top indie film screenings.

Go to website for more information: http://www.moondancefilmfestival.com

actress Grace Zabriskie

WorkerBee — Mon, 22 May 2006 20:43:17 GMT

I hope all you Californians read the lovely interview in yesterdays' Sunday L.A. Times (5/20/06 Calendar section part I) with the very lovely actress, Grace Zabriskie! She has a running role on HBO's "Big Love", but you'll remember her from numerous jobs. But what struck me in the interview, aside from how lovely she looks at 65, was her statement that about 15 years ago she decided not to partake of plastic surgery!!! "I am an actress. That means I must convey states of being, emothions. Why would I cut the muscles that allow me to frown? I figure that people do get old, and until everybody in the world has their face lifted, somebody's got to play the people who don't. I'm here." Good for her! I give her a very loud "Bravo"!!

Actresses over 40

WorkerBee — Mon, 08 May 2006 15:05:07 GMT

I just wanted to urge everyone in CA to look at yesterday's LA Times Parade Section (5/7) and be sure and read the first response Walter Scott gives in his "Personality Parade"! While agreeing with the person who sent the question that Sharon Stone's "Basic Instinct 2" was pretty bad, he goes on to take "mean-spirited critics, mostly male" to task for scoffing at the idea that a woman of 48 could still look sexy. He says "Hey, fellas, take another look at Susan Sarandon, 59, and Kim Basinger, 52." And if he'd had the space, he could have gone on and on! Bravo to him, and its about time others in the media started noticing that over 40 does not mean the garbage heap!

Why Actors Shouldn't Have Face Work!

WorkerBee — Sat, 18 Mar 2006 20:01:10 GMT

Here is a NYT review by Stephen Holden which says it all:

dir. Wim Wenders

Sam Shepard/Jessica Lange

"Ms. Lange's Doreen spits fire, but the actress can't sort through her

character's sudden changes of attitude, and because the upper half of

Ms. Lange's face appears immobilized by cosmetic work, she is only

able to give half a performance."

And here's the description of Sam Shepard from the 1st paragraph of the review...

"A magnificient ruin, that's how the American West is pictured in "Don't Come Knocking........." That description also applies to....the ravaged but still-handsome face of its 60-something writer and star. As impassive and craggy

as a granite monument, Mr. Shepard has physically aged into a symbol

of the stubborn, cranky individualist....he merely has to squint into

the camera to suggest a tired, suspicious cowboy, who has spent

decades riding the range......"

compare that to the description of the acting and physicallity of

his squaw -- Ol' Spittin Half-Face

When will people learn that their faces say something to the world about their lives?? And I, for one, want to see those lives on their faces, not a picture postcard. WorkerBee

Women up for Oscars

WorkerBee — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 16:09:14 GMT

So exactly how many women were nominated for best director this year?? - We see hours and hours of people telling us what great dresses the women are wearing, and how wonderful their hair and make-up is...PLEASE...lets hear a little about all the women struggling to write, produce and direct!!!!!!