In 35 years, a lot can happen!  We're really excited that we've been around long enough to see several sets of fathers and daughters and sons involved with WIFV.

Meet the Henningers: Rob, Karen and Emily

Emily, Karen, and Rob review plans for their new facility at 1320 N. Courthouse Road, Arlington.  Move date late 2014!

When Rob Henninger started his business in 1983, he and his wife Renee had 3 teenage daughters and a toddler at home.  That business, Henninger Media Services, grew dramatically, and so did the family, to 7 children in all.  (Happy Father's Day, Rob!) "They've all worked at the facility at some point," says Rob, "but today two of my daughters have really made it a career."  Karen, one of those teenagers from 1983, got a degree in finance, became a CPA, and is now the company's Chief Financial Officer. And Emily, the toddler in 1983, got a degree in communications and now has over 10 years' experience managing client accounts and new business.  Both Emily and Karen say they love working with their dad, who they believe is "the nicest guy in show business."  Henninger's broad spectrum of offerings include audio and video editing, color correction, graphics, production, post production and captioning.  For more information, visit www.henninger.com; or call 888-243-3444.

 

  

 

 

Scott and Ben Gordon: Word Wizards in Action

 

 

DUO Media Productions Joins as WIFV Corporate Sponsor

Jim, Karen & Brian

A warm welcome to Jim Pennington, his son Brian, and daughter-in-law Karen at DUO Media Productions, who recently joined WIFV as a corporate sponsor.  They have worked together since 2007, when Jim asked: "Does it pass the laugh test to start a business together?"  Brian and Karen, both Full Sail graduates, were living in Florida, planning their marriage, and angling to come home to the Washington area after numerous freelance positions with groups like ESPN, Nickelodeon, and NFL Network.  Jim had over 30 years in the IT industry and was looking to pursue his new passion--filmmaking.  Presto!  DUO Media Productions was born.  Jim explains: "The creative side is mainly Brian and Karen, while I serve as business director and producer/writer.  It's an interesting dynamic," Jim notes.  "I try not to use the parent-child voice and I've gotten used to my son calling me by my first name."  Karen and Brian add, "It's so tempting, sometimes, to talk work when we're at a family gathering, so we've really had to keep one another in check, but no matter what challenges we have, we're family first and business partners second."  Their success is proof that things have worked out well.  With significant repeat and referral business, multiple awards, projects in exotic places like Uganda, and even an invitation to the Cannes Film Festival, life at DUO has become quite rewarding.  To learn more, go to www.DUOMediaProductions.com; call them at 301-221-7874; or e-mail them here.

 

 

Meet Actor Michael Gabel and His Talented Family

Ben, Rachel, Michael & Matt (front)

Michael Gabel is an award-winning actor, voice over artist, director, producer and educator. His most recent credits are the recurring role of Chief Justice in the acclaimed series, House of Cards; the lead in The Gravedigger and a guest spot on Veep. Michael's children all caught the acting bug from their Dad and have turned it into a lifelong passion and career. Michael's daughter, Rachel, is currently a company member at Shakespeare and Company. As she put it..."I relentlessly begged my parents 'to let me do what daddy does'...that was at the age of 4!" Rachel's husband, Ben Ratkowski, is the Artistic Director at The Lakeshore Players Theatre in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Michael's son, Matt Gabel, made his acting debut when he was just 8 months old as "the Little Bigger" in A Christmas Carol. Today, Matt is an accomplished actor, singer and dancer and is currently working on his Ph.D. in kinesthesiology at the University of Maryland.   Has Michael ever performed on stage with his children? "We have never had the chance to work together," Michael laments, "but we are always together in spirit." (Break a leg, Gabels!) Email Michael here. 

 

Last fall when the 35th anniversary strategic plan was developed by the WIFV Board, members began planning special programs and celebrations that kicked off with the March 2014 anniversary dinners. Meanwhile Amy Hawkes Repke, a local Public Relations specialist on the advisory board for Musicians On Call, was looking for another non-profit organization to help.   And in this age of the Internet, LinkedIn, an online resource that brings job candidates and companies together via online job posts, brought Amy together with Women in Film & Video DC within 48 hours. By the end of one week, she had interviewed with Executive Director Melissa Houghton and board members Yolanda Arrington and Karen Whitehead, and was scheduled to interview with Erin Essenmacher, WIFV President.

 

Ten years ago, this might not have happened in the space of only one week...but WIFV's access to LinkedIn's volunteer marketplace provided free job postings via an online premium account designed specifically for non-profit organizations.

 

Using this special account, WIFV published multiple job posts tagged with the phrase "LinkedIn for Good Volunteering". This tag helped people looking for work identify the post as a volunteer opportunity. The response to WIFV posts was a testament to the good work produced over the past 35 years. Over 1,250 people viewed the job posts, and of those, more than 250 people responded with a request to interview for the advisory positions - including high-profile specialists working for the government, film companies, and universities -- from places as far away as Egypt and as close as the  US capitol. WIFV's reputation and mission reached around the world and inspired people to volunteer their expertise.

 

At the next board meeting, a new Anniversary Advisory Committee was established to work closely with both the board of directors and the WIFV office to successfully launch the 35th Anniversary campaign. These advisors are separate from our long-term advisory committee members, and will serve a one-year term (March 2014 - March 2015) with focus on our anniversary activities. Please take a moment to introduce yourself to our prestigious new advisors if you meet them at WIFV functions.

 

Amy Hawkes Repke, Public Relations Advisor, brings over 20 years of professional experience to REPS Consulting, LLC. As an accomplished communications professional, Amy serves as CEO of REPS Consulting and provides clients with an array of marketing and public relations services to garner increased exposure and enhance corporate messaging. Earlier in Amy's career, she spent 15 years as a print and television producer, working for publications such as USA Today, Fox News Channel's Special Report with Bret Baier and local television stations around the country. As an award-winning broadcast and print professional, Amy leverages her clients by applying extensive knowledge of story selection criteria to secure earned media and promotion. Amy's past and present clients have been featured in national news broadcasts as well as print and online publications. Amy is a current Advisory Board member with Musicians On Call, Washington, DC, a national nonprofit bringing the healing power of music to patients in healthcare facilities. Amy also served as an Ambassador for the Lab School of Washington's 2011 & 2012 Annual Fund campaigns.

 

Vicki McGill, Graphic Design Advisor, has done a great deal of pro bono work for a variety of organizations. Vicki served on the Board of Directors for Rebuilding Together of Washington DC from 2004 - 2013, where she worked as graphic designer/webmaster and house captain and as a member of the fundraising and event planning committees, which planned and hosted golf tournaments and a variety of themed galas and parties. In addition, Vicki has also been the president and a board of directors member for Black Ski Inc. for the last two years. Prior to becoming President, she served as Communications VP and Advance Planning VP for Black Ski Inc. as well as a trip director a position in which she planned seven-day trips to ski resorts in Utah, Colorado and West Virginia. Her total length of service to Black Ski Inc. has been 10 years and will come to an end in May 2014. Vicki studied Radio, Television and Film during her coursework at Howard University and in recent years has become more interested in the area of film production leading her to attend the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. View Vicki's online portfolio here.

 

Everita Dave-Worley, Financial Planning Advisor, has significant work experience in finance and business operations, four years as a board member in the regulatory unit of the broadcasting industry in Latvia and a few years in business process development, international project and product management, communication, and organizational development. She is currently the Chairwoman of The Organization for Thriving Motherhood. Everita also worked as General Manager at Cross the Red, an internet-based holding of E Davis Ltd. that philosophically supports freedom of expression as one of the most important aspects of human rights. As a business process development manager at RIMI Baltic, Everita developed, re-engineered, and tracked compliance of business procedures, systems and internal controls. View one of Everita's fundraising efforts here. 

 

WIFV DC gratefully acknowledges LinkedIn for its generous contributions to volunteers, job postings, and connections with partners and members through the LinkedIn Board Member Connect program.

 

 

On Tuesday, May 20, Docs In Progress celebrated its 10th anniversary at a special Decade of Docs event.  As part of the evening, the organization gave out awards to Docs In Progress alumni and community members. Congratulations! 

 

ARTS IN FOCUS: Given to an alumni film which effectively spotlights an artist or art form.  Through the Eye of the Needle: The Art of Esther Nisenthal Krinitz (Nina Shapiro-Perl)

CAPITAL CITY AWARD: Given to an alumni film which tells the story of the Washington DC beyond the monuments. The Legend of Cool "Disco" Dan (Joseph Pattisal and Roger Gastman)

DOCS-IN-SERVICE AWARD: A special award to recognize someone who has made a difference to the regional documentary community.  Sky Sitney

EMERGENCE AWARD: Given to a Docs In Progress community member who has grown the most as a filmmaker.
Paul Moon

HISTORICAL DOCUMENTARY AWARD: Given to an alumni film which focuses on a historical event or figure with creativity and insight.  Let the Fire Burn (Jason Osder)

PERSONAL DOCUMENTARY AWARD: Given to an alumni film in which the filmmaker successfully transcends a personal story into a universal one.  Lost Sparrow (Chris Billing)

SHORT DOCUMENTARY AWARD: Given to an alumni film which is 40 minutes or shorter.  The New Woman: Annie "Londonderry" Kopchovsky (Gillian Willman)

SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD: Given to an alumni film which has helped raise awareness, change minds, and open dialogue about important social issues. Out in the Silence (Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson)

WINDOW TO THE WORLD: Given to an alumni film which provides a new perspective on an international issue.
The Lost Dream (Jehan Harney)

WOMEN IN DOCS: Honoring an alumni film which tells an important story about women. Breaking Through the Clouds (Heather Taylor)

 

WIFV is grateful for the annual support of these companies and our corporate members.


Just a reminder that you're receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in Women in Film & Video. Don't forget to add director@wifv.org to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox!

WIFV supports women in the industry by promoting equal opportunities, encouraging professional development, serving as an information network, and educating the public about women's creative and technical achievements.

Women in Film & Video
3628 12th Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017

202-429-9438

www.wifv.org