By Editorial Co-Heads Rachel Lambert & Siena Richardson.
Many incredible artists will be featured in this year’s Fusion Film Festival screening and competition. We reached out to the finalists from all 12 categories to get to know more about who they are, what inspires them, and how they feel about being a part of Fusion.
GRADUATE HALF HOUR PILOT SCREENPLAY:
Siobhan Gilbert
Major in Dramatic Writing – Tisch School of the Arts
Class of 2015
Hometown: New York, New York
Script: Ivy League A-Holes
Alyssa Haddad
Major in Dramatic Writing
Class of May 2017
Hometown: Utica, NY
Script: Pinned Down
Jennifer Rudin
MFA in Dramatic Writing
Class of Spring 2017
Hometown: New York, New York
Script: Starring Chloe Fisher
How did you decide to become a writer/filmmaker/animator/etc.?
Siobhan: The women of SNL in the mid-late 90s/early 00s.
Alyssa: I wanted an easy and stable career.
Jennifer: I grew up in New York City and was a professional child actress from age eight to seventeen. I’ve spent my career as an award-winning casting director, including seven years as a casting director for The Walt Disney Company. I’m the proud author of Confessions of a Casting Director: Help Actors Land Any Role with Secrets from Inside the Audition Room (Harper Collins, 2013). After writing the book, I made the decision to shift from casting and focus on my writing.
What inspires you?
Siobhan: Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elizabeth Warren who are not interested in likability and are ruthless in pursuing their goals.
Alyssa: Friends, family, riveting theatre, and poop jokes.
Jennifer: Excellent sushi and a glass of white wine. Oh, and books, theater, and riding my bike!
Why did you submit to Fusion?
Siobhan: Two close friends were finalists last year, and they encouraged me to submit.
Alyssa: We need more female representation in the arts, and I happened to be one.
Jennifer: I submitted to Fusion because my pilot is focused on the world of professional teen actresses, so it seemed perfect subject matter for a women’s film festival!
Is there anything else you’d like people to know about you?
Siobhan: I’m no one’s manic pixie dream girl — more of a manic pixie nightmare.
Alyssa: I’m super available for hire on any TV show at any time so don’t be afraid to ask!
Jennifer: For more info, visit www.jenrudin.com and @RudinJen.
The screening of Fusion Film Festival finalists and the awards ceremony will take place at 6:30pm at Cantor Film Center on Saturday, March 5th.