Season 2 | Episode 4: Creating Access Through Film with Angela C. Lee
The co-Star of this episode:
The Smoke and Mirrors
We’d love to hear from you!
Featured Guest: Angela C. Lee
Why is film such an important medium for creating access? How can we use empathy to expand vision?
Hosts Jason and Yvonne Lee share a moment with Spirit Award nominated producer (Songs My Brothers Taught Me), Angela C. Lee who also is the Associate Director of Artist Development at Film Independent. By examining the ecosystem of filmmaking and producing, these three discuss the larger notion that access to “Hollywood” doesn’t come just because we deserve it. They explore how we can find (or even create) traction within a film system by showing myopic gatekeepers the capability of success from projects that have stories, actors and production teams with whom these power-holders may not associate with viability. As a solution, these three discuss one real truth: diverse producers get diverse projects made.
How do we nurture empathy to gain equity? How do we create a pathway to ownership so that we can control and expand vision?
Listen and be inspired by Angela’s determined passion. LA based and a native Chicagoan, she understands that producing is about seeing and supporting a filmmaker's vision, and sticking with them for the long haul to create space where they can shine. Along with Jason and Yvonne, who are on a mission to provide opportunities for stories that may not otherwise be told, they ask, how can we explain that discovery is infinite?
For more spirited discussions, make sure to subscribe to the podcast.
And if you’ve enjoyed thinking and mocktailing along with us, we’d love for you to leave us a review.
Cheers … and Please Drink Responsibly!
Links
Guest:
Angela C. Lee – https://www.filmindependent.org/talent/angela-c-lee/
Episode Reference Links:
Project Involve – https://www.filmindependent.org/blog/project-involve-is-back-meet-the-30-new-fellows-joining-us-in-2022-2/
Philiane Phang – https://www.filmindependent.org/talent/philiane-phang/
Chloe’ Zhao (Songs My Brother Taught Me, Nomadland) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlo%C3%A9_Zhao
Original source of NPR episode about the ABA – https://freakonomics.com/podcast/dont-worry-be-tacky/
Kurtis Blow - “Basketball” song – https://youtu.be/_shxzlTRK44
Death & Company – https://www.deathandcompany.com/
Array Now – https://arraynow.com/
Byron Allen – https://entertainmentstudios.com/founder/
Robert Townsend – https://www.roberttownsend.com/
Shonda Rhimes – https://www.shondaland.com/
Sundance Institute – https://apply.sundance.org/
Ruth Ann Harnisch _ https://thehf.org/about/
Additional Links + Special thanks to:
Podcast Haven - https://thepodcasthaven.com/
Liam E. Allen (original music) - @Liamea97
“…It takes a huge community, it’s that community that gives storytellers the access and then as this entire community finds success, that’s how you’ll have more equity .”
-Angela C. Lee (minute 39:47)
Cocktail: The Smoke and Mirrors
A daiquiri variation created by bartender Alex Day for Death & Co in NYC, a company who has been a huge inspiration for Jason.
Recipe
1oz Islay scotch - Lagavulin
1oz blended scotch - Johnnie Walker red or black
3/4 oz lime juice
3/4 oz simple syrup
4-6 mint leaves
Absinthe spray
Shake ingredients with ice. Finish with absinthe spray.
About our special guest
Angela C. Lee
Associate Director of Artist Development, Film Independent
Angela C. Lee is a Los Angeles based Spirit Award nominated independent producer. Her first feature film, Songs My Brothers Taught Me, premiered in competition at the Sundance Film Festival and in Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes. The film was distributed by Kino Lorber and nominated for three Film Independent Spirit Awards. Angela is a 2015 Sundance Creative Producing Lab Fellow and has also been supported by the Berlinale, Film Independent, IFP, PGA Diversity Workshop and the Center for Asian American Media and is currently in development on The Space Between, with writer/director Philiane Phang and The Sparkle Panthers, written by Sarah Carbiener and Erica Rosbe.
Angela is also the Associate Director of Artist Development at Film Independent where she oversees the filmmaker lab programs including Screenwriting, Directing, Producing, Documentary Labs and the Fast Track Finance Market. Previously, Angela served as Director of Creative Affairs at Vox3 Films in New York. A native Chicagoan, Angela graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in Economics.
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