By A SHOOT Staff Report

DIRECTOR STETT BREAKS GLASS CEILING FOR FORD
Carrie Stett, who’s repped by Washington Square Films, directed this brand film, Breaking the Glass Ceiling, for Ford that proves it’s never too late to realize your dreams. Hosted by actress and activist Gina Rodriguez, the digital platform short from media and content company Shareability features three ambitious women–Mary Lou, Gale and Josie–whose long time aspirations of becoming astronauts had been halted when they were girls by the gender bias of the baby boom era.

Now they make up for lost opportunity and lost time by connecting with Rodriguez’s Breaking the Glass Ceiling program that helps them reach for the stars and check off a lifetime bucket list item. Stett–who back in 2017 earned inclusion into SHOOT’s New Directors Showcase–chronicles the trio’s experience as they embark on a special adventure at Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama.

We see the women being put through the paces of space simulations, zero gravity and the like, taking time out to chat with Rodriguez about their aspirations and what this chance later in life means to them.

MATSOUKAS TO RECEIVE AFI’S SCHAFFNER MEDAL
Multitalented film, television and music video artist Melina Matsoukas will receive the American Film Institute’s 2019 Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal. This honor recognizes the extraordinary creative talents of AFI Conservatory alumni (Matsoukas is from the class of 2005) who embody the qualities of filmmaker Schaffner: talent, taste, dedication and commitment to quality storytelling in film and television. The presentation of the Schaffner Medal will take place at the AFI Life Achievement Award Tribute to Denzel Washington in Hollywood on June 6.

Matsoukas’ innovative aesthetic has shaped some of contemporary pop culture’s most iconic moments–from the groundbreaking “Lemonade” visual album for Beyoncé to the revelatory “Thanksgiving” episode of Master Of None. With credits spanning a variety of genres and mediums, and collaborations with renowned artists such as Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston and Jennifer Lopez, Matsoukas is a master of crafting modern-day, visual paeans to social justice and female empowerment.

Matsoukas won Grammy Awards for Rihanna’s “We Found Love” and Beyoncé’s “Formation,” a feminist anthem and powerfully evocative statement on the black experience in America today. She champions diverse voices and challenges the status quo in television, directing and executive-producing HBO’s sharp portrait of black millennial life, Insecure, and Netflix’s Master Of None. This year, Matsoukas makes her feature directorial debut with the sociopolitical thriller Queen & Slim, written by Lena Waithe.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE….
Domenic Rom, a NY industry fixture, has joined Goldcrest Post as managing director. Rom will oversee operations, drive sales and pursue growth strategies for Goldcrest, a leading indie provider of post services for film and TV on the East Coast. He previously served as president and GM of Deluxe TV Post Production Services. Rom led Deluxe’s global services for TV, including its subsidiaries Encore and Level 3. Prior to that, he was managing director of Deluxe’s NY studio, which included East Coast operations for Encore, Company 3 and Method. He served as SVP at Technicolor Creative Services for three years, and was an executive at PostWorks for 11 years…. 

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