Bialik’s Feature Directing Debut Lenses In NJ
North Jersey locations set the scene for the recently released comedy-drama As They Made Us, the story of a divorced mom trying to make peace with her dysfunctional family while getting a second chance at love. Now she must attempt to convince her stubborn and humorously unfortunate family members to hold it together while they embrace one final farewell. Produced by Anne Clements, Ash Christian and Michael Day, with Yale Productions’ Jordan Yale Levine and Jordan Beckerman, and Mark Maxey of Rolling Pictures, As They Made Us marks the screenwriting and directorial debut of former The Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik. The movie has been released by Quiver Distribution simultaneously in theaters and video on demand.
Bialik’s all-star cast includes her Big Bang co-star Simon Helberg, Dianna Agron, Candice Bergen, Dustin Hoffman, and Charlie Weber.
Two grads of P.A. Bootcamps sponsored by the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission, NBCUniversal and Sony Pictures Entertainment served on the crew. The Bootcamp is designed to train New Jersey residents from diverse backgrounds for these entry level jobs in the production industry.
“Although As They Made Us is set in Los Angeles, the movie was produced entirely in New Jersey,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Our state’s competitive incentives and film-friendly communities make New Jersey extremely attractive to filmmakers, and we are delighted that Mayim Bialik came here for her feature directorial debut.”
Cherokee Nation Film Office Looks To Impact TV
The Cherokee Nation Film Office recently partnered with Green Pastures Studio and SeriesFest to present the Season 8 Storytellers Initiative, specifically aimed at increasing Native representation within the television industry.
The annual competition offers writers the opportunity to submit a pilot script, participate in a writing workshop with industry experts and a live read with professional actors, as well as secure a yearlong development deal with the winning script. In an ongoing effort to address the need for more Natives on and off screen, this year’s winning submission must include a Native American screenwriter or actor.
“Since the beginning of television, film and traditional media, Native Americans have been grossly underrepresented and currently comprise less than 1% of these industries,” said Jennifer Loren, director of the Cherokee Nation Film Office and Original Content. “The Cherokee Nation and our incredible partners, such as those who joined us at SeriesFest, are doing our part to create more opportunities for proper representation and accurate portrayals of Natives in television and film.”
The tribe’s film office also presented “Changing the Narrative: Focus on Indigenous Representation in Television” at SeriesFest last month in Denver. The panel included Loren, actor Kaniehtiio Horn and Rutherford Falls showrunner Sierra Teller Ornelas discussing the welcome change of modern Native American characters, with other creators, writers, EPs and actors in attendance.
New Mexico To Host Series From Amazon, Universal TV
Principal photography has begun on a television series, the untitled Shea Serrano Project, and will continue through July in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Serrano serves as creator and EP for the series which is produced by Amazon Studios and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.
According to Amber Dodson, director of the New Mexico State Film Office, the production will employ approximately 300 New Mexico crew members.
