Anyone can attend but must register! These are great for actors, crew, writers, etc to network and learn how to get funders, talent, above the line attached to your project. Keep scrolling to find information about quarterly pitch sessions.
These events are separate from She Dreams productions and are meant to help develop the Kentucky Film and TV creative side. Submitted scripts and pitches do not have to be female forward.
Quarterly Pitch Events
Our panelists for September will be announced soon!
September Panelists
Joe Livecchi is a seasoned media executive with over 20 years of experience as a producer, executive, and content creator within the media and entertainment industry. Throughout his career, he has developed deep industry relationships and achieved notable success in sales, acquisitions, and marketing within the sector. Livecchi has managed large-scale productions and produced highly rated programs across scripted, unscripted, documentary, and branded content for both broadcast and cable networks. He has supervised hundreds of hours of television production in the studio and in the field. Livecchi established Noble Savages, a production company that created well-received shows such as A&E’s “Alaska PD,” History’s “Save It Or Sell It,” and FYI’s “Question of Love.” Additionally, during his tenure at Viacom-owned CMT, he spearheaded successful shows including “Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Ranch,” “American Speed: The True Story of NASCAR,” and “Sun Records.” Currently, Joe serves as the CEO of Wrigley Media Group in Lexington, KY, where he leverages Kentucky’s 30-35% film and television tax incentive to broaden production opportunities and attract top-tier filmmakers worldwide.
Soozie Eastman is the president of 502 Film and a documentary filmmaker and short film producer. During her studies at UofL (BA, Communication) and Chapman University (MFA, Producing for TV and Film), she developed a profound love for educating and inspiring people through motion pictures. Soozie has taught university-level courses in pre-production and was Director of Programs for the HUMANITAS Prize where she ran their annual judging season and award show honoring writers in television and film as well as created the multi-studio television pilot program for emerging and underrepresented writers, New Voices of Humanitas.
After working in Los Angeles for a decade+, she “temporarily” returned to her hometown of Louisville to shoot her first feature film and take advantage of Kentucky’s film tax incentives. Through her locally-crewed production and extended tenure as Executive Director of the Louisville Film Society which included producing the Flyover Film Festival, Soozie has created deep relationships within the creative community and has no plans to leave. She serves as Chair of the Louisville Film Commission and recently released her feature documentary, Overload: America’s Toxic Love Story. She is excited to work alongside the 502 Film Collective team to further the efforts of building Kentucky’s film industry and infrastructure.
Zachary Lindsey has been a member of the Los Angeles film community since 2005. Currently working as a Producer of independent films, Zachary has developed an extensive reputation for his creative work in film and television. From humble beginnings on such high-profile films and television projects as Steven Soderbergh’s “Traffic” and HBO’s “Entourage”; Zachary has climbed the ladder to Producer and has utilized years of on-set experience to develop his expertise in this field.
Zachary works as a creative producer; developing new Intellectual Property, discovering new screenplays, and taking films from concept to completion. Since 2020, Zachary has helped launch two New Media properties; a show about current events and trends in the gaming and entertainment world hosted by a puppet and a live-action Sci-Fi comedy web series. On multiple occasions, Zachary has shepherded undiscovered directors through their first feature film experience. Zachary has also worked on feature films with such industry mainstays as Oliver Stone, Antoine Fuqua, Lance Henriksen, Danny Trejo, and many others.
Our June event was awesome! Such a great discussion, great presenters and a tremendous panel! Much thanks to Gravely Brewing!
June Panelists
Frank Dietz
Frank Dietz has found success in the film industry as a writer, producer, director, actor and animator. He starred in a series of now-cult low-budget horror films in the eighties and wrote many screenplays for independent productions before evolving into an animation artist, director/producer. Dietz has made significant contributions to the animation industry through characters you know and love such as Mulan, Hercules, and Tarzan. You can find his works on IMDB or sketchythingsart.com.
Bryn Silverman
Bryn is a producer and director based in Louisville, KY. Recently, she produced Tidal (DOC NYC, 2023), was a field producer on Paula Eiselt’s Under G-d (Sundance, 2023) and an editor on This World is Not My Own (SXSW, 2023.) She was a story producer on Amend: The Fight for America, a six part Netflix documentary series about the impact of the 14th Amendment. She was also an editor on the feature documentary Roll Red Roll. Her work was honored at the 2018 Webby’s in the category “best film – public service & activism.” She is a Southern Producers’ Lab Fellow with the New Orleans Film Society and one of four selected to participate in the Oxford Film Festival Female Filmmaker Retreat. She is currently producing Riley Hooper’s Vestibule, for which she won the New Visions Forum pitch at Ji.hlava Film Festival. She is also producing the feature documentary Pinball (dir. Naveen Chaubal) with ITVS and The People Could Fly (dir. Imani Dennison) with POV and Chicken & Egg. She graduated from the production track at the USC School of Cinematic Arts and is an Associate Programmer for the Tribeca Film Festival.
James Michael Marshall
James Michael Marshall is an actor, writer, producer, director well-represented by managers, entertainment lawyers, and agents in Hollywood. With a knack for pitching shows and crafting captivating decks and sizzle reels for projects, he’s become well-versed in the dos and don’ts of the industry. His latest deck and sizzle reel are in the hands of a major network, eagerly awaiting pairing with an executive producer. While he maintains his artist residency for JCPS and Simmons College of KY, his heart remains in the hustle and bustle of the entertainment world.
Quarterly Pitch Events –
Whether you need to attach talent, find funding, or get distribution, this industry revolves around your ability to pitch your ideas effectively!
Who: Writers, actors, above and below the line crew, potential investors, enthusiasts, or those curious about Kentucky film or the process
When: Our first event will be June 4, 2024. Location and details coming soon!
What:
Writers, producers, directors present their pitch decks in front of audience & receive customized feedback from a panel of experienced pros everyone can learn from.
After pitches: Audience can ask panelists questions, followed by open networking.
- Writers, directors, producers or others submit interest here
- We will reply and schedule presentations.
- Everyone registers with a donation to attend.
- If selected, presenters provide us with their graphic or pitch deck for use /projection at the event.
- Each event starts with introductions.
- Presenters give presentations within time limits in front of the audience and panel of pros.
- Pros will give feedback.
- The floor will open for 20 minutes of feedback and questions for panelists from the audience once all presenters are done.
- Open networking.
Gravely Brewing is at 514 Baxter Ave. There is some lot parking, but pay attention to the rules on the signs for some spots that are shared with the church. THere is often free street parking near by and a pay lot at the corner of Baxter and Barret 2 doors down.
PDF, or a link to a google or Canva or other presentation online. We do not have Power point available.
The panelists will vary for each event, but they are carefully vetted and selected to make sure they are in positions where they regularly take pitches or have the right experience to provide quality feedback.
All entertainment industry professionals and those who are curious to learn more about the industry or Kentucky creatives. We aim to provide a safe space and develop creative voices and especially encourage and hope for applications and participation from a diverse rainbow of ethnicities, backgrounds and gender identities. Discrimination against these or projects that perpetuate it will not be tolerated. While table read participants will be seated at panel tables, there will be seating for everyone else to watch, learn, give feedback and then participate in networking after.
No. While She Dreams focuses on female forward projects (which can still be written by men), these events are separate from our own productions and scripts can be anything that wouldn’t be considered propaganda, viewpoints disrespectful or bigoted toward specific communities or cultures, or excessively vulgar in content warranting an X rating. Our selection committee will use their best judgment to select scripts for the events.
Children under age 16 are not permitted to attend. All minors must have a guardian in attendance with them for the duration of the event and guardians must understand we will not censor content to be age appropriate. This is a development event for creative expression and some content may not be suitable for individuals under 18. It is up to the guardian’s discretion.
Yes! We’d love for more people to know how talented Kentucky folks are.
We all have ideas, but they become great and more likely to be executed with feedback.
We also need others to be aware of our work and talent, and this is an opportunity to show off our skills.
Our industry and infrastructure will become stronger through stronger relationships and a dedication from everyone to learn and grow together.
Everyone must register, including presenters. Limited seating will be reserved for those who register. Those who don’t register will be asked to stand until event starts and will still asked to make a donation at the door.
We ask all who attend these events to come with a growth mindset, willing to be supportive. We applaud people willing to jump in and do it messy, make mistakes and learn and grow together. Laugh through bumps together, offer support, clap wildly for each other. Constructive criticism is necessary to the creative process but we will not tolerate harassment, bullying or hateful communications. All feedback should be considered and worded to be supportive toward the creator’s goal
Be on time for introductions and be ready to tell us about yourself/project.
Come with your presentation notes, and be prepared to take notes on feedback.
Bring tools to take notes.
Do not argue or be defensive to feedback. You don’t have to use it.
Be gracious and thank all talent or those who offer feedback.
Our Partners:
Kentucky’s Film and TV industry is Growing!
We all share a common goal – we want more work and projects in Kentucky, but we need a growth mindset and collaborative spirit to become competitive with other markets!
In a growth mindset, people believe current or basic abilities can be developed and improved through dedication, hard work and collaboration or feedback from others—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential.
We want to attract more industry but especially want to see more Kentucky projects created. There is a gap here in educational opportunities related to story and project development that we hope to fill, but it will require all our individual folks dedicating themselves to develop their talents and continually learn.
Why we’re producing these events:
We want to see everyone reach their full potential and succeed! We agree with our partners that we must collaborate to develop and educate each other to create a strong community and infrastructure that will attract more industry, money and opportunities. With a collaborative and educational spirit, we will combine our own story, development and producing skills with the expertise of other professionals and the support of our partners to produce a series of table reads, pitch sessions and other events meant to connect and develop the creative side of the Kentucky entertainment community.
Event RSVP links and additional information will be added soon!
