Gaining the Confidence to Boldly Venture Beyond The Screen
As a MIHI and A24 mentee, Tyler Newman shares the impact she had that lead her to successfully direct her first film.
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CHANGING THE NARRATIVE ONE FILM AT A TIME
CHANGING THE NARRATIVE ONE FILM AT A TIME
CHANGING THE NARRATIVE ONE FILM AT A TIME
MADE IN HER IMAGE AND PANAVISION PRESENT:
MADE IN HER IMAGE AND PANAVISION PRESENT:
MADE IN HER IMAGE AND PANAVISION PRESENT:
MADE IN HER IMAGE AND PANAVISION PRESENT:
MADE IN HER IMAGE AND PANAVISION PRESENT:
MADE IN HER IMAGE AND PANAVISION PRESENT:
SESSION 1: The Business of Production
| 04.04.2022
In this session, you will learn about the various factors that make up a film’s budget; how a studio balances a filmmaker’s vision with production costs, how to approach your own film budget, and how to advocate for more inclusive sets.
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CHANGING THE NARRATIVE ONE FILM AT A TIME
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Native Voices Shaping the Future
12.01.2023
As Native American Heritage Month draws to a close, Made In Her Image remains committed to our ongoing efforts of amplifying Indigenous voices in the film industry.
We are proud to highlight two filmmakers forging their paths and advancing much-needed Native representation in film, media, and technology. Through their work, Leeann and Brittany are increasing cultural understandings and helping reclaim representations of Indigenous peoples.
We look forward to the impact their stories will have on audiences, and invite you to support their important work and future generations of Native creatives shaping how our shared stories are told.
Leeann Nizhóní Leonard
Diné and Chicana
Cinematographer
Leeann is a Native American First Assistant Camera, Camera Operator, Cinematographer, and MIHI x Panavision mentee who has found her passion and calling in the film industry. Her early love of cameras developed from helping her father fix his film camera. After graduating from film school, she pursued mentorship opportunities to build her skills in grips, electric, and as a first AC—specializing in focus pulling. Today she takes pride in representing Indigenous peoples behind the camera and serving as a role model for others.
"Being a part of Made In Her Image has been key in providing opportunities through networking and relationships. A key relationship opportunity that has elevated my success has been through their partnership with Panavision." Leeann said.
"My goal is to represent my community of Indigenous Filmmakers and Cinematographers in the most authentic way possible. I want Native Youth who aspire to pursue a career in the Film Industry to know that there are people who look like them, who are them, and their relations are making a difference in telling stories from our perspective. We as Native people come from strong, resilient and beautiful people, and we are the Original Storytellers of this land."
"We as Native people come from strong, resilient and beautiful people, and we are the Original Storytellers of this land."
Brittany Bendabout
Cherokee, Otoe-Missouria
Photographer & Filmmaker
Brittany is a contemporary artist whose deep connection to her Cherokee & Otoe heritage inspires her work in freelance photography and film projects. Through a photography collective, she explores the evolution of Native American identity, rights, and representation.
In her own words, Brittany expressed, "I’ve had a camera in my hand since I was 15 —I admired the stillness of photography and it was just fun. A decade later, I fell into filmmaking, which really just put motion into the picture for me. To be a part of shows such as Reservation Dogs and Fancy Dance has really encapsulated the importance of authentic native storytelling. I think it’s just the beginning of a whole new generation of storytellers who want to share the beauty of our shared, lived experiences.
As a filmmaker, I can’t possibly represent an entire culture, but I can draw inspiration that is rooted in Cherokee and Otoe ways. There is much to share from my perspective as a woman, as an Oklahoman, as a Native American, and all the other intersections that make up my identity. In whatever I share or do, I hope it acts as a catalyst for narrative sovereignty, but most importantly, I want to give young native women a safe space to grow."
"In whatever I share or do, I hope it acts as a catalyst for narrative sovereignty, but most importantly, I want to give young native women a safe space to grow."
We invite you to follow their journeys, support Native filmmaking, and join our mission in ensuring a brighter future where all people see themselves reflected onscreen. This Heritage Month may end, but our mission lives on through elevating storytellers committed to accurate representation and driving progress.
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