FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Alliance of Women Directors?
Alliance of Women Directors is the only organization solely dedicated to education, support and advocacy
for women directors in the entertainment industry. Each member has achieved
professional status by having directed at least one long or short-form narrative
film, television program, documentary, commercial or new media program that
has been recognized by the creative community. We host highly popular educational
seminars throughout the year on the business of the industry, screenings, tradecraft
workshops, and networking events.
Alliance of Women Directors fosters a community of professionals to advance the art, craft and visibility of
women directors in the world of film, television and new media.
How do I join the Alliance of Women Directors?
To qualify for Membership, you must have directed a publicly-aired feature film, TV episode, TV movie, documentary, commercial, or short film. Membership in the AWD is open to women only. To download our membership application, please click on the “JOIN AWD” button.
What are the benefits of membership in the Alliance of Women Directors?
Our members enjoy private access to valuable online databases (currently including IMDBpro, the Hollywood Creative Directory, and more). Members receive discounted admission to all AWD events, as well as various professional discounts on goods and services around town. Only members are eligible to apply for our TV Shadowing Program. The value of these benefits far exceeds the actual cost of annual dues.
Over and above all this, of course, our members participate in an active and supportive community of like-minded professionals, best embodied at our ever-popular Members-Only meetings held twice a year.
What are my membership dues used for?
Membership dues pay for the costs of our events (venues, refreshments, etc.), as well as for all online services provided to members. No membership dues are used to pay members for the time they volunteer to the AWD.
Do you offer student membership?
No. However, students who meet our membership requirements are welcome to apply for membership. We do offer student discounts to many of our events.
I’m not a female director, but I’m interested in getting involved with the Alliance of Women Directors. What should I do?
Anyone is welcome to contribute their time and talents to the AWD, and almost all our events are open to the public. You are also welcome to join the AWD Yahoo groups. We are also planning on starting a “Friends of AWD” group, so please watch this space for further details.
What are the Alliance of Women Directors Yahoo groups?
The AWD hosts two newslists on Yahoo: AWD Professional and AWD Classified. These groups are open not just to AWD members, but to anyone wanting to participate in our online community. Both lists are monitored, and all posts must be approved. We do not post political or religious opinion, nor do we approve any personal attacks. All past postings are archived at http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/professionalAWD and http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/classifiedAWD.
To join either list, click on “JOIN AWD” and enter your email address in the appropriate fields for AWD Professional and AWD Classified.
What is the difference between AWD Professional and AWD Classified on Yahoo?
AWD Professional includes posts on film, TV and new media industry news, including news about screenings, awards, industry events, contests, and festivals. It also includes opportunities for directors and other crew members on current projects. This is the forum for your posts on trends and opportunities in the industry.
AWD Classified includes all non-industry-related posts, including housing available or needed, referrals for non-film-related services (doctors, dentists, housesitters, etc.). These posts can be very helpful to our community of AWD members and friends.
If I join AWD Professional on Yahoo, does that make me a member of the Alliance of Women Directors?
No. Membership is limited to women directors who meet our membership requirements, specified above. Anyone who wants to contribute is welcome to join the AWD Yahoo groups.
What is the Alliance of Women Directors TV Shadowing Program?
The AWD TV Shadowing Program places AWD members on network on cable TV shows to observe firsthand the art and craft of directing television.
In the 2009-2010 TV season, AWD members have shadowed shows including Lie To Me, One Tree Hill, Suite Life on Deck, How I Met Your Mother, Party Down, and Better Off Ted. Shows which have participated in our Shadowing Program in previous seasons include Entourage, CSI:Miami, CSI, Privilege, Jericho and The West Wing.
How do I apply to the TV Shadowing Program?
Only AWD Members in good standing (i.e., all current dues paid) are eligible to participate in the TV Shadowing Program.
If you are eligible, send your professional bio/resume, contact information, and a short paragraph explaining what you hope to achieve through participation in the TV Shadowing Program to dareshakyi@yahoo.com, cc’d to mcb@fivesistersproductions.com.
Up-to-date information on our Shadowing Program is available on this website. Just click on “Shadowing.”
I need a crew, and I can pay people. How can I get help from the Alliance of Women Directors?
Post your needs on the AWD Professional Yahoo group. You’ll get plenty of helpful responses. Also, check the HOTSHOTS button on this website to connect with crew members of all types personally recommended by AWD members.
I joined the AWD Yahoo groups, but now I’m getting too many e-mails. What can I do?
Go to http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/professionalAWD and/or http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/classifiedAWD and select “Daily Digest.” Now all your AWD-related e-mails from the Yahoo groups will be condensed into one e-mail per day.
I would like to volunteer at Alliance of Women Directors events. How do I do that?
E-mail us at awddirectors@mac.com. The AWD is a volunteer-driven organization, and we would love your input and help.