Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Weissenstein.
Megan, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
When I was younger, my dream was to be a director. When I was around ten years old, my dad bought me my first camera. From that moment on, I was in love with the art of visual storytelling. Everywhere I went, I had that camera attached to my hand.
After college, I began working as a PA. I got my first big break at Coolfire Studios, where I collaboratively built a successful original programming and branded entertainment division from the ground up. During that time, I developed, produced and directed various projects for networks and content partners such as Discovery, A&E, Esquire Network, HGTV, Style Network, History, OWN, Goodwill, Sprint, Children’s Mercy KC and the Pujols Family Foundation.
I worked in the television industry for almost ten years before transitioning to my current role, as the Head of Creative at Sprint, where I am responsible for leading the creative team through the challenges of a rapidly evolving business and overseeing creative development for TV, social, digital, print, OOH, and radio.
In November of 2017, the reality of being a woman in this industry really hit me. That is when I decided to launch Boyish (www.boyish.media), a digital-media company which showcases content created by individuals identifying as women–with new short-films launching monthly. In addition to showcasing content, Boyish partners with brands to create engaging content that resonates deeply with the female audience. I taught myself some code, started reaching out to filmmakers and launched the platform in March of 2018. This was just in time for the Academy Awards, where Greta Gerwig was nominated (only the fifth woman in ninety years) for “Lady Bird,” in the Best Director category. She was ultimately beaten by her male counterpart, Guillermo del Toro for “The Shape of Water,” which only confirmed the need for a platform like Boyish.
I’m extremely passionate about giving visibility to other women directors and hope that we can work together to create a more inclusive industry and break the ceiling that still exists today.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
In the wake of #MeToo and Time’s Up movements, gender pay parity and inclusion riders, people are searching for content that values diversity and inclusion.
We want to help the people behind these movements, this underrepresented group–to lift their voice by creating content that reflects the breadth of their life experiences, not a one-dimensional version of themselves.
We want to connect them to brands and networks that want to help fight inequality by allowing women to create real-life relevance that opens the door to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with their consumers and viewers.
That’s why we created Boyish.
Boyish is a digital-media company which showcases content created by individuals identifying as women–with new short-films launching monthly. In addition to showcasing content, Boyish partners with brands to create engaging content that resonates deeply with the female audience.
This supports our mission: to celebrate the creative power women possess by giving them a place where their voice can be heard.
Our current platform features over 100 hours of content. In addition to showcasing quality content, Boyish also helps match 100+ filmmakers to brands and networks looking for high-quality content created by women.
Our filmmakers have worked with networks and brands such as Disney, Chevy, BBC, Discovery, Vice, NIKE, Sesame Street, Warner Bros, Nickelodeon, Bix Pix, NBC and ABC, and have been featured in festivals such as, Cannes, Cynopsis short, SXSW, Tribeca, The London Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, as well as being nominated for Academy, Sundance and Cannes awards.
It’s Content for Everyone. Created by Women.
Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
Make stuff. Don’t wait till it’s the right time. Make stuff now!!!
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
www.boyish.media
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/2FvBvY0
Like us on social:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boyish.media/ or @boyish.media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boyish.media/ or boyish.media
Twitter: https://twitter.com/boyish_media?lang=en or @boyish_media
Contact Info:
- Website: www.boyish.media
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boyish.media/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boyish.media/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/boyish_media?lang=en
Image Credit:
Swipe Right: Kendall Goldberg
Shrinking Violet: Katie Stegeman
We Are Filmmakers: Katie Stegeman
Foxy Trot: Lisa Donato
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