A discussion about producing indie films with Nerissa Williams of TCGT Entertainment and Exec. Dir. of SAGIndie Darrien Gipson
Whether you're interested in directing actors, working with composers, learning the SAG-AFTRA signatory process, or getting advice, come to this session with the Executive Director of SAGIndie, Darrien Gipson to learn about what you need to do as an independent producer to understand the proper way to hire actors, using the low budget contracts, and to give production advice in order to avoid any pitfalls.
Darrien Michele Gipson
SAGindie Executive Director
Darrien Michele Gipson is the Executive Director of SAGindie, an educational organization for independent filmmakers. Darrien is a graduate of UCLA, where she received her BA in English Literature; and USC, where she earned an MFA from the Peter Stark Producers Program. She was the Vice President of Development for DEF Pictures before joining SAGindie in 2002 as Festival Coordinator. Through SAGindie, she traveled extensively to film festivals, film schools, and conferences, hosting workshops and teaching filmmakers how to hire professional actors using SAG-AFTRA’s low budget contracts. Since becoming SAGindie’s Executive Director in 2006, Darrien has expanded the organization to reach more festivals and help even more creators on all platforms to bring their projects to fruition. She continues to travel around the world speaking on panels, mentoring writers and filmmakers, and championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the entertainment industry.
Darrien’s favorite book about moviemaking is As You Wish: Inconceivable Takes from the Making of THE PRINCESS BRIDE by Cary Elwes. It includes amazing behind-the-scenes information about the best movie ever made (she will fight you on that). Darrien especially loves how Elwes has different cast members write their own memories throughout the book. It might be lighthearted and irreverent, but it is done with sincerity and just made her happy. Just like maewidge, it bwings us togetheh.
Mrs. Nerissa Williams Scott
CEO/Lead Creative Producer of That Child Got Talent Entertainment, Boston, MA (tcgtentertainment.com) was the Night Manager of the Emerson College Paramount Film Sound Stage for 11 years before recently joining the affiliated faculty in the Marketing Communications department, where she a professor in the Business of Creative Enterprise Department. She is an adjunct faculty member at Massachusetts College of Art where she is a professor for Business of Media. She is a graduate of Hampton University, where she received a Bachelor of Art degree in Fine and Performing Arts. She is also a graduate of Emerson College where she received her Master of Fine Art degree in Film Production ’15. Her career experience includes over thirty five years of performing, working and learning in the Performing and Media Art avenues of entertainment. She has worked her way up to the position of Producer, Creative Producer, UPM and Line Producer. She has produced and served as production manager for a variety of Live events, including the Boston Arts Music Soul Festival (BAMS Fest) in Franklin Park. She has produced Theatre productions, Fashion films, TV series, Documentaries/series, Narrative features & shorts and Music videos. Her world travels have set her apart in the Creative Producer role. She was awarded the LEF Foundation Fellowship to attend the Flaherty Seminar in upstate New York in 2018 as well as the LEF Development grant for the experimental feature documentary, “Paradise” with director Gabby Sumney. She, along with director Daniel Callahan, has produced a feature Psych thriller narrative, "Come On In", showcasing in festivals across the globe and just released through Gravitas Ventures. Her producing passion project, "Our Circuit", is a VR docu-series centered around the themes and understandings of the African American entertainment conglomerate known as the Chitlin Circuit. She is the Treasurer for the Board of Directors for the Secret Society of Black Creatives (SSBC). She is the Vice President of the Board of Directors for Women in Film and Video New England (WIFVNE). She sits on the Board of Directors for Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI). Her most prized position is serving as the Chair of the Board of Directors of Sarah’s Hope Charitable and Educational Foundation in Lufkin, Texas. As CEO of That Child Got Talent Entertainment, Nerissa has created a company that serves as a bridge for women who are recent high school and college grads to gain employment in the art of making films while serving the greater community through teaching youth as well as elders. Her favorite quote, “The ongoing forward momentum of TCGT has provided the avenue that lays poise for the women we provide the opportunity to wow the world with brilliance!”
Sponsored by The Secret Society of Black Creatives.
