The Opal Awards, 'A Jewel' for Pittsburgh's Entertainment Industry
Monday, March 3, 2008
This article was published in the March 2008 issue of the North Hills Monthly Magazine which is available for free at local area establishments.
According to Pittsburgh Councilman Bill Peduto, creator of the council on the arts in Pittsburgh, "The arts revitalize neighborhoods better than bringing in Walgreen's to street corners." As part of this credo, Peduto presented a city council proclamation at the Women in Film and Media's first Annual Opal Awards late last year. Women in Film and Media is an international organization with 47 chapters worldwide. The organization focuses on everything from education, mentoring, and resources for those involved in television, radio, video, film, videographers, and actors. WIFM has a very active chapter in Western Pennsylvania.
Faith Dickinson founded WIFM Pittsburgh two years ago with many goals and dreams. After living in Los Angeles for seven years and learning about WIFM there, she wanted to start the organization in Pittsburgh. Additionally, she wanted to create a Public Service Announcement committee for women and children, and a Patti Burns award for television excellence. She was able to achieve all of these plus created a scholarship for a local student, with the help of the WIFGM alliance which funds film festivals and PSA's. This past year, Art Institute of Pittsburgh student Heather Mallak was awarded the $1500 scholarship. Mallak is purusing a degree in Interactive Media Design.
Dickinson and her board of directors came together each as individuals with different talents in the arts to create one solid organization, one that is stronger than the sum of its parts. They have hosted panel discussions and social mixers to get the word out about their chapter. The group also participated in a recent 48 hour film project in which 24 teams (286 people) worked to make short films with Pittsburgh as a character in the span of just one weekend.
The Public Service Announcement committee created a PSA for the Women and Girls Foundation of Pittsburgh and are working on one for Sudden Infant Death Sydrome organization.
When asked where the funding for these projects would come from, Dickinson said, "When you step off a cliff, the ground will meet you." Dickinson credits her colleagues Amy Lamb of Lumiere Films , Jodi Klebick of the Steeltown Entertainment Project, and a host of others for helping her accomplish her list of lofty goals.
WIFM Pittsburgh recently honored Suzanne DeLaurentis at the first annual Opal Awards. DeLaurentis came to Pittsburgh to produce the film "Out of the Black" in 2000 and more recently, "10th & Wolf" in 2004 which generated $20 million for our local economy. DeLaurentis said, "Pittsburgh is a great place to film a movie, everyone is so helpful and genuine." DeLaurentis has pointed fellow producers to the Pittsburgh area and plans to bring more films to Pittsburgh herself. When speaking about her attraction to the Pittsburgh area, DeLaurentis added, "Do what you love and love what you do."
Also honored at the first annual Opal Awards was Amy Lamb of Lumiere Films. Lamb worked on the first PSA and was honored with the award of dedication to the film community.
Even though Dickinson accomplished her goals within two years, she plans to have many more in the months ahead.
Memberships for Women in Film and Media are available for individuals as well as businesses. For more information on this dynamic organization that is dedicated to empowering, promoting, and mentoring women in the entertainment, communication, and media industry, visit www.wifmpit.com.
Leave a comment