My Nonprofit Reviews

At the time most people would say I am a professional filmmaker. I have graduated from Towson University. My experience with WIFV has been absolutely amazing. I have never really told this story and I am happy to have a venue to do so. When I first heard about WIFV I was a freshmen (1998). I was wide eyed and excited to anything to enhance my knowledge of film. I met many wonderful women to help nurture that need. The Presidents name was Theresa then. I was thrilled to hear that John Waters sat on the board here in Baltimore. Everything was so new but the WIFV organization was so welcoming. I looked around and noticed that many of my friends had not been involved yet. I volunteered to recruit my young college friends to join. I even ask the guys knowing that just because the majority were women that they were openly accepted too. I knew one of the members was Steve Yeager a teacher of ours at Towson University. I remember volunteering to help out at a gala at the Senator Theater. (I believe it was for an independent film shot in Maryland that was directed by Jamie Lee Curtis' sister.) When the "Replacements" came to town one of the members remembered me and told me to apply to be a part of the film set. I did and they ended up needing some help with recruiting folks for their stadium scene. They had me gather people to show up and to be a part of the film as extras. I asked even my parents to come!! That day was a fun day that I could spend with them and they learned a little bit of what I actually love about the filmmaking process. In addition, that experience I also had a unique and rare opportunity to work with a filmmaker who had a film called "My Father's House." At the time it was the most exciting independent film being shot in the surrounding Baltimore/Washington area in my opinion. I wanted so badly to be a part of the film production crew. Cameron Diaz was to be in the film being shot! Everyone knew that. I remember going down one avenue and it just did not work. My sister in WIFV pulled through for me. She told me of a way to get my resume to the film director. I brought my resume, interviewed, and hopped on board. Larry Holden turned out to be one of the most brilliant and kindest people I think I will ever know. He and his wife Hanne were wonderful to work with and for during the shooting of this film. I was a production assistant that quickly was promoted when one of the producers decided to leave. I had the opportunity to juggle a few spots on set. I had opportunity to even prepare a make shift breakfast for Ms. Diaz herself. We had a nice trailer set up for her and I was asked to bring her some breakfast.Refrigerator. Well, on set we had cereal and slices of orange. ( She expressed she did not drink coffee) I placed them in her refrigerator. I only hoped that she was fine with what we had. She was very pleasant. Larry Holden and I early one early morning sat on the back porch of the home on Broadway where the production house was set up. ( Belair, Md) As we sat drank a mug of coffee I will never forget how down to Earth he was and I remember instantly liking him. He had that ability. (He too was an actor in Hollywood) He has since passed away but, I know I will never be the same having met him. I have enjoyed being involved with WIFV and I truthfully believe they gave me opportunities that I never would have had if I was not involved. Thank you WIFV, Heidi Lea Hunter