Impact Archives - Page 3 of 7 - Ashley Maria Productions

EDU Lessons Learned

EDU Movie Event - Lessons Learned

We spoke with Pioneers in Skirts EDU group screening hosts to find out about their experience screening our film. We asked them, “what worked for you?”, “what didn’t work?”, and “what would you do differently in the future?”.

Thanks to the generosity and openness of these dedicated educators, we were able to compile a valuable checklist of ‘what to do’ and ‘what not to do’ for schools to refer to when planning their movie event!

#1: You must do the work to drive up attendance

Filling seats and growing interest for the movie screening is the hard part and, since you can’t rely on teachers to be your PR team you need to —

Start promotional efforts early, and be consistent with the delivery.

TIPS:
- Make the movie event about (and involve) your students. When a student finds something that truly interests them, they will deepen their involvement.
- When handing over a movie promotional role to a student, you must help the student feel comfortable asking for help.

WATCH VIDEO #1

Brainstorm with students on promotional strategies that will work in your environment.

TIPS:
- Walk the classrooms and ask students for their input.
- Offer door prizes students want — make it fun for them
- Recruit teacher sponsors who can help you focus on segments of targeted students (vs targeting all students).
- Ask students for help managing student PR efforts. Give students creative rights.
- Download the poster file from the Pioneers in Skirts Media Kit to print and ask students to distribute them throughout the school.

Communicate the “why” your audience should attend your event. It’ll get people excited about your event — including your students.

TIPS:
- Set your event apart…plan music, career booths, invite a filmmaker or a subject-matter-expert to be part of your event — make it fun and impactful.
- Build buzz before the event happens with:
  - school newspaper or video interviews of teachers, other students, and/or the Pioneers in Skirts filmmakers, or
  - a contest that involves students.

Prepare for your audience reactions. Educators suggest for you to pre-screen the film with a small group of students to gauge viewpoints in advance of your event.

TIP: Send students to the WATCH page for them to view the movie at home prior to the small group of student viewpoint discussion.

Ask students to be part of a post-screening panel — and ask one to be the moderator.

TIP: If you have one, ask the student moderator to help manage student promotional efforts.

How We Help

We’ve made the movie available for rent at Vimeo Virtual Cinema. If you’d like to plan a pre-screening of the film at school (in front of a very small number of students/teachers), you can use this option. [this option is NOT for group screenings]
The Pioneers in Skirts Media Kit provides artwork for promotional efforts (poster, editable memes, invitation video, film stills). If you can’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to reach out and tell us what you need!
We provide very affordable options for hiring a filmmaker to speak to students. Complete our simple online Speaker Request Form to inquire about bringing a filmmaker to your event in person or virtually.
We’ve created product give-aways you can order, a music playlist to play as students enter the auditorium, and a link to the theme song so that you can set your event apart!

#2: Set yourself up for success

Insure that your event runs smoothly.

TIPS:
- Create a pre-event action item Check List.
- Create an event Run of Show to plan for each detailed action for your event day.

Prepare student panelists ahead of the event.

TIPS:
- Review the Run of Show with the panelists.
- Provide topical questions to the panelists in advance so that they can better prepare.
- Give panelists the freedom to ask each other questions too (it will make the panel more conversational).

WATCH VIDEO #2

How We Help

We’ve written a “20 Ways” article with great ideas to help you provide a memorable movie screening experience. Click to see ideas for
- raising awareness,
- empowering others to know that they aren’t alone, and
- encouraging productive and meaningful discussions!

#3: Plan for a long-term affect

Prepare students for the key topics in the film so that as they watch Pioneers in Skirts they can reflect on their own life and if they see themselves in the film. For a movie description, narrative threads, and movie themes: See the About page.

After watching the film, give them a few days to think about it.

TIP: Follow up 2-3 days later meet to discuss the film and how or if it made an impression.

Host a yearly movie screening event to reach incoming students and keep the conversation alive.

WATCH VIDEO #3

How We Help

When you book a group screening, we send you:
- A pre-movie Questionnaire introducing topics of the film for students to complete prior to watching. The Questionnaire and accompanying Answers sheet give teachers a tool to base lessons on and lead conversations.
- Post screening discussion questions that can be used during your event or long after when you’re instigating post-event classroom conversations.
We’ve developed an online LIVE learning tool called Find Your Inner Pioneer — it’s a post-screening interactive workshop.

Watch how the film impacted this young audience.

Watch the movie trailer.

20 ways to make your screening event memorable

Hosting a Movie Screening of Pioneers in Skirts?

A screening of Pioneers in Skirts can inspire personal ambition and foster supportive teams by offering practical ways to advance careers, champion others, and pave the way for future leaders.

For students, the film inspires students to pursue their career goals and move beyond self-doubt.
For professionals, it provides a practical framework for improving retention, strengthening teamwork, and creating a culture of active allyship where everyone feels valued.

Drawing on years of in-person and virtual screenings, we have learned how to integrate the film’s central themes into the venue, pre-show activities, and post-screening discussions to create a memorable, immersive event.

Curate an experience

Ensure the film’s message resonates and inspires real action.

Invite the Pioneers in Skirts filmmakers to speak at your event.

Inviting a filmmaker to speak turns a screening into a memorable event.

In schools, direct dialogue inspires aspiring talent—especially young women in STEM or male-dominated fields—to persevere. For companies, live Q&As provide professional development and help leaders and allies identify workplace cultural gaps.

Invite a Filmmaker

Provide popcorn, themed drinks, snacks.

A true cinema experience.

Pairing nostalgic candy, gourmet nachos, themed cupcakes, or custom popcorn buckets can be fun!

Themed Drink Ideas

Create photo props and custom selfie frames.

Lasting memories.

Watch your guests light up interactive photo corner!

Photo Station Ideas

Recruit sponsors to host contests, door prizes, food, and fun movie giveaways.

Inviting a filmmaker to speak turns a screening into a memorable event.

In schools, direct dialogue inspires aspiring talent—especially young women in STEM or male-dominated fields—to persevere. For companies, live Q&As provide professional development and help leaders and allies identify workplace cultural gaps.

Invite a Filmmaker

Create a drive-in theater experience in a parking lot or in the auditorium.

Inviting a filmmaker to speak turns a screening into a memorable event.

In schools, direct dialogue inspires aspiring talent—especially young women in STEM or male-dominated fields—to persevere. For companies, live Q&As provide professional development and help leaders and allies identify workplace cultural gaps.

Invite a Filmmaker

Create an awesome step-and-repeat as a backdrop for selfies and group photos.

Inviting a filmmaker to speak turns a screening into a memorable event.

In schools, direct dialogue inspires aspiring talent—especially young women in STEM or male-dominated fields—to persevere. For companies, live Q&As provide professional development and help leaders and allies identify workplace cultural gaps.

Invite a Filmmaker

Choose a theme and tell your audience to dress up to meet that theme. Make sure everything else blends in: music, the food, decorations, etc.

Inviting a filmmaker to speak turns a screening into a memorable event.

In schools, direct dialogue inspires aspiring talent—especially young women in STEM or male-dominated fields—to persevere. For companies, live Q&As provide professional development and help leaders and allies identify workplace cultural gaps.

Invite a Filmmaker

Get your audience pumped up before your movie event! As the audience arrives and sits in their seats, crank the Pioneer-on play list on Spotify.

Inviting a filmmaker to speak turns a screening into a memorable event.

In schools, direct dialogue inspires aspiring talent—especially young women in STEM or male-dominated fields—to persevere. For companies, live Q&As provide professional development and help leaders and allies identify workplace cultural gaps.

Invite a Filmmaker

Just before you walk out to welcome everyone to your event, play the movie theme song, “Freeway,” !

Inviting a filmmaker to speak turns a screening into a memorable event.

In schools, direct dialogue inspires aspiring talent—especially young women in STEM or male-dominated fields—to persevere. For companies, live Q&As provide professional development and help leaders and allies identify workplace cultural gaps.

Invite a Filmmaker

Create an awesome step-and-repeat as a backdrop for selfies and group photos.

Inviting a filmmaker to speak turns a screening into a memorable event.

In schools, direct dialogue inspires aspiring talent—especially young women in STEM or male-dominated fields—to persevere. For companies, live Q&As provide professional development and help leaders and allies identify workplace cultural gaps.

Invite a Filmmaker

Curate an experience

Ensure the film’s message resonates and inspires real action.

1. Invite the filmmakers to attend your event.

2. Provide popcorn, drinks, snacks.

3. Recruit sponsors to host contests, door prizes, food, and fun movie giveaways.

4. Create a drive-in theater experience in a parking lot or in the auditorium.

5. Create an awesome step-and-repeat as a backdrop for selfies and group photos.

6. Create photo props and custom selfie frames.

7. Choose a theme and tell your audience to dress up to meet that theme. Make sure everything else blends in: music, the food, decorations, etc.

8. Get your audience pumped up before your movie event! As the audience arrives and sits in their seats, crank the Pioneer-on play list on Spotify.

9. Just before you walk out to welcome everyone to your event, play the movie theme song, “Freeway,” !

Hand out useful and memorable content

10. Give away inspiring and purposeful Pioneers Group Swag or Pioneers Individual Swag!

11. Provide parental resources and learning activities. Like a small ‘Take Action’ poster to hang on their wall as a reminder of the event! Here are a few ideas:

- “We ALL Have A Role to Play” — ideas for what YOU can do to advance equity in the world
- “Are YOU A Pioneer?” — ideas for how YOU can be a changemaker & change the world, every day
- “THIS Is What Inclusion Feels Like” — ideas for how diverse populations feel welcome; a sense of belonging
- “The POWER dynamics” — ideas for how to look at privilege, and understanding the power you have in a room.

⇑ These are great ideas for a video contest too! ⇑

Engage with your community

12. Invite the school/company/association newspaper to interview the filmmakers or panelists.

13. Inspire industry publications to write a story about your movie event and tell them why a movie like this is needed (like this: ACTE).

14. Help audiences members to explore their role in the solution and develop actionable steps by writing an action plan (these could be personal, professional, or both).

15. Invite community leaders, advocates, and local celebrities to be part of your event: Community groups, university faculties, middle school/high school/university students, school administrators, teachers, and elected officials who could help lead to positive change for women and girls at the intersections of marginalized identities—from K-12 through career.

16. Send event registrants a profile frame so they can show their Pioneering spirit (we’ve created a free Canva template for you to make your own!).

17. Conduct photo or video contests. Use a # (hashtag) for participants to tag their entry, then feature the winners in social media & blog posts.

18. Take a poll before and after the screening to gauge feelings and perspectives.

19. Create a dedicated social media hashtag to increase attendee engagement before, during, and after your event.

20. Book a standard hosting package — which is HYBRID, and invite families to watch the film at home!

Nevada Theatrical Premiere of Pioneers in Skirts

Pioneers in Skirts Nevada theatrical premiere

Nevada Theatrical Premiere of Impact Documentary “Pioneers in Skirts” Scheduled for November 30, 2022

Los Angeles, CA, Release: October 26, 2022. For Immediate Release

Pioneers in Skirts filmmakers will be attending the premiere at the Galaxy Theaters on Nov 30 at 1pm. Even though the screening is part of an educators-focused event (ACTE CareerTech Vision 2022 conference), the event is Open To The Public. The filmmakers are also hosting a workshop on Dec. 1 to show educators how to host a successful and productive film screening that can positively impact their students.

The Nevada theatrical premiere of the latest Ashley Maria Productions film Pioneers in Skirts, which is currently broadcasting in the U.S. on PBS & public television, will take place November 30, 2022 at 1pm PST at the Galaxy Theaters in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pioneers in Skirts is an inspiring film about the obstacles that can get in the way of a woman’s pioneering ambition, and what we ALL can do about it.

Hosted by NCWIT Nevada, the movie will be part of the ACTE CareerTech Vision 2022 conference being held November 30-December 3, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“As school districts look to engage and encourage a more diverse student population to consider non-traditional careers, the film, Pioneers in Skirts, is a great way to start conversations with all students, educators, and families/caregivers about awareness and opportunities in STEM and Technology careers for female, under-served, and underrepresented students!” said Snehal Bhakta, Nevada Affiliate Coordinator for NCWIT. “The bonus part of the film are the conversations relating to being an ally, advocate or sponsor, to inclusion, access, and equity work that many school districts are continuing to address.”

In a portrait of perseverance and determination, the Pioneers in Skirts filmmakers, Ashley Maria and Lea-Ann W. Berst, follow the journeys of 3 unforgettable girls on a robotics team, their fathers, and Lily, a woman fearful her pregnancy news will fault her raise negotiations. The film uses Ashley’s own story as a female director in Hollywood as the through line, and also features fellow pioneering women and topic experts who have solutions to share.

“We shot the film during a time the entire world was transitioning into a full awareness of what it means to feel bias and sexism,” explained Ashley. “The culture around us moved from being in denial, then in shock and anger — and for some, being on defense.“

With knowledge about the topic being a rollercoaster of emotions, the team realized they had to weave in humor to lighten the mood.

“It’s a film about the inequalities that are impacting and shaping a woman’s career,” added Lea-Ann, “so we had to think outside the box for the film’s message to really sink in. We did this through humor and powerful & relatable stories.“

Today, viewers watch the film and find themselves empathizing with the characters. Some see that they are not alone. Many feel inspired – they see their role in the solution, and they feel motivated to act.

3 unforgettable girls on a robotics team

Television icons Joan Darling (Mary Tyler Moore, MASH) and Norman Lear (All in the Family, One Day at a Time) help set the story of what has been happening to women in Hollywood. Female directors, including recent Emmy award winner Bridget Stokes (A Black Lady Sketch Show) and Brea Grant (Torn Hearts), add their personal experiences to the storyline. Successful business women, like Cinnabon’s Kat Cole (Undercover Boss), Moz’s Sarah Bird, and Juleps Jane Park, also add their unique perspectives of overcoming adversity.

The film also features interviews with two organizations focused on quantifying the issues — The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) and The American Association of University Women (AAUW) — as well as many statistics that provide a realistic picture of how far women have to go in order to achieve true parity in their careers.

Movie Trailer

The daughter/mother filmmaking duo chose the ACTE CareerTech Vision 2022 Conference in Las Vegas as their Nevada Premiere to put a spotlight on how the film can help educators teach students about the culture around them and how it can shape the way students think about themselves and their careers.

Attendees at the ACTE conference are focused on finding innovative ways of expanding opportunities for students to explore, choose, and follow career and technical education programs of study and career pathways.

And, because of requirements of the main federal funding source (Perkins V) for high school and postsecondary CTE programs, attendees are required to address gender imbalances.

Females are scarce among high school CTE students concentrating in well-paying fields, such as information technology (32%), science (26%), and manufacturing (16%), according to a 2017-2018 analysis of federal Perkins data.

The daughter/mother filmmaking duo!
“Perkins V requires states to evaluate how well they meet their own targets for improving the gender makeup of CTE programs,” described Lea-Ann. “But many are not meeting their targets and are trying to figure out why.”
“We’ve seen that Pioneers in Skirts helps to provide an answer as to why,” added Ashley. “Film can be a powerful instructional and motivational tool in the classroom. When students watch Pioneers in Skirts, they experience the perspectives of people who are outside of their current world view – and as they process what they have seen, they also have an opportunity to self-reflect about their own lives and how they feel about it.“
“When teachers watch the film, many tell us they’re seeing how they need to change the environment in the classroom, too,” shared Lea-Ann.

The November 30th showing of Pioneers in Skirts will be the second time the film has been featured in Nevada. The Nevada Women’s Film Festival (NWFFest) featured the film online during their 2020 festival; granting Pioneers in Skirts the prestigious Spirit of Activism Award.

November 30, 1pm PST, Premiere Screening tickets are available for non-ACTE members. Email the Nevada Affiliate of NCWIT at info@ncwitnevada.org for details!

Moviegoers will see Pioneers in Skirts on the big screen with the filmmakers, be part of a post-screening audience conversation about the film, and have a chance to personally meet the filmmakers and receive a signed 11×17 movie poster! Popcorn, beverage, and sweet treats will be served.

Pioneers in Skirts is a family-friendly film.

###

About NCWIT Nevada:

The Nevada Affiliate is a part of The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), which is the only national non-profit focused on women’s participation in computing across the entire ecosystem, helping 1,400 organizations recruit, retain, and advance women from K-12 and higher education through industry and entrepreneurial careers by providing support, evidence, and action. NCWIT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, chartered in 2004 by the National Science Foundation. Find out more: ncwit.org.

About ACTE:

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities. Find out more: acteonline.org. For more information about the ACTE portion of the movie premiere: ACTE Event.

About NWFFest

The Nevada Women’s Film Festival is a project of the Nevada Women’s Film Collective, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. The festival is supported, in part, by the Nevada Arts Council, a state agency, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. NWFFest is made possible by support from Nevada Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities, is a FilmFreeway Gold Festival, and is IMDb-qualifying. Find out more: www.nwffest.com.

December 1 event session:
If participating in the ACTE CareerTech Vision 2022 conference, attendees have access to the session the next day: Using Film to Foster Meaningful Discussion – An Educator’s Guide — a 45-min session where educators will learn how to organize and use the power of film to positively impact and inspire students.

Contact info:
Name: Lea-Ann W. Berst, Producer
Organization: Ashley Maria Productions
Address: 3183 Wilshire Blvd #196A29, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Email: pioneersinskirts@gmail.com

October Is the Time to Observe International Day of the Girl

October Is the Time for Each of Us to Observe International Day of the Girl

A month full of celebrations around girls – all over the world – October is when companies, civil society leaders, governments, and community organizations who are advocating for gender equity host events around the goal of lifting up girls.

Though officially observed every year on October 11^th, many allocate the entire month of October to commemorate International Day of the Girl.

October 11^th is a day designated to eliminating gender-based challenges that girls face – including child marriages, poor learning opportunities, violence, and discrimination. Like its adult version, International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8th, International Day of the Girl also empowers girls and amplifies their voices.

It is a time to acknowledge the importance, power, and potential of girls.

Take part in a worldwide celebration by bringing International Day of the Girl to your community, school, or business! And when you do, we suggest bringing Pioneers in Skirts in for a screening!

Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy

Post-screening conversation (short version)

October 2021: Pioneers in Skirts screened at the Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy for their International Day of the Girl celebration. The movie was LIVE screened via Zoom with the filmmakers there to answer questions and engage with the students in chat! You can watch the entire post-screening conversation here: https://youtu.be/8E94j_p8L5M.

When children experience different viewpoints and can identify with characters in the film, they begin to foster greater empathy, understanding of others, and self-awareness.

Pioneers featured in ACTE Technique’s Magazine

In July 2021 we screened Pioneers in Skirts at the Association for Career & Technical Education IAED webinar series. We gave a keynote presentation to the group, and participated in a one-on-one audience conversation about the barriers that women and female students face.

ACTE is a nonprofit membership organization on a mission to provide educational leadership in developing a competitive workforce. ACTE strives to empower educators to deliver high quality career and technical education (CTE) programs that ensure all students are positioned for career success.

It was such a fun and informative event to be part of. We were honored to then be asked to be included in their upcoming magazine — Technique.

Technique is ACTE’s flagship publication for CTE professionals.

Category: Impact

EDU Movie Event - Lessons Learned

#1: You must do the work to drive up attendance

Start promotional efforts early, and be consistent with the delivery.

WATCH VIDEO #1

Brainstorm with students on promotional strategies that will work in your environment.

Communicate the “why” your audience should attend your event. It’ll get people excited about your event — including your students.

Prepare for your audience reactions. Educators suggest for you to pre-screen the film with a small group of students to gauge viewpoints in advance of your event.

Ask students to be part of a post-screening panel — and ask one to be the moderator.

How We Help

#2: Set yourself up for success

Insure that your event runs smoothly.

Prepare student panelists ahead of the event.

WATCH VIDEO #2

How We Help

#3: Plan for a long-term affect

After watching the film, give them a few days to think about it.

Host a yearly movie screening event to reach incoming students and keep the conversation alive.

WATCH VIDEO #3

How We Help

Hosting a Movie Screening of Pioneers in Skirts?

Drawing on years of in-person and virtual screenings, we have learned how to integrate the film’s central themes into the venue, pre-show activities, and post-screening discussions to create a memorable, immersive event.

Curate an experience

Ensure the film’s message resonates and inspires real action.

Invite the Pioneers in Skirts filmmakers to speak at your event.

Inviting a filmmaker to speak turns a screening into a memorable event.

Provide popcorn, themed drinks, snacks.

A true cinema experience.

Create photo props and custom selfie frames.

Lasting memories.

Recruit sponsors to host contests, door prizes, food, and fun movie giveaways.

Inviting a filmmaker to speak turns a screening into a memorable event.

Create a drive-in theater experience in a parking lot or in the auditorium.

Inviting a filmmaker to speak turns a screening into a memorable event.

Create an awesome step-and-repeat as a backdrop for selfies and group photos.

Inviting a filmmaker to speak turns a screening into a memorable event.

Choose a theme and tell your audience to dress up to meet that theme. Make sure everything else blends in: music, the food, decorations, etc.

Inviting a filmmaker to speak turns a screening into a memorable event.

Get your audience pumped up before your movie event! As the audience arrives and sits in their seats, crank the Pioneer-on play list on Spotify.

Inviting a filmmaker to speak turns a screening into a memorable event.

Just before you walk out to welcome everyone to your event, play the movie theme song, “Freeway,” !

Inviting a filmmaker to speak turns a screening into a memorable event.

Create an awesome step-and-repeat as a backdrop for selfies and group photos.

Inviting a filmmaker to speak turns a screening into a memorable event.

Curate an experience

Ensure the film’s message resonates and inspires real action.

Hand out useful and memorable content

Engage with your community

Nevada Theatrical Premiere of Impact Documentary “Pioneers in Skirts” Scheduled for November 30, 2022

Females are scarce among high school CTE students concentrating in well-paying fields, such as information technology (32%), science (26%), and manufacturing (16%), according to a 2017-2018 analysis of federal Perkins data.

October Is the Time for Each of Us to Observe International Day of the Girl

Post-screening conversation (short version)