'tis the (awards) season
It's December which means the holiday season is here, and Moira Rose's favorite season is just getting started ... awards!
Happy December Everyone! It is the end of the year already and the holidays are in full swing. For some, that means winding down and spending time with loved ones and for others, it means countless screenings and 3 more months of awards campaigning. If you’re in the latter boat, I wish you strength, rest, and a strong immune system! No matter how you’ll be spending the end of the year, I hope you find time for some festivities including our December Happy Hour (more below).
I also want to take a moment to thank everyone who came to our One Year Anniversary / Birthday Party. It was so special to celebrate with those who have been with us from the beginning and new members. We look forward to the next year of happy hours and more to come! Happy Holidays and have a wonderful New Year!
~Morgan Prouse, co-founder
HOLIDAY HAPPY HOUR
Join us for our festive December Happy Hour networking event which will take place on Wednesday, December 11, from 7:00pm - 9:00pm back at The Mayfly in the Lower East Side. Holiday attire encouraged!
Sips & Motion Pics is welcome to all in the creative, media, and entertainment industries. Whether you have an established career or looking to break in we invite you to join us! Or if someone you know is interested, please pass this information along. We look forward to seeing friends and new faces!
Wednesday, December 11 | 7:00pm
The Mayfly | 269 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Words from a Digital PRofessional
Written by Tahajah Samuels
Happy December, Sips & Motion Pics community! Tahajah (ta-hay-ja) Samuels here :) Happy as well as honored (thank you again for thinking of me, Morgan!! x) to share a bit about my career, thus far. I currently serve as Director of Digital Publicity at Amazon MGM Studios, assisting with overseeing and executing all things online publicity in support of our theatrical releases. As I like to tell folks: my job is getting the internet excited about the films we’re working on via earned media which primarily includes digital and social editorial, and at times, creator and influencer engagement.
An exclusive trailer (or clip, featurette, etc.) debut on Entertainment Weekly dot com? A feature profile for a film’s breakout star with The Cut? An IMDb Instagram Live chat with a filmmaker? A cast podcast interview with Baby, This is Keke Palmer? @GuyWithAMovieCamera to cover a premiere’s red carpet or set visit to capture content? I’m sure y’all are familiar with and/or have consumed one of these, yes? :) Yes! Some specific examples of what results can come from digital publicity efforts pending the overall goal of a campaign.
Recent theatrical campaigns of ours include CHALLENGERS starring Zendaya and Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut BLINK TWICE starring Naomi Ackie and Channing Tatum. We close out the year with visionary creative RaMell Ross’ feature debut NICKEL BOYS starring Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and renowned cinematographer Rachel Morrison’s directorial debut THE FIRE INSIDE starring Ryan Destiny and Brian Tyree Henry, written by Barry Jenkins.
Always ideating fresh and innovative ways to reach audiences in support of the films we release! My continuous PRofessional goal is to push our contemporary cultures forward through innovative strategies and creative tactics that are powered by strong, targeted publicity and digital campaigns. This has certainly been centered around my love of entertainment, the arts and culture for as long as I can remember… I’m sure since I was born.
For the music lover turned all-things entertainment lover who just knew she’d become a journalist, but ultimately found her way into an interest in Public Relations during senior year in high school, it’s been quite an exciting journey so far. Much love to my alma mater Clark Atlanta for my higher education, my internships (from CNN to BET to a few PR agencies), Everything Girls Love / BBM Agency, and Brigade Marketing for helping to craft the PRo I am today.
In late 2017, I proudly founded the social community Black PR Girl Magicâ„¢ dedicated to Black women in the PR and Comms space. Join us next year at one of our seasonal mixers and/or partnered events with organizations that cater to a wide range of millennials, women and professionals of color.
LISTEN UP
Little Gold Men by Vanity Fair Podcast
To stay on theme with awards season, check out Vanity Fair’s Little Gold Men podcast which takes you inside the world of awards in both film and TV from Sundance to Oscars. Each episode takes a deep dive into different elements of awards with topical analysis of campaigns. They also feature interviews with contenders and front runners. If you treat the Oscars like your Super Bowl and wish campaign predictions were treated like sports betting, this podcast is for you.
Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Vanity Fair
CHECK IT OUT
The Holidays at Metrograph
The Metrograph is showing a series of Holiday Films throughout December including Phantom Thread, An Affair to Remember, Little Women, and The Muppets Christmas Carol. Buy tickets and check out the full line up HERE.
Metrograph | 7 Ludlow Street, New York City
Alamo Drafthouse Movie Parties
Alamo Drafthouse is playing some Christmas Classics as part of their Movie Party series which allows fans to let loose and interact with the film. Cheering, booing, and singing are encouraged! The series includes Elf, Gremlins, The Polar Express, and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Buy tickets and check out the series HERE.
IFC CENTER
IFC Center is playing the classic It’s a Wonderful Life throughout December. As I have never seen it, catch me at one of their showtimes! Buy tickets HERE.
IFC Center | 323 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10014
Sips & Motion Pics is always looking for contributors and recommendations! If you have an event you want to share, a book recommendation, a project to spotlight, or want to write about your entertainment career journey, respond to this email or via IG