I recently met up with Music Supervisor Alysha Main in CoWork to talk about the most recent projects she has been working on.
Some of you might be familiar with Women in Film and Television (W.I.F.T.) an organization dedicated to the education, engagement, and empowerment of women in film. Seeing a lack in the Hamilton market, Alysha and a few of her colleagues initiated a Hamilton version or WIFT which they have nicknamed, the Hamilton LOFT.
Here is their story and a synopsis of the project.
Why did you decide to launch the Hamilton LOFT and who are the other women who initiated the Hamilton LOFT with you?
“Where are the womxn?”
When I met actor/writer/TV host Laura Ellis at the 2019 Hamilton Film Festival “Local Shorts” screening, that was the question hanging in the room, where just one woman stood in a line of 20 filmmakers. Inspired by screen-based industry collectives that empower women, Laura and myself, joined by award-winning filmmaker Cher Obediah, decided to launch one in Hamilton.
What are your short-term and long-term goals? How would you like to see this grow?
The Hamilton LOFT seeks to bring together people who identify as female/nonbinary working in all disciplines of filmmaking. Our main objectives are to:
- Create content that is predominantly female-driven, focusing on issues that affect women and minorities
- Build skills and confidence of women through working in cross-disciplinary, supportive teams
- Demonstrate that a local, all-female identified production team is achievable
- Address challenges that women and minorities in the industry face
- Showcase the achievements of women in Hamilton’s film industry
- Partner with other local film organizations to mutually support opportunities for women through sharing knowledge, tools, and collaborating on events
- Identify mentors in the film community to consult on projects with the hope of teaching workshops in the future
How do others participate?
The best way to connect is on our Facebook group page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/hamiltonloft
What kind of a commitment do members need to make?
Our group is evolving to a more formal organizational structure, but currently, there is no set commitment to be part of the Hamilton LOFT.
Where do you meet? What time? Specify the day of the week if there is a regular meet-up day.
We have meet-ups on the last Wednesday of each month, at a different location every time. Due to current restrictions, our next meet-up is virtual on Zoom, January 26 at 7 pm. Details on the Hamilton LOFT Facebook Group page.
How many members do you currently have?
There are currently 200 members in our Facebook Group.
Are you currently looking for more members?
Always! Go to the page and answer the membership questions, and if you meet the criteria of the group, you will be added. Currently, it is free to join.
Please share about the recent film you made.
“Why Didn’t I Leave?” is Hamilton LOFT’s inaugural project. This short documentary challenges the stigma behind that very question – one which places blame on victims of abuse, rather than holding perpetrators accountable. The film explores some of the less recognizable forms of abuse and the overwhelming barriers many survivors face when trying to escape while highlighting the local organizations working to support survivors. It was filmed with the help of our community partners: the Cotton Factory, Factory Media Centre, Hamilton Film Festival, The City of Hamilton, SACHA, YWCA, and Hamilton Film Studios.
It hasn’t officially been released online but we are working on making it available publicly this spring. In the meantime, I’m happy to share the private link with the Cotton Factory Community:
Password: LOFT2021
