Congratulations to 2011 Honorees Diablo Cody & Pam Dixon, CSA President!
Diablo Cody, Trailblazer!
The Trailblazer Award goes to a female filmmaker who has an exemplary career in a leadership role as Writer, Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Editor or Production Designer. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to not only Lady Filmmakers but to all members of the entertainment community. The Trailblazer is a Star in their field and lays the groundwork for generations to come!
Diablo Cody
Diablo won a WGA Award, an Independent Spirit Award, and the Oscar® for Best Original Screenplay for her film “Juno,” which was released by Fox Searchlight. Following “Juno,” she wrote the horror film, “Jennifer’s Body” which was released by Fox in September 2009.
Cody was the creator and executive producer of the SHOWTIME hit series "United States of Tara" for which Toni Colette took home the Emmy® and Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series.
Currently, Cody wrote and is producing a big screen version of Francine Pascal's New York Times best-selling book series Sweet Valley High with Universal/Marc Platt. Diablo is writing/ executive producing a new comedy series in development for Fox Network and Warners Studios. She recently completed a rewrite for the new “Evil Dead” movie, produced by Sam Raimi. Her newest and much buzzed about feature with Mandate, Young Adult, is set to be released in December of 2011. It is directed by Jason Reitman, who also directed “Juno”.
Cody has been profiled in countless publications and was formerly a columnist for Entertainment Weekly. Her critically acclaimed memoir Candy Girl was published in 2004. Diablo has also launched an internet show “Red Band Trailer” which is a talk show that features celebrities in her Airstream trailer.
AWARDS
§ Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay (JUNO received three other Academy Award nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress)
§ Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Screenplay
§ Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay
§ BAFTA Best Original Screenplay
§ Writers Guild of America Best Original Screenplay
§ Broadcast Film Critics Association Best Original Screenplay
§ National Board of Review Best Original Screenplay
§ Hollywood Film Festival Breakthrough Screenwriter of the Year
§ JUNO was the runner-up for the Toronto Film Festival People's Choice Award
§ JUNO won second prize at the Rome Film Festival
§ The Satellite Awards Best Original Screenplay
§ The Cinema for Peace Award for Most Valuable Work of Screenwriter for Juno
§ Austin Film Critics Association Best Original Screenplay
§ Central Ohio Film Critics Association Best Original Screenplay
§ Chicago Film Critics Association Best Original Screenplay
§ Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Best Original Screenplay
§ Florida Film Critics Circle Best Original Screenplay
§ Kansas City Film Critics Circle Best Original Screenplay
§ Las Vegas Film Critics Society Best Original Screenplay
§ Online Film Critics Society Best Original Screenplay
§ Phoenix Film Critics Society Best Original Screenplay
§ Southeastern Film Critics Association Best Original Screenplay
§ San Diego Film Critics Society Best Original Screenplay
Cody was the creator and executive producer of the SHOWTIME hit series "United States of Tara" for which Toni Colette took home the Emmy® and Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series.
Currently, Cody wrote and is producing a big screen version of Francine Pascal's New York Times best-selling book series Sweet Valley High with Universal/Marc Platt. Diablo is writing/ executive producing a new comedy series in development for Fox Network and Warners Studios. She recently completed a rewrite for the new “Evil Dead” movie, produced by Sam Raimi. Her newest and much buzzed about feature with Mandate, Young Adult, is set to be released in December of 2011. It is directed by Jason Reitman, who also directed “Juno”.
Cody has been profiled in countless publications and was formerly a columnist for Entertainment Weekly. Her critically acclaimed memoir Candy Girl was published in 2004. Diablo has also launched an internet show “Red Band Trailer” which is a talk show that features celebrities in her Airstream trailer.
AWARDS
§ Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay (JUNO received three other Academy Award nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress)
§ Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Screenplay
§ Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay
§ BAFTA Best Original Screenplay
§ Writers Guild of America Best Original Screenplay
§ Broadcast Film Critics Association Best Original Screenplay
§ National Board of Review Best Original Screenplay
§ Hollywood Film Festival Breakthrough Screenwriter of the Year
§ JUNO was the runner-up for the Toronto Film Festival People's Choice Award
§ JUNO won second prize at the Rome Film Festival
§ The Satellite Awards Best Original Screenplay
§ The Cinema for Peace Award for Most Valuable Work of Screenwriter for Juno
§ Austin Film Critics Association Best Original Screenplay
§ Central Ohio Film Critics Association Best Original Screenplay
§ Chicago Film Critics Association Best Original Screenplay
§ Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Best Original Screenplay
§ Florida Film Critics Circle Best Original Screenplay
§ Kansas City Film Critics Circle Best Original Screenplay
§ Las Vegas Film Critics Society Best Original Screenplay
§ Online Film Critics Society Best Original Screenplay
§ Phoenix Film Critics Society Best Original Screenplay
§ Southeastern Film Critics Association Best Original Screenplay
§ San Diego Film Critics Society Best Original Screenplay
Pam Dixon, CSA President
The Illumination Award is for a female leader in the entertainment business who has consistently exhibited essential leadership and support in the industry paving the way for generations to come.
Pam Dixon
After attending The University of Southern California, Pam was hired by CBS Television. After a few months, she became Assistant to the Head of Casting. Six months later, she left CBS Television to become Vice President of Casting for ABC Television. A year later, she was promoted to Senior Vice President of Casting for the ABC Television Network. She oversaw the casting for all series, mini-series, television movies and daytime soaps. Pam left ABC Television to become a Production Vice President for Paramount Pictures under Michael Eisner. After several years as a motion picture and television executive, Pam decided to open her own casting company. For the last several years, Pam has been an independent feature Casting Director. During this time, she has cast numerous features: Zorro, Green Lantern, Barney’s Version, City Slickers, Waterdance, The Craft, Angels in the Outfield, Tremors, Dick, The Moderns, Goldeneye, Music Box, Baby Boom, Cookie’s Fortune, Gosford Park, and Prairie Home Companion. Recently, Pam completed casting on “K-11” and has begun working on “The Hive” with Joel Schumacher. She has been fortunate to work with many talented directors such as: Robert Altman, Alan Rudolph, Martin Campbell, Barry Levinson, Joel Schumacher and Paul Schrader.
Pam is currently President of The Casting Society of America. She teaches at UCLA in the Entertainment Studies Department and lectures at The Los Angeles Film School, Harvard University, and high schools throughout California. Pam is on the Actors Fund Western Council, and on the Board of Trustees of Valley Presbyterian Hospital. She is an active member of the Motion Picture Academy She resides in Los Angeles with her husband and two children.
After attending The University of Southern California, Pam was hired by CBS Television. After a few months, she became Assistant to the Head of Casting. Six months later, she left CBS Television to become Vice President of Casting for ABC Television. A year later, she was promoted to Senior Vice President of Casting for the ABC Television Network. She oversaw the casting for all series, mini-series, television movies and daytime soaps. Pam left ABC Television to become a Production Vice President for Paramount Pictures under Michael Eisner. After several years as a motion picture and television executive, Pam decided to open her own casting company. For the last several years, Pam has been an independent feature Casting Director. During this time, she has cast numerous features: Zorro, Green Lantern, Barney’s Version, City Slickers, Waterdance, The Craft, Angels in the Outfield, Tremors, Dick, The Moderns, Goldeneye, Music Box, Baby Boom, Cookie’s Fortune, Gosford Park, and Prairie Home Companion. Recently, Pam completed casting on “K-11” and has begun working on “The Hive” with Joel Schumacher. She has been fortunate to work with many talented directors such as: Robert Altman, Alan Rudolph, Martin Campbell, Barry Levinson, Joel Schumacher and Paul Schrader.
Pam is currently President of The Casting Society of America. She teaches at UCLA in the Entertainment Studies Department and lectures at The Los Angeles Film School, Harvard University, and high schools throughout California. Pam is on the Actors Fund Western Council, and on the Board of Trustees of Valley Presbyterian Hospital. She is an active member of the Motion Picture Academy She resides in Los Angeles with her husband and two children.
Amber Heard
AMBER HEARD
As stunning as she is talented, Amber Heard is making waves with her captivating performances on both the big and small screen.
Heard will next be seen in The Rum Diary starring opposite Johnny Depp and Aaron Eckhart. The dramatic adventure film is an adaptation of the Hunter S. Thompson novel and will be released on October 28th.
Heard recently completed production on the independent film Syrup starring opposite Shiloh Fernandez. The film is a dark satire about the backstabbing and corporate ladder climbing of twenty-somethings, trying to make it to the top in the soda industry. She also starred in John Carpenter's The Ward which premiered at the 2010 Toronto Film Festival and the independent film, And Soon the Darkness, in which she additionally served as a co-producer.
In 2009, Heard starred in the box office hit, Zombieland opposite Woody Harrelson, Bill Murray and Jesse Eisenberg. She also starred in the suspense thriller, The Stepfather, with Sela Ward, Dylan Walsh, and Penn Badgley. In 2008, she garnered attention for her role in the comedic hit, Pineapple Express with Seth Rogan and James Franco. Heard received a 2008 Young Hollywood Award for her breakthrough performance inPineapple Express.
She was also seen in the Academy Award® nominated film, North Country, in which she played Charlize Theron's character in flashbacks. Her other film credits include: Drive Angry 3D, The Joneses, Never Back Down, Alpha Dog and Friday Night Lights.
On television, Heard starred on NBC’s The Playboy Club, The CW drama, Hidden Palms and had guest starring roles on Showtime'sCalifornication and CBS's Criminal Minds.
Heard is originally from Texas and currently resides in Los Angeles where she is actively involved with Amnesty International. She also serves as the face for the GUESS Fall 2011 advertising campaign.
We are pleased to provide the following prizes to select winners from the 2011 film festival. We will continue to update the list!
Which films will be the next award-winning films? Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at the WGA Theatre October 16th!
* Canon 7D and lens free rental packages provided by Lucky Bag Films, LLC
* Copies of Final Draft Screenwriting Software
* Copies of the Creative Handbook for filmmakers
Pam Dixon, CSA President Illuminated!
The Illumination Award goes to a woman in a leadership position whose achievements are exemplary and essential to the success of their film and television projects. Her contributions and leadership lay the groundwork for generations to come.
Pam DixonAfter attending The University of Southern California, Pam was hired by CBS Television. After a few months, she became Assistant to the Head of Casting. Six months later, she left CBS Television to become Vice President of Casting for ABC Television. A year later, she was promoted to Senior Vice President of Casting for the ABC Television Network. She oversaw the casting for all series, mini-series, television movies and daytime soaps. Pam left ABC Television to become a Production Vice President for Paramount Pictures under Michael Eisner. After several years as a motion picture and television executive, Pam decided to open her own casting company. For the last several years, Pam has been an independent feature Casting Director. During this time, she has cast numerous features: Zorro, Green Lantern, Barney’s Version, City Slickers, Waterdance, The Craft, Angels in the Outfield, Tremors, Dick, The Moderns, Goldeneye, Music Box, Baby Boom, Cookie’s Fortune, Gosford Park, and Prairie Home Companion. Recently, Pam completed casting on “K-11” and has begun working on “The Hive” with Joel Schumacher. She has been fortunate to work with many talented directors such as: Robert Altman, Alan Rudolph, Martin Campbell, Barry Levinson, Joel Schumacher and Paul Schrader.
Pam is currently President of The Casting Society of America. She teaches at UCLA in the Entertainment Studies Department and lectures at The Los Angeles Film School, Harvard University, and high schools throughout California. Pam is on the Actors Fund Western Council, and on the Board of Trustees of Valley Presbyterian Hospital. She is an active member of the Motion Picture Academy She resides in Los Angeles with her husband and two children.
Pam DixonAfter attending The University of Southern California, Pam was hired by CBS Television. After a few months, she became Assistant to the Head of Casting. Six months later, she left CBS Television to become Vice President of Casting for ABC Television. A year later, she was promoted to Senior Vice President of Casting for the ABC Television Network. She oversaw the casting for all series, mini-series, television movies and daytime soaps. Pam left ABC Television to become a Production Vice President for Paramount Pictures under Michael Eisner. After several years as a motion picture and television executive, Pam decided to open her own casting company. For the last several years, Pam has been an independent feature Casting Director. During this time, she has cast numerous features: Zorro, Green Lantern, Barney’s Version, City Slickers, Waterdance, The Craft, Angels in the Outfield, Tremors, Dick, The Moderns, Goldeneye, Music Box, Baby Boom, Cookie’s Fortune, Gosford Park, and Prairie Home Companion. Recently, Pam completed casting on “K-11” and has begun working on “The Hive” with Joel Schumacher. She has been fortunate to work with many talented directors such as: Robert Altman, Alan Rudolph, Martin Campbell, Barry Levinson, Joel Schumacher and Paul Schrader.
Pam is currently President of The Casting Society of America. She teaches at UCLA in the Entertainment Studies Department and lectures at The Los Angeles Film School, Harvard University, and high schools throughout California. Pam is on the Actors Fund Western Council, and on the Board of Trustees of Valley Presbyterian Hospital. She is an active member of the Motion Picture Academy She resides in Los Angeles with her husband and two children.
