Think Pieces, Help Guides, and More
Our editorial pieces are all written by female and GNC filmmakers, providing perspectives that aren’t often featured on typical film websites. From help guides, an advice column, to think pieces, these contributors each utilize media to make connections to their identities and lives in unique ways. To pitch to The Light Leaks, go to this link.
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The Hustle: How to Find an Internship
The Hustle is The Light Leaks’s newest resource tailored to YOU! Ask us questions, if we can’t answer from our own experience, we’ll find someone who’s able to. We got you. Let’s get to it: Internships! They’re pretty mysterious. Seems to have one, be looking for one, or somewhere in between. Don’t know where to start? No worries,
How I Make Multinational Filmmaking Work
Anya Steiner is a Chicago based filmmaker who, through the internet has been able to meet, collaborate with, and become friends with other women in film across the US and internationally. She’s now crowdfunding for a project called “Rational Creatures”.
My Take: How I Reclaimed My Art Post-Breakup
Writer and aspiring filmmaker, Rachel Granillo recounts how she reclaimed her art and identity post breakup.
6 Ways To Get Ahead In Your Career
Give your career a reboot with these tips on how to get ahead at work.
"Ladybird," Creativity, And The Magic Of Going Home
Filmmaker Danielle Acton recounts her own coming of age in Sacramento, the process of homecoming and her connection to “Ladybird.”
Insecure and Imperfect
Steffy Ramirez explains her deep connections to HBO’s Insecure as a WOC and Cali girl.
Taking New Steps Towards My Creative Future - How Filmmaker Ok-Hee Jeong’s Words Helped Me Figure It Out
Feeling lost in her creative life, one media studies student find comfort after a conversation with filmmaker Ok-Hee Jeong.
Paying for Experience: The Reality of Unpaid Hollywood Internships
The world of entertainment internships is treacherous and oftentimes, unpaid. We’re opening up a conversation on unpaid internships in film and media.
Ways To Stay Creative When The World Feels Heavy
The Light Leaks founder, Kim Hoyos, shares some of her tips to stay creative through mental fog.
Special Affects: Social Responsibility In Film
Interested in human rights and film production, Lauren Cooke explains the importance of social responsibility in media.
My Take: As A Female Director, My Voice Changes Society
Writer and director, Charlotte Manning draws parallels between sexism in the film industry and society’s perception of women.
On Screen: Teenagers Dealing with Mental Illness
Shaneika Johnson-Simms explains how seeing teenagers on screen coping with mental health allowed her to open up about her own struggles.
"It's Inertia": Life Lessons from YouTube
Recent grad, Tara Reid, takes the advice of a Youtube motivational coach and forgoes a traditional career path.
My Take: I Create So I Am Not Erased
Black, queer, and a woman, Funkuin Sam details how her struggle to reclaim her identity and how those labels have fueled her creativity.
How I Grew As A Writer
Anna Los talks about her struggles in calling herself a writer while she works a fulltime teaching job and juggles other aspects of her life.
The Traps Of Success
The culture of working yourself to a breakdown is toxic and especially prevalent in the film industry. Filmmaker Caroline Conrad writes about her experience.
My Very Complex Relationship With Lena Dunham & Girls
Filmmaker, Sidney Butler breaks down the dynamics of race in HBO’s Girls and Lena Dunham’s influence.
Mo Brooklyn, Mo Black, Mo Latinx
Dana Nunez is a Puerto Rican director and NYC native. In this piece, she unpacks the expectations society has placed on her appearance and her efforts to break stereotypes.
My Take: I’m An Immigrant, Not A Liability
A Turkish filmmaker, Arsal, explains her battle with immigration status and nationality and how that stands in the way of her career.
Rogue One: Wearing Pants And Taking Names
Actress and writer, Celine Dirkes unravels gender in science fiction films.