Attending an award ceremony with the distinction of honoring strong women was refreshing . . . and it was my second time. I was there last year in the thick of the excitement as honorees mingled in the atmosphere of what I call greatness. And this year was no different. Everybody was brimming with excitement. On Thursday evening April 25th, 2019, the Artemis Women In Action Film Festival’s “Artemis Awards Gala” kicked off their weekend at the Ahrya Fine Arts Theater in Beverly Hills. It was a night of celebration, designed to recognize industry luminaries (stunt performers, actors, screenwriters, music, directors and producers) making extraordinary creative contributions in the world of ‘Women In’ and ‘Women Of’ Action Films.
This was the fifth edition of the Artemis Women in Film Festival, which was presented by Paul Feig (Ghost Busters, The Heat, Spy) and featured a line up of 80 films in every genre over four days—each film featuring women at the central focus. The awards ceremony was hosted by actress Chase Masterson (Star Trek: DS9, Doctor Who, Vienna) and had musical performances by award-winning jazz recording artist Kaylene Peoples and Artemis Women Powered Music winner Jass Bianchi.
As these amazing awards gala attendees were shuttled on and off the carpet, I managed to get a few short but thoughtful interviews that gave insight through their eyes about the groundbreaking Artemis Women In Action Film Festival Fifth Edition!
Interviews by Sheryl Aronson
Responses by: Dejay Roestenberg, Angela Meryl, Melissa Stubbs, Dot-Marie Jones, Shauna Duggins, Jass Bianchi, Margaret Brandman, Pooja Batra; and Daniela Ruah whose extended feature is also in the Artemis Collector’s Issue.
- Interview with stuntwoman and honoree Dejay Roestenberg (Marvel’s JESSICA JONES
Dejay, what award are you receiving tonight?
Dejay Roestenberg: I am here to receive the Stunt Next Wave Award tonight. It is for the Next Wave of upcoming stunt performers that are featured in action television and film.
What are some of the challenges that you face being a stuntwoman?
Dejay Roestenberg: Everyday is a new challenge. It’s always exciting and something different to do. There are long hours and long days.
What do you most enjoy about your work?
Dejay Roestenberg: I enjoy everything. I enjoy the creativity that surrounds me. I enjoy the cast, the crew and everybody that I work with . . . the change of scenery.
Congratulations on your award.
- Interview with Angela Meryl (Stuntwoman/Author)
You are a presenter tonight. What award are you presenting tonight?
Angela Meryl: The Unsung Heroine Stuntwoman Award to Mahsa Ahmadi.
Tell me about your career in the industry.
Angela Meryl: I’ve been doing it for about 25 years. I was honored a few years ago for the very same award. I have doubled for Halle Berry, Beyonce, Briana, Vanessa Williams. I’ve worked on Kill Bill, Sky Fall, 911, and I love it all!
What have been some of the challenges for you?
Angela Meryl: Some of the challenges have been being a woman. Being an African American women. Being a mom and trying to find babysitters for my daughter with the odd call times, traveling, and long projects.
You are inspiring so many other women with your hard work.
Angela Meryl: Thank you so much.
- Interview with Mahsa Ahmadi (Honoree for the Unsung Heroine Award)
Mahsa, you are receiving the Unsung Heroine Award. Congratulations.
Mahsa Ahmadi: Thank you. I am the first and only stuntwoman woman from Iran. It’s an honor to be here.
What has been your experience working as a stuntwoman.
Mahsa Ahmadi: I’ve worked in films for thirteen years and have been a stuntwoman for SkyFall a James Bond movie and in television series like Seal Team and 911.
- Interview with Melissa Stubbs (Stuntwoman)
Ms. Stubbs, please talk about your career.
Melissa Stubbs: I’ve been doing stunts for 32 years. I’m a stunt coordinator and 2nd director. I’m part of the Academy and Stunts Unlimited. I’ve done some badass stuff and I’m still alive to talk about it. I’m happy to be here with my colleagues.
How do you feel about AWIAFF and why is it important to you?
Melissa Stubbs: We are always in the background as stuntwoman and that’s okay. We put on a wig. We put on someone else’s clothes. No one even knows we’re there. Again, that’s fine. If I wanted to be in the limelight, I would have been an actress. I want to make the actress look good and no one will never know my name. So this film festival honors these iconic stuntwomen who have broken bones and suffered concussions doing their jobs.
- Daniela Ruah (NCSI: Los Angeles)
On the show you are a “badass” woman on NCIS: LA.
I play one at least.
As an actress are you allowed to do your own stunts?
I cannot take away from the things that our stuntwomen do to make me look good. However, I am very proud to say I try to do as much as I am allowed to do. That tends to be more of the fighting. But if it’s jumping off a balcony or flipping a car, then I am not the person doing that. There are far more qualified people than me. I think that the stunt community is underappreciated. I believe stunt people should be winning awards at the Oscars and the Emmys, as well as other award shows. Stunt performers are a big part of what makes film and television what it is today. I don’t think they are recognized the way they should be. I love them so much that I even married one.
What made you feel this way?
As a little kid I didn’t make a distinction between actors and stunt people. I would somersault down the stairs of my Aunt’s house thinking one day I’m going have to do this for a role. I so appreciate what they do as a skill set, especially the women. A lot of these women are mothers with fulltime careers; and they are putting themselves at risk for their job. And they do it with far less padding than the men; they’re wearing tighter and skimpy garments. I have had friends who have had to hit the windshield of a car in just a bra and underwear. I’m a big fan of the stunt community and particularly women.
Thank you so much for saying that. We all love you on your show. What’s is it like working with all those gorgeous men?
They are like my brothers at this point. Yes, they are gorgeous, but to be honest with you, all I see are my brothers, and they in turn treat me like I’m their little sister.
Thank you so much for saying that. We all love you on your show. What’s is it like working with all those gorgeous men?
They are like my brothers at this point. Yes, they are gorgeous, but to be honest with you, all I see are my brothers, and they in turn treat me like I’m their little sister.
On NCIS: LA you and your partner Marty Deeks are so adorable and funny together. And you finally got married.
Yes, we did! And thank you.
Congratulations. How do you feel about being an Artemis honoree?
I am so honored to be receiving this award tonight.
- Interview with Dot-Marie Jones, Actress & Stuntwoman (Glee, American Horror Story, The Resident)
Dot-Marie, you’re being honored tonight, let’s talk about your award . . . what are you being honored for?
Dot-Marie Jones: For “Badasserie.” (She laughs.) I’m being honored for my work over the years in film and television. My movie this year is called Rag Doll. I’m really proud. It’s a good movie.
What does it mean to you to have worked in the industry all these years as an actress and stuntwoman?
Dot-Marie Jones: I love it. The Artemis [Women In Action] Film Festival is not only about the films we’re doing now, but what we have done and are continuing to do. I love what they represent and who they represent: All the hard working stuntwoman, who have made huge contributions to the film industry.
- Interview with Shauna Duggins (Stuntwoman Honoree)
Shauna, congratulations on being honored tonight.
Shauna Duggins: Thank you.
What does this award mean to you?
Shauna Duggins: It’s an honor to be awarded for anything that empowers women. I am so excited to be here with Jeannie Epper.
- Interview with Jass Bianchi (Winner of Bella Composers/Best Song)
You are going to perform tonight, your winning song. You are a rapper. Tell us about your career as a rapper.
Jass Bianchi: I’ve been rapping about 16 years. The song I will be performing is called “One of the Boys.” It’s about not fitting into a certain box in society and still being true to yourself.
What kind of challenges do you face being a rapper as a female?
Jass Bianchi: There are a lot of expectations going into the studio. I have to be able to define and navigate what I want to everyone to get the product that satisfies me.
- Interview with Margaret Brandman (Winner of the Foreign Composer Award for Bella Composers)
You came all the way from Australia to be here today. What city are you from?
Margaret Brandman: Sydney, Australia.
What is the name of the piece that you composed?
The composition is called Fire Storm Symphony. It was recorded in the Czech Republic but played by the Arabian Philharmonic Orchestra.
Tell me about your career as a composer.
Margaret Brandman: I first studied with an Australian composer and I’ve been writing music educational materials for many years now. I’ve been recording all around the world for the last few years. I also play the piano.
What has been your experience as a female composer?
Margaret Brandman: It’s taken a while for the general orchestras have been picked up the music. But I’m getting there. In Australia, we don’t have men versus women in the composing field, but in Europe it’s still very hard to get performers for women composers. I do have publishers in Germany, and they only publish women’s works.
- Interview with Pooja Batra (Former Miss India, Mumbai celebrity, Actress and Producer)
Pooja, welcome. You are an actress. Talk about being here tonight.
Pooja Batra: I am here to applaud and support all these women.
What television shows are you currently working on?
Pooja Batra: I just got finished being in Seal Team and I also appeared in Rookie at the beginning of the year.
Below are highlights of the Artemis Awards Gala. (Red carpet photos by Adam Pine and ceremony photos by Sheryl Aronson).
Artemis would like to congratulate all the 2019 honorees: director Kimberly Peirce (Boys Don’t Cry, Stop-Loss, American Crime, Six); actresses Daniela Ruah (NCIS LA, Red Tails), Dot-Marie Jones (Glee, Prison Break, Nip/Tuck, Desperate Housewives); stuntwomen Jeannie Epper (Wonder Woman, Hot Pursuit, Book of Eli), Melissa R. Stubbs (Suicide Squad, Deadpool, Jason Bourne), Shauna Duggins (Glow, Peppermint, Captain America: The Winter Soldier); Lisa Hoyle (Once Upon a Time In Hollywood, Snatched, Arrested Development); Mahsa Ahmadi (Z Nation, Heathers, Skyfall), Crystal Michelle (Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Avengers: Infinity War), and Dejay Roestenberg (Jessica Jones, The Following, OA).
Purchase the AGENDA Collector’s Issue “Artemis Women Kick Ass!” to get a full review of the Artemis Women In Action Film Festival Fifth Edition!
#awiaff2019 #paulfeig #filmfestivals #awards #stunts #filmmakers #music #bellacomposers
