1. ORIT
SCHWARTZ
ahiatus@gmail.com
310 595 5234
Brooklyn, New York
SUMMARY
Orit Schwartz contributed substantially to the growth of the BendFilm Festival during her four years at the helm. Procuring a jury including Entertainment Weekly’s Lisa Schwarzbaum & Magnolia Pictures head of distribution, Neal Block. For two consecutive years, BendFilm was voted by MovieMaker magazine top 50 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee. Orit’s career in TV included Roseanne, That 70s Show, 3rd Rock From The Sun. An associate producer on NBC’s NewsRadio. Orit’s short film co-starring Jane Lynch & Stephen Root, The Frank Anderson, played over 40 festivals, won numerous awards & was acquired by MTV.
The BendFilm Festival transitioned from most brittle to most vital under Orit Schwartz’s direction. Quietly powerful, tenacious, tireless, a caring guardian to an asset precious to my heart, Ms. Schwartz is a personal hero. I salute & deeply thank Orit for her contribution to BendFilm, to the community of Bend and to filmmakers worldwide. Katie Merritt, Founder BendFilm.
Just as a director of a film shapes the mood, pace, tone and personality of a movie, so too does the director of a film festival. One of the very best parts of BendFilm is the indomitable Orit Schwartz. Ian McClusky, Filmmaker BendFilm, 2010 & 2013.
EXPERIENCE
AHIATUS PRODUCTIONS, Writer / Producer
March 2000 – Present
Wrote & produced the short The Frank Anderson starring: Jane Lynch, Elena Lyons, Richard Riehle, Stephen Root, Romy Rosemont. Over 40 Official Selections. Winner of 6 Awards. Acquired by MTV’s Logo Channel & Winner, Best in Short Film of MTV’s The Click List
Original samples: 1/2 hour spec: Life As It Is. Feature length spec: I Love Me
ASTORIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, Consultant
April 2013 – October 2014 • Astoria, Oregon
Advised festival director on social media, increasing audience attendance and festival growth; introduced films for the 8th annual Astoria International Film Festival. Drawing from the four years of running and growing BendFilm, provided the 2014 AIFF with a great increase in box office and attendance.
THE BENDFILM FESTIVAL, Festival Director
July 2010 – December 2013 • Bend, Oregon
Joining BendFilm twelve weeks prior to the 2010 festival, was able to contribute to its revitalization & success. As the only full time employee – and with limited resources – was responsible for continual growth of the festival while programming films; organizing & securing a top industry jury; leading community outreach and sponsor relations; working with a Public Relations team & developing relationships with The Huffington Post, IndieWIRE, Oregon Public Broadcasting, and various local press outlets with the aim of increasing the visibility of BendFilm. Also established and cultivated relationships in the local and festival community, increasing sponsorships, donor cash and in-kind contributions (including a $60k camera rental package prize through Panavision, which very few festivals secure) as well as with major studios and distribuition companies (Magnolia Pictures, Roadside Attractions, National Geographic), and Rory Kennedy – which resulted in a highlight screening of her film Ethel, and a Q&A with Rory on opening night. Upon leaving BendFilm, the budget was in the black, and the box office ticket sales increased 26% for the tenth year.
MUSE WOMEN’S CONFERENCE, Stage Manager
March 2013 & March 2014 • Bend, Oregon
Muse Women’s Conference brings together local women & teens along with internationally recognized activists to celebrate International Women’s Day and kickoff Women’s History Month. Stage managed March 2013 inaugural conference at The Tower Theatre; Returned in March 2014 to stage manage second annual event.
TEDXBEND, Stage Manager
February 2012 – April 2012 • Bend, Oregon
TEDxBend: BENDing Rules. Stage managed April 2012 inaugural event.
THE CARSEY-WERNER COMPANY
March 1992 – April 2004 • Studio City, California
Grounded for Life, Writer: Dust in the Wind
Grounded for Life, Writers Assistant
That 70s Show, Production Coordinator
3rd Rock from the Sun, Production Coordinator
Normal, Ohio, (John Goodman Pilot) Production Coordinator
Roseanne, Production Assistant
Brett Butler Showtime Special, Production Coordinator

2. WARNER BROS.
TELEVISION WRITERS’ WORKSHOP,
Program Alum
Burbank, California
Every year, the Workshop selects up to 10 participants out of almost 2,000 submissions and exposes them to Warner Bros. Television’s top writers and executives. For over 30 years, the Warner Bros. Television Writers’ Workshop has been the premier writing program for new writers looking to start and further their career in the world of television.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
RIVER SONG MONTESSORI,
Board Member
2013 – 2014 • Bend, Oregon
A 501(c)(3). Support to school’s director in several facets of growth. Including, establishing an arts collaborative between the upper-class students and several Bend community leaders/artists to create original art that was shown and sold at The Paul Scott Gallery, with proceeds benefiting scholarships for the River Song arts program and 10% donated to CASA of Central Oregon.
CASA OF CENTRAL OREGON,
Court Appointed Special Advocate
January 2010 – October 2010 • Bend, Oregon
Helped with social network outreach. Have stayed involved with event ideas combining CASA with BendFilm during my time at the festival. Currently established a collaborative with River Song School & a gallery art fundraiser for 2014, which will benefit CASA.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY,
Family Selection Committee
January 2010 – October 2010 • Bend, Oregon
Was part of a community that would review and approve application of potential families qualified for a Habitat for Humanity home.
BRILLSTEIN-GREY ENTERTAINMENT, Associate Producer
March 1995 – April 2000 • Sunset-Gower Studios, Hollywood, California
NewsRadio, NBC
Olivia D’Abo, Pilot
SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT, Production Secretary
May 1993 – November 1994 • Culver City, California
Muddling Through, CBS
DISNEY ABC TELEVISION GROUP, Production Coordinator
March 1993 – June 1993 • Burbank, California
Mr. Fuller, Pilot
AUDIENCES UNLIMITED, Page
February 1991 – September 1992 • Los Angeles, California
Drexell’s Class, starring Dabney Coleman & Dakin Matthews.
Comics Only, TV series, 1991-1992
PARAMOUNT PICTURES, Intern
March 1990 – June 1991 • Hollywood, California
A paid internship in the film marketing department.
KTLA EVENING & MORNING NEWS, Graphics Coordinator
Tribune Broadcasting
January 1988 – December 1990 • Hollywood, California
Worked on the 10 o’clock News & started the KTLA Morning News in the Graphics department. Operated Chyron and assisted with news graphics.
NELSON DAVIS PRODUCTIONS, Associate Director / Researcher
March 1989 – September 1990 • Hollywood, California
MAKING IT! Minority Success Stories is produced by Nelson Davis Television Productions, in association with KTLA, Channel 5, Los Angeles, California.
MOFFITT/LEE PRODUCTIONS
March 1989 – March 1990 • Los Angeles, California
Not Necessarily the News, Intern
The Ace Awards, Production Assistant
ERIC LIEBER PRODUCTION, Intern
March 1989 – October 1989 • Los Angeles, California
Love Connection, hosted by Chuck Woolery
LOS ANGELES THEATRE CENTER, Intern
June 1986 – January 1987 • Los Angeles, California
Served as the LATC’s first and youngest intern while in high school.
Assisted in props, casting, and on stage for several productions.
EDUCATION
California State University-Northridge
Bachelor of Arts, Media Management