Meredith Vieira is stepping up for women directors. The TV anchor and journalist has introduced a new initiative for female filmmakers seeking funding for documentary films and series, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. Vieira’s banner, Meredith Vieira Productions (MVP), is partnering with This Is Just A Test (TIJAT) for the program.
“I want to help women get their films made,” said Vieira, who previously exec produced docs “The Woman Who Wasn’t There” and “Tower.” “I want to make more documentaries and I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to support female filmmakers.”
This Is Just A Test will provide funding for the selected projects’ development, as well as lead production alongside MVP. Vieira and TIJAT founders Aengus James and Colin King Miller will serve as EPs on at least one of the projects selected for the initiative. MVP’s Amy Rapp will oversee the initiative on behalf of both companies.
“Development money is the hardest to come by and harder still for women. We want to develop projects with visionary filmmakers (who just happen to be women) and tell exciting, character-driven stories,” Rapp explained.
“The fact that this level of gender disparity exists in an industry filled with champions of equality is frightening. It’s also, to be blunt, bad business. Diversity benefits us all, every time, and audiences show up to consume content from diverse points of view,” added James. “As an independent production company, the best way we can help effect change is to make this initiative wildly successful — and I’m confident it will be. Amy is seeking out the most timely, impactful, and commercially viable documentaries. Those are the kinds of stories we want to tell.”
As a journalist, Vieira has hosted and contributed to programs such as “The View,” “Today,” and “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.” She hosted “The Meredith Vieira Show” from 2014-2016. Her upcoming producing projects include documentary “Vigilante,” about a young man determined to get justice for his father’s murder, and Kristin Scott Thomas-starrer “Paramour.” The latter, inspired by a true story, centers on a reclusive heiress who has an affair with a mysterious man who may or may not have ulterior motives for romancing a wealthy introvert.
Vieira has advised young women starting out in news and production to “Do internships and work your butt off to learn as much as you can and prove yourself.” She continued, “Do everything to the best of your ability. Take any internship you can get, even if it’s not in the exact area of your interest. All experience is good experience. And, sometimes, the experiences that tell you what you don’t want to do are as important as those that tell you what you do want to do. She said, “Be motivated, be smart, be nice — and have fun. Be in this business because you love it.”
