Networking in L.A.: The Powers That Be

Tripling membership goals, hatching new chapters in major cities, hosting film premieres, doling out film grants and drawing top industry execs and Emmy-winners as mentoring members reads more like a to-do list than accomplishments for an organization just six months old. Unless, of course, the topic is "Power Up," the latest Hollywood overnight success story framed around a predominantly lesbian entertainment, media and communications networking group set in Los Angeles.

"It's like it's moving on its own and we're holding on for dear life," muses Power Up Executive Director Stacy Codikow, also one of its three founders. She later observes, "We're only as strong as our membership. And our membership is pretty damn amazing.

"Intent on promoting, fostering and supporting the vision and integration of women in the entertainment industry behind a unified voice, "Power Up" (or the "Professional Organization for Women in Entertainment Reaching Up") launched December 5, 2000. By last count, 360 members had joined, six monthly mixers each attended by roughly 100 women had passed, career development seminars, creative roundtables, discussion groups and at least one member's film premiere had taken place, while 18 women had reported obtaining work through the network and countless women (and men) had forged friendships and business relationships alike.

But this overnight success story doesn't end there. At press time, Power Up was preparing for a June 11 launch party for a sister chapter in New York City, in the process of receiving submittals for three $10,000 short film grants (the deadline is July 20) and knee-deep in planning future events. In the works are a July 15 film screening and party, a July 21 networking "pool party," a director's workshop in September and the "Power Premiere" in late 2001 -- described by Codikow as the group's "pinnacle" black tie event to honor community and industry achievements, plus showcase short films sponsored by the first round of Power Up grants and crewed by Power Up members.

Roughly five percent of members live as far away as London, Canada and New York, giving the group reason to consider further nationwide (and possibly worldwide) expansions after New York launches, including a San Francisco chapter, says Codikow. "I don't think there's been anything we didn't think of beforehand that has happened so far," says Codikow. "It's been everything we initially hoped for, but the only surprise really has been that things have just happened beyond our box of L.A. without our really trying."

Having worked as Hollywood producers in film and television for many years, founders Codikow, Amy Shomer and 
K. Pearson Brown created Power Up after recognizing a need to provide a strong voice, career support and networking tools for lesbians in entertainment, media and communications to -- according to the group's Web site --"create, share, grow, learn, give and belong."

Given their known contacts, the founding trio modestly estimated they could pull together 100 members by Power Up's one-year anniversary in December 2001.Says Codikow now, "When we started out, we had no idea how many women in the entertainment industry were lesbians. Then when women started coming out of the woodwork, we realized we had no idea there were so many! I alone met about 10 women [through Power Up] who happen to live within a block from my house. It's incredible, just incredible that people are connecting like this. "Members consist primarily of lesbians. However, straight women and gay and straight men make up roughly five percent of members, as membership is open to any person working in television, film, media or new media who support the group's mission, according to Codikow.

Events bring together aspiring hopefuls to established names from all aspects of film, television, advertising, public relations, journalism, new media, music and anything else under communication arts. Honorary board of directors and members include openly lesbian producer/writer/director Lee Rose ("It's a Girl Thing," "The Truth About Jane"), writer/director Jamie Babbitt ("But I'm A Cheerleader"), director/writer Jane Anderson ("If These Walls Could Talk"), producer Jan Oxenberg ("Once and Again") and writer/director Donna Deitch ("Desert Hearts"). Writer/director Kimberly Pierce ("Boys Don't Cry") is among the special guests slated to attend the New York City chapter launch party, according to Codikow. So what's behind Power Up's contagious fever?

The diversity of members might have something to do with it. Or members perhaps are drawn to its creative well that deepens by the day for collaborations and mentor relationships. Then again, Codikow speculates, maybe they seek a sense of greater connection to the gay community. Whatever's behind its momentum, Power Up appears to have already succeeded where other networking start-ups previously failed in Los Angeles -- by proving its staying power. "I think we've been successful because we have an organization for women who all believe in what we're doing and we're all on the same page," said Codikow. "We all feel very strongly that we have something to say. And that there's power in numbers ."Power Up networking mixers are held the last Tuesday of every month. Member benefits include newsletters, mixers, volunteer opportunities, invitations to special events such as screenings and seminars, eligibility to apply for film grants, as well as access to a job and resume bank. For more information, call 310-271-4708 or log on to www.power-up.net.