It’s with great enthusiasm and honor that we announce that Doverwood Communications’ Melanie Lentz-Janney has been appointed the new President of Women in Film & Television – Florida. Her new role begins on January 1, 2015 and concludes on December 31, 2015.

Women in Film & Television – Florida (WIFT-FL) is a state-wide 501c3 volunteer organization run by an active Board of Directors, elected by the membership. The women and men who serve on the board come from all disciplines within the film and television industry.

WIFT-FL is charged with building positive images of media-makers (both women and men), empowering them to achieve their highest professional/creative potential, and helping create more job opportunities throughout the State of Florida. There are over 40 chapters of Women in Film around the world with over 10,000 members. 

Melanie has been a part of WIFT-FL for fifteen years. She was hired as the organization’s first Executive Director in 2001 and has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2004. She has handled a variety of roles including Marketing/Communications Chairperson and Vice President. She decided before she moved on to explore other volunteer efforts that also spoke to her heart, she would step in as President in 2015 to help with the new expansion of WIFT-FL in four regions throughout the state: Miami, Tampa Bay, Daytona Beach and Jacksonville. She considers 2015 one of the most relevant times to become a part of this group. The need to hire and pay equal wages to women in the entertainment industry is hitting a tipping point as more and more women are stepping up and speaking out on this issue.

To find out more about WIFT-FL or to become a member, please visit: www.womeninfilmfl.org 

It’s hard to believe another year has flown by and it’s time for 2015 to kick off. There are a lot of exciting projects in the works and we look forward to sharing our news with you as soon as everything gets confirmed. Please make sure you are following us on Facebook and Twitter to stay updated.

We just wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for your support over the years.  We put a lot of our work on the back-burner to produce and market the award-winning documentary, An Affair of the Heart. 2014 was very exciting for our team because the film was available on iTunes & most leading digital platforms throughout the USA. We’ve been a little surprised that no one has acquired it outside the USA, but Rick Springfield will be in the spotlight in 2015 with the release of a new film called Ricki & the Flash. Rick plays Meryl Streep’s boyfriend and our fingers are crossed this will be a huge hit internationally.  Also, Rick will be on the critically-acclaimed second season of HBO’s True Detective, so we anticipate more and more people will be paying attention to him … and in turn, will be more interested in our documentary. Feel free to check out our website for everything you’d ever want to know about the film & to order a DVD or BluRay: www.RickSpringfieldDoc.com and follow the @YellowRickRoad on Facebook & Twitter. (If you’ve been on the Yellow Rick Road with us since 2010, we thank you for still being on the journey. This project was definitely a labor of love!).

Starting in January 2015, Melanie Lentz-Janney will be the new President of Women in Film & TV – Florida. It’s an exciting time for WIFT-FL. Four new sub-branch chapters will be open around the state with the headquarters still being in Orlando. Friends of Doverwood Communications will be updated on the events and other happenings within the organization, but the best way to stay on top is to visit our website: www.womeninfilmfl.org and follow us on Facebook & Twitter.

In 2014, we started offering “pick our brain” consulting sessions. These services will continue in the new year. If you have a business idea, a screenplay, a book … if you are an actor, musician, artist, trainer, photographer or magician … if you have a crazy dream you want to pursue and don’t know where to start or you just need a sounding board, please drop us an email and we’ll book a session for you. We always try to accommodate our clients needs and offer a variety of programs that fit into a wide budget range. We have an incredible team of experts we work with and will pull together a “dream” team to achieve your goals and objectives. We think messaging and mobile marketing will continue to be a focal point and are continuing to education ourselves so we understand the ever-changing playing field.

Thank you for believing in us … we are so grateful to have you in our life.

2015 is the year to DREAM BIG!

Without a question, Orlando is one of the best places in the world to get into the holiday spirit … the theme parks go all out with their displays, parades and shows. Hotels and resorts do an amazing job with their holiday decorations.  Every downtown area throughout the region offers its own unique take and personality to celebrate the holiday season.

Having been a resident of Central Florida for many moons, we have made it a tradition to grab some hot cocoa, jump in the car with our family/friends, and seek out the neighborhoods that sport the most holiday spirit.

Here are a few neighborhoods worth visiting this year:

Winter Park: The Eastbrook subdivision, off Aloma Avenue and east of Lakemont Avenue, offers a prize for the best-dressed house, encouraging residents to get into the holiday spirit. The home of Henry and Julie Sisk, at 5044 Lake Howell Road, is a must-see, as well as the home of home of Peter and Nancy Slage, at 2015 Taylor Road. Another great Winter Park display is the home of Rob and Betty Petersen at 5651 Garden Grove Circle.

Lemonwood Court: Check out the Spring Oaks subdivision of Altamonte Springs, off Montgomery Road and north of State Road 436. The home at 641 Lemonwood Court has a great display. On Christmas Eve, the residents place luminarias on the sidewalks, and Santa makes an appearance.

Mount Dora: The town of Mount Dora is transformed into a City of Light with the illumination of over 3 million lights each year. Homes in the Country Club of Mount Dora, particularly those on Greenbriar Trail, have beautiful light displays and decorations. Don’t miss the home of Wally and Monica Bush at 5014 Greenbriar Trail.

Kissimmee: The home of Ron Lister at 1642 Sunburst Way has its own website, Christmas Wonders, and has been featured in Reader’s Digest. On your way there, be sure to stop by Christmas in the Shire, at 14645 Grand Cove Dr in Hunter’s Creek.

Oviedo: The Bivona Christmas Light Show, located at 1601 North Wind Ct in Winter Springs, has a great display timed to music. On you way there, be sure to stop by 2909 Starwood Drive.

If you spot a neighborhood worthy of a drive-by viewing, please add it to our comments section. Happy Holidays & Best Wishes Always!