NYWIFT Designing Women 2012 Awards - See what you missed!!

On Thursday, May 10th, a full house audience of film and television professionals attended the 13th annual NYWIFT Designing Women Awards in the executive suites of Macy's in Herald Square in New York City. (Pictured above: Boardwalk Empire Creative Team with Steve Buscemi, American actor, writer and film director, front row, 3rd from left; All photos on this blog post courtesy of photographer Eileen Miller unless noted otherwise.)

Emcee Kristen Schaal (30 Rock, Flight of The Conchords) entertained with her usual comedic effervescence throughout the presentations, but ”confessed” that she had always thought her farmer father was the hardest-working person in the world, until she realized how hard these extraordinary women behind the scenes work. (Photo to the right of Kristen Schaal by Getty Images)

The event, co-presented by Variety, honored makeup artists Jenn Jorge Nelson (30 Rock, Baby Mama, Hope and Faith) and Julie Teel (30 Rock, Ugly Betty, In Treatment), hair stylist and wigmaker Amanda Miller (Smash, Country Strong, Saturday Night Live), and costume designer Kasia Walicka Maimone (Moneyball, The Adjustment Bureau, Capote). The Variety Ensemble Award was presented to the costume, makeup and hair design team of Boardwalk Empire—helmed by Costume Designers John Dunn and Lisa Padovani, Hair Department Head Francesca Paris and Makeup Department Head Michele Paris. (Above left photo, from L-R John Dunn, Lisa Padovani, Francisca Paris, Steve Buscemi, Michele Paris)

Tina Fey, Executive Producer, head writer and star of NBC’s 30 Rock, touted praises for her show’s makeup team (Nelson & Teel), describing their wackiest feats, including turning casts members into smurfs and opposite genders. (Above right photo, from L-R Jen Jorge Nelson, Tina Fey, Julie Teel)

Director Bennett Miller (Moneyball, Capote) presented to costume designer Kasia Walicka Maimone, affirming their “pact” that she will always be his “first call” on all his projects if she promises to always be his costume designer. Actor Harvey Keitel, who worked with Maimone in Wes Anderson’s upcoming Moonrise Kingdom, was there in spirit in his video tribute to the costume designer. (Left photo, from L-R, Kasia Walicka Maimone, Bennett Miller)

Cabaret singer Lady Rizo literally sang her praises with an impromptu composition she’d just written on the subway for her hair stylist/wigmaker Amanda Miller. (Left Photo Lady Rizo, aka Amelia Zirin-Brown)

All eyes on Lady Rizo and Amanda Miller striking poses on the red carpet. (Right Photo, L-R, Amanda Miller, Lady Rizo)

Steve Buscemi rounded out the presenters with heartfelt appreciation for Boardwalk Empire’s costume/hair/makeup team for transforming him into his character, Nucky Thompson. (Left, photo of Steve Buschemi on the red carpet courtesy of Getty Images)

Pictured above from L-R, Martine Reardon, Chief Marketing Officer, Macy's, Alexandra Levi, President NYWIFT, Amanda Miller, John Dunn

Pictured in left photo from L-R, Lamonia Brown-NYWIFT Program Coordinator, Steve Buscemi, Maria Pusateri-NYWIFT member, Susan Steiger-NYWIFT Board Member & Event CoChair









by Maria Pusateri

NYWIFT member MARIA PUSATERI has worked in various roles of TV/Film production. She is the director/producer of the award-winning documentary, Vito After, about a 9/11 responder coping in the aftermath of his rescue and recovery work. Pusateri was field producer for Mondays at Racine, a new documentary from Academy Award-winning director Cynthia Wade and HBO. The film, currently in festivals, won the Audience Award at IFF Boston. Maria has also worked in TV/Film publicity, performed as an actress, and has programmed many NYWIFT screening series, as well as the former CineWomen NY Screens at the legendary Pioneer Theater.


All photos on this site courtesy of Eileen Miller unless otherwise noted. More photos of the event at: Designing Woman Awards 2012 – Getty Images
Other Resources
►Designing Woman — Mara Blumenfeld nabs 2012 Merritt Award
►Designing Women Facebook
►30 Rock's Makeup Artists Get an Award, Share Their Top TV Beauty Secrets, Daily Beauty Reported
►What It’s Like to Do Makeup For Tina Fey, Source Vintage For Boardwalk Empire and Design Costumes For Wes Anderson, Fashionista.com


NYWIFT was founded in 1977 and brings together more than 2,000 professionals, including EMMY and Academy Award® winners, who work in all areas of the entertainment industry — above and below the line. It is part of a network of 40 international Women in Film chapters, representing more than 10,000 members worldwide.. For more information visit NYWIFT.org