Jennifer Siebel
Encyclopedia
Jennifer Lynn Siebel is an American documentary filmmaker, actress and the wife of former San Francisco Mayor
and current Lieutenant Governor of California
Gavin Newsom
. She is the director, writer and producer of the film Miss Representation
, which premiered in the documentary competition at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival
. The film examines how the media have contributed to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power.
. Siebel is the oldest of four sisters. Siebel attended Ross Grammar School and The Branson School
. During high school, she played varsity basketball, soccer, and tennis. She later graduated with honors from Stanford University
, where she obtained a Bachelor's degree in 1996 and Master of Business Administration in 2001. Her studies focused on conservation policy and Third World development. At Stanford, she was recruited to play on the women's soccer team. While pursuing her MBA, Siebel also studied at the American Conservatory Theater
, where she completed a certificate program. After completing her education, Siebel traveled to Africa, Latin America, and Europe on assignments with Conservation International
, a global environmental coalition. Siebel worked in rain forest communities with a focus on helping indigenous populations and creating business enterprise opportunities for women. In 2002, Siebel moved to Hollywood, where she concentrated on building her acting career. Siebel earned many roles in television, film, and theater. Siebel has appeared on many television shows, including Mad Men, Strong Medicine, and Numb3rs.
Siebel and Newsom met on a blind date set up by mutual friend Kathy Wilsey at the Artists Ball at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
in October 2006. The couple announced their engagement in January 2008. Siebel and Newsom wed in July of the same year at her parents' ranch in Stevensville, Montana
. It was Siebel's first marriage and Newsom's second. In September 2009, she gave birth to a daughter, Montana Tessa Siebel Newsom. Siebel gave birth to a son, Hunter Siebel Newsom, on June 12, 2011. In 2011, Siebel and her family moved from San Francisco to Ross, where she grew up.
to mostly positive reviews. The film went on to screen at numerous other festivals, including the San Francisco International Film Festival
, Athena Film Festival and won the Audience Award at the Palo Alto International Film Festival.
The film interweaves stories from teenage girls with interviews from the likes of Dr. Condoleezza Rice
, Lisa Ling, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric
, Rachel Maddow
, Rosario Dawson
, Dr. Jackson Katz, Dr. Jean Kilbourne, and Gloria Steinem
discussing the media and its message regarding women.
On February 10, 2011, Oprah Winfrey
announced that she had acquired the film for her OWN Documentary Film Club, with plans of broadcasting it in the near future.
Mayor of San Francisco
The Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco is the head of the executive branch of San Francisco's city and county government. The mayor has the duty to enforce city laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the legislative branch....
and current Lieutenant Governor of California
Lieutenant Governor of California
The Lieutenant Governor of California is a statewide constitutional officer elected separately from the Governor who serves as the "vice-executive" of California. The Lieutenant Governor of California is elected to serve a four year term and can serve a maximum of two terms...
Gavin Newsom
Gavin Newsom
Gavin Christopher Newsom is an American politician who is the 49th and current Lieutenant Governor of California. Previously, he was the 42nd Mayor of San Francisco, and was elected in 2003 to succeed Willie Brown, becoming San Francisco's youngest mayor in 100 years. Newsom was re-elected in 2007...
. She is the director, writer and producer of the film Miss Representation
Miss Representation
Miss Representation is a 2011 American documentary film written, directed and produced by Jennifer Siebel Newsom. It explores how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in influential positions by circulating limited and often disparaging portrayals of women...
, which premiered in the documentary competition at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
. The film examines how the media have contributed to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power.
Life and career
Siebel was born in San Francisco to Ken, an investment manager, and his wife Judy Siebel, co-founder of the Children’s Museum of Sausalito. Siebel grew up in the Marin County community of Ross, CaliforniaRoss, California
Ross is a small incorporated town in Marin County, California, United States, just north of San Francisco. Ross is located west-southwest of San Rafael, at an elevation of 36 feet . The population was 2,415 at the 2010 census...
. Siebel is the oldest of four sisters. Siebel attended Ross Grammar School and The Branson School
The Branson School
The Branson School in Ross, California is a private, co-educational, college-preparatory day school with 320 students enrolled in grades 9 through 12....
. During high school, she played varsity basketball, soccer, and tennis. She later graduated with honors from Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, where she obtained a Bachelor's degree in 1996 and Master of Business Administration in 2001. Her studies focused on conservation policy and Third World development. At Stanford, she was recruited to play on the women's soccer team. While pursuing her MBA, Siebel also studied at the American Conservatory Theater
American Conservatory Theater
American Conservatory Theater is a large non-profit theater company in San Francisco, California, that offers both classical and contemporary theater productions. A.C.T. was founded in 1965 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Playhouse and Carnegie Tech by theatre and...
, where she completed a certificate program. After completing her education, Siebel traveled to Africa, Latin America, and Europe on assignments with Conservation International
Conservation International
Conservation International is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, which seeks to ensure the health of humanity by protecting Earth's ecosystems and biodiversity. CI’s work focuses on six key initiatives that affect human well-being: climate, food security, freshwater...
, a global environmental coalition. Siebel worked in rain forest communities with a focus on helping indigenous populations and creating business enterprise opportunities for women. In 2002, Siebel moved to Hollywood, where she concentrated on building her acting career. Siebel earned many roles in television, film, and theater. Siebel has appeared on many television shows, including Mad Men, Strong Medicine, and Numb3rs.
Siebel and Newsom met on a blind date set up by mutual friend Kathy Wilsey at the Artists Ball at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts is a multi-disiplinary contemporary arts center in San Francisco, California, United States. Located in Yerba Buena Gardens, YBCA features visual art, performance, and film/video that celebrates local, national, and international artists and the Bay Area's diverse...
in October 2006. The couple announced their engagement in January 2008. Siebel and Newsom wed in July of the same year at her parents' ranch in Stevensville, Montana
Stevensville, Montana
Stevensville is a town in Ravalli County, Montana, United States. The population was 1,553 at the 2000 census.-History:Stevensville is officially recognized as the first permanent settlement in the state of Montana...
. It was Siebel's first marriage and Newsom's second. In September 2009, she gave birth to a daughter, Montana Tessa Siebel Newsom. Siebel gave birth to a son, Hunter Siebel Newsom, on June 12, 2011. In 2011, Siebel and her family moved from San Francisco to Ross, where she grew up.
Filmmaking
Miss Representation, Siebel's directorial debut, premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film FestivalSundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
to mostly positive reviews. The film went on to screen at numerous other festivals, including the San Francisco International Film Festival
San Francisco International Film Festival
San Francisco International Film Festival is the oldest continuously running film festival in the Americas. Organized by the San Francisco Film Society, the International is held each spring for two weeks, presenting an average of 150 films from over 50 countries...
, Athena Film Festival and won the Audience Award at the Palo Alto International Film Festival.
The film interweaves stories from teenage girls with interviews from the likes of Dr. Condoleezza Rice
Condoleezza Rice
Condoleezza Rice is an American political scientist and diplomat. She served as the 66th United States Secretary of State, and was the second person to hold that office in the administration of President George W. Bush...
, Lisa Ling, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric
Katie Couric
Katherine Anne "Katie" Couric is an American journalist and author. She serves as Special Correspondent for ABC News, contributing to ABC World News, Nightline, 20/20, Good Morning America, This Week and primetime news specials...
, Rachel Maddow
Rachel Maddow
Rachel Anne Maddow is an American television host and political commentator. Maddow hosts a nightly television show, The Rachel Maddow Show, on MSNBC. Her syndicated talk radio program, The Rachel Maddow Show, aired on Air America Radio...
, Rosario Dawson
Rosario Dawson
Rosario Isabel Dawson is an American actress, singer, and writer. She has appeared in films such as Kids, Men in Black II, 25th Hour, Sin City, Clerks II, Rent, Death Proof, The Rundown, Eagle Eye, Alexander, Seven Pounds, Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief and Unstoppable.-Early...
, Dr. Jackson Katz, Dr. Jean Kilbourne, and Gloria Steinem
Gloria Steinem
Gloria Marie Steinem is an American feminist, journalist, and social and political activist who became nationally recognized as a leader of, and media spokeswoman for, the women's liberation movement in the late 1960s and 1970s...
discussing the media and its message regarding women.
On February 10, 2011, Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer and philanthropist. Winfrey is best known for her self-titled, multi-award-winning talk show, which has become the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011...
announced that she had acquired the film for her OWN Documentary Film Club, with plans of broadcasting it in the near future.
Filmography
- Waiting for Anna (2002)
- Something's Gotta GiveSomething's Gotta Give (film)Something's Gotta Give is a 2003 American romantic comedy film written, produced and directed by Nancy Meyers for both Columbia Pictures and Warner Bros. It stars Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton as a successful 60-something and 50-something, who find love for each other at a different time of life,...
(2003) - American DaylightAmerican DaylightAmerican Daylight is a 2004 film directed by Roger Christian and produced by Kaleidoscope Entertainment. The film stars Nick Moran as Lawrence, an American music executive, who falls for Sujata , a call center worker in India, then flies halfway around the planet to meet her...
(2004) - Blonde (2004)
- Zen NoirZen NoirZen Noir is a 2006 surrealist Buddhist murder mystery by independent filmmaker Marc Rosenbush, starring Kim Chan, Duane Sharp, Ezra Buzzington, Debra Miller, Jennifer Siebel and Howard Fong.-Awards:...
(2004) - RentRent (film)Rent is a 2005 American musical drama film directed by Chris Columbus. It is an adaptation of the Broadway musical of the same name, in turn based on Giacomo Puccini's opera La bohème. The film depicts the lives of several Bohemians and their struggles with sexuality, cross-dressing, drugs, life...
(2005) - Raw Footage (2005)
- Safe (2006)
- In the Valley of ElahIn the Valley of ElahIn the Valley of Elah is a 2007 film written and directed by Paul Haggis, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, and Susan Sarandon. The film’s title refers to the Biblical valley where the battle between David and Goliath is said to have taken place....
(2007) - Bone DryBone Dry (2007)Bone Dry is an American drama film from 2007. It was directed by Brett A. Hart, written by Jeff O'Brien, starring Luke Goss and Lance Henriksen.- Cast :* Luke Goss : Eddie* Lance Henriksen – Jimmy* Tommy 'Tiny' Lister – Mitch...
(2007) - The Trouble with RomanceThe Trouble with RomanceThe Trouble With Romance is a 2007 comedy drama film starring Kip Pardue, David Eigenberg, Roger Fan, Josie Davis, Sheetal Sheth, and Coby Ryan McLaughin....
(2007) - The Butler's in LoveThe Butler's in LoveThe Butler's in Love is a short film directed by David Arquette and starring Elizabeth Berkley and Thomas Jane. The film is based on a painting by Mark Stock which hangs in Bix, the San Francisco restaurant where Arquette and his wife Courteney Cox held their rehearsal dinner the night before their...
(2008) - April Fool's DayApril Fool's Day (2008 film)April Fool's Day is a 2008 horror film, which is a direct-to-DVD remake of the 1986 film of the same name. It is directed by The Butcher Brothers, also known as Mitchell Altieri and Phil Flores, who also directed the vampire film The Hamiltons...
(2008) - The Gold Lunch (2008)
- The Nanny ExpressThe Nanny ExpressThe Nanny Express is a Hallmark Channel television movie. It premiered on Hallmark Channel on Friday, January 9, 2009, and stars Vanessa Marcil and Dean Stockwell.-Plot:...
(2008) - Down for Life (2009)
- Sleeping with the Lion (2010)
- Tales of an Ancient EmpireTales of an Ancient EmpireTales of an Ancient Empire is a 2010 fantasy film, starring Kevin Sorbo, Whitney Able, Victoria Maurette, and Lee Horsley, directed by Albert Pyun...
(2010) - Miss RepresentationMiss RepresentationMiss Representation is a 2011 American documentary film written, directed and produced by Jennifer Siebel Newsom. It explores how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in influential positions by circulating limited and often disparaging portrayals of women...
(2011)
Series
- Presidio MedPresidio MedPresidio Med is an American Television series which aired 2002–2003, centering around a San Francisco hospital. It was created by John Wells and Lydia Woodward, who also created ER.-Series premise:...
(2002) - She SpiesShe SpiesShe Spies is an action-adventure television show that ran from September 9, 2002 until May 17, 2004, in two seasons. The show was sold into syndication but the first four episodes premiered on the NBC network, whose syndication arm was one of the producers. Disappointing ratings during the show's...
(2002) - Strong MedicineStrong MedicineStrong Medicine is a medical drama with a focus on feminist politics, health issues and class conflict. The television series aired on the Lifetime network from 2000 to 2006. It is distributed by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The series was created and produced in part by comedienne and...
(2003) - The Proud FamilyThe Proud FamilyThe Proud Family is an American animated television series that premiered on Disney Channel from September 15, 2001 to August 19, 2005.-Production:...
(2003) - Cracking UpCracking UpFor the movie, see Cracking Up .Cracking Up is an American television sitcom created by School of Rock writer Mike White, who also served as the series' head writer. It aired on the Fox Network on Monday nights from March to May 2004. The title of the program and the name of the psychiatrist, Dr...
(2004) - Numb3rsNUMB3RSNumb3rs is an American television drama which premiered on CBS on January 23, 2005, and concluded on March 12, 2010. The series was created by Nicolas Falacci and Cheryl Heuton, and follows FBI Special Agent Don Eppes and his mathematical genius brother, Charlie Eppes , who helps Don solve crimes...
(2005) - Life (2007–2008)
- Mad MenMad MenMad Men is an American dramatic television series created and produced by Matthew Weiner. The series premiered on Sunday evenings on the American cable network AMC and are produced by Lionsgate Television. It premiered on July 19, 2007, and completed its fourth season on October 17, 2010. Each...
(2008) - TraumaTrauma (TV series)Trauma is a television series which originally ran on NBC from September 28, 2009 to April 28, 2010 and focused on a group of paramedics in San Francisco, California....
(2009)
Theatre
- Beauty at Globe Playhouse
- Cheaters at Globe Playhouse
- Sex & Work at The Lillian Theater
- Sisters at Court TheaterCourt Theatre (Chicago)The Court Theatre is a professional theatre located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. The Court Theatre is affiliated with the University of Chicago, receiving in-kind support from the University and operating within the larger University umbrella...
- Six Degrees of Separation at The San Francisco Playhouse
- Spotlight at St. Monica's
- The Twin SisterThe Twin SisterThe Twin Sister is a 1915 silent comedy film featuring Oliver Hardy....
at Santa Monica Playhouse