What's Next Will Be Spectacular
What's Next Will Be Spectacular
Short and sweet - with optimism in my heart.
This week has felt … compelling. I have seen several great trailers for upcoming films, read some industry news about projects in production and developed an overwhelming sense of optimism regarding one specific aspect of our industry…
Today’s article is more of a round up - I hope you enjoy it!
What’s Up Today:
Seen & Heard
Moviegoing Isn’t Dead
The Next Era of Film
Seen + Heard
Jeremy Allen White is currently filming his upcoming role as Bruce Springsteen and we got a first look. Let’s just say I was dancing in the dark when I heard of this reprisal.
Guillermo Del Toro calls Emilia Perez auteur “One of The Greatest Filmmakers Of All Time” after a screening for DGA members in Los Angeles last Wednesday
Johnny Depp screens his sophomore directorial debut Modi: Three Days on the Wings of Madness at the Rome Film Festival and chats with THR about his desire to “move on” from the past.
Moviegoing Isn’t Dead - Just Ask Gen Z
“Despite a widespread narrative about the “dying” movie business, adolescents selected “go to see a movie on opening weekend” as their top choice when asked what they would prefer to do if money was no object — even above sports and watching newly released shows or movies on a personal device at home.”
*This report intimates a growing trend - at least among the 1,644 young people ages 10–24 surveyed for the Teens and Screens Report by the Center for Scholars & Storytellers at UCLA in August.
Check it out for more insights. I’m telling you, it’s a feel good read.
What’s Next? A Grand Era of Indie
I have chills.
I was just reading that Gavin Newsom has proposed doubling the states film tax credits as the state spins from the “exodus” of production.
I have to say…It’s good news. If it comes to pass, it will renew the spirit of thousands of people in our industry who have been struggling for the past several years. Hopefully, it will see some production return to the state. To be honest, it aroused in me a moment of old lingering love for Tinseltown and all its history and lore. Maybe Hollywood will be restored and it will all glitter again, like gold on the…
No.
Forget that.
When I read that article, it sounded like a “too little, too late” swan song of a dying breed.
I believe now, as we emerge from the stages of collective grief over the loss of a dying version of our industry… that the reign of mega studios are over. They’re passe... They have had their moment. Decades of creative power… a collection of phenomenal work.
And the streamers had their decade. And what a decade it was.
But what comes next? … is EXCITING.
What comes next… is a new era of INDEPENDENT FILM.
Indies Have Lived In The Dark…
Independent film has long been the edgy little brother of Hollywood, turning out some of the greatest and most critically acclaimed work of all time.
But now the little brother is going to step into the spotlight.
With more voices, more stories, and more rule-book disregard than ever before, I believe the next decade is going to be a boom of great - and I mean really SPECTACULAR - film.
I, for one, am focused on producing these films. And many other producers I know are equally as excited for this challenge. We are all stepping into the moment, with our own production companies, collective industry experience and burning desire to discover the next great stories.
The budgets will be - should be! - smaller. The crews will be tighter. The money will be more reasonable. And the films… oh man, the films…
They will be spectacular.
If you are enjoying the newsletter and see its value, please consider supporting the newsletter by becoming a premium subscriber: https://christineahanotu.substack.com/subscribe
I loved this article. Christine, you said what I feel in my bones, this will be the golden age of independent film.
Everything you said rings true. It is the reason that we put together an International Studio Without Borders or Walls during the pandemic. We are determined not to just make films that entertain, but movies that make a difference, that can change the world for the better.
I, myself, don't expect to make the great film ever made, or even the most artistic, but I know I will definitely make some of the most important.
We are always looking for people who want to make these important films. Let's make them together.
California is VERY late on the train when other states & countries have made more competitive advances that have already shifted the slate for next year.
IF they chose to invest in making a percentage of that for only indie films (under a certain budget, etc) and more affordable indie permit options, that could be a much better use of the incentive to keep great filmmakers in LA.