Top Filmmaking Articles of the Week - February 9, 2025
To be a filmmaker, you have to lead. You have to be psychotic in your desire to do something. People always like the easy route. You have to push very hard to get something unusual, something different.
-Danny Boyle
Top Filmmaking Articles of the Week - February 9, 2025
Here are some filmmaking articles that we found interesting the past week. We hope you enjoy!
IndieWire – Tony Maglio
Disney+ lost 700,000 subscribers in the final quarter of 2024, bringing its total subscriber count (excluding Disney+ Hotstar in India) to 124.6 million. ESPN+ also saw a similar decline. Despite this, Disney’s streaming business remained profitable for the third consecutive quarter. The company attributed the loss to recent price hikes and expiring promotions. However, Disney’s overall financial performance exceeded expectations, largely due to the success of “Moana 2,” which grossed over $1 billion at the box office. CEO Bob Iger highlighted the company’s strong start to the fiscal year, emphasizing Disney’s creative and financial strength across various segments, including box office performance, streaming profitability, and the addition of an ESPN tile on Disney+.
Indie Cinema – Diana Ringo
“Saving Mango” is an indie documentary that tells the heartwarming story of a cat’s survival and loyalty. Directed by first-time filmmaker Sarah Chen, the film follows the journey of Mango, a stray cat in New York City, and his unexpected bond with a homeless man named Tom. The documentary explores themes of companionship, resilience, and the human-animal connection in urban environments. Chen used a combination of guerrilla-style filming and interviews with local residents to capture the authentic essence of street life. The film gained attention at several indie film festivals for its emotional depth and unique perspective on urban issues. “Saving Mango” not only highlights the plight of stray animals but also sheds light on the often-overlooked stories of homeless individuals in big cities.
Filmmaker Magazine – Victoria Lynn Carroll
Victoria Lynn Carroll’s essay on “She Is a Shaman” provides insights into her filmmaking process and the inspiration behind her documentary. The film explores the life of Leonora Carrington, a surrealist artist and writer. Carroll was drawn to Carrington’s work and life story, particularly her experiences with mental illness and her journey into the world of shamanism.
More Filmmaking Articles
Film Independent – Cortney Matz
Film Independent’s blog recommends several indie films for February 2025, including:
- “The Bride!” – Maggie Gyllenhaal’s psychological thriller
- “Omaha” – Cole Webley’s criminal justice drama
- “Together” – Michael Shanks’ supernatural horror
- “Rebuilding” – Josh O’Connor’s intimate drama
- “The Thing with Feathers” – Benedict Cumberbatch’s quirky comedy
- “Sly Lives!” – Questlove’s Sylvester Stallone documentary
- “The Librarians” – Sarah Jessica Parker’s book banning documentary
These diverse films, many from Sundance, are now getting wider releases.
Matthew T. Burns is an indie filmmaker known for his work on “The Witcher” and “Cyberpunk 2077.” In this interview, he discusses his journey from working on AAA video game titles to creating his own indie films. Burns emphasizes the importance of storytelling and world-building in both gaming and filmmaking. He shares insights on transitioning between mediums, the challenges of indie filmmaking, and the creative freedom it offers. Burns also talks about his latest project, a sci-fi thriller, and offers advice for aspiring filmmakers on balancing creative vision with practical constraints. The interview highlights the intersection of gaming and film industries, showcasing how skills from one can be applied to the other.
If you’ve found anything interesting this week let us know and we can spread the word next time!