Top Filmmaking Articles of the Week - May 4, 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 - May 4, 2025
Here are some filmmaking articles that we found interesting the past week. We hope you enjoy!
IndieWire – Alison Foreman
In his interview with IndieWire, Craig Mazin discusses the creative approach behind The Last of Us series, emphasizing the balance between staying true to the original game and adapting it meaningfully for television. He highlights how the show explores the complexities of love and morality, showing how love can drive both beautiful and horrific choices. Mazin also touches on the collaborative process with Neil Druckmann and their shared goal of creating a grounded, emotionally rich story that resonates with both gamers and new audiences.
No Film School – Jason Hellerman
An extensive compilation of descriptive sound effect terms to assist screenwriters in vividly conveying auditory elements in their scripts. Curated by Jason Hellerman, the list categorizes sounds into various groups, including impacts and collisions (e.g., “CRACKLE-THUD,” “HEAVY CRUMP”), shattering and breaking (e.g., “GLASS SHATTER,” “BONE SNAP”), water and liquid impacts (e.g., “KER-PLUNK,” “TORRENTIAL SPLASH”), metallic variations (e.g., “TINNY CLATTER,” “METALLIC SCREECH”), and bullet impacts and ricochets (e.g., “BULLET SPANG,” “WHIZZING RICOCHET”) . This resource serves as a valuable tool for writers aiming to enhance the sensory detail and realism of their narratives.
A second unit director is responsible for overseeing a film’s secondary crew, tasked with capturing supplementary footage such as B-roll, establishing shots, inserts, montages, and action sequences. Operating parallel to the main unit, they ensure that their work aligns seamlessly with the primary director’s vision, maintaining consistency in visual style and narrative tone. This role is pivotal in enhancing production efficiency, allowing the main unit to focus on principal scenes with lead actors while the second unit handles additional shots that enrich the storytelling. Serving as a second unit director is often considered a valuable stepping stone for aspiring filmmakers, offering hands-on experience in directing and an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to manage a crew and contribute meaningfully to a film’s overall production.
More Filmmaking Articles
Filmmaker Magazine – Ritesh Mehta
Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw employed both 65mm IMAX and Ultra Panavision 70 cameras to capture diverse aspect ratios, enhancing the film’s visual storytelling. A notable production moment involved the team literally burning down their set to authentically depict a fire scene, symbolizing the film’s commitment to realism. Coogler emphasized the personal nature of the project, dedicating it to his late uncle James and drawing inspiration from his family’s Mississippi roots. The film’s innovative approach and emotional depth have contributed to its critical acclaim and box office success.
Film Independent – John Squire
The Film Independent blog showcases three standout documentaries supported by its Fiscal Sponsorship program. The Ever Curious Man, directed by Ivan Cash and executive produced by Mandy Patinkin, follows an aging artist seeking redemption and is on track for a September 2025 release. Renovating Hope, by Jaye and Adam Fenderson, tells the inspiring story of Katherine Wolf’s mission to transform a defunct restaurant into a community hub for people with disabilities. Lastly, Companion of the Setting Sun explores Indigenous farming practices in Mexico and their role in preserving the endangered axolotl, centered around 86-year-old Doña Susana.
If you’ve found anything interesting this week let us know and we can spread the word next time!