The hottest Filmmaking Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Art & Illustration Topics

Journalists should start building life rafts earlier in their careers

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 523 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Media Filmmaking Journalism Content creation Storytelling
  1. Journalists should think about creating their own platforms early in their careers. Having a personal website or newsletter can help them connect better with their audience.
  2. The situation at CNN is uncertain as they transition away from traditional cable. There is a need for major changes to adapt to the future of media.
  3. Support for indie filmmakers is growing, with new partnerships like Tubi and Kickstarter helping fresh talent get their movies made.

Animating by Candlelight

Animation Obsessive • 3318 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Community Industry Filmmaking History
  1. During the aftermath of the fall of the Soviet Union, animators faced challenges adapting to life under capitalism with reduced state funding and support.
  2. Some animators, like Yuri Norstein and Priit Pärn, expressed struggles and concerns about the impact of financial censorship in the capitalist system on their artistic work.
  3. Countries like Estonia benefited from renewed state support for artists, resulting in a thriving animation community that continues to produce award-winning films.

A Masterwork by the Master of Mistakes

Animation Obsessive • 4126 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Filmmaking Cinematography Cartoons
  1. Brigand Jurko (1977) is a unique animated film blending various genres and styles, created by director Viktor Kubal.
  2. Kubal's approach to animation focused on embracing mistakes and prioritizing content over form.
  3. The film Brigand Jurko is praised for its distinctive storytelling, blending serious themes with comedy and surreal visual elements.
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Searching For Ross McDonnell

CrashOut by Ioan Grillo • 727 implied HN points • 17 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Filmmaking Documentary Journalism
  1. Ross McDonnell, a talented photographer and filmmaker, went missing in New York and was later found deceased on a beach in Queens.
  2. Ross McDonnell's work took him around the world, capturing impactful stories in places like Afghanistan, Mexico, and Ukraine.
  3. Ross McDonnell deeply touched the lives of many with his authenticity, talent, and ability to build genuine connections with the people he filmed.

'The Man Who Planted Trees' Was an Impossible Task

Animation Obsessive • 3049 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Filmmaking Environmentalism Activism Influences
  1. Frédéric Back made a significant impact in animation through his film 'The Man Who Planted Trees'.
  2. The film, 'The Man Who Planted Trees,' took Back five years to make and was a labor of love that symbolized the good humans can achieve.
  3. The task of animating 'The Man Who Planted Trees' was a challenging and historic endeavor, showcasing Back's dedication and artistic brilliance.

Peter Farrelly was a Danfan first

Expanding Dan • 314 implied HN points • 11 Mar 23
🎶 Music Filmmaking Songwriting Music Industry Music history
  1. Peter Farrelly discovered Steely Dan while at a boarding school and was deeply moved by their music, leading to a lifelong appreciation.
  2. Farrelly's interaction with Walter Becker for the 'Me, Myself & Irene' soundtrack showcased his passion for Steely Dan and the importance of their music in his films.
  3. Farrelly reflects on his career, his love for Steely Dan's less popular songs, and the inspiration he drew from creative duos like the Zucker brothers and his unconventional encounters with musicians.

Filmmaker Kelly Reichardt on her creative process and long-term collaborations

Chance Operations • 257 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Filmmaking Collaborations Creative Process
  1. Kelly Reichardt emphasizes the importance of carving out space for creativity and avoiding distractions.
  2. She prefers a tactile approach to her writing process, using physical tools like note cards and legal pads.
  3. Collaboration and camaraderie are key to Reichardt's filmmaking, with a focus on refining work until the very end.

Well, Here We Are

Aerial Shot • 19 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Movies Actors Visual Effects Filmmaking
  1. The movie Barbie received eight Oscar nominations but still left questions about its overall reception.
  2. Charles Melton did not receive an Oscar nomination for his work in May December, despite early critical praise.
  3. Release dates played a critical role in the Oscar nominations this year, with late releases potentially impacting recognition.

The Kids Are Alright: Cinema's Future Is Here

Aerial Shot • 1 HN point • 23 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Cinema Filmmaking Entertainment
  1. Romy Mars, Sofia Coppola's daughter, is making waves in cinema with her TikTok content analyzing gender roles and women's empowerment.
  2. Sofia Coppola is praised for her ability to capture compelling and lived-in vibes in her movies like Lost in Translation.
  3. The future of the film industry looks promising with young talents like Romy Mars and established figures like Sofia Coppola pushing boundaries in storytelling.

Interview With Theo Anthony by Tomi Faison

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Filmmaking Creative Expression Community Engagement Local government
  1. Theo Anthony, the director of 'All Light Everywhere', emphasized the importance of connecting diverse sources in his filmmaking process and created a website to showcase these influences and inspirations.
  2. In his film, Theo Anthony intentionally included himself to challenge traditional documentary norms and encourage audience reflection on the artifice present in filmmaking.
  3. Theo Anthony's venture into local government as a City Council Member showcases the complexity of decision-making in mundane yet impactful issues, highlighting the intricate nature of political work.

Veo 3 is Magic: We Are All Filmmakers Now (and Really Great Ones)

Crypto Good • 0 implied HN points • 28 May 25
🕹 Technology AI Video Filmmaking Innovation Media
  1. Veo 3 allows anyone to create high-quality videos easily. You can now make videos with both visuals and audio using just a text prompt.
  2. Creating a video used to be difficult and expensive, but now it's quick and cheap. All you need is a good idea and some words.
  3. This technology opens new doors for storytelling, especially for people and organizations that previously couldn't afford video production.

"You built a time machine... out of a Transformer model?"

Collisions • 0 implied HN points • 25 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Filmmaking AI Tools Narrative Creativity Cinema
  1. When using AI tools for video generation, ground the content in narration or dialogue between characters for a more compelling story.
  2. Enhance the generated footage with shot composition, lighting, and attention to detail like character reactions and emotions.
  3. Utilize music and foley work to amplify emotions in the footage and maintain viewer engagement.