Life is busy. It can be tough to stay up-to-date on all the latest film industry news, profiles, analysis, and advice. That’s why we’ve curated some essential reads you may have missed over the past month. So take some time to catch up with this month’s good reads!
This Month’s Good Reads (August 2023)
Who Needs Film Critics When Studios Can Be Sure Influencers Will Praise Their Films? (via Manuela Lazic for The Guardian)
Learning the difference between journalism and PR.
Interview: Director Carl Franklin on the Career-Making One False Move (via Scott Tobias for The Reveal)
Franklin’s move from actor to director and his big filmmaking break.
Female Filmmakers in Focus: Fran Rubel Kuzui on Tokyo Pop (via Marya E. Gates for RogerEbert.com)
How a long-lost indie is returning to screens with the help of Carol Burnett, Dolly Parton, and Jane Fonda.
Death Spiral of Hollywood Monopolies (via Alena Smith for The Ankler)
Dickinson showrunner on the bursting of the streaming bubble.
Meet the Producers Who Want That (Second) ‘P’ Out of ‘AMPTP’ (via Brian Welk for IndieWire)
Indie producers don’t want to be lumped in with studio execs.
After Hours: The Oral History of a Cult Classic (via Jake Malooley for Air Mail)
How Martin Scorsese went from canceled studio passion project back to his indie roots.
Hip-Hop in Film Throughout the Decades (via Nicholas Bell for Spin)
Celebrating 50 years of hip-hop through its impact on cinema.
In the Garden: Remembering Independent Film Distributor, Producer and Mentor Ray Price (via Rodrigo Reyes for Filmmaker Magazine)
A personal memorial for a filmmaking mentor.
Harmony Korine’s Hi-Tech Vision for the Future of Movies (via Zach Baron for GQ)
Inside the Gummo filmmaker’s AI/video game collective.
The Hollywood Strike Forces A Reckoning for the Trades (via Katharine Trendacosta for Defector)
What do the trades rely on more – studio ad buys or talent participation?
Why Strike Season Is a Great Time to Make a Short Film (via Clay Pruitt for The Wrap)
The Short Project Agreement is not being struck – is it time for you to make one?
Into the Groove: A Conversation with Susan Seidelman (via Hillary Weston for The Criterion Collection)
Catching up with the Smithereens and Desperately Seeking Susan director.
Neil Breen: B Movie Supreme Being (via Sean McGeady for Paste Magazine)
Meet the successor to the Ed Wood/Tommy Wiseau bad movie throne.
Helpful strike info
A video worth watching
RIP William Friedkin (via Mubi)
Friedkin's Endings from MUBI on Vimeo.
How ’bout you? Read anything good this month?
——
If you’re an independent filmmaker or know of an independent film-related topic we should write about, email blogadmin@sagindie.org for consideration.