With a new month kicking off this week, SAGindie (along with a number of other sites, including our pals at Indiewire and Film Independent) recommended some must-see movies for October. While we obviously feel that our own list is the best, most comprehensive, unquestionable collection of films you’ll ever want to see (let the fighting begin in the comments section), there was some noticeable overlap on a few titles. The basic consensus is that the top picks across the board are: Birdman, Dear White People, Force Majeure, Listen Up Philip, The Overnighters, and Whiplash. So shoot those ones to the top of your list. But this week wasn’t all about movies-of-the-very-near-future. Take a look at the other film-related stories to hit the web this week.
More Good Reads for the week of September 29, 2014
Don’t Kill Your Movie: Avoid Deadly Mistakes with Distribution Deals (via Jerome Courshon for The Wrap)
Making the movie is half the battle. Distributing it without getting screwed is the other half.
It’s Been an Amazing Year for Animated Films – You Just Haven’t Realized It Yet (via Bilge Ebiri for Vulture)
While the big studios’ animated efforts have largely underwhelmed, foreign and indie animation is thriving.
6 Lessons on Filmmaking From Darren Aronofsky (via Sarah Salovaara for Filmmaker Magazine)
The guy who made Requiem for a Dream is offering advice. In the words of Sister Act 2, “You better wake up and pay attention.”
The First Oscar Lock of the Year Is Here (It’s Not What You Think It Is) (via Mark Harris for Grantland)
(If you think it’s the year’s buzziest indie film, then yes, it is what you think it is.)
Moviemaker’s Third Annual Guide to Digital Distribution (via Erin Trahan for Moviemaker Magazine)
Find out if you should aim for Hulu, iTunes, or some brand new site all the kids are crazy about.
Fall Deadlines Filmmakers Should Know About (via Oakley Anderson-Moore for No Film School)
Get the info on festivals, grants, contests, and other funding opportunities you may want to pursue.
Netflix’s Ted Sarandos Explains Adam Sandler, ‘Crouching Tiger’ Deals (via Gregg Kilday for The Hollywood Reporter)
Netflix is making movies now. Remember when they used to ship DVDs in the mail? Also, remember mail?
How ’bout you? Read anything good this week?
——
If you’re an independent filmmaker or know of an independent film-related topic we should write about, email blogadmin@sagindie.org for consideration.