Cast & Crew’s Post

Empowering audiences to come to their own conclusions with chalk and cheese. The nuances of a decision-making process. These two are HUGE crossovers between filmmaking + copywriting. The conversation that I've linked to here is a round table between a bunch of epic, culture-changing, emotionally intelligent filmmakers, facilitated by the influential voice of Matt Barr.  [See comments for full line-up + links to their work] The part that stuck with me was about the relationship between their narrative (as a storyteller) and their audience. How much do you add your own opinion to a film? Do you have a strong enough narrative that forces cultural change? How do you expose the viewer to a 'better' PoV? It was Rebecca Coley, talking about her film “Point of Change”: the history of Nias (a teeny island to the West of Sumatra, where I've spent a month orangutan-spotting + surfing the best waves of my life. But that’s a tale for another days' ramble). “𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵. 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘴, 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯, 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵.” It’s not a chalk/cheese decision. You aren’t just telling your audience: “You should believe in this. (And if you don't, you're explicitly against us.)" Instead, the audience is empowered to come to its own conclusion. Because there’s nuance in her audience’s past experiences, belief systems, values. 𝘞𝘦’𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢-𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘨𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘢 𝘗𝘰𝘝. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭, 𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭-𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 (𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘸𝘦 𝘒𝘕𝘖𝘞 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵), 𝘸𝘦 𝘚𝘛𝘐𝘓𝘓 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥; 𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺-𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴. It’s not a chalk/cheese decision. We need nuance. ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ The patchwork of your audience’s past experiences, belief systems and values... these are all taken into account if you hire Alice Writes Copy to present your product/service to the world. Selling (with words) ≠ aggressively imposing your belief that they can't live without the thing you're selling. Selling (with words) = constructing copy that's emotionally intelligent + sensitive + empowers them in the decision-making process.

Over the next week, I'll highlight recently announced industry-related regulatory reforms in key African regions. Why? They're essential for creating a conducive environment for growth and innovation. Additionally, effective regulations can address issues like piracy, quality, and cultural representation, and indirectly influence extremely important challenges including funding, infrastructure, and market access. On this front, Kenya's roar was the loudest and most transparent this year, so I'll start there. Much of the major action came from the Film Classification Board (KFCB): 1. Nationwide Crackdown on Unlicensed Filmmakers: The KFCB launched a nationwide crackdown on filmmakers operating without a valid license. This initiative is part of efforts to control the distribution of unrated films and to ensure filmmakers comply with the law. The focus is particularly on the illegal exhibition of films in public cinemas and on regular television channels. [Context: In Kenya, filmmakers are required to obtain a filming license, mandatory for both local and foreign filmmakers. No film production is allowed with the license. The KFCB processes these permits which come with fees. For comparison, in the U.S., film permits are managed locally by city or county film offices, unlike Kenya's national system, and are only required for shooting in public spaces or for large-scale productions.] 2. Revision of the Role of Film Agents: Related to the first item... the KFCB is in the process of redefining the role of film agents. This comes after recommendations from local producers to abolish the prerequisite to register as film agents or be facilitated by agents when obtaining licenses. The proposed changes aim to make it easier for local filmmakers to obtain licenses directly from KFCB without going through agents, reducing barriers that hinder growth. 3. Regulation of Broadcast and Streaming Services: The framework, which was billed as a co-regulation effort rather than unilateral action by the KFCB, will involve broadcasters and online streaming platforms in the examination and rating of their content. A goal is to keep up with changes in a rapidly evolving media landscape. 4. Focus on Safeguarding "National Values and Norms": Related to the third item... the KFCB continues to focus on what it deems efficient, effective, and professional film regulatory services when it comes to prevailing social mores. This includes evaluating and restricting "adult content" and enforcing programming codes for TV and radio services accessible without subscription or additional fees. How might these updates influence Kenyan film and TV output in 2024? Will monitor as the year unfolds...

When budgeting a film most cover the basic principles: development, pre production, post production, distribution. But did you budget the website? How about the Facebook ads? What about press articles and the backlinks to the website? Print-on demand-merchandise? We always leave out the project’s website and it’s crucial to the distribtuion. It actually helps influence a festivals decision on selecting the film so they can see people talking about it. Especially when they visit the site and get hit with ads on social media to follow if retargeted properly. Do your self a favor and research more on building websites/ Facebook ads and pitch for more funds to help distribution. Build a website, meta tag it, optimize it, run the ads, submit to festivals. You got this ✨🎥 #filmmaking #webdevelopment #socialmediaads #film #producer #meta #filmfestival #distribution #cinema

#totsofalegend Harnessing the potentials of the RIVERS STATE FILM INDUSTRY goes beyond making sure of films to act, it's way above satisfying the boredom of the anxious actor and filmmaker, its about intentional actions that will improve and give value to the creative economy that is currently redundant. I believe that we will need to look at TALENT DEVELOPMENT and FILM EDUCATION Factoring out way we can improve talent and ability to see that what we know is at par with current standards. With this, we are sure that there's a sure foundation for quality to which profit can be ensured. Organizing talent development sessions and workshops for actors and filmmakers is a valid medium. DIVERSE STORYTELLING We will need to encourage diverse and inclusive storytelling to reflect a broader range of experiences and perspectives. I believe that there's more to us that what we tell, our culture, our sophistication, food and decent lifestyles are stories to tell. TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS Embracing cutting-edge technology for better visual effects, virtual reality experiences, and digital distribution platforms. INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION We will need to look at ways to foster partnerships and collaborations with filmmakers and studios from around the world to access a global audience. This is possible if we look the right way. MARKET RESEARCH If there are people then there's a Market but we have failed to do a proper market survey as to what will satisfy the population of over 5,500 people that will multiply into millions. Analyzing market trends and audience preferences to create content that resonates with our viewers will be a great success. FILM FESTIVALS AND AWARDS Participate in and promoting film festivals and industry awards to showcase talent and gain recognition. LEGAL AND COPYRIGHT PROTECTION Strengthen intellectual property protection and combat piracy to ensure creators' rights are upheld. INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES Develop state-of-the-art production facilities and infrastructure to attract international productions. GOVERNMENT SUPPORT Work with government bodies to provide incentives, tax breaks, and funding for the film industry. By focusing on these aspects, the film industry can harness its full potential for artistic expression, entertainment, and economic growth.

CMNS2000 - tutorial activity: blog post for LinkedIn - chosen topic: cinema The Corporate Stranglehold: Threatening Cinema's Essence In today's cinematic landscape, corporate giants wield immense power, reshaping the industry in their image. Their influence stifles creativity, pushes formulaic blockbusters, and marginalizes independent voices. Franchise filmmaking dominates, with studios favouring safe sequels and reboots over original storytelling. This obsession with profit leads to a concentration of power among a few major players, squeezing out indie filmmakers and limiting diversity. Corporate interference extends to creative decisions, compromising artistic integrity for marketability. Additionally, the rise of corporate-owned streaming services threatens traditional theaters, further eroding the cinematic experience. Yet, hope remains in the form of independent filmmakers and audience demand for diverse content. Preserving cinema's essence requires pushing back against corporate homogenization and supporting independent voices. Only by championing creativity over profit can we ensure that cinema remains a vibrant, diverse, and transformative art form for future generations.

Today’s Highlights: Finnish Mystery Thriller 'Icebreaker' Wins at MipTV: "Icebreaker," a Finnish mystery thriller, wins the Coup de Coeur award at the 8th edition of MipDrama, highlighting its atmospheric and claustrophobic storytelling. CNN Originals Aims for Comeback with Space Shuttle Columbia Series: After facing significant budget cuts, CNN Originals is launching a new series focused on the space shuttle Columbia. Documentary Industry Insights from Cannes' MipDoc: Dawn Porter outlines challenges and strategies for documentary makers in the current market, emphasising the industry's competitive nature and the need for filmmakers to navigate it carefully. Shifts in Factual Programming Discussed at MIPDoc: The session at MIPDoc underscores the resilience of factual commissions amidst industry changes, including a shift towards branded entertainment and immersive experiences. Paramount Introduces Custom Ads: Highlighting a trend towards integrated advertising, Paramount's new approach to custom ads during shows reflects broader industry moves towards monetising streaming content. Challenges in Documentary Filmmaking Due to Hollywood Cutbacks: The post discusses the financial and creative struggles faced by documentary filmmakers, highlighting the industry's uncertainty and the impact of budget cuts. Kyle MacLachlan Comments on 'Twin Peaks' and Today's Hollywood: MacLachlan's insights on the evolution of Hollywood, including the sophistication of its stars and the potential for another "Twin Peaks" reboot, reflect on changing industry dynamics. 'Yellowstone' Becomes a Financial Powerhouse: The success of "Yellowstone" and its impact on the industry, including the commissioning of similar shows, demonstrates the show's cultural and financial influence. The Economic Impact of Filming in Georgia: This story covers the benefits and costs associated with filming incentives in Thomasville, Georgia, shedding light on the broader debate over the value of such incentives for states. Daniel Brühl's Role as Karl Lagerfeld in Disney+'s 'Becoming Karl': Brühl's preparation for playing the fashion icon in the upcoming series exemplifies the intersection of biographical storytelling and high-profile acting talent in contemporary media. Subscribe to our daily updates at the link below:

Have you ever had any of these thoughts on Creative and Impact Distribution? This is our take on three common misconceptions: 1️⃣ Creative Distribution and Impact equal no revenue: When impact distribution is part of a well planned distribution strategy, it can not only generate revenue from licensing, speaking engagements, and sponsorships, but also create a strong buzz and build audiences towards semi theatrical and theatrical tours, as well as educational and digital releases, for which public performance rights (PPR) licenses, sales and royalties are negotiated. 2️⃣ Creative Distribution and Impact will hold me back from my next project: Impact campaigns require some level of commitment from the filmmaker and subjects in order to succeed, so there are considerations to make regarding availability and timing. However finding the right partners will allow you run an efficient campaign that doesn't have to hold your next project back, and could be very valuable for your future project and career. 3️⃣ Creative Distribution and Impact are not compatible with traditional distribution: Creative distribution is a new way to strategize around your release with a different mindset that prioritizes filmmakers’ goals and audience engagement. Partnering with both traditional and non-traditional exhibition venues such as community groups, cinemas, programmers, film festivals, and platforms to get the film out into the world, creative distributors are in a particularly good position to unleash the film's full potential. #filmdistribution #creativedistribution #documentary #film #documentary #impactdistribution #distribution #filmmarketing #filmmaker #producer

Capture the spotlight in the online film industry with FILM.ONLINE! This premium domain is your gateway to success in the world of digital entertainment. Whether you're a filmmaker, movie enthusiast, or content creator, FILM.ONLINE offers a compelling and memorable digital address for showcasing your cinematic offerings. Who should register FILM.ONLINE? - Filmmakers - Movie Enthusiasts - Film Production Companies - Streaming Platforms - Film Critics How FILM.ONLINE can elevate your online presence: 1. Relevance: The domain clearly communicates your focus on the film industry, signaling relevance to search engines and users looking for cinematic content. 2. Memorability: A concise and memorable domain name encourages repeat visits and word-of-mouth referrals, positively impacting your online presence. 3. Keyword Inclusion: "Film" is a powerful keyword for your niche, enhancing the likelihood of ranking for searches related to movies and cinematic experiences. Secure FILM.ONLINE now to shine in the digital film industry and connect with those passionate about the magic of movies! #FilmOnline #DigitalCinema #MovieMagic #OnlineFilmHub #CinematicExperience #FilmLoversCommunity #StreamMoviesOnline #FilmProduction #MovieNightIn #DigitalFilmFestival #CinematicJourney #FilmStreamingPlatform #MovieBuff #FilmReviewers #FilmIndustryInsiders #OnlineEntertainment #MovieTime #FilmDirector #FilmGeeksUnite #OnlineScreeningRoom #FilmFestOnline #DigitalMovieLibrary #CinephileCommunity #MovieStreamingService #FilmCreatives #FilmMakingJourney #MovieNightIdeas #DigitalFilmCatalog #OnlineFilmMarketplace Transform your online presence, captivate audiences, and make FILM.ONLINE your cinematic home! 🎬✨🍿

As Africans, storytelling is ingrained in our very essence. From the ancient tales passed down by our ancestors around community firesides, our rich tradition of storytelling runs deep in our veins. Yet, despite this cultural wealth, the African film industry has often struggled to reach its full potential in terms of profitability and sustainability. Why is this the case? The reasons are multifaceted. Limited access to funding and resources, fragmented distribution channels, and inadequate infrastructure have all posed significant challenges. Additionally, the lack of cohesive support structures and regulatory frameworks tailored to the unique needs of African filmmakers has hindered growth and innovation. I have been conducting an intense research in the past couple of months on the path to sustainability in the African film scene. The Current State of Affairs: Why hasn't the African film industry reached its full potential? Imagine a united African front, where nations come together to cultivate and nurture the stories that make up our continent. Picture a landscape where dedicated bodies and organizations in Africa collaborate tirelessly to provide filmmakers with the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive. This is not just a dream—it's a tangible vision for the future of African cinema. By establishing robust institutions committed to the development and promotion of the African film industry, we can create an ecosystem that empowers storytellers from all corners of the continent. From script development workshops to production grants and distribution networks, these initiatives can serve as catalysts for growth, fostering a new era of creativity and innovation. The Future of African Cinema: Unlocking Sustainability Investment in Infrastructure: Developing robust film infrastructure, including studios, post-production facilities, and cinemas, is crucial for fostering a thriving industry ecosystem. #Funfact: We have less than 2000 cinemas in the entire continent serving 1.5 billion people! Financial Support and Incentives: Governments and private investors can provide financial support and incentives to filmmakers, encouraging the production of high-quality, culturally relevant content. Collaboration and Co-Production: Collaborative efforts and co-productions among African countries can facilitate the creation of content with broader appeal, tapping into larger regional and international markets. Now, here's the million-dollar question to ignite discussion within my network: Are International Collaborations the Key to Unlocking the African Film Industry's Full Potential? I'd love to hear your thoughts and insights on this topic! Share your perspectives in the comments below and let's spark a meaningful conversation about the future of African cinema. Together, we can pave the way for a vibrant, sustainable, and globally recognized film industry in Africa. #AfricanCinema #FilmIndustry #Sustainability #FutureOfWork