Industry Briefings: July 2024
Posted on Jun 22, 2024 by Samara Husbands
New releases and developments from the world of Film and TV
The state of streaming
As streamers look to increase dwindling profits, bundling is becoming a popular option – and one that the major platforms are offering. Netflix, Peacock and Apple TV+ have announced a bundle (called StreamSaver), while Disney+, Hulu and Max have done the same. Some specifics are yet to be announced, but we know StreamSaver will cost $15 per month and likely debut this summer, with the Disney-Hulu-Max bundle slated for autumn.
This is all happening alongside Max’s European migration. The streaming platform, previously only offered to US customers, is coming to the continent, launching first in the Nordics, Iberia, Central and Eastern Europe, then later in Poland, the Netherlands, France and Belgium. For HBO fans, this expansion has been a long time coming, with users finally able to stream hit shows like Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, The Last of Us and The White Lotus, as well as film franchises including Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and The Dark Knight. That said, UK audiences should not expect Max any time soon due to Sky’s exclusivity deal.
Film and TV Charity launches Reel Impact
The Film and TV Charity, a UK-based organisation, has launched Reel Impact, an initiative to support Black and Global Majority people working in production – from those behind the camera to those running the studios. An expansion of the Impact Partnership Programme, Reel Impact specifically targets mid-senior level employees.
It seeks to build anti-racist values in the production industries while opening opportunities for and upskilling underrepresented talent. The scheme will offer grants to both individuals (up to £10,000) and organisations (up to £25,000) that can demonstrate how additional funding will benefit Black and Global Majority projects.
“In 2021, the Film and TV Charity acknowledged that, historically, it hadn’t done enough to ensure Black and Global Majority talent in the industry felt supported,” stated Marcus Ryder, CEO at the Film and TV Charity. “With a focus on capacity building, partnerships and networking, it’s our hope the programme will significantly move the needle for talent the industry needs to attract and retain.”
The Fashion Library rethinks costume rental
Founded in 2023 by seasoned stylist and costume designer Charlotte Holt, The Fashion Library is an apparel rental house for the UK film, TV and advertising industries. Instead of wasting money and materials on each new project, The Fashion Library urges stylists and costume designers to act sustainably by repurposing existing clothes while monetising their own closets.
“We recognised the need for a platform that not only simplifies the process for stylists but also promotes sustainability within the industry,” said Holt. “Our goal is to save time, money and the planet while making our users’ lives easier.”
What started as a 2000-piece inventory has evolved into what is essentially a peer-to-peer consignment shop where users rent and sell. Stylists can browse both the online and physical showrooms, selecting the items they want and paying a small holding deposit. All rentals last for seven days and are available by collection only.
Cannes in review
Arguably the industry’s most glamorous event, Cannes Film Festival wrapped on 25 May. The 11-day exhibition included Francis Ford Coppola’s return to filmmaking with dystopian epic Megalopolis, Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things follow-up Kinds of Kindness, George Miller’s Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and Andrea Arnold’s Bird. But the show-stealers were ultimately Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Perez and Sean Baker’s Anora, which earned the elusive Palme d’Or – the fifth consecutive win for American indie studio Neon.
For Oscar hopefuls, Cannes is a must-hit stop on the circuit. Previous Palme d’Or winners include Taxi Driver, Apocalypse Now, Pulp Fiction, Blue Is the Warmest Colour and Parasite, which then became the first non-English language film to win best picture at the Academy Awards.
Headed by president Greta Gerwig, the Cannes jury awarded George Lucas with the honorary Palme d’Or, Armand with best first film, Coralie Fargeat with best screenplay (The Substance), The Seed of the Sacred Fig with special award for best screenplay, Miguel Gomes with best director (Grand Tour), Jesse Plemons with best actor (Kinds of Kindness), Emilia Perez with the Jury Prize, All We Imagine As Light with the grand prize and The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent with the short film Palme d’Or. Best actress went to Adriana Paz, Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón and Selena Gomez for their work on Emilia Perez.
ScreenSkills introduces training passport
In partnership with BBC Studios, ITV Studios and Sky, ScreenSkills is piloting a training passport that will provide a record of industry-approved training for staff and freelancers. It will ideally offer benefits to both employees and employers; with standardising training, studios can ensure crew members are equally up to par, while creatives can keep track of certifications.
Staff and freelancers can complete all training via the ScreenSkills website. The training passport will pilot for six months.
Disney+ announces Marvel project for Apple Vision Pro
When it was announced, the Apple Vision Pro headset promised to revolutionise content consumption. With that goal in mind, Disney+ is creating a new experience, What If…? – An Immersive Story, which will allow audiences to become part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), interact with the characters, learn the ‘mystic arts’ and even come face-to-face with Infinity Stones.
What If…? – An Immersive Story follows the existing What If…? animated series, which imagines alternate storylines within the MCU. “What If…? – An Immersive Story takes this one step further and actually allows you to visit these strange new worlds,” said Brad Winderbaum, executive producer at Marvel Studios. The series is directed by Dave Bushore, produced by Shereif M Fattouh, written by David Dong and Phil McCarty with music composed by Laura Karpman.
DIARY DATES
London Film & TV Job Fair
27 June
The Film & TV Job Fair returns to north-west London for a full day of networking, giving budding creatives the chance to connect with studios, agents and recruiters all in one place. Be sure to bring your CV!
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
28 June-6 July
Held annually in the Czech Republic and lauded as Central and Eastern Europe’s most prestigious festival, KVIFF presents over 200 films from all around the world. Films contend for the Crystal Globe, worth $25,000.
Filmfest München
28 June-7 July
Filmfest München is Germany’s premier summer festival, screening around 150 films annually. An alternative to Berlinale, it welcomes the industry’s biggest talents while maintaining a relaxed atmosphere.
London Film and Comic Con
5-7 July
This summer, London’s Film and Comic Con hits the Olympia, offering fans a full weekend of meet-and-greets, panel sessions, the artists’ alley and more. Confirmed guests include David Boreanaz, Rupert Grint and Denise Richards, among many others!
This feature was first published in the July 2024 issue of Definition.
