Thompson on Hollywood

The New Professionalism -- A Flight Toward Quality

Features

Over the last decade, as the tools of filmmaking became less expensive and more generally accessible, there was much excitement about what came to be known as the “democratization” of filmmaking. Suddenly, one didn’t have to be rich or the relative of a studio executive to get a movie made.

By Ira Deutchman
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March 5, 2013 12:33 PM
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YouTube's Choice: Funding 30-40% of Original Channels for Second Round

News

After YouTube socked nearly $100 million into original content channels last year, the company now has to choose which of its most successful partners will receive further investment. Reportedly only 30-40% of the original recipients will see an additional round of funding, but this time YouTube partners could glean a total of some $200 million.

By Beth Hanna
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November 12, 2012 3:13 PM
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YouTube's Original Content Sinks or Swims: Underperforming Channels Get Cut as YouTube Looks for More Winners

News

YouTube is reportedly abandoning some of its less successful original content channels, while simultaneously launching new channels that fall in line with the company's content initiative. What establishes the criteria for a losing channel vs. a winning channel? Logged viewership time, and total number of views.

By Beth Hanna
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August 27, 2012 4:28 PM
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It's Hammer Time: UK's Celebrated Genre Studio Launches YouTube Channel

Video

Britain's historic horror studio Hammer recently launched its own YouTube channel, which includes content from contemporary Hammer films (like the sequel to the Daniel Radcliffe-starring box office hit "The Woman in Black") as well as beautifully restored classic Hammer titles available for streaming...

By Beth Hanna
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August 24, 2012 5:00 PM
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Ten Finalists for Scott Free's 'Your Film Festival' Head to Dubai & Venice Fests

Video

Your Film Festival, launched by Ridley Scott's Scott Free Production and YouTube (with Emirates' sponsorship), will present the competition's winning film at this year's Venice Film Festival. Some three million YouTube users voted on fifty films (determined by Scott Free from 15,000 submissions) to narrow down the list to ten finalists...

By Sophia Savage
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August 1, 2012 3:41 PM
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Comic-Con Web Series Roundup: Crackle's 'The Unknown,' Bryan Singer's 'H+' and 'Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters'

News

Web series are becoming a major presence at pop culture madhouse Comic-Con, as film and TV talent increasingly make the move to the small cyber screen and as web-based companies tackle original programming production and distribution. A round-up of panels and trailers below.

By Beth Hanna
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July 11, 2012 7:36 AM
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YouTube Continues Original Programming Foray with Debut of Bryan Singer's 'H+' on August 8

News

Produced by Bryan Singer and directed by Stewart Hendler ("Sorority Row"), "H+" looks at a dystopian future society where "technology has gone horrifically wrong... Consumers are rapidly installing a chip called 'HPlus' into their nervous systems that allows them to access the Internet 24 hours a day - by just thinking it...

By Beth Hanna
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July 5, 2012 1:47 PM
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Q & A: Rodrigo Garcia and Jon Avnet Break the Mold with Star-Powered, Women-Centric Web Channel, WIGS

Features

WIGS is a YouTube channel, but don't let the platform scare you off. Filmmaker Rodrigo Garcia ("Albert Nobbs") and producer-director Jon Avnet ("Fried Green Tomatoes") have created what may be the first scripted, professionally developed web content aimed at women: WIGS. Starting with the launch of its first series Monday...

By Maggie Lange
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May 15, 2012 11:26 AM
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Jon Avnet, Rodrigo Garcia Launch Web Series and Shorts to Explore 'Female Characters'

Video

Producer-director Jon Avnet ("Fried Green Tomatoes," "Up Close and Personal") and filmmaker Rodrigo Garcia ("Albert Nobbs," "In Treatment") have launched a YouTube digital channel, WIGS, to showcase original series and scripted dramatic shorts. And they've lined up a strong acting roster:

By Maggie Lange
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May 2, 2012 1:44 PM
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TFF 2012: Three Things You Should Know About Short-Form Filmmaking

Festivals

The Tribeca Talks panel “The Future is Short: Storytelling in the Digital Age” offers simple and telling information about how to get your content out there and maybe make some money back. The landscape is still fairly disjointed, with a few too many special sauces brewing in the pot.