Spotlight #09

Monday, funday. Not much fun anymore in our current status, but we are all trying to hold it together, so let's all try to use it for our own advantage and be creative, find time for stuff you always say you don't have the time for – write, watch movies, be creative. As one wise man once said, "Brace yourself, winter is coming". So let's get the best out of it.

This Week's Curated Articles

Reasons Why You Should (and Shouldn't) Go to Film School

I guess most of you either study, studies or wanted to study a film school or at least wondered if you should apply. Of course, there are many opinions and many stories, if it's beneficial for filmmakers to go to film school or rather not. Here is one of them – Dekel Berenson, an award-winning director telling you his opinion, pros and cons.

Reasons Why You Should (and Shouldn’t) Go to Film School
When it comes to filmmaking, one of the most common questions novice filmmakers ask is whether they should go to film school to get into the industry.

'Star Trek: Discovery' Is TV's First VFX-Heavy Show to Do Entire Post-Production from Home

Similarly to the U.S.S. Discovery exploring unknown new worlds, we, as filmmakers, are in the era of doing the same. Sonequa Martin-Green and Alex Kurtzman are explaining how they manage to get the whole post-production made from their crew's homes – through sending microphones to orchestra members to record their music or motion tracking suites to cast to get inserts; they made it done. So... don't let anybody tell you it's impossible!

‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Is TV’s First VFX-Heavy Show to Do Entire Post-Production from Home
Sonequa Martin-Green and Alex Kurtzman also talk about a landmark shoot: only the second time a “Trek” series has filmed outside North America.

What Streaming Service Has the Most Subscribers Globally?

Streaming is the future and the future is now. I bet all of you have at least some prepaid online streaming channel, like Netflix or HBO. Here is a little summary of the global popularity of each of them (and we bet you know already which one is the king).

What Streaming Service Has the Most Subscribers Globally?
This infographic details which streaming services reign supreme across the globe.

Who will get it? Winners by default? Where this year's Oscar race stands

Covid is changing the whole industry and will have a far-reaching impact, which we all have to deal with, that's a fact. And since Oscars are slowly approaching, here is a little conspiration how it may end up and which films you should watch now (so, during the ceremonial, which we all will be attending online, you can tell to your friends "I told you so").

Winners by default? Where this year’s Oscar race stands
After fall festivals unveiled slim line-ups, the next few months remain difficult to predict with the pandemic still changing release schedules

The Boys in the Band review - fierce fun and games in the pre-Aids era

The Guardian’s chief film critic Peter Bradshaw dug into a review of the drama The Boys in the Band, directed by Joe Mantello. We saw it and it was kinda fun. What do you think about it? Check it on Netflix. And what does Bradshaw think about it? Check it in this article!

The Boys in the Band review – fierce fun and games in the pre-Aids era
This new film version of the off-Broadway hit about gay lives in New York is strange, compelling and unexpectedly potent

This Week's Inspiration

Ethan Hawke: Give yourself permission to be creative (video)

"Play the fool" – Hawke essentially talks about how creativity is vital to life and how important is to follow what you love and not being afraid of feeling foolish because of it. And he's right – when you're starting out, you don't know what you do and you will feel like a fool.

But it will go away and your world will expand the moment you stop being afraid of it. And now, during the lockdown (which is not called lockdown by our government), it's definitely the time to get creative.

This Week's Recommendation

Barbarians (Netflix)

We love TV Shows inspired by true stories and Barbarians is one of them. We also getting warmed up towards Germans shows as they continue to make a mark – think Dark or Biohackers, and now Barbarians. What to expect? Violence, fights, some politics, love and redemption story, as well as a great performance by the main trio. Also, Romans speaking Latin! We think that's an awesome touch.

Trailer of the Week

DREAMLAND (2020)

This trailer looks tense! Cars, guns, Peaky Blinder's star Finn Cole and an amazing performance by Margot Robbie in the same movie. Sounds like something we want to see. Dreamland premiered last year on Tribeca and now is coming to selected streaming platforms and some theatres.