Directors Digest — Thursday 8 March 2018

The Oscars dominate the Digest today, from inclusion riders to crowdfunded success stories — but there was plenty more going in worlds of Film and TV. There was awards success at Berlinale, the fightback of TV advertising, and a look at bribery in the industry. Read about it all below.

Film

The 90th Academy Awards were announced, with Guillermo Del Toro taking home the Best Director Award for The Shape Of Water (which also won Best Picture). He used his speech to deliver a message to young filmmakers. (Variety)

Perhaps the largest talking point of the evening was the emergence of the inclusion rider, mentioned by Frances McDormand in her winning speech. Our Campaign Engagement Manager Natasha Moore investigated wrote about their potential. 

Meanwhile the winner of Best Short Film went to Silent Child, written by ex-Hollyoaks star Rachel Shenton and directed by Chris Overton. Shenton wrote a blog in early 2016 about crowdfunding the film that would go on to win an Oscar. (Huffington Post)

Elsewhere, at the Berlinale Film Festival, Directors UK member Nicola Quilter was a winner at JETS and will now receive industry support for development. Massive congratulations to Nicola! (WEP Films)

Oscar-winning director Claude Lelouche has announced a plan to shoot a new feature entirely on mobile phone. (Variety)

Meanwhile, Film School Rejects host an interesting video essay on the creative hooks that make Steven Spielberg’s action sequences so memorable. 

On International Women’s Day, the Society of Audiovisual Authors (SAA) asks “Where are the female directors and screenwriters?” (SAA)

Television

BBC director Tony Hall warned of the threat posed by US tech firms. (Guardian)

Channel 4 is to move hundreds of staff but keep its London HQ. (Guardian)

Screen International published a piece on recognising bribery in the Film and TV industry. 

Prime Minister Theresa May stated that the UK will seek a broadcast deal post-Brexit, but will be leaving the digital single market. (TBIvision)

Meanwhile, The Drum reports that TV advertising is set to soar in 2018.

Finally, The Guardian produced a long read on how women’s stories are not taken seriously — using True Detective and Doll and Em as a starting point. 

Are you a member with an opinion on one of these stories? Is there an issue affecting directors that you think isn’t getting enough attention in the media? Why not write for us and make yourself heard — email [email protected] with your article idea.