Directors Digest — Wednesday 18 March

Coronavirus continues to dominate headlines with the widespread cancellation of productions, and Public Service Broadcasters announcing specialized programming.

But there’s still news and insight to be had away from the ongoing health emergency, including interviews with directors Kris Rey and Václav Marhoul, and a break down of half a million British cinema reviews.

For advice on Coronavirus for Directors UK members, please visit our dedicated advice page.

The Industry

Coronavirus continues to have massive implications for the screen industries, with major developments taking place daily. For comprehensive coverage, Screen International have compiled all their industry news in one place on their website. 

Meanwhile, Deadline is keeping a regularly updated list of cancelled or postponed events in entertainment.

Television

The BBC have set out their plan to “inform, educate and entertain during unprecedented times.” (BBC)

ITV have also set out their response and future programming in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. (ITV)

IndieWire breaks down everything you need to know about Amazon's epic forthcoming Lord of the Rings TV series. 

The RTS Programme Award winners were announced this week — congratulations to all of this year’s winners and nominees!

The Walking Dead writers were already well set up for the pandemic thanks to their remote working situation. The Hollywood Reporter reports. 

Film

The Guardian interviews director Václav Marhoul about his controversial 2019 film, The Painted Bird. 

“Coronavirus, By Taking Moviegoing Away From Us, Can Only Make Us Miss It,” argues Owen Glieberman in Variety.

Stephen Follows analyses half a million reviews of British cinemas to see what lessons can be learned. (Stephen Follows)

Director Kris Rey talks about how directing a $10,000 movie led to a crowdpleaser produced by The Lonely Island. (IndieWire)

Festival programmers have established My Darling Quarantine, a platform for short films that would have appared at cancelled festivals around the world. (Little White Lies)

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.