Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Friday 21 March 2025
Netflix launches The Golden Ticket, DiCaprio leads PTA’s One Battle After Another, Longpré tackles mental health in Empathie, and Berger warns streaming could have buried Conclave.
Today’s Highlights:
Netflix Orders First Unscripted Project from Roald Dahl Portfolio - Netflix’s The Golden Ticket, a reality competition series based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, will challenge contestants in a whimsical, high-stakes social experiment.
Leonardo DiCaprio Stars in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another - Warner Bros. released the teaser for Paul Thomas Anderson’s new film, rumoured to be inspired by Vineland, starring Leonardo DiCaprio alongside Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn.
Florence Longpré Explores Mental Health in Empathie - Québécois actor and writer Florence Longpré tackles mental health in her new series Empathie, where she plays a psychiatrist dealing with depression, using ballerina sequences to depict her inner struggles.
Edward Berger Discusses Conclave and Streaming Challenges - Director Edward Berger shared concerns at the UK Cinema Association conference about how his film Conclave could have been overlooked on streaming, noting its $110 million theatrical success.
Hans Zimmer’s Concert Film: Writing for Doris - Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond in the Desert explores Zimmer’s creative process, including composing for a fictional figure, Doris, with live performances of scores like Dune and The Lion King, featuring insights from Christopher Nolan and Billie Eilish.
The Unlikely Comeback of Animated Short Films - Netflix’s Sing: Thriller, a 10-minute short, outperformed major animated features like Trolls Band Together, highlighting a surprising resurgence of animated shorts in streaming.
Poland’s Film Incentives Attract Global Producers - Poland is emerging as a major film hub with a 30% cash rebate, competitive production costs, and a skilled workforce, attracting major international projects like Foundation.
Uzo Aduba Returns to Netflix with The Residence - Three-time Emmy winner Uzo Aduba stars in Netflix’s screwball murder mystery The Residence, playing an eccentric detective in what she describes as a joyful reunion with the streaming platform.
Severance’s Food Culture Reflects Corporate Control - The hit Apple TV+ series Severance uses its food culture, including waffle parties and melon privileges, to symbolise corporate control and workplace dynamics.
ITV Renews Grace for Sixth Series - The crime drama Grace, starring John Simm as Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, has been renewed for a sixth season, with new 120-minute episodes set in Brighton.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals & Jobs with Banijay, Prime, Channel 4 & NBCUniversal in London & LA.
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INSIGHTS
Florence Longpré Explores Mental Health in Empathie
Québécois actor and writer Florence Longpré delves into mental health themes in her latest series, Empathie (Empathy). She plays Suzanne, a psychiatrist struggling with her depression while treating patients at the Mount Royal Psychiatric Institute. The series uniquely uses ballerina sequences to symbolize Suzanne's internal struggles, offering a nuanced perspective on mental health challenges. Read More
Hans Zimmer’s Concert Film: Writing for Doris
In "Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond in the Desert," Zimmer reveals his creative philosophy, composing for a fictitious figure, Doris—a hard-working single mom. The 158-minute concert film features stunning live performances of scores like Dune and The Lion King. It offers intimate insights from collaborators like Christopher Nolan and Billie Eilish, highlighting Zimmer’s dedication to making every moviegoer's experience meaningful. Read More
New Writers’ Collective 2025 Announced
The Edinburgh TV Festival charity, The TV Foundation, and All3Media unveiled the 10 writers in the New Writers’ Collective 2025, chosen from over 600 applicants. Participants will attend workshops, gain insights from industry experts, and network at the First Draft event. This cohort includes Alfred & Edmund Rolph, Ashley King, Chess Tomlinson, and others, receiving guidance to refine their scripts and professional development at the Edinburgh TV Festival. Read More
Uzo Aduba Returns to Netflix with The Residence
Uzo Aduba, a three-time Emmy winner, reunites with Netflix in The Residence, her first ongoing series since Orange Is the New Black made her a star. This screwball murder mystery, blending comedy and drama, sees Aduba play eccentric detective Cordelia Cupp alongside Randall Park. Aduba described the experience as a joyful homecoming, praising the talented cast and the collaborative journey of crafting this dynamic, character-driven series. Read More
Edward Berger Discusses Conclave and Streaming Challenges
At the UK Cinema Association's annual conference in London, director Edward Berger expressed concerns that his film "Conclave" might have been overlooked had it been released directly on a streaming platform like Netflix. Instead, the film has achieved significant success in theatres, grossing over $110 million worldwide. Read More
Night Train Media’s Herbert L. Kloiber on Expansion Strategy
Herbert L. Kloiber, founder of Night Train Media, discussed the company’s growth, including investments in scripted content, Turkish dramas, and non-scripted programming. He highlighted the shifting landscape of the English-language scripted market and the company’s strategy to focus on co-productions and selective project development. Read More
Severance’s Food Culture Reflects Lumon’s Corporate Control
The dystopian workplace thriller Severance has sparked discussions about corporate food culture, with Lumon's carefully curated meals reinforcing themes of control and compliance. The show’s depiction of food rewards, such as waffle parties and melon privileges, reflects real-world corporate tactics used to shape employee behaviour. Experts weigh in on how meal incentives impact workplace dynamics and loyalty. Read More
The Unlikely Comeback of Animated Short Films
Netflix’s “Sing: Thriller,” a 10-minute short set in Illumination’s Sing universe, emerged as a standout in the 2024 “engagement report.” Ranking sixth among the platform’s top-performing films, it surpassed popular animated features like DreamWorks’ Trolls Band Together and Netflix’s original That Christmas. Featuring Michael Jackson's iconic music, the short’s success highlights a surprising resurgence of animated shorts in the streaming landscape. Read More
Jenny Slate Tackles Cancer and Comedy in 'Dying for Sex'
Jenny Slate takes on new ground in FX's Dying for Sex, co-starring Michelle Williams. The dark comedy explores the late Molly Kochan’s bold journey after a cancer diagnosis. Slate's portrayal of Nikki, Molly's best friend, showcases a deeper emotional range. Reflecting on the transformative role, Slate shared how the experience inspired her to embrace change, even chopping her hair. The April 4 premiere could redefine her already dynamic career. Read More
Poland’s Film Incentives Attract Global Producers
Kamila Dorbach, deputy director of the Polish Film Institute, highlights Poland as a growing hub for international film production. The country offers competitive costs, a skilled workforce, diverse locations, and robust financial incentives like a 30% cash rebate. Poland's coproduction programs and evolving support schemes bolster its appeal, with high-profile projects like Foundation and The Interpreter of Silence showcasing its global potential. Further adjustments aim to meet increasing demand. Read More
Hollywood Career Coaching Gains Popularity
Career coaching for Hollywood professionals is on the rise, with industry veterans offering leadership advice, networking strategies, and personal branding guidance. The article explores how executives, writers, and actors are turning to coaches for career navigation, especially amid industry volatility. Experts highlight the growing demand for tailored mentorship and development programs. Read More
John McVay Calls for Greater Transparency in UK Broadcaster Commissioning
John McVay, head of Pact, urges UK broadcasters to improve transparency in their commissioning processes. Independent producers have raised concerns about unclear selection criteria and inconsistent communication. McVay advocates for structured feedback mechanisms, fairer competition, and increased accountability to support a healthier, independent production sector. Read More
Creating a Mystery of the Mind in THE ACTOR w/Director Duke Johnson | Filmmaker Toolkit Podcast
“The Actor” director Duke Johnson talks about making his live-action feature debut after making a name for himself in the world of stop-motion animation. Topics include adaptation challenges, why he cast actors in multiple roles, and how he made the most of a budget and schedule that fell far short of his ambitions.
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