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• MUBI's Unique Approach to Filmmaking and Distribution 🔵

• Progress and Challenges in Movie Diversity 🌟

• Netflix, Amazon, and Disney's Dominance 💥

• Neon Hires A24 Veterans for Marketing Team 📈

Daily US Box Office: August 16, 2023 💸

MUBI's Unique Approach to Filmmaking and Distribution 🔵

MUBI, the international cinema platform, is positioning itself as a Netflix alternative by embracing a more versatile approach to film distribution. While Netflix's value proposition lies in exclusive access to its platform, MUBI seeks to support films throughout the entire distribution chain, including theatrical and PVOD. Chief Content Officer Jason Ropell, formerly of Amazon Studios, emphasizes a holistic distribution strategy that includes various revenue streams, in contrast to Netflix's exclusive platform approach.

MUBI, which rebranded from The Auteurs, operates as a streaming platform across 195 territories, distributing international cinema and investing in productions. Ropell envisions MUBI becoming a modern media company with production, distribution, and more. The company's recent releases reflect its commitment to auteur-driven filmmaking and data modeling to assess global potential.

Ropell acknowledges the challenges of making auteur cinema within the commercial expectations of major streamers, drawing from his experience at Amazon. He highlights MUBI's focus on supporting filmmaking with distinctive viewpoints and believes international cinema attracts a larger global audience than many realize.

Ropell credits Netflix for its initial investment in global cinema but notes the downward pressure on budgets and revenues in the competitive streaming market. MUBI is exploring various distribution opportunities to create an effective ecosystem for paying filmmakers more.

What's coming? 🤔

Progress and Challenges in Movie Diversity 🌟

A report from the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative has looked at diversity in movies over 16 years, analyzing 1,600 films and 69,858 characters. While there has been some progress, the study finds that many groups are still underrepresented onscreen.

The number of Asian characters has increased significantly, but overall, nonwhite characters don't fully match real-life diversity. Female leads of color have increased, but women's overall speaking roles in top movies are around 34.6%.

The report highlights groups that are almost absent in movies, like American Indian and Alaska Native female characters. LGBTQ+ characters have increased, but most are white and male. Similarly, characters with disabilities are mostly white and male.

Behind the camera, the report notes challenges in hiring diverse directors. Women's representation remains low, except for Asian directors who have seen an increase. Overall, the report suggests the film industry needs to do more to truly reflect diverse human experiences and perspectives.

Famous Birthdays on August 18th 🎂

Netflix, Amazon, and Disney's Dominance 💥

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has published a report that calls out streaming giants Netflix, Amazon, and Disney as the "new gatekeepers" of the media industry. The report urges regulators to step in and stop these companies from getting even bigger, worried that their power is hurting writers' wages and limiting what viewers can watch.

The report highlights that Netflix, Amazon, and Disney have become so big that they can control things in ways that hurt competition. It says they've been pushing down how much they pay writers and making it harder for smaller companies to succeed.

This report comes during a strike by the WGA that has been going on for a long time. It's a sign that the issues between the writers and the big streaming companies are very serious. The report focuses on Netflix and Amazon, saying that while they used to be good for creativity, now they're just raising prices and trying to control everything.

The WGA report also talks about Disney, criticizing them for raising prices and making fewer movies. It says all these big companies are trying to keep their own shows and movies more important than anything else, which could be bad for other creators and the industry as a whole.

The WGA wants people to pay attention to how these streaming companies are growing so powerful. They want to make sure that competition stays fair, and that writers and creators have a fair shot at success.

Movies Released on August 18th 🎞️

Neon Hires A24 Veterans for Marketing Team 📈

Neon, a leading film studio known for its exceptional cinematic selections, has enlisted A24 veterans to strengthen its marketing endeavors. Alexandra Altschuler and Don Wilcox, both seasoned professionals from A24, have joined Neon's team to enhance its outreach to audiences.

Alexandra Altschuler, now Neon's Vice President of Media, brings five years of experience from A24, where she contributed to launching Oscar-winning projects. She played a key role in the success of the Australian horror hit "Talk to Me," which earned nearly $40 million globally. Don Wilcox, Neon's new Vice President of Marketing, comes with a strong track record in international marketing campaigns, having worked on acclaimed films like "Everything Everywhere All at Once" and "The Whale."

This strategic move comes as Neon prepares for an exciting fall season, featuring the premiere of "Ferrari" at the Venice Film Festival and the release of the Anne Hathaway thriller "Eileen." With Altschuler and Wilcox on board, Neon aims to continue its tradition of offering captivating cinema to audiences around the world.

New Trailer / She Came to Me ▶️

Still of the Day ⏸️