From Fish Shack to 5 Golden Globe Nominations
The People Behind 2023's Best Work; Twisty New Thrillers; IDA Awards
Happy Thursday, friends.
We’re thrilled to share Portrait’s 2023 Creative Talent Lists this week — interactive directories of the people behind the year’s top-rated films and shows. Just click on the Discover Tab in the app (🔍) and scroll down to Work of the Week to see if your name is on the list.
One of you summed it up best:
I really love this concept actually because you can immediately get in touch with these folks versus just seeing lists and having to go through the ring of fire to connect.
Did we miss a friend who deserves recognition? Shoot a note to sarah@onportrait.com and share the holiday cheer.
Let’s dive into the exceptional new work you created this week.
Roll of Honor
Say hello to featured Portrait members on the app.
Weekend Watch List: Chart Toppers
In honor of our Creative Talent Lists, we picked one creative work from each of our five categories — with reflections from the people that made it happen.
MUSIC AND SOUND: Eileen. Check out the reviews of the film now in theaters, including its “delicious notes of unease” in a “smoky-jazzy score.” From Music Supervisor Howard Paar: “Working on Eileen was a creative noir dream.”
INDIE FILM: Past Lives. With five Golden Globe nominations this week, the indie drama is holding its own against the fall’s heavy hitters. Taylor Shung, EP; Janis Vogel, Asst. Editor. We loved Janis’ reflections on Portrait, below.
Working on Past Lives is a highlight of my life. I worked on it in my dad’s fishing shack converted into an office complete with New England winter wind and an internet cable precariously reaching the main house. I’m so grateful when “by any means necessary” leads to work that is so deeply resonant and beautiful.
TV SHOWS: Somebody Somewhere. The show about a Kansan’s midlife crisis made several Best Of Lists this week… and it’s a Portrait favorite based on the heartfelt responses to cinematographer Shana Hagan’s post about the show.
DOCUMENTARY: Bobi Wine: The People’s President. The story of a musician’s attempt to topple a repressive regime won Best Feature at this week’s IDA Awards. Moses Bwayo, Director; Michele Sibiloni, Cinematographer; Sam Russell, Additional Photography.
POST-PRODUCTION: The Last of Us. The show topped TV Google Search rankings for 2023. Joshwa Walton and Mary Agoncillo, Visual Effects Artists; Ayyappadas Vijayakuma, Visual Effects Editor; Benjamin Toner and Kelsey Chobotar; Assistant Costume Designers; Brett Tunnicliff, Animator; Juan Luqui, Additional Composer.
Have your own reflections on 2023? Share them on Portrait and social media this week, and tag us @onportrait_
On the Awards Beat: A List of Lists
The 2023 Black List. Congratulations to Tricia Lee, Co-Writer of American Dreams, #7 on the list of film execs’ favorite scripts that haven’t been made.
The IDA Awards. In addition to Bobi Wine’s win mentioned above:
Bill Morrison’s Incident won Best Short; Asmae El Moudir won Best Director for The Mother of All Lies; Storming Caesars Palace won the VideoSource Award (Sunita Prasad, Writer, Editor; Vatsala Goel, Cinematographer; Brittany Douziech, Music Supervisor).
2023 Fast-Tracked Film Independent Projects
FICTION TRACK: Mallie Adams is a Dyke, Talia Light Rake, Producer; Thirty Grand, Lexi Tannenholtz, Producer; Union County, Faye Tsakas, Producer.
DOCUMENTARY TRACK: Alegria, Steffie van Rhee, Producer; Untitled Project, Marjolaine Grappe, Director.
In the News: First Looks; New EPs
Manhunt: First Look, the long-awaited show about hunting Lincoln’s killer. From Costume Designer Katie Irish: “I’m over the moon to share this project. I spent most of 2022 researching, designing, and shooting this in Savannah.”
Billy Porter boards American Santa as Executive Producer. Avi Weider, Director, Producer, Editor; Alexandra Berger, Producer.
Gemma Chan and Destin Daniel Cretton board Closing Dynasty as Executive Producers. Lloyd Lee Choi, Director; Jonathan Hsu, Producer.
2024 Sundance Films. Are you or your film heading to Park City? Click “I’m attending” in the app now so we can feature you, invite you to our events, and share exclusive news throughout the fest. More to come!
Window of Opportunity
aka The Discover Tab 🔍
Check out the Discover Tab on Portrait for grants, programs, jobs, and deadlines.
Coming Soon: A New Music Licensing Library
Edit/Score launches in January. From Founder and Composer Amos Cochran:
Edit/Score aims to offer an alternative approach to licensing with a focus on musical identity and the assets to shape that identity with your story as opposed to being constrained by it.
Take a moment to answer a short questionnaire for Amos and team as they craft this idea for launch — and follow on Instagram @editscoremusic.
Closing Soon: Programs + Grants
Have an opportunity to share? Post it on the app or fill out our form.
NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship (12/13)
Short-Form Open Call (12/15)
Trailblazer Grant (12/18 deadline)
The Telly Awards - Call for Entries (12/18 deadline)
Women Directing Mentorship (12/19 deadline)
The Sriyanka Ray Grant (12/23 deadline)
Stowe Story Labs - Narrative Labs (12/25 deadline)
AmDocs Film Festival - Film Fund (1/6 deadline)
WIF Fellowships (1/8 deadline)
Nantucket Film Festival and Screenplay Competition (1/11 deadline)
Documentary Labs - Film Independent (1/15 deadline)
SagIndie Film Music Connect (rolling deadline)
Elevate Collective (rolling deadline)
Ford Foundation JustFilms Grants (rolling deadline)
Awesome Foundation Grants (rolling deadline)
Perspective Fund (rolling deadline)
Jobs/Gigs Roundup
Have a job to share? Share it on the app or fill out our form.
Senior Creative Executive, Moonbug.
Sr. Director, Unscripted Development, Telemundo Enterprises.
Vice President, Brand Publicity, Peacock.
Digital & Social Media Executive, Warner Bros. Discovery.
Videographer, E.A. Production.
Photographer/Videographer, Drive Social Media LLC.
Editor, UFC.
Editor, CBS Sports, Paramount.
Editor, Univision Communications Inc.
Videographer / Editor, Entertainment Production Company.
Operations Producer, Podcast ABC News, The Walt Disney Company.
VOD Editor-ABC News, The Walt Disney Company.
Colorist, The Walt Disney Company.
Video Producer, The Washington Times.
End Credits: Portrait Post of the Week
Until next week friends. See you on Portrait — and don’t forget to check out this week’s talent list on the app to see and save contacts.