Working, from Dolly Parton to David Foster Wallace
Obama takes on Studs Terkel, timely trans docs, pick up lines on the picket lines, and more from Portrait
Happy Thursday, friends.
Work — what is it good for?
We’re a year into economic gloom, three weeks into the writers’ strike, and 24 hours into “Working,” Netflix’s modern take on Studs Terkel’s 1974 tome of the same name — hosted by President Obama.
All of this has us wondering…
Whether you woke up feeling like Dolly Parton, Don Draper, or an IRS worker trapped in a 600-page unfinished novel… we’re here for you.
And yes, we tracked down a 31-year-old James Taylor singing all the songs from “Working: the Musical.” We don’t hate it?
As James would say… let’s keep trucking!
— Jean Ellen & Kasia
Co-Founders, Portrait
Roll of Honor
Premieres, Press, Awards, and Standout Member Work This Week
Working: What We Do All Day — Series Premiere
Studs Terkel isn’t the only forebear to Netflix’s new series. Critics are comparing it to Barbara Ehrenreich’s book Nickel and Dimed, the Oscar-winning doc “American Factory,” and Edward R. Murrow's "Harvest Of Shame." Check it out and decide your own lineage — and say congrats to Emily McCann Lesser for her work on the series!
Watch, listen, stream this weekend
Watch: The great main stage conversation at CAAM with Jonathan Hsu and the team from Starring Jerry As Himself.
Listen: The soundtrack from Silent Beauty. From Gil Talmi, composer: “In honor of this courageous and meaningful film, I’m releasing the soundtrack featuring Jasmin’s beautiful voice. Until June 15th, all net proceeds from the soundtrack on Bandcamp will go towards the Silent Beauty Impact Campaign.”
Stream: A Run For More, about the first openly elected transgender official in Texas. Given the Texas legislature’s transgender care ban this week, the film’s PBS premiere couldn’t be more timely. Ray Whitehouse, Director; PJ Raval, EP.
Coming Soon on the festival circuit
Lots of summer festivals are just getting going. Here’s what got our attention this week. Share your film’s circuit on Portrait so we can feature it!
The Short “One Man Band” premieres at Cannes this week. Congrats to cinematographer Sara Kinney and team!
The Sundance-award-winning film “Bad Press” is screening at Millennium Docs Against Gravity and SIFF this week (and Mountainfilm and Sheffield in June!). Check out cinematographer Tyler Graim’s post on Portrait for a full screening rundown.
American Black Film Festival will screen “Donyale Luna: Supermodel.” From Cecilia Chien on Portrait: “Sh was the first African American International Supermodel. I was on a pickups and learned so much of her life of a supermodel and how she was so fierce against the racism and politics of the time. Even the beautiful can't be free.”
Window of Opportunity
Weekly Jobs, Grants, Labs, Intensives, Programming, Events, and More
Closing Soon: May/Early June Deadlines
Athena Film Fest Writers Lab (06/26 deadline)
Film Independent Producing Lab (5/19 deadline)
Digital Creator Program (5/21 deadline)
Big Break Screenwriting Contest (5/22 deadline + discount)
Chicken & (Egg)celerator Lab (5/31 deadline)
Future of Film Incubator (5/31 deadline)
Claims Conference Contest (6/19 deadline)
Roy W Dean Summer Grant (6/30 deadline + waivers)
Film Independent Fast Track (7/10 deadline)
Jobs/Gigs Roundup
Lead Producer, Gearbox Entertainment.
Supervising Producer, MSNBC Morning Joe. NBCUniversal.
Creative Producer, 7 Wonders Cinema.
Supervising Producer, TODAY Show (10AM). NBCUniversal.
Producer, 2400 Sports (Part-Time). Audacy, Inc.
Photo & Video Producer, Home. Ralph Lauren.
Video Editor. Day One Agency.
Editor, Video Content Production. Sephora.
Digital Content Producer - BetQL. Audacy, Inc.
Video Editor, Paid Social. Jones Road Beauty.
Director of Photography. TMZ.
Senior Entertainment Editor, TTG (GQ and AD). Condé Nast.
Senior Manager, Digital Content. National Geographic Society.
Senior Editor, Growth. The Guardian.
Producer/Editor. NBCUniversal.
End Credits Scene: Strike… Up a Romance?
The New York Times reported this week on pick up lines on the picket lines, Strike Daddies, and “Strike Up a Romance,” a WGA singles event.
Guys. It’s only the third week of this strike. You’ve already gone full-on third season of a Shonda Rhimes series. What’s coming in week 5??
Until next week , friends…. gird your loins.