“You never know where Academy voters may be lurking.”
Plus: How a Hollywood bust became a streaming hit; Variety's Cinematographers to Watch; Exceptional final seasons streaming now
Happy Thursday, friends.
A big thank you to film producer + CEO of Hope for Film Ted Hope for the kind Portrait shoutout this week — that was a fun Saturday surprise for our team! — and welcome to those who’ve popped over from Ted’s Substack to ours.
Lots of ways to peek behind the scenes at Portrait this week:
The Telly Awards Presents: Meet Our Partners. Join us and our friends at Kinema and Seed&Spark to talk all things film with our partner The Telly Awards.
Portrait featured on “Masterminds in Media” podcast. We’re talking about the power of connection on Olyn’s podcast series.
Now… Let’s dive into everything you’ve been up to this week.
Roll of Honor
Premieres, Awards, and More. Say hello to featured members on the Portrait app.
What to Watch This Weekend
Leading Gentlemen
Ralph Fiennes in Conclave. “Packed with unexpected twists… its final reveal is one viewers will never see coming… the mark of an impeccably crafted thriller” (Entertainment Weekly). Guilhem Coulibaly, Online Editor. In Theaters.
Michael Keaton in Goodrich. ”A sweet and scatterbrained little comedy that pours its fizzy bottle of champagne problems into a charming… sketch of fatherhood in motion” (Indiewire). Miranda Pacheco, Production Supervisor. In Theaters.
Offbeat, Unexpected Comedies
Your Monster. “A droll musical-horror-rom-com…. Full of affection for big Broadway-style tunes, it is a sharp, witty confection” (THR). Will Stone, Cinematographer; Alex Peace-Power, Co-producer; Bamike Ogunrinu, Makeup Dept. Head; Lana Young, Cast. In Theaters.
Memoir of a Snail. “A film that’s as heart-tugging as it is technically impressive, a work of both emotional resonance and great physical detail using only clay, wire, paper and paint” (AP). Matt Irwin, Camera Operator. In Theaters Friday.
What We Do In The Shadows.
Critically Acclaimed Final Seasons
Somebody Somewhere: “Final season is exceptional television” (Variety). Shana Hagan, ASC, DP; Nick Hasson, Colorist. Max.
What We Do In The Shadows. “Final season is off to a hell of a start” (AV Club). Lauren Wells, Writer, Story Editor. FX & Hulu.
Streaming Docs for Skeptics
Join or Die. “Examines the decline of civic engagement in America – and how it has fueled a worsening national crisis” (The Guardian). Ronan Killeen, DP; Erik Ljung, Camera Operator; Chad Ervin, Editor; Chad Cannon, Composer; E.J. Enriquez, Allie Humenuk, Stefan Wiesen, Addl. Cinematography; Dennis Haggerty, Sound Mixer; Inaya Graciana Yusuf, Addl. Editor; Chad Smith, Colorist. Netflix.
The Turnaround. “An odd, unexpected little piece of sports joy, and one of the best ways a jaded sports fan could spend half an hour” (Decider). Ben Proudfoot, Director; David Bolen, DP. Netflix
And don’t miss… member Anthony Lappé’s new podcast inside the minds of some of America’s most successful black market entrepreneurs, Criminal Lives.
What We’re Reading
YouTuber got passes from Hollywood — so he made a major TV hit his way
Sony Pictures CEO says strike deals are driving business overseas
Talent management merger: Grandview and Untitled join forces
Non-scripted powerhouse All3Media is looking to bulk up its fiction portfolio
“You never know where Academy voters may be lurking.” Regional film festivals impact the Oscars, too
On the Festival and Awards Circuit
Variety’s 2024 Cinematographers to Watch. Congrats to Portrait members Ayana Baraka, Veronica Bouza, Lauren Guiteras, and Ava Benjamin Shorr.
2024 HPA Awards announced. Congratulations to nominated Portrait members!
New Orleans Film Festival awards announced - see winning Portrait members.
Heartland Film Festival awards announced - see winning Portrait members.
AFI Fest and Austin Film Festival kicked off this week. Say hi to the 644 Portrait members with films across the two fests!
Portrait Member Benefit: Backstage
Our official partner, Backstage, has been a trusted resource for creators and performers since 1960. As a Portrait member, you now have exclusive complimentary access to Backstage’s innovative casting platform. Whether you're looking to cast actors, voiceover, or hire crew, simply apply promo code PORTRAITVIP at checkout when posting your job.
Looking for more discounts and perks? Let us know what you’d like to see added to our member benefits program in the comments!
Acquisitions This Week
WOW Presents Plus acquires I Hate People, People Hate Me. Blake Mawson, Director; Lily Kazimiera, Writer, Cast; Palmer Baranek, Producer; Maureen Grant, CCE, Editor; Heather Gardner, Music Supervisor.
Kino Lorber acquires Every Little Thing. Sally Aitken, Director, Producer, Screenwriter; Bettina Dalton, Producer; Nathan Barlow, Dan Freene, DPs; Geoff Zanelli, Composer; Caitlin Yeo, Composer; Tania Nehme, Editor.
Paramount+ acquires I Am Ready, Warden. Rafael Roy, DP; Dan Sadowsky, Editor.
Window of Opportunity 🔍
Saturday in New York: RAM Film Society Presents: Immersive Stories - A Day of HBO Screenings. Reserve your spot here.
Closing Soon: October Deadlines
Have an opportunity to share? Post it on the app or fill out our form.
Squeaky Wheel Residency (10/25 deadline)
Indeed Rising Voices (10/27 deadline)
WBD Access Writers Program (10/27 deadline)
Merata Mita Fellowship (10/28 deadline)
Video Consortium Storytelling Project (10/28 deadline)
Roy W Dean Fall Grant (10/31 deadline)
BRIC TV Pitch (10/31 deadline)
Frameline Completion Fund (11/1 deadline)
Miller / Packan Film Fund (11/15 deadline)
Pitch for Good Summit Showdown (11/15 deadline)
Moonshot Feature Accelerator (11/15 deadline + discount)
Artemis Rising Fellowship (11/15 deadline)
DGA Awards (11/18 deadline)
Black List Cassian Elwes Fellowship (11/22 deadline)
2025 Stowe Story Labs Narrative Labs Application: Special Discounted Offer (deadline 11/26)
Select Jobs/Gigs Roundup
Have a job to share? Share it on the app or fill out our form.
Marketing and Communications Manager, Southern Documentary Fund (SDF)
Assistant Professor of Film and Video Production, University of Memphis.
Adjunct Professor of Cinema & Media Studies: Film and Television Studies, USC.
Senior Project Manager, Hearst.
Executive Producer, External Games, Netflix.
VP, Video Strategy & Revenue, Warner Music Group.
Video Production Director - Remote, American Cancer Society.
Vice President Production, PGA Tour.
Community Manager, All-In Podcast.
Dailies Operator, Warner Bros. Discovery.
Camera Operator, Right Side Broadcasting Network.
End Credits: Portrait Post of the Week.
Until next week, friends. See you on the Portrait app.
Portrait is an invite-only network and professional platform for creative careers. Apply to join or nominate a friend.