Life is busy. A new year has begun and with it, devastation in Southern California. If this month’s wildfires have impacted you, you can find resources at the Entertainment Community Fund, Motion Picture Television Fund, and SAG-AFTRA Foundation. Additional information can be found at ca.gov/lafires.
With all that’s going on, it can be tough to stay up-to-date on film industry news, profiles, analysis, and advice. That’s why we’ve curated some essential reads you may have missed over the past month. So take some time to catch up with this month’s good reads!
This Month’s Good Reads (January 2025)
The 60 Greatest Film Actors of the 21st Century (So Far) (via The Independent)
Cast these folks in your next movie! (Or, at the very least, admire their talent from afar.)
Joel Haver – Spearheading an Indie Revolution with 12 Feature Films in 12 Months (via John Farrell for GamingTrend)
Following filmmaker/YouTuber Joel Haver’s ambitious 12-film journey.
How Does Mike Leigh Make a Movie? It’s Complicated, But His Actors Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way (via Emily Zemler for Los Angeles Times)
Inside the world-building of the Hard Truths filmmaker and his casts.
EDGLRD: Harmony Korine Sets Technology Aflame (via Cassidy George for 032c)
The past, present, and future of the enfant terrible of indie film.
The Voice Whisperer: Eric Vetro Teaches the Stars How to Sing for Their Oscars (via Nate Jones for Vulture)
Meet the vocal coach for Emma Stone, Renée Zellweger, Austin Butler, Timothée Chalamet, and more.
TikTok vs YouTube: Which is Better for Filmmakers in 2025? (via Jason Hellerman for No Film School)
Now that TikTok is (maybe?) here to stay, should you use it for film school?
Guy Pearce Is Set for His First Oscar Nomination. What Took So Long? (via Isaac Butler for Slate)
Why the Memento and L.A. Confidential star eschewed leading roles and blockbuster budgets on his way to The Brutalist.
David Lynch (1946-2025) Never Really Belonged to Us (via Philippa Snow for ArtReview)
Honoring the most influential filmmaker of our time.
How The Boondock Saints Became the Ultimate Cautionary Tale of ’90s Indie Cinema (via Kayleigh Donaldson for Inverse)
The rise and fall and rise of the dorm room rewatchable.
How Neon Lit Up Indie Cinema in the Letterboxd Era (via Eric Ducker for The Ringer)
A deep dive into the success of the Anora and Longlegs distributor.
The Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker in 2025 (via Tim Molloy for MovieMaker Magazine)
Some location ideas, for work or play.
Jeff Baena is Gone, but the Creative Family He Nurtured Lives On (via Alex Ross Perry for Vanity Fair)
Remembering the filmmaker (and the game night host, movie lover, and friend) who passed away this month.
A Decade After #OscarsSoWhite, How Much Has Actually Changed? (via Radhika Seth for Vogue)
A study on how the DEI efforts of the Academy have paid off.
Is Vimeo On Demand Dead? (via Peter Gerard for 8 Above)
Demystifying some new developments at Vimeo.
In case you were ignoring us (aka blatant self-promotion)
Stowe Story Labs presents the SAGindie Fellowship
Apply now for the SAGindie Fellowship to attend the Stowe Writers’ Retreat.
Film Independent Directors Close-Up 2025 Recap
Highlights from the annual panel gathering of Spirit Award nominees.
Videos worth watching
Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh teach acting to children (via Celebrity Substitute)
How ’bout you? Read anything good this month?
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If you’re an independent filmmaker or know of an independent film-related topic we should write about, email blogadmin@sagindie.org for consideration.
