In this episode of Future of Film, Alex talks with David Neumann, CEO of Newmation, a talent management and production company working with some of the world’s leading writers, directors and TV creators in both animation and live action.
David shares his journey from ICM and CAA to founding Newmation, and why he bet early on global and independent animation. He discusses how to balance creativity with business, what makes a project stand out, and why IP ownership matters more than ever.
The conversation explores:
- How international co-productions and new funding models are reshaping animation
- Why African and global voices are essential for the next generation of stories
- The impact of technology — from Flow’s Blender breakthrough to AI disruption
- How creators can pitch, package and protect their dream projects
It’s an inspiring, candid look at where the animation industry is heading — and how new storytellers can succeed within it.
About David Neumann
David Neumann is a Producer, Talent Manager and CEO of NEWMATION. Newmation represents Academy award winning animation writers, directors and TV creators, spanning 5 continents and produces animated and live action films & series. He previously was an agent at Hollywood mega-agency, CAA, growing global animation in New York. Between his agent career at CAA and ICM, he's represented Oscar winning filmmakers such as David Yates (Harry Potter), Tom Hooper (Les Miserables, The King's Speech), Sir Stephen Frears (The Queen, Philomena) Arlene Klasky (Rugrats), Todd Komarnicki (Sully), and Anthony McCarten (Bohemian Rhapsody) to name a few. In 2020, Neumann launched his own company and was honored on Observer's Entertainment Power 50 List, alongside Dwayne Johnson, Will Smith, JJ Abrams, Margot Robbie, and more.
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In this episode of Future of Film, Alex talks with David Neumann, CEO of Newmation, a talent management and production company working with some of the world’s leading writers, directors and TV creators in both animation and live action.
David shares his journey from ICM and CAA to founding Newmation, and why he bet early on global and independent animation. He discusses how to balance creativity with business, what makes a project stand out, and why IP ownership matters more than ever.
The conversation explores:
- How international co-productions and new funding models are reshaping animation
- Why African and global voices are essential for the next generation of stories
- The impact of technology — from Flow’s Blender breakthrough to AI disruption
- How creators can pitch, package and protect their dream projects
It’s an inspiring, candid look at where the animation industry is heading — and how new storytellers can succeed within it.
About David Neumann
David Neumann is a Producer, Talent Manager and CEO of NEWMATION. Newmation represents Academy award winning animation writers, directors and TV creators, spanning 5 continents and produces animated and live action films & series. He previously was an agent at Hollywood mega-agency, CAA, growing global animation in New York. Between his agent career at CAA and ICM, he's represented Oscar winning filmmakers such as David Yates (Harry Potter), Tom Hooper (Les Miserables, The King's Speech), Sir Stephen Frears (The Queen, Philomena) Arlene Klasky (Rugrats), Todd Komarnicki (Sully), and Anthony McCarten (Bohemian Rhapsody) to name a few. In 2020, Neumann launched his own company and was honored on Observer's Entertainment Power 50 List, alongside Dwayne Johnson, Will Smith, JJ Abrams, Margot Robbie, and more.
81. Stephen Follows: the Data behind Horror; Film's Most Profitable Genre
Future of Film Podcast
53 minutes 50 seconds
1 year ago
81. Stephen Follows: the Data behind Horror; Film's Most Profitable Genre
In this episode we welcome world leading film researcher Stephen Follows to the show for a deep dive into the data behind the horror genre. With insights fresh from Stephen's new exhaustive exploration of the space, The Horror Movie Report 2.0, we explore the significant increase in horror film production and the numbers behind its profitability. In a conversation that covers the importance of theatrical releases for horror films (and why they are so important for cinemas!) and the demographics of horror audiences, we also look at global trends in horror film production, including in Indonesia and Malaysia. Stephen shares how horror reflects cultural fears and societal narratives and why it's specific economic and stylistic characteristics make it such a vital genre for the industry. The conversation explores the multifaceted world of the genre, discussing cultural insights, marketing strategies, and the economics behind horror filmmaking including a focus on Blumhouse and the emergence of so-called 'elevated horror', as well as the future of horror in gaming and VR. In a slight detour, we also catch up on the role of AI in film production and storytelling. Having been an early adopter of generative AI in the space, Stephen highlights both its potential and current limitations and reveals why there aren't, yet at least, too many AI-themed horrors.
More About Stephen Follows
Stephen Follows is a world-leading film industry analyst whose research has been featured in almost every major newspaper and magazine, including The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Times.
He is a consultant for Guinness World Records and the chairman of the Central Film School. Stephen’s expertise is sought by major Hollywood studios, and he has taught producers, filmmakers, and students around the world.
Future of Film Podcast
In this episode of Future of Film, Alex talks with David Neumann, CEO of Newmation, a talent management and production company working with some of the world’s leading writers, directors and TV creators in both animation and live action.
David shares his journey from ICM and CAA to founding Newmation, and why he bet early on global and independent animation. He discusses how to balance creativity with business, what makes a project stand out, and why IP ownership matters more than ever.
The conversation explores:
- How international co-productions and new funding models are reshaping animation
- Why African and global voices are essential for the next generation of stories
- The impact of technology — from Flow’s Blender breakthrough to AI disruption
- How creators can pitch, package and protect their dream projects
It’s an inspiring, candid look at where the animation industry is heading — and how new storytellers can succeed within it.
About David Neumann
David Neumann is a Producer, Talent Manager and CEO of NEWMATION. Newmation represents Academy award winning animation writers, directors and TV creators, spanning 5 continents and produces animated and live action films & series. He previously was an agent at Hollywood mega-agency, CAA, growing global animation in New York. Between his agent career at CAA and ICM, he's represented Oscar winning filmmakers such as David Yates (Harry Potter), Tom Hooper (Les Miserables, The King's Speech), Sir Stephen Frears (The Queen, Philomena) Arlene Klasky (Rugrats), Todd Komarnicki (Sully), and Anthony McCarten (Bohemian Rhapsody) to name a few. In 2020, Neumann launched his own company and was honored on Observer's Entertainment Power 50 List, alongside Dwayne Johnson, Will Smith, JJ Abrams, Margot Robbie, and more.
