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.
85. Sarudzayi Marufu: Hustle & Creativity: Strategies for Independent Storytelling
Future of Film Podcast
1 hour 2 minutes 14 seconds
8 months ago
85. Sarudzayi Marufu: Hustle & Creativity: Strategies for Independent Storytelling
In this episode of the Future of Film podcast, host Alex Stolz speaks with Sarudzayi Marufu, founder of Uras Films, about the challenges and opportunities facing filmmakers today, particularly in the African market. They discuss the importance of understanding audience engagement, innovative approaches to crowdfunding, and the intersection of creativity and business. Sarudzayi emphasises the need for infrastructure and support for African filmmakers, highlighting the potential of the continent's creative resources. The conversation also touches on the importance of building a brand and cultivating a loyal audience. In this conversation, Sarudzayi shares insights on the filmmaking process, emphasizing the importance of leveraging personal privilege, understanding financial realities, and learning from experiences. She discusses the significance of marketing and distribution strategies, particularly in the context of independent films and African cinema - encouraging filmmakers to be audacious, share their ideas, and navigate the challenges of distribution while maintaining ownership and integrity. She highlights the need for an entrepreneurial mindset in filmmaking, advocating for a balance between creativity and business acumen.
About Sarudzayi Marufu
Sarudzayi Marufu is founder and executive producer of the production company Euras Films with a mission to tell bold, unafraid & innovative storytelling & authentic representation. She founded Euras with the mission of increasing representation for underprivileged communities and providing them with the resources to take bold creative risks. Since its inception in 2019, the studio has produced a range of short and feature-length films, the latest of which, All the Wives in Attics, has been selected for several awards at leading film festivals.
Prior to Euras Films, Sarue was executive producer at Beyond the Canon, an organisation that aims to diversify the curricula at globally leading drama schools and theaters. Beyond the Canon taps into forgotten masterpieces by culturally diverse playwrights and brings them to national audiences.
Previously, she founded Exodus Healthcare, a firm that supports patients living independently in their own homes. She applies her business expertise from scaling Exodus to her work in the film industry, helping underprivileged filmmakers navigate the business of producing films.
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.
