Bill Desowitz

Bill Desowitz, the Crafts Editor at IndieWire, specializes in below-the-line and animation coverage, with an emphasis on Oscar and Emmy Awards season reporting/analysis. Owner of the former Immersed in Movies blog and author of James Bond Unmasked, featuring interviews with all six Bond actors. Previously editor of Animation World Network and VFXWorld and managing editor of Animation Magazine.

Film / By Bill Desowitz

In Netflix Remake ‘Rebecca,’ Manderley Is the Most Essential Character

Manderley lives again as a composite of several English houses, thanks to six-time Oscar-nominated production designer Sarah Greenwood.

Oct 23, 2020 5:30 pm /

Film / By Bill Desowitz

‘Over the Moon’: How Glen Keane Leveraged His Disney DNA for Netflix’s Chinese Moon Goddess Fable

The Disney legend and Oscar winner upped his animation game for his feature debut at Netflix, and the streamer has another Oscar contender.

Oct 21, 2020 5:00 pm /

Film / By Bill Desowitz

THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7 (L-R) CAITLIN FITZGERALD as DAPHNE O’CONNOR, ALAN METOSKIE as ALLEN GINSBURG, ALEX SHARP as RENNIE DAVIS, JEREMY STRONG as JERRY RUBIN, JOHN CARROLL LYNCH as DAVID DELLINGER, SASHA BARON COHEN as ABBEY HOFFMAN, NOAH ROBBINS as LEE WEINER. NICO TAVERNISE/NETFLIX © 2020.

Shooting ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ to the Rhythm of Aaron Sorkin’s Layered Script

Cinematographer Phedon Papamichael shot the courtroom scenes in large-format and the riot like a documentary with two hand-held cameras.

Oct 16, 2020 5:27 pm /

Awards / By Bill Desowitz

Oscars 2021: Netflix Reveals Three Diverse, Social Action Animated Shorts — Exclusive

“If Anything Happens I Love You,” “Canvas,” and “Cops and Robbers” explore grieving, a school shooting, and racial murder and injustice.

Oct 14, 2020 2:00 pm /

Film / By Bill Desowitz

‘Frank & Zed’: Old School Puppet Horror Premieres at Nightstream Film Festival

Just in time for Halloween, this puppet gore fest is like Jim Henson on acid. Watch the exclusive video below.

Oct 9, 2020 7:30 pm /

Film / By Bill Desowitz

‘Soul’ Preview: Pixar’s First Black-Led Feature Takes a Celestial Turn to Ponder the Meaning of Life

Pete Docter’s follow-up to Oscar-winner “Inside Out” asks the existential question: “How do we use the limited amount of time that we have?”

Oct 9, 2020 12:00 pm /

Film / By Kate Erbland, Eric Kohn, Christian Blauvelt, Anne Thompson, David Ehrlich, Chris O'Falt, Zack Sharf, Jude Dry, Tom Brueggemann, Bill Desowitz, Tambay Obenson and Michael Nordine

The 100 Greatest Films Directed by Women

The All-Time Greatest Films Directed by Women

Films by Julie Dash, Chantal Akerman, Chloe Zhao, Forough Farrokhzad, Jennifer Lee, and many other female filmmakers made the list.

Oct 3, 2020 9:00 am /

Film / By Bill Desowitz

‘Over the Moon’ Trailer: Netflix’s Animated Musical, Directed by Disney Legend, Celebrates Chinese Festival

Netflix has another animated Oscar contender with Glen Keane’s “Oz”-like musical reworking of the ancient Chinese Moon Goddess fable.

Sep 22, 2020 9:29 am /

Awards / By Bill Desowitz

‘Watchmen’ and ‘The Mandalorian’ Split the Emmy Craft Awards with Bold, Innovative Work

The shows each earned seven Creative Arts Emmys, thanks to “Watchmen’s” experimental surrealism and “Mandalorian’s” Baby Yoda and game-changing LED-wall tech.

Sep 21, 2020 11:00 am /

Film / By Bill Desowitz

TIFF 2020: How Hand-Crafted Animation Turned ‘Wolfwalkers’ into an Irish Folklore Tour de Force

Oscar nominee Tomm Moore and Cartoon Saloon push hand-drawn animation with the surreal wolfvision to complete their trilogy.

Sep 11, 2020 5:30 pm /

Film / By Bill Desowitz

How Charlie Kaufman Drew on ‘Anomalisa’ for the Animation in ‘I’m Thinking of Ending Things’

The filmmaker reunited with Rosa Tran to animate the retro Tulsey Town ice cream commercial and a glowing pig.

Sep 9, 2020 5:30 pm /

Film / By Bill Desowitz

‘Wolfwalkers’ Trailer: Apple’s First Animated Feature Bows at TIFF Before Fall Release

Tomm Moore’s latest Irish folktale from Cartoon Saloon will get a theatrical release from GKids for Oscar consideration before streaming on Apple TV+.

Sep 8, 2020 9:43 am /

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In Netflix Remake ‘Rebecca,’ Manderley Is the Most Essential Character

‘Over the Moon’: How Glen Keane Leveraged His Disney DNA for Netflix’s Chinese Moon Goddess Fable

Shooting ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ to the Rhythm of Aaron Sorkin’s Layered Script

Oscars 2021: Netflix Reveals Three Diverse, Social Action Animated Shorts — Exclusive

‘Frank & Zed’: Old School Puppet Horror Premieres at Nightstream Film Festival

‘Soul’ Preview: Pixar’s First Black-Led Feature Takes a Celestial Turn to Ponder the Meaning of Life

The All-Time Greatest Films Directed by Women

‘Over the Moon’ Trailer: Netflix’s Animated Musical, Directed by Disney Legend, Celebrates Chinese Festival

‘Watchmen’ and ‘The Mandalorian’ Split the Emmy Craft Awards with Bold, Innovative Work

TIFF 2020: How Hand-Crafted Animation Turned ‘Wolfwalkers’ into an Irish Folklore Tour de Force

How Charlie Kaufman Drew on ‘Anomalisa’ for the Animation in ‘I’m Thinking of Ending Things’

‘Wolfwalkers’ Trailer: Apple’s First Animated Feature Bows at TIFF Before Fall Release

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