Between Cuts is a newsletter from the interconnected worlds of cinema, advertising and games.
You will find notes on craft, technology and cinematic diversions.
This is a newsletter for filmmakers building outside the system, and cinephiles who want to know more.
It’s actively engaged with the NonDē FilmStack mission of building new structures of cinema production, marketing and distribution .
Come along for the journey, subscribe and get into the machinery behind motion pictures.
Subscribe and you will find…
Posts from behind the scenes on the feature film I’m working on.
Dips into the granular moments from script to set, to post, to presentation.
I’ll explore breakdowns on my own advertising work, where there will be a focus on video game trailers and editing craft.
There are short takes on obscure or overlooked things (movies and books about movies mainly).
I work through ideas by researching, writing notes, and documenting things for future use - and I'll be posting those working notes here too (like this explanation of LLMs I put together from my old AI textbooks). Why? To quote Dr Henry Jones: I wrote it in my diary so I wouldn’t have to remember!
Who am I?
I’m a writer, director and editor.
I’ve spent twenty years doing that; as well as creative directing ad campaigns and in-game elements for AAA video game franchises. I’ve worked on GTA, Red Dead, Assassin's Creed, The Division, The Last of Us, Battlefield, League of Legends and Hitman among others.
Much of that time was as Executive Creative Director of Fire Without Smoke. FWS was a creative agency focused on video games that created everything from branding to box art, trailers to TV ads, strategy to stadium takeovers. We also helped clients with game narrative and in-game design UI/UX.
So What Are You Working On Now?
Currently, I’m working on an adaptation of Ibsen’s The Master Builder from my own translation.
On returning to the source I discovered the Norwegian-Danish Bygmester Solness is more thrilling and provocative than any current translations. Stripped back to its naturalistic intent, it’s Fatal Attraction meets Bergman’s Persona.
I’m also working on psychological horror Revival about a theatre director who suspects her lead actress is also her stalker.
Yeah. I like thrillers.
And Some Other Projects…
Between my own projects, I also work with other filmmakers when there’s an interesting challenge that aligns.
Mostly this is editing and directing for advertising and short form projects. Trailers, ads and short films are a fun contrast to the marathon of features.
If you are working on a project that you think fits this description, then drop me a message here on Substack or through my website at www.mdt.mov.
Paying for Between Cuts
Substack really wants you to have a paid tier. As I understand it they demote you in their social features if you don’t have one, so I have set one up.
Currently everything is free. Eventually I may add special benefits to the paid tier, but there is no plan to ever charge for mainstream posts.
The only benefit to the paid tier is that you will have my eternal gratitude and I will give you special thanks in the credits of the next film in production (currently looking to be The Master Builder).
So unless you are feeling very generous and want your name on a credit roll, don’t send me money.
But as I said above, do contact me through my website if you have an interesting project to discuss.
All of that said, if there is something you would like me to write about or provide as an extra, tell me and maybe it will make sense for paid subscribers!
My only thought is that I may add more technical documents, behinds the scenes videos, and other more material that is more involved to produce for a smaller audience (so let me know what you think of those ideas).
If you just love Substack and want to give them money, you can join the Producer’s Circle then we can arrange a call about your project (or anything else considering you have paid for the time!).
Or more sensibly, you can contact me though my website and we can discuss your project and work out your needs first.
Also, if you pay you will always get full access to the publication archives, which Substack recommend putting behind the paywall, (but is currently still free).
Why Sign Up?
I aim to provide value by offering a unique perspective on filmmaking, based on my post-heavy, technology and video game background. I have ways of working and thinking about moving pictures - the craft and technology - that come from an unusual crossover place.
The main newsletter is free.
There will be one post every two weeks. Usually this will be come out on a Tuesday, but it may change.
There will also be regular short takes on something obscure or overlooked. These will be released on a Friday: a quirky recommendation for the weekend.
There will be occasional breaks due to other work commitments so sometimes I may post reruns.
But I want to know more about your experience and thinking, and where it contrasts or supports my own.
So please subscribe, and share your own insights, and perspectives.
I’ll see you in the comments section!
— David
And even if you don’t subscribe… join the NonDē FilmStack crew!
Even if you don’t sign up to this substack sign up to someone else. A good place to start is with Ted Hope. Take a look around at the film community and see who else you find interesting.
Participate in the comments sections, and support others work with a subscription.
To learn more about the tech platform that powers this publication, visit Substack.com.
