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VISUAL CREATORS
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📷 Apple Buys Pixelmator

The Story: Apple has officially acquired Pixelmator, the developer of popular image editing applications like Pixelmator Pro and Photomator. This strategic move aims to boost Apple's photo editing ecosystem, a space it has been gradually re-entering. The acquisition is still awaiting regulatory approval, and for now, Pixelmator projects continuity for its users.

The Details:

• Pixelmator, established in Vilnius 17 years ago, is known for its intuitive, powerful tools offering a compelling alternative to Adobe’s subscription model.

• The acquisition announcement emphasized a shared design philosophy between Apple and Pixelmator, aiming to enhance creative tools for professionals.

• There are no immediate changes to Pixelmator Pro, Pixelmator for iOS, and Photomator apps; users can expect the same functionality for now.

• The acquisition raises questions about the future direction of these apps, whether Apple will maintain them as standalone products or integrate their features into existing software.

• Pixelmator's advanced AI capabilities, including innovative resizing and masking tools, align well with Apple's focus on machine learning and imaging technology.

Why It Matters: This acquisition signals Apple's renewed commitment to professional creative tools, especially in photography. As alternatives to Adobe products, Pixelmator apps could fill a significant void, providing a cost-effective and feature-rich option for creative professionals. If Apple leverages this acquisition to enhance the functionality of Pixelmator Pro, it could revolutionize the software landscape for photographers иnd cater better to the needs of today’s creators, ultimately reshaping how graphics and images are handled on Apple devices.

PRODUCTION MASTERY
The commercial aspects of creativity.

🎨 Pixar's Mike Jones Faces the Same Struggles as Indies

The Story: Pixar director Mike Jones opened up at the IndieWire Future of Filmmaking Summit about the challenges his upcoming series "Dream Productions" faced amidst significant layoffs at Pixar, mirroring struggles many indie filmmakers confront. Despite being a major studio, Pixar is feeling tight budgets and the urgent need to prioritize bigger features, adding pressure on smaller projects like Jones' spinoff of "Inside Out."

The Details:

• In May, Pixar laid off around 14% of its staff, which impacted many planned TV projects for Disney+.

• Mike Jones described "Dream Productions" as an indie film within Pixar, consisting of four episodes totaling 82 minutes, but with a significantly limited budget compared to typical Pixar releases.

• The project took 3.5 years to develop, facing multiple near-cancellations, showcasing how even established studios are feeling pressure from a focus on profitability.

• Jones noted that as resources were pulled into flagship features, they often had to scramble to retain creative talent for the series, which has fostered a sense of being the “underdog”.

• "Dream Productions" is set to premiere December 11, 2024, alongside other Pixar projects, emphasizing the creative spirit within the constraints of a larger company.

Why It Matters: This narrative serves as a powerful reminder that even within iconic studios, the balance between creative ambition and budgetary realities remains precarious. For aspiring creators, Jones' experience echoes the resilient spirit needed in the indie film world—a fluctuating industry landscape requires adaptability and a commitment to storytelling, whether backed by a major studio or by individual independent means. The ongoing evolution in animation and content production affects all creatives, highlighting the importance of finding innovative ways to deliver engaging narratives amidst financial constraints.

CREATOR ECONOMY
Navigating the digital creative world.

📈 Threads Soars to 275M Users—Game Changer?

The Story: Meta's Threads is rapidly gaining ground in the social media landscape, now boasting an impressive 275 million monthly active users. This surge follows a significant increase from 200 million in just three months, reflecting Threads' clear potential as a serious competitor to Twitter amidst its ongoing turmoil under Elon Musk.

Post by @ryanbates

View on Threads

The Details:

• Threads has surged to 275 million monthly active users, a significant leap from 200 million just three months ago, showcasing strong user growth.

• This rise occurred during a period of unrest at Twitter, leading to users seeking alternatives amid increased political discourse and misinformation on Musk’s platform.

• Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg confirmed that Threads is signing up over 1 million new users daily, indicating a promising trajectory.

• While Threads offers higher character limits and video sharing capabilities than Twitter, its current limitations, such as restricted search and political content discussions, could hinder its appeal to some creators.

• Meta plans to assess advertising opportunities on Threads, although full monetization won't happen until user growth reaches a billion.

Post by @fredranger

View on Threads

Why It Matters: As Threads continues to grow, its emergence as a credible alternative to Twitter could impact how photographers and creatives engage online. While the platform struggles with features essential for visibility, the rapid adoption offers a chance for artists to carve out a unique space away from political noise. If Threads can adapt to the demands of content creators and improve its functionality, it could become an influential platform in the content-sharing arena, shaping future marketing strategies and community interactions for industry professionals.

🔥 Press Worthy

📽️ VISUAL CREATORS

Jamie Rojo has taken home the title of European Wildlife Photographer of the Year for his breathtaking shot "In the Forest of the Monarchs". Captured in Mexico, the image showcases monarch butterflies resting on fir trees, emphasizing nature's magic. The competition drew over 18,000 entries from 38 countries, with the winners announced on October 25.

Freelance photographers are increasingly falling victim to complex scams, as shared by a professional who nearly got caught. The scammer posed as a wealthy promoter, luring victims with enticing projects in Indonesia, only to demand upfront payments and fees after their arrival, highlighting the need for vigilance.

📈 PRODUCTION MASTERY

Content creators are pivoting to pre-packaged pitches as streaming platforms slow their commissioning process. This method involves attaching core talent early, like actors and showrunners, which not only boosts confidence in the project but accelerates approvals and clarifies budgets.

Disney has launched the Office of Technology Enablement to oversee the responsible adoption of AI and mixed reality across all divisions. Headed by Jamie Voris, this initiative aims to position Disney as a leader in tech innovation and best practices while enhancing creative endeavors and consumer experiences.

🎭 CREATOR ECONOMY

Instagram has introduced new DM filters to help creators sort through message requests more effectively. These filters allow sorting by follower count, verified accounts, and more. A new “Story replies” folder will help creators manage inbox clutter, ensuring no important collab opportunities are missed.

The Animation Guild and AMPTP are gearing up for fresh contract talks starting November 18. Key issues like staffing minimums and AI guardrails are firmly on the table as TAG extends its current contract through December 2. Stay tuned!

📚 Learn & Grow

📽️ VISUAL CREATORS

• What is the future of photography?

• The Fujifilm X100VI is Changing Photography (and now I understand why)

📈 PRODUCTION MASTERY

• How Comic Artists Make a Living Online

• Inside Duolingo Unhinged Growth to a $500M Business

🎭 CREATOR ECONOMY

• Art Collaboration Kyoto 2024 Receipts: Peach and Peppermint

• Who Spends the Most Time on Social Media?