Industry Feedback
I enjoy reading Stephen’s analysis of the film business for its unique and useful insight into our industry and would happily recommend his writing to all filmmakers and film professionals
Stephen drills down on data to discover truths about the film industry. Totally worth a read.
Stephen’s research is brilliant. No-one is doing data-driven analysis of the film industry quite like Stephen Follows. His detailed research and reporting about the film industry is unique and invaluable. Every week Stephen’s insights shed new light on different areas of the film business. We have syndicated some of Stephen’s work and will continue to do so. It is always very popular with our audience of producers and distributors.
Stephen Follows’ film data research is second to none. He provides modern analyses that inform new insights on filmmaking and the film industry, while retaining a deep respect for the craft. If you’re making or selling a film, you’d be crazy not learn from Stephen. (Oh, and he's funny too!)
For an In-depth look at what is really happening to the film industry and to gauge the next step in the current marketplace I always turn first to see what Stephen Follows has observed!
Stephen’s research is a fascinating and often dramatic eye opener to both the business and creative side of film-making. Forget what you think you know and follow the numbers.
In an industry that’s often clouded with hyperbole and gut instinct Stephen Follows’ blog is a breath of fresh air. His meticulous analysis provides real insights into our business and audience behaviour. Best of all, he’s one of us!
I have had the good fortune to come across Stephen’s work in a number of areas, including the youth audience and the strange disconnect between people’s cinema experience and the reviews they often decide to leave. He is never less than insightful, and comes at issues with an original and inquisitive mind, leading to often unexpected but always intriguing results.
Stephen Follows brings deep research and long experience to his understanding of trends in the film industry, both large and small. At TIFF, I've found his insights illuminating, and I can imaging how much he has to offer to filmmakers.
Stephen Follows' work always makes for fascinating reading - it's very carefully researched and on topics that are always interesting and useful to producers. When people starting out in the industry ask for advice about what they should be reading, I always point them to Stephen.
Stephen Follows is the go to expert on all data relating to the movie industry. His findings are invaluable for accurate, impartial and precise information often painstakingly acquired. Totally unique, his findings invariably offer powerful insights into the business mechanics of filmmaking from the mega studio blockbuster to the micro British indie scene . Terrifically important.
Stephen Follows has an unmatched skills in pulling together vast amounts of entertainment-related data and extracting findings that are insightful, relevant, topical and of great use to my work in the cinema business.
I have enjoyed reading Stephen’s research over the years, and often find myself researching past posts when looking for data to support a business proposal. Whatever your topic or question, it is likely that Stephen has already crunched the data, and presented the results in clear and easily digestible charts.
Stephen is one of the most gifted producers I know. His mind operates at an entirely different speed to almost everyone I know, solving problems, offering solutions and innovating new opportunities at break neck speed. I don’t know anyone his age that has the same depth of experience and insight in film making.
Through a combination of insightful analysis and creative exercises, the chat GPT seminar, led by Stephen Follows, profoundly deepened my understanding of AI's potential in narrative development. It was nothing short of a game-changing experience that not only educated but also inspired - an invaluable resource for anyone in the TV industry.
I have worked with Stephen Follows on more than 20 articles published in The Times since 2014 and consider him to be the highest calibre of film analyst. He is thorough, reliable, and pays attention to detail. He also has access to and understanding of substantial datasets that enable him to produce valuable insights and compelling stories.
Stephen has a great eye for the sorts of details that will immediately grab people's attention – things you want to turn around and share with someone else straight away. He can quickly sift through oceans of statistics and forgotten films to find these things.
I have followed Stephen's work for several years and find his insights on the film industry to be consistently useful and surprising. He was an excellent collaborator on a recent article: knowledgeable, responsive and enthusiastic. Using the data set he has pulled together, we were able to come up with an original take on sex scenes which has been picked up by many outlets.