2024 Recap.
What we've done, in retrospect.
It’s that time of the year again, when we wrap things up, look back, and set things forward.
Let’s start with the most important bit:
In 2024, Jazelle Cheong joined the company as a full-time partner and producer. Jazelle’s involvement in everything has been absolutely vital for our growth this year and no words can describe my personal gratitude for her hard work and dedication to all things Look Aside.
We travelled a little bit:
We went to Cannes with the whole team and had an absolute blast. I also went to LFF for a full week of socialising, and Jazelle went to Venice FF.
We joined a few organisations:
We were a part of Creative UK’s South East Investment Readiness Programme Stage 2, and we also became members of PACT. On a personal level, I’m also a member of BAFTA Connect and a mentor under Film London.
We released 10 video essays:
Covering all sorts of topics, from The Penguin to Yorgos Lanthimos to Babylon.
We ran 4 different events:
Both online and in person, on topics like film finance, screenwriting, and general consultations.
We developed, produced, and picture locked Doll:
Daniel Lipton’s debut short, which we’ve been working on for quite some time, is now officially picture locked and in sound/color/music. We’re hoping to finish the film entirely by end of January and premiere in summer 2025. It’s an awesome, awesome short - think Edgar Wright meets Ari Aster.
We worked on a few shorts in association:
Such as Waiting For Coda, which is released and waiting for you to watch it, and Sitter, which is currently on the festival circuit and will be with you in 2025.
We made our first music video:
Something we didn’t plan for the year, but something we absolute loved doing. On a personal level, directing a music video has always been a side quest on my bucket list, so this was a fantastic experience. Here is Toxic Love by Goldé.
We made and started releasing a third season of Tea or Coffee?:
This miniseries is entirely a passion project, but it’s something we love doing, it’s just a lot of fun and a great way to end the year. The first episode of Tea or Coffee? is out now, and the show will continue coming out bi-weekly through the end of January.
We completed Dali:
First feature film was completed in the summer - this is by far the craziest achievement to date and I’m so so proud of the finished project. There’s still a lot going on in the background that has to do with Dali, we’re working extensively on the film’s premiere, sale, and distribution, but unfortunately I can’t share too much right now. I can say that the film will premiere and release next year - guaranteed.
We successfully transitioned from shorts to features and built a slate for development:
Also a crazy achievement, and something we’re very much still navigating daily. This year, we were able to build a slate of further non-IP-based feature films for finance and development. Our current slate is:
The Mermaid Complex by Emmanuelle Soffe. We’re actively working on this and there’s a lot going on, but unfortunately not much we can (or should) announce just yet.
Khiar, concept by Kikki Strupat. Similarly, we’re working heavily on the project, but there’s isn’t much I can say at this stage.
Dream, by myself, which has a completed script, but we need a few things to get confirmed around Dali before we can develop the project further.
A film in co-production with Honduras, Mexico, and Guatemala, which we unfortunately can’t even announce publicly yet, but there’s been a lot of work done on that front as well.
We also launched a film fund:
Something that was definitely not on the cards for the near future, let alone this year, but something I’m so so glad we’ve done. Both me and Jazelle are incredibly happy we’ve launched the fund and so excited to work through more of the process and help bring some incredible stories to life.
Of course, it’s not all sunshine:
This year, as any, has also had its turbulences and failures.
It’s only been this year really I’ve been able to expand the company into an actual business and right now we’re managing it as such, so there’s been plenty to learn and of course mistakes have been made along the way. I think we’ve done pretty well overall, but no one is perfect. We’ve dropped projects, things have taken longer than we thought, we’ve realised we’ve made mistakes a long time ago that end up costing now, and I’d say it has overall been a very overwhelming, emotional, and work-heavy year, even more so than usual. But - these are things everyone deals with, both personally and professionally, and there’s no reason to focus on the negative or stop. We learn, we adapt, we move forward, and we make sure to grow and improve - only thing we can do really.
Looking ahead:
There are many goals for next year and if I’m being completely honest, I’ve been so focused on wrapping everything up this year that I haven’t had too much time to think ahead, but here are some general objectives we’re focused on:
Premiere Sitter, Doll, and Dali.
Further development work on all features we have slated and hopefully partial or ideally complete finance secured for some of them.
Focus on managing our film fund and the projects we choose to finance.
Get more things in production, like more music videos, explore documentary shorts, and possibly even produce a commercial.
Continue building a community by running events, meeting people, exchanging knowledge, and working through kindness.
And to be honest, as we’ve all learned, I’m sure so many things will come and go, and we’ll expect none of it. So the primary goal for next year is - continue moving forward, build, make more things, and grow in the best way possible.
This year has been surreal for many reasons and a big part of me is still trying to wrap my head around everything. Thank you for being a part of the journey. Now, it’s time to rest a little around the holidays, reflect some more, and come back better and stronger than ever. I know most of the people who read this newsletter are in the creative industries, so to all of you (and anyone else of course!) - please give yourselves a much deserved break and keep being your best self.
Love you all and happy holidays ahead <3