Directing TV Means Less Creative Freedom, but These Filmmakers Have Never Been Happier (Column)

It might seem counterintuitive to make the case for filmmaking as a career when so much about the profession can sound like a charity case.

The money is in TV, and its so-called Golden Age provides golden opportunities.

I may advocate for the success of original cinematic feats like “The Northman,” but will just as easily admit that “Atlanta” and “Barry” are among the most satisfying cultural achievements to come out this month.Still, cautionary tales abound.

This week, news broke that Amy Seimetz “exited” as the director of “The Idol,” the new HBO series co-produced and starring Abel Tesfaye, otherwise known as The Weeknd.

As usual, there’s more to this story, and it speaks volumes about how the layers of creative control differ in TV.I’m told that Seimetz had already directed about four episodes of the six-episode series and adapted the show to her loose, exploratory approach.

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