Filmic Pro, the acclaimed mobile filmmaking iOS and Android app, faces a tumultuous phase as its entire workforce, including CEO Neill Barham, has been unexpectedly laid off by parent company Bending Spoons (via The Verge).
Once known as the standard of mobile video capture, Filmic Pro's trajectory took a drastic turn with the abrupt dissolution of its dedicated team.
Bending Spoons Lays Off All Filmic's Staff
Bending Spoons, an Italy-based app developer known for its Splice and Remini apps, acquired Filmic Pro in September 2022.
The acquisition was framed as a strategic move to enhance the development of capture apps, aligning with Bending Spoons' focus on post-production technologies.
However, just a year later, Bending Spoons executed a mass layoff, leaving Filmic Pro without a dedicated team. Filmic's founder and CEO, Neill Barham, concluded his time at the company in November, marking a significant shift in leadership and operations.
Uncertain Future for Filmic Pro and Firstlight
Filmic Pro, celebrated for its robust video capture capabilities and widely used for shooting movies and music videos, now faces an uncertain future.
With no dedicated staff, questions loom over the app's maintenance, updates, and overall viability. The fate of Filmic's photo-focused app, Firstlight, remains equally unclear.
The absence of any mention of Filmic or its apps on Bending Spoons' current website further adds to the mystery surrounding the company's plans for these once-popular applications.
Changes in the Subscription Model
Last year, shortly after Bending Spoons acquired Filmic, the app introduced a subscription plan, a departure from its previous one-time payment system.
The subscription model, priced at $2.99 per week or $50 annually, raised concerns about accessibility for independent filmmakers who had previously found the app more budget-friendly.
This change, mirrored in Bending Spoons' other acquisition, Evernote, suggests a shift in the company's approach to monetizing its apps, potentially impacting the user base and overall appeal.
Impact on Mobile Filmmaking Landscape
Filmic Pro's significant popularity among mobile filmmakers is evident from its use in shooting movies and music videos. Apple's recognition of the app, featuring it prominently during the iPhone 11 Pro camera overhaul, solidified its position in the mobile filmmaking landscape.
However, with the recent developments, other apps, like Blackmagic Design's iOS app, have gained traction. The absence of Filmic Pro in recent high-profile productions, including Apple's Mac event, suggests a potential shift in preferences within the industry.
Bending Spoons' Silence and Visibility
Despite the magnitude of these changes, Bending Spoons has not provided any official response to inquiries about the layoffs and the future of Filmic Pro. The lack of transparency is evident not only in their silence but also in the absence of Filmic-related information on their official website.
The repercussions of these layoffs, coupled with the shift in the subscription model, may redefine the landscape for both Filmic Pro and independent filmmakers who relied on its accessible yet professional features.
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