The New York City Landmark That Connects Barbie to a Cult Film, a Hit TV Series & a Popular Reality Show
368 Broadway: The Iconic NYC Building Inspiring a Cinematic Revolution, Connecting Barbie, Uncut Gems, Girls & Catfish A powerhouse that shaped a generation of filmmakers
Summary
368 Broadway, a building in NYC, played a significant role in the careers of successful filmmakers like Greta Gerwig, the Safdie brothers, Lena Dunham, and the Schulmans.
The building housed the Diane Fink School of Filmmaking, which nurtured a tightly-knit creative community. It was here that aspiring filmmakers like Gerwig, the Safdies, and Dunham launched their careers. Employing a do-it-yourself approach, these filmmakers crafted low-budget content, including indie films and YouTube videos, that ultimately propelled them to mainstream triumph.
Check out the video below, created by Blocks and Borough on YouTube, that delves into the fascinating backstory of a building in New York City, 368 Broadway. This building played a significant role in launching the careers of renowned filmmakers such as Greta Gerwig, the Safdie brothers, Lena Dunham, and the Schulman brothers who directed and starred in the influential film Catfish. Don't miss this intriguing exploration of the interconnected journeys of these talented individuals.
How 368 Broadway Influenced A Generation of Filmmakers
: The evolution of 368 Broadway has witnessed a plethora of artistic ventures throughout the years, encompassing the realms of fashion design, embroidery services, and publishing. This historical address became the hub for a visionary group of aspiring filmmakers in the early 2000s, spearheaded by the renowned YouTuber Casey Neistat. Together, they formed a tightly-knit creative collective known as the Diane Fink School of Filmmaking, paying homage to their esteemed landlord.
The only building on the block constructed by a working-class carpenter, rather than Ivy-League-educated architects, was 368 Broadway. In 1880, John B. Snook, a self-taught and ambitious individual, designed and built this remarkable structure. This do-it-yourself attitude later became the defining characteristic of the Diane Fink School of Filmmaking. Despite facing rejection from every MFA program she applied to, Gerwig, prior to her fame with Barbie, took matters into her own hands. She co-wrote and starred in independent productions like Hannah Takes the Stairs and her outstanding mumblecore creation, Frances Ha. This masterpiece was partially inspired by her social circle from the legendary 368 Broadway.
The Safdies began their journey by creating YouTube videos and even experimenting with stand-up comedy. They later progressed to producing low-budget films like The Pleasure of Being Robbed. In a similar fashion, Dunham launched her career through YouTube videos, self-made shows like Delusional Downtown Divas, and her early short film Pressure. These talented filmmakers, all emerging from 368 Broadway, eventually achieved mainstream success with projects such as Barbie, Uncut Gems, Girls, and Catfish. This serves as a testament to the fact that for young and aspiring filmmakers, it is often more advantageous to independently create low-budget content rather than waiting for funding from a major studio.
