Hollywood

30 articles

The historic Television City studio complex in Hollywood, California, under a dramatic sky, symbolizing a forced sale due to significant debt.
Film & TV

Lenders Initiate Forced Sale of Television City Over Debt

Lenders led by Deutsche Bank have initiated the forced sale of Hollywood's iconic Television City, just five years after Hackman Capital Partners acquired it for $750 million.

Julian Mercer·July 11, 2026
A futuristic cinematic scene showing AI integration in filmmaking, with holographic interfaces and subtle visual effects enhancing a movie.
Creators

What is AI's role in filmmaking and why does it matter?

Two Oscar-honored films, Emilia Perez and The Brutalist , already leveraged AI technology for subtle yet impactful elements: voice alteration and accent fine-tuning, as reported by BBC .

Julian Mercer·July 11, 2026
Futuristic AI interface generating realistic deepfake video of Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, symbolizing the AI video wars in Hollywood.
Content Creation

ByteDance's Seedance 2.0 Ignites AI Video Wars Amidst Hollywood Backlash

A viral AI-generated video depicting Brad Pitt fighting Tom Cruise sparked outrage across Hollywood, with one screenwriter calling the realistic deepfake "terrifying" according to Los Angeles Times.

Tara Collins·July 11, 2026
A busy film set in California under a bright sun, symbolizing the expansion of film tax credits and increased production activity.
Media Industry

California Expands Film Tax Credits to $750 Million

California's Film and Television Tax Credit program has nearly doubled to $750 million, now offering tax credits ranging from 35% to 45% for qualifying productions, according to Business Ca .

Leo Hartmann·July 10, 2026
The iconic Hollywood sign illuminated at dusk, with a film reel in the foreground, representing California's commitment to its film industry and expanding tax incentives.
Production

California Expands Film Tax Credits to $187 Million

Warner Bros. Pictures just received a staggering $42 million in tax incentives from California for an untitled film, part of a $187 million push to keep Hollywood productions within the state. This su

Victor Ren·July 9, 2026
The iconic Hollywood sign illuminated at dusk, with abstract representations of financial incentives and film production elements integrated into the scene.
Media Industry

California Film Tax Credit Program Expands

In its first year, California's expanded film tax credit program allocated $21.

Julian Mercer·July 8, 2026
Photorealistic AI actor Tilly Norwood in a spotlight on a Hollywood set, with executives and union leaders in the background discussing ethical dilemmas.
Creators

AI Actors Are Here: Hollywood Faces Ethical Dilemmas In 2026

Particle 6 is developing its first feature-length film, Misaligned , with the AI creation Tilly Norwood in the lead role, sparking an urgent debate over what it means to be a 'performer' in Hollywood.

Julian Mercer·July 8, 2026
AI actress Tilly Norwood in a dramatic pose on a film set, representing the future of artificial intelligence in cinema.
Film & TV

AI Actor Tilly Norwood Stars in Upcoming Film 'Misaligned'

An AI-generated 'actress' named Tilly Norwood is not merely making her feature film debut; she is poised to lead a coming-of-age comedy-drama.

Julian Mercer·July 7, 2026
Interior of Orbital Studios' new virtual production hub at Television City, showcasing advanced LED wall technology and a film crew in action.
Film & TV

Orbital Studios opens new virtual production hub at Television City

Orbital Studios, currently bringing FX's 'The Drop: A Snowfall Saga' to life, has moved its entire LED wall infrastructure and headquarters from the L.

Julian Mercer·July 7, 2026
Filmmakers packing up equipment and moving trucks suggest a production exodus from Hollywood, driven by tax breaks and new distribution models.
Production

Tax Breaks Fuel Film Production Exodus: Hollywood Faces New Power Dynamics

Filmmaker Griff Furst, known for traditional productions, is building a studio in Calabasas.

Victor Ren·July 6, 2026
A dynamic visual collage blending classic book covers with dramatic stills from upcoming film and TV adaptations of famous novels, set to release by 2026.
Film & TV

Major Literary Adaptations on TV and Film Through 2026

In 2026 alone, audiences can expect to see Emily Brontë's 'Wuthering Heights' alongside Suzanne Collins' 'Hunger Games' prequel and Colleen Hoover's 'Verity' on screen, signaling an unprecedented conv

Julian Mercer·June 30, 2026
A deserted Hollywood backlot with a fading 'Shadowcast Pictures' sign, illustrating the significant shift and closures within the film and TV production industry.
Media Industry

Shadowcast Pictures Closure Signals Industry-Wide Production Shift

More than 80 film and TV production service companies in Los Angeles have shuttered since 2022, marking a seismic shift in Hollywood's foundational infrastructure.

Amelia Frost·June 28, 2026
A deserted Hollywood studio lot with empty sound stages and silent equipment, symbolizing the economic downturn and production house closures.
Media Industry

Hollywood Production House Closures Spark Economic Downturn Fears

Unemployment among below-the-line crew members in Hollywood reached 45% in Q4 2023, the highest in 30 years, even as streaming services continue to release a record volume of content.

Amelia Frost·June 27, 2026
Film directors in a studio reviewing and approving AI-generated footage on holographic interfaces, symbolizing their control over new technology.
Behind the Scenes

DGA Union Ratifies Four-Year Contract, Securing Jobs

The Directors Guild of America (DGA) secured an unprecedented clause ensuring that any AI-generated footage will fall under a director's creative purview, a first for major Hollywood unions.

Victor Ren·June 26, 2026
Film crew setting up equipment in a scenic natural landscape during sunset, with a location manager reviewing permits.
Production

What is Location Scouting and Permitting for Film TV Production?

After its feature in 'The White Lotus', the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Hawaii, experienced a 425% increase in website visits and a 386% rise in availability checks year-on-year, according to

Victor Ren·June 21, 2026
Film and TV executives in a modern office setting, discussing projects and strategy amidst a backdrop of movie posters and scripts.
Film & TV

AGBO promotes film and TV execs amid leadership changes

AGBO is preparing to release "Avengers: Doomsday" on December 18, with "Avengers: Secret Wars" following in 2027, according to Variety .

Julian Mercer·June 19, 2026
The Hollywood sign cracked, with a moving truck departing a studio lot, symbolizing the exodus of the film industry from Los Angeles.
Film & TV

Hollywood's Exodus: LA Lost 42,000 Film Jobs As Production Flees State

Bad Robot Productions, a name synonymous with modern blockbusters, sold its Santa Monica headquarters for $31 million in November.

Julian Mercer·June 17, 2026
Hollywood film set with a virtual dragon interacting with live actors, overseen by an Immersive Supervisor using advanced AR/VR technology.
Production

What Is an Immersive Supervisor in Hollywood's AR/VR Productions?

On the set of a recent blockbuster, a single 'Immersive Supervisor' managed the real-time integration of digital dragons with live actors, a task that previously required separate VFX and on-set super

Victor Ren·June 16, 2026
A split image showing a large film crew on a major set contrasted with a smaller, agile independent film crew, symbolizing the diverse 2026 filmmaking landscape.
Production

What Is the Role of Production Agencies in the 2026 Filmmaking Landscape?

In Q1 2026, the Feature Film category in Los Angeles saw a staggering 52.

Victor Ren·June 9, 2026
Futuristic film studio with human directors and AI collaborating on movie production, showcasing the intersection of technology and human creativity.
Film & TV

AI in filmmaking poses ethical dilemmas for human creativity in 2026.

At Utopai Studios, founder Jie Yang showed a Hollywood director a trailer generated by AI for a film that hadn't even been completed.

Julian Mercer·June 7, 2026
Cinematic scene showing a vintage film projector merging with holographic AI interfaces, symbolizing the future of filmmaking and creative integrity.
Film & TV

AI Will Reshape Film and TV Creative Integrity by 2026

Legendary director Martin Scorsese, a staunch advocate for cinematic preservation and traditional filmmaking, has partnered with AI startup Black Forest Labs, signaling a surprising embrace of technol

Julian Mercer·June 6, 2026
Jason Momoa as Aquaman with his trident, with a subtle Minecraft-inspired landscape in the background, symbolizing his diverse acting roles.
Behind the Scenes

Jason Momoa reprises Minecraft and DC roles

Jason Momoa, known for his roles as Aquaman and Khal Drogo, will star as Garrett 'The Garbage Man' Garrison in the upcoming 'Minecraft Movie' and is confirmed to return for its sequel, scheduled for r

Victor Ren·June 1, 2026
An empty Hollywood studio lot with faded film posters and a wilting script on the ground, symbolizing the decline of original storytelling.
Creators

Hollywood cuts development funds, endangering original stories

Hollywood's major studios are actively drying up their own future movie pipeline by slashing the very development funds essential for new talent and fresh voices, according to Variety .

Tara Collins·May 31, 2026
Actress Kristin Villanueva announces her ambition to transition into producing at the Filipino Forces event in Hollywood.
Behind the Scenes

Kristin Villanueva announces producing ambition at Filipino Forces event

At the 4th annual Filipino Forces event in Hollywood, actress Kristin Villanueva declared her ambition to move into producing, surprising attendees, Variety reports.

Victor Ren·May 30, 2026
A futuristic Hollywood sign with AI circuit patterns, symbolizing the industry's adaptation to artificial intelligence, with a robot hand holding a film reel.
Film & TV

Variety hires Corbin Bolies to cover Hollywood's AI adaptation

Variety, a century-old entertainment industry bible, appointed its first dedicated AI reporter, Corbin Bolies.

Julian Mercer·May 26, 2026
Hollywood leaders and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra discuss job creation and tax incentives at a summit, with AI data visualized.
Behind the Scenes

Xavier Becerra calls for Hollywood jobs summit with leaders

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra declared the state's $750 million film and TV tax credit program merely 'the floor' for his expansion plans, according to Variety .

Victor Ren·May 22, 2026
Chris Noriega is promoted to partner at Verve, a significant internal milestone amidst broader industry changes and client/manager departures.
Film & TV

Verve Promotes Chris Noriega, Ninth Partner Amid Industry Shifts

For the first time since its founding in 2010, Verve has promoted a former assistant, Chris Noriega, to partner, even as a key manager and her clients depart for rival Range Media Partners.

Julian Mercer·May 19, 2026
A cinematic depiction of artificial intelligence influencing Hollywood scriptwriting, with holographic scripts and a shadowy AI figure observing.
Creators

Hollywood debates AI script eligibility for Oscars

Steven Soderbergh's documentary 'John Lennon: The Last Interview' featured AI-generated video of both John Lennon and Yoko Ono, a collaboration with Meta, to recreate a conversation that never physica

Julian Mercer·May 14, 2026
A screenwriter in a tense courtroom battle against a major Hollywood studio over intellectual property rights for their screenplay.
Media Industry

Protecting Your Screenplays with IP Rights in Hollywood

Paramount and Skydance successfully defeated a copyright lawsuit filed by a writer in 2026.

Julian Mercer·May 13, 2026
A desolate Hollywood studio lot dominated by IP-based movie posters, with a single, struggling seedling representing an original idea.
Film & TV

Hollywood's IP Reliance: Draining Creativity, Making Originals Rare

Nine of the top ten movies at the U.

Julian Mercer·May 11, 2026