Lazlow Jones

California Production Coalition: Fighting to Keep Hollywood Filming in California. https://lnkd.in/g-BtDZgq Entertainment Partners is excited to be part of the California Production Coalition to ensure California remains THE place to film! California has phenomenal resources and over 100 years of experience in productions. Excited to see this coalition being launched today! It's very important to note, Productions in California bring high-paying jobs and economic activity to every part of our state. And I'm proud to be part of the fight to protect that. Are you ready to join the fight for film, TV, and streaming production in California?   Along with nearly early three dozen film, television, and streaming production businesses and associations have formed the California Production Coalition to advocate for policies that strengthen California’s film industry. It’s a pleasure to be working alongside other businesses to improve conditions for filming in our home state. The group, including members like the Motion Picture Association (MPA), Television City Studios, and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, aims to address declining production activity, which has been slow to recover after the pandemic and last year’s strikes.   Representing prop houses, equipment leasing firms, payroll companies and other service providers, the coalition is focused on expanding California’s film tax credit program. Their first priority: supporting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to increase the annual program from $330M to $750M. This expansion could boost local jobs and revenue, building on the $961.5M in tax revenue and over 110,000 jobs supported by the credit between 2015 and 2020, per the LAEDC.   The coalition, which began organizing last summer, aims to educate policymakers and the public on the benefits of keeping productions in-state. They also advocate for reducing red tape to make California more competitive with rivals like Georgia, New Mexico, Canada, the UK and Australia.   With production volumes down 17% globally and reality TV shoots in Los Angeles declining by 56%, coalition members warn of the economic ripple effects on businesses that rely on a thriving production ecosystem.   The coalition’s mission: ensure that Hollywood’s legacy and economic contributions remain rooted in California, while creating a stronger, more competitive future for the state’s film and TV industry.   https://lnkd.in/gxXi4BuQ https://lnkd.in/gxXi4BuQ Entertainment Partners #CaliforniaProductionCoalition #CaliforniaFilmIndustry #TaxCredits #Hollywood #jobs

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Hollywood Betting Big on Genre Films: AFM’s Vegas Move Signals Shift in the Independent Film Market For the first time in its 45-year history, the American Film Market (AFM) has traded the coastal ambiance of Santa Monica for the glitzy setting of Las Vegas, launching its 2024 event at the Palms Casino Resort. This relocation comes with high hopes for streamlined networking, concentrated events, and fresh energy—but also a dose of skepticism as the independent film market continues to erode. With a notable focus on genre films, the independent film industry is gathering to confront market challenges in a bold new setting. A New Venue and New Energy Relocating from Los Angeles, where AFM was a fixture for over four decades, the Las Vegas setting promises to bring renewed energy to the market. At the Palms Casino Resort, all activities—from screenings to panels to networking events—are conveniently held under one roof, a feature set to alleviate some of the logistical challenges of prior years. By consolidating everything into one venue, AFM aims to foster a community atmosphere, allowing filmmakers, distributors, and buyers to maximize their time without shuttling across various locations. The all-in-one setup at the Palms is already a draw for industry heavyweights. With 286 sales, production, and distribution companies registered, including significant players, AFM sees increased interest from international representatives spanning 80 countries. European delegates from Italy, France, and Germany are attending in solid numbers, underscoring the global appeal of AFM’s new setting. The Rise of Genre Films Amid Uncertain Markets In an industry facing unpredictable returns from theatrical releases, genre films have emerged as a key investment focus at this year’s AFM. Genre films, especially horror and action, command significant buyer interest due to their strong built-in audiences and relatively lower risk. The recent success of horror films like Longlegs and Terrifier 3 has reinforced this trend, with AFM showcasing an impressive slate of horror and action offerings. Projects generating buzz include George A. Romero’s final zombie movie, Twilight of the Dead, directed by Brad Anderson, and the psychological thriller Victoria Psycho, which reunites Sanctuary star Margaret Qualley with director Zachary Wigon. Action films are also gaining traction, with high-profile offerings such as Cleaner, featuring Daisy Ridley in a Die Hard-style thriller, and The Last Druid, a sword-and-sandals epic led by Russell Crowe.

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To Catch a Killer All Secrets Must Come to Light #CrescentCity Official Trailer produced by #Clever_Caboose with #TerritoryStudios for #Grindstone #Lionsgate drops exclusively today on #Collider. (Posted 7/12/24) Have you visited our website? Check out: clever-caboose.com #movietrailers #filmdistribution #filmmarketing #entertainment #entertainmentmarketing #entertainmentindustry #entertainmentnews

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“SUNO AI Music Generation Model Cracked! At MatchTune, we've always been at the forefront of protecting artists' rights. Our pioneering scanning service, CoverNet, has led the charge against unpaid royalties and AI-generated fake music. Today, we're thrilled to announce a major breakthrough. We've successfully cracked the SUNO music generation model and developed a cutting-edge technology that detects SUNO-generated content with an impressive 95% accuracy rate (0.01% false positives and 4.99% false negatives). Our detection process was rigorously validated using a dataset of 4,000 real tracks and 4,000 SUNO-generated tracks, and we’re making this dataset and the results available to professionals, labels, PROs, and publishers.” Read the post and article for more: #AI #AIModels #AIAlgorithms #AIRegistry #Global #Training #AITraining #AITools #ArtificialIntelligence #IP #IntelectualProperty #GenerativeAi #GeAi #Copyright #DerechoDeAutor #DroitdAuteur #Music #MusicBusiness #Musica #MusicIndustry #Musique #Musik #MusicBiz #InteligenciaArtificial #InteligenciaArtificialGenerativa #IntelligenceArtificielle #IntelligenceArtificielleGénérative #GenerativeKünstlicheIntelligenz #KünstlicheIntelligenz #AIDetection #MusicTech #ArtistRights #AIEthics #Suno #DataTraining #CopyrightProtection #DigitalRights

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What’s the next big thing in music? Troy Carter predicts it will be synthetic artists. To me, this prediction is inevitable because like I previously mentioned, I believe more labels will move to focus on the “label is the artist” model where there’s more collaboration versus scaling in the form of development of a range of artists at a time. Artists today have more leverage than ever so this gives labels an opportunity to scale at a faster rate than long term exclusive deals with a large number of artists. And this could also bring down production costs for live shows using this. And regardless of purists who rather this not happen, it’s only a matter of time until it becomes acceptable to audiences. Video via Trapital

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From the Latest FilmLA Report • Scripted TV production in Los Angeles dropped 99% in Q3 2023 compared to 2022. • FilmLA calls for a significant expansion of California’s $330 million production incentive due to a 20% drop in local filming. • Other jurisdictions like New York, Ontario, Georgia, and the U.K. offer more competitive, uncapped or larger subsidies, putting California at a disadvantage. • Strikes in 2023 and a decline in Peak TV also contributed to a production slowdown. • Global production declines occurred, with Georgia and the U.K. also seeing reduced TV releases. • California temporarily boosted its incentives in 2021, but ongoing state budget deficits limit further expansions. • FilmLA warns California must act to support its entertainment industry or face continued market share losses. FilmLA Seeks 'Vast Expansion' of California Tax Credit (variety.com) https://lnkd.in/gps_6c9A

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O P T I M I S T I C ! ! ”Los Angeles Film and TV Production Sees Sluggish Rebound From Strikes, but There’s Optimism” according to a report from FilmLA which notes an anemic return to filming in the region but that jobs appeared to return in full force in March. Filming in Los Angeles has been slow to bounce back after production in the region was decimated by Hollywood’s historic season of strikes.  The main reason for the sluggish rebound: A double-digit drop in television shoots compared to the same period last year.  Also playing a factor in the decline were reductions in content spend across most major studios, series cancellations and runaway production.  While the difference was steep in January (30.6 percent fewer jobs, totaling 2,282), it was modest in February (5.1 percent fewer jobs, totaling 3,061) and nearly unnoticeable by the end of March (a 0.4 percent increase, totaling 3,274 jobs).  There’s optimism in production levels for feature films. The category rose slightly in the quarter, picking up 634 shoot days to finish an estimated 7 percent ahead of the same months last year. Movies in production included Beverly Hills Cop 4, Atlas, and Lurker, all of which are getting tax credits to film in California.  FilmLA also flagged the loss of commercial production — which slipped nearly 10 percent year-over-year and more than 33 percent below the five-year average — to other jurisdictions as a concern. Filming for smaller, lower-cost shoots, such as documentaries, music videos and still photography, similarly fell by roughly 5 percent. Entertainment Partners https://lnkd.in/g5veEE6R https://lnkd.in/gjhbnQdG

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MUSIC PRODUCTION TRENDS OF 2025 - These trends reflect a tech-driven, collaborative, and innovative future for music production in 2025: AI-Powered Music Creation - AI tools for composing, arranging, and mastering tracks, speeding up workflows. . Immersive Audio (3D/Spatial) - Integration of 3D/spatial audio for VR/AR and immersive listening experiences. . Sustainability in Production - Eco-friendly practices, reducing physical releases, and using sustainable resources. . Direct-to-Fan Platforms - Artists bypass labels to distribute music directly to fans, building deeper connections. . Collaborative Cloud-Based Tools - Real-time, cloud-based DAWs for global collaboration between artists and producers. . Custom Sound Libraries - Demand for unique, niche sound packs and plugins tailored to specific genres. . Live Streaming Integration - Artists use live-streamed performances as part of production workflows for real-time audience feedback. . NFTs and Blockchain - Music tracks and albums released as NFTs, enabling direct monetization and ownership. . Minimalist Production - Focus on raw emotion and simplicity in music with stripped-down production styles. . AI-Assisted Mixing and Mastering - Simplified, AI-driven tools ensuring industry-standard results in mixing and mastering. #Music #chordmasala #AI2025 #mixing #musicproduction #musicproducer #filmmaking #audio #video #media #NFT #entertainment #aiagency #engagement #influencer #singer #studio #coach #TV #monetization #channel #collab #emotion #composition #india #voice #djlife #3D #musicalinstruments #usa #Webinar #artist #Spatial #dubai #miami #album #label #musicvideo #VR #musicindustry #tracks #immersive #AR #fan #workflow #brand #soundlibrary #sustainability #style #streaming #trends #realtime #experience #bollywood #hollywood #western #classical #livestream #bots #feedback #distrokid #filmmaking #Losangeles #newyork #creation #cloud #directtofans #virtual #webseries #promo #distribution #platform #spotify #future #blockchain #automation #plugins #global #DAW #soundcloud

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More and more Russian cinemagoers are becoming excited about Chinese films! The Chinese comedy-drama “Successor” (“Zhua Wa Wa”), directed by Yan Fei and Peng Damo and featuring renowned actors Shen Teng and Ma Li, was recently released in Russian cinemas. “Successor” has resonated strongly with Russian audiences, performing well at the box office and earning praise for its nostalgic charm, particularly its focus on claw machines—a central symbol in the story. With its universal themes and relatable characters, the film has quickly become a favorite among Russian moviegoers, further solidifying its international appeal. Our next markets: World Content Market – Almaty 2025: 4-5 March 2025 World Content Market – Moscow Spring 2025: 8-10 April 2025 World Content Market – Moscow Autumn 2025: 26-28 November 2025 #worldcontentmarket #televisionmarket #digitalcontent #content #b2b #televisiondistribution #TVindustry #TVbroadcasting #Television #Contentindustry #TVcontent #TVseries #Contentdistribution #Contentproduction 

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Learn how to manage firearms safety from our experienced guests like filmmaker Frank Ziede, and hear about how using VFX can prevent on-set firearms deaths, in this very important episode of VFX for Indies. Please tune in at vfxforindies.com, our YouTube channel, or your favorite podcast app.

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California Production Coalition: Fighting to Keep Hollywood Filming in California. https://lnkd.in/g-BtDZgq Entertainment Partners is excited to be part of the California Production Coalition to ensure California remains THE place to film! California has phenomenal resources and over 100 years of experience in productions. Excited to see this coalition being launched today! It's very important to note, Productions in California bring high-paying jobs and economic activity to every part of our state. And I'm proud to be part of the fight to protect that. Are you ready to join the fight for film, TV, and streaming production in California?   Along with nearly early three dozen film, television, and streaming production businesses and associations have formed the California Production Coalition to advocate for policies that strengthen California’s film industry. It’s a pleasure to be working alongside other businesses to improve conditions for filming in our home state. The group, including members like the Motion Picture Association (MPA), Television City Studios, and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, aims to address declining production activity, which has been slow to recover after the pandemic and last year’s strikes.   Representing prop houses, equipment leasing firms, payroll companies and other service providers, the coalition is focused on expanding California’s film tax credit program. Their first priority: supporting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to increase the annual program from $330M to $750M. This expansion could boost local jobs and revenue, building on the $961.5M in tax revenue and over 110,000 jobs supported by the credit between 2015 and 2020, per the LAEDC.   The coalition, which began organizing last summer, aims to educate policymakers and the public on the benefits of keeping productions in-state. They also advocate for reducing red tape to make California more competitive with rivals like Georgia, New Mexico, Canada, the UK and Australia.   With production volumes down 17% globally and reality TV shoots in Los Angeles declining by 56%, coalition members warn of the economic ripple effects on businesses that rely on a thriving production ecosystem.   The coalition’s mission: ensure that Hollywood’s legacy and economic contributions remain rooted in California, while creating a stronger, more competitive future for the state’s film and TV industry. Entertainment Partners #CaliforniaProductionCoalition #CaliforniaFilmIndustry #TaxCredits #Hollywood #jobs

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Information is key

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How Streaming Platforms Are Revolutionizing Music Discovery Dive into the future of tunes! 🚀 Streaming platforms are not just changing the game, they're rewriting the rules of music discovery. Find your next anthem with us. 🎧✨ #MusicStreamingEvolution #DiscoverNewMusic #StreamingRevolution #wcgblogs #wcgeneration #wcgempire #wcgentertainment

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I saw the Brian Eno doc (ENO) and loved it! It’s such a joyful, funny, intellectually stimulating, and incredibly well-made film: it had me riveted right the way through. I didn’t expect such a life-affirming and fun film. I also enjoyed thinking about some of the big ideas raised in the film (Why do humans like music? Why do we make art etc?), especially because these ideas are articulated in a light-hearted rather than a pretentious way. I walked away inspired to be a more creative producer and try to push the envelope more.   But ……..did I see the same version of ENO as you? Probably not! The film is what the filmmakers are calling a “generative documentary” so they have filmed and cut many scenes about Brian Eno – and his life and work – but a different version of the film is created for each screening.  A new software program (created by the filmmakers) picks the scenes and the order. This follows Brian Eno’s ideas and work around generative art: he sees songs and artworks as planting a seed rather than being one finished piece that stays the same forever. For me as a producer, one of the most satisfying parts of making docs is that you work on them for years, then you all agree on the very best version of the story and eventually the film is finished and it’s the same every time people see it. So, I’m not sure I could deal with my own anxiety following this creative process: I kept thinking "what if the “best” scenes didn’t appear in the film for a super important screening?!?" Argh! I asked Exec Producer Natasha Dack about this afterwards and she said it’s about surrendering to the generative art process, which is part of Brian Eno’s innovation and process. Plus she explained 30% of the film is always the same (I think it’s the beginning, middle and end) and the other 70% is different each time. All I can say is the version I saw was bloody brilliant and I highly recommend it! https://lnkd.in/e_aZkhP6 #documentary #BrianEno More info here: https://lnkd.in/eVEfgUfB Congrats to Natasha Dack Ojumu Gary Hustwit and everyone involved in this fabuluous film!

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DIVERSITY, DIVERSITY, HEAR ALL ABOUT IT! According to the annual Hollywood Diversity Report (2024) presented by the UCLA Entertainment & Media Research Initiative, only 2.3 out of 10 theatrical film directors are people of color, Only 1.5 out of 10 theatrical film directors are women. This can be a daunting statistic that leaves many of the filmmakers I work with hopeless. I'm committed to hope and measurable change for diverse storytellers. So, I wanted to share a bit of my perspective on how l've seen diversity change in the work I do with new voices over the past few years. The budgets of the movies we make live under $4 million which isn't accounted for in the report that focuses on theatrical films in the $100M range. I think we have to contextualize when evaluating change. People of color and women often have to start at the bottom with smaller budgets. But this is where so much of the change around inclusion and equity is happening. This growth is rarely reported on, but is remarkable nonetheless. Our genre features slate with @hulu is proof of this incredible moment. I'd like to propose that we stop thinking of diversity as a bad word that's overused and performative. Diversity is real, it's needed, and it is changing the landscape of whose stories are told. There's never been a better time to be a diverse storyteller, use it to your advantage wherever, however, and with whomever you can. Ally with teams and producers who are part of this change at the grassroots level, develop your stories with them, and together let's continue to diversify Hollywood from the bottom, up! Excerpts from "The Era of Upheaval" panel at the 2023 Asian Leadership Conference in Seoul, moderated by Ron Geller, VP Worldwide Content Relations at Dolby

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The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) has launched an important new tool: the Distributor Unmatched Recordings Portal (DURP)! DURP is an initiative to partner with independent music distributors worldwide to locate and pay out millions of dollars in unclaimed U.S. digital audio mechanical royalties to independent songwriters. DURP has onboarded over 100 distributors across 20 countries, helping ensure royalties reach the creators who deserve them. This initiative is already making a meaningful impact on the livelihoods of DIY artists and self-published songwriters globally. Kudos to The MLC for their continued innovation and dedication to supporting and recognizing independent creators! GO GET YOUR MONEY! #royalties #mlc #musicpublishing #musicbusiness https://lnkd.in/gHPThgCM

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