Julian Mercer
Editorial byline
Julian Mercer is an editorial byline for Film and Pen, with a focus on Film & TV, Entertainment Industry, Screenwriting. Biographical credentials and external profiles are published only after verification.
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Coverage Areas
Latest Articles
US Share of Film and TV Production Plummets Over 25 Years, Union Report Reveals
A new union report details a dramatic 25-year decline in the U.S. share of film and television production, with major film budgets plummeting from 74% to 42% and TV budgets from 94% to 64%. This exodus of high-budget projects has significant economic consequences and impacts American jobs.
Oct 6, 2026 · 4 min read
California Enacts New Post-Production Tax Credit (AB 2319) to Boost Film and TV Industry
California has enacted Assembly Bill 2319, establishing its first standalone tax credit for film and television post-production work, effective January 1, 2027. This new legislation aims to attract high-skilled jobs and economic activity by incentivizing post-production services within the state, even for projects filmed elsewhere.
Oct 1, 2026 · 5 min read
Ethical AI Integration in Screenwriting: Tools, Workflow, and WGA Guidelines
Screenwriters are integrating AI tools for ideation and analysis, but must balance productivity gains with ethical considerations, WGA guidelines on credit/compensation, and preserving their unique creative voice.
Sep 29, 2026 · 5 min read
Media Consolidation's Impact on Independent Filmmakers
A proposed merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros.
Sep 20, 2026 · 3 min read
How Do Film Festivals Launch Independent Films in 2026?
Submitting a single feature film to a top-tier festival like Tribeca can cost $135 just for an extended deadline, a significant financial barrier for independent creators.
Sep 20, 2026 · 5 min read
Top Films and TV Series to Watch This Week
This week, as NBC hosts the 78th annual Emmy Awards and a new JAŸ-Z docuseries drops, a hidden gem like 'Best of the Best' premieres on Netflix.
Sep 19, 2026 · 3 min read
How Do Independent Films Reach Audiences in 2026?
The global independent film distribution market, valued at USD 6.
Sep 18, 2026 · 4 min read
Sony PlayStation 5 FAST channels offer over 100 free ad-supported options
PlayStation 5 users in the U.
Sep 18, 2026 · 3 min read
Hollywood's Creator Definition Evolves for Digital Talent Integration in 2026
At Wildflower Farms in New York's Hudson Valley, OpenAI funded a luxury 'Summer Camp' for social media creators, an experience some attendees later publicly criticized as 'disgusting' and 'embarrassin
Sep 18, 2026 · 4 min read
Emerging Screenwriting Software: Free & Affordable Options
While industry-standard Final Draft demands a $249.
Sep 18, 2026 · 5 min read
Film Production Incentives Drive Significant Economic Impact in the US
Unscripted productions in Los Angeles saw 40% fewer shoot days in the second quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2025, as major shows like 'American Idol' and 'The Masked Singer' packed
Sep 17, 2026 · 4 min read
Top 5 Emerging Indie Film Directors to Watch
Made for under $1 million, the indie film 'Obsession' has grossed $225 million globally, proving blockbuster success no longer demands a multi-million dollar budget ( BBC ).
Sep 17, 2026 · 4 min read
UK and Canada Sign Film TV Co-Production Pact
Creative Industries Minister Ian Murray and Canadian Minister Marc Miller signed a new UK Canada film TV co-production agreement at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Sep 14, 2026 · 4 min read
Japan's 50% Film Rebate Fuels Global Co-Productions
Japan has extended its film production incentive program through 2025, offering a compelling 50% cash rebate on eligible expenditures.
Sep 14, 2026 · 3 min read
Best Screenwriting Books for Storytelling & Character Development
John Brady's 1981 seminal screenwriting book, The Craft of the Screenwriter , is still hailed as 'essential reading.
Sep 14, 2026 · 5 min read
Award-Winning Indie Game 'The Drifter' Acquired for Film Adaptation
Sony Pictures and Story Kitchen have acquired the live-action feature film rights to 'The Drifter', an indie game that just last year was a sleeper hit.
Sep 13, 2026 · 3 min read
AMC and Canal+ Greenlight New Point Break Television Series
A new television series based on the 1991 film 'Point Break' has been greenlit by AMC and Canal+, but production won't even begin until early 2027, according to IGN .
Sep 12, 2026 · 3 min read
Niche Streaming Services Face Audience Segmentation Challenges in 2026
Specialized streaming services collectively grew to 42 million paying subscribers in the first six months of 2026, marking a significant moment for tailored content consumption.
Sep 12, 2026 · 5 min read
France, South Korea Unveil $1B Screen Fund at Summit
At the Lumière Summit, French President Emmanuel Macron and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung jointly launched a five-year, €1 billion screen industry investment program, signaling an unprecedented
Sep 11, 2026 · 3 min read
How Film Editing Techniques Shape Narrative Pacing and Emotion
In Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho' (1960), the iconic shower scene used 78 pieces of film in approximately 45 seconds, according to Openculture .
Sep 11, 2026 · 4 min read