Section

Film & TV

In-depth coverage of the latest film and television releases, industry trends, and creative talent.

A symbolic image of money flowing into a film camera with minimal return, representing the low economic yield of New York's film incentives.

New York Film Incentives Generate Only 31 Cents Per Dollar

For every dollar New York pays producers through its film credit, the state generates only 31 cents in direct and indirect revenues, a stark financial reality for taxpayers.

Julian Mercer· Apr 17· 3 min
A living room scene with a TV showcasing a variety of movie and TV show posters, representing the abundance of new streaming content.

Top 4 New Movies and TV Shows to Stream This Week

This week alone, over 50 premieres and finales are hitting streaming services, making it nearly impossible to keep track of everything without a guide.

Julian Mercer· Apr 13· 4 min
A mysterious, silhouetted figure in a dimly lit, abstract setting, representing the unique and unconventional storytelling of an indie film.

3 Underrated Indie Films With Unique Storytelling

Adrian Chiarella's 'Leviticus,' a queer horror movie about a demon, is already the most-hyped title at ND/NF 2026.

Julian Mercer· Apr 12· 3 min
A robotic hand manipulating a holographic voice waveform on a film set, symbolizing AI's growing influence and ethical challenges in filmmaking.

AI voice alteration used in Oscar-winning films signals ethical cliff edge.

Two films honored at the Oscars, 'Emilia Perez' and 'The Brutalist,' quietly utilized AI technology for elements like voice alteration and accent fine-tuning.

Julian Mercer· Apr 11· 4 min
A conductor passionately leading an orchestra in a grand hall, with subtle visual effects of sound waves, symbolizing the impactful film score techniques discussed in the article.

Two Techniques Redefining Modern Film Scoring: Hybrid Sonics and Immersive Composition

Two techniques redefine modern film scoring: hybrid sonics, blending acoustic and electronic soundscapes, and immersive composition, using spatial sound as a narrative tool. These approaches blur the lines between music and sound design, expanding the composer's role and enhancing cinematic storytelling.

Julian Mercer· Apr 1· 4 min
An independent filmmaker gazes at a sky of film reels, contemplating the challenging path to a film festival and career success.

What is the film festival impact on independent filmmaker careers in 2026?

Sundance, a beacon for independent cinema, accepted only 57 films from over 11,000 submissions for its 2025 festival, according to Shorescripts .

Julian Mercer· Aug 23· 4 min
A visual representation of adapting novels into films, showing books transforming into a movie set with a director's chair and camera.

How to Adapt Novels for Screenwriting and Directing: A 2026 Guide

In 2013 and 2014, not a single one of the top 10 highest-grossing movies was an original screenplay, marking a profound shift towards adaptations that has only accelerated since, according to Talevent

Julian Mercer· Aug 11· 4 min
A wide, cinematic shot of a desolate landscape with a solitary figure in the distance, emphasizing emptiness and mood.

Empty Shots in Film & TV: Visual Composition Explained

In the intricate world of film analysis, a shot that appears to show nothing at all is, paradoxically, a fiercely debated concept central to how audiences perceive space and emotion.

Julian Mercer· Aug 2· 3 min
A silhouetted showrunner on a busy TV production set at night, embodying the immense pressure and multifaceted responsibilities of their role.

What is a showrunner's role in TV production?

The biggest challenge for a Showrunner is time, as the job is too big and there are not enough hours in the day, according to John Wells Productions .

Julian Mercer· Jul 31· 4 min
Futuristic film studio with human directors and AI collaborating on movie production, showcasing the intersection of technology and human creativity.

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· Jun 7· 2 min
What Is Vegas Pizza? Unpacking the Chaos and Comedy in This Unique Series

What Is Vegas Pizza? Unpacking the Chaos and Comedy in This Unique Series

Vegas Pizza is a chaotic, character-driven indie series set in a Las Vegas pizza shop, blending humor and tension to capture the daily hustle. This article explores what makes the show unique, its rise in indie streaming, and how it differs from traditional workplace comedies.

Sponsored· May 28· 4 min
Independent filmmakers strategizing their film festival submissions, surrounded by documents and film equipment, embodying hope and determination.

How to Navigate the Film Festival Circuit

Submitting a single feature film to a top-tier festival like Sundance can cost up to $125 just for the late submission fee, a substantial investment before any consideration.

Julian Mercer· Jul 17· 3 min
A television showrunner in a control room, overseeing a production with intense focus, symbolizing their central creative and operational authority.

What is the role of the showrunner in television production?

In television production, a showrunner holds more creative authority than the directors of individual episodes, overseeing every aspect from script to screen.

Julian Mercer· Jul 4· 2 min
A showrunner directing a complex 2026 television production, embodying creative vision and operational control amidst a high-tech set.

What is the role of the showrunner in 2026 television production?

A top-tier showrunner commands up to $225,000 for a single episode of a one-hour series.

Julian Mercer· May 19· 4 min
A director accepting an award on stage at a film festival, symbolizing the impact of festivals on indie film distribution.

What is the film festival circuit's impact on indie film distribution in 2026?

In 2026, Beth de Araújo’s drama Josephine won the U.

Julian Mercer· Apr 23· 3 min
A director's camera lens reflecting a distorted female figure, symbolizing the male gaze in filmmaking and storytelling.

What is the Male Gaze in Storytelling and Why Does It Matter?

In spring 2013, HBO aired two buddy dramas, 'True Detective' and 'Doll and Em', with identical production structures.

Julian Mercer· Apr 19· 4 min
An independent filmmaker planning their film festival submissions, surrounded by film reels, documents, and a laptop displaying festival information.

How to Create a Film Festival Submission Plan for Independent Filmmakers

For the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, registration alone opened on February 9th, 2026.

Julian Mercer· Apr 15· 3 min
A director's chair in a dimly lit room, with abstract light patterns from a film reel illuminating the scene, symbolizing the scientific analysis of visual storytelling.

What Are Visual Storytelling Principles in Cinema?

A recent study analyzed 2464 films from 1905 to 2019, revealing that even 'empty shots' follow quantifiable patterns and carry significant narrative weight.

Julian Mercer· Apr 10· 4 min