Section

Film & TV

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

A symbolic image depicting television's growing cultural dominance over film, with viewers captivated by a screen while a film audience disperses.

Television's Narrative Dominance Set to Eclipse Film

In 2023, HBO's 'Succession' finale captivated 2.

Julian Mercer· Apr 26· 3 min
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 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 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
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 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
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
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