All the Highlights From TheGrill:
Greetings,
The times, they are chaotic. As Editor-in-Chief Sharon Waxman put it in her opening remarks, "We are in the middle of a changing weather pattern. Not just a single storm but a shift in the system."
That's why TheGrill exists, and this year, we had some of the biggest names in the business tackle the pressing topics of the industry. From the rise of sports to the rapidly moving creator economy and, of course, AI's impact on studios and movie and show production, our various panelists shared their expertise and perspective. Check out our highlights below.
But it wasn't just about listening. Our annual business conference was a chance to connect, talk and even make some friends along the way. I had fruitful discussions with attendees at two different tables, both filled with industry professionals looking for answers to the AI puzzle (Spoiler alert: I didn't have those answers, but it still felt good to talk about the changes and concerns we all share).
As a first-time attendee, what struck me the most was the sense of community I felt talking with the attendees, whether they were panelists on stage or a independent producer at lunch. For the most part, everyone was there for the same reason: making this community gets a chance to tell stories.
As Waxman said, "However much change disrupts this industry, ultimately we rely on stories, story-telling and story-tellers to make sense of our world."
That's something desperately need more than ever.
Roger Cheng
Managing Editor of Business and PRO
roger.cheng@thewrap.com
P.S. In addition to TheGrill, we deliver in-depth analyses, executive interviews and more every day. If you think that kind of essential information can help you get a better handle on this industry, please consider signing up for a WrapPRO subscription here.
Irving Azoff Goes Off on YouTube
Azoff was the first speaker of the day and set the tone in his candid assessment. He railed against YouTube and its treatment of artists. "I’m really not fond when companies take advantage of creators," he said. "But YouTube has, in my opinion, invented new words for the way to bully people."
Jerry Bruckheimer Takes Victory Lap for 'F1'
Senior reporter Drew Taylor was able to pull out teases on the next "National Treasure," "Pirates of the Caribbean" and more in his conversation with Bruckheimer. He also discussed why Apple made for the perfect partner to produce the hit film "F1."
Sports as a Powerhouse Entertainment Force Was a Big Theme
Mark Shapiro, chief operating officer of TKO Group Holdings, which owns the UFC and WWE, talked about how sports was fueling Hollywood's growth. Joe Franzetta, head of sports for Roku, and Pamela Duckworth, head of Fubo Studios, meanwhile, talk about how they're dealing with the more fragmented landscape of sports content.
Jeffrey Katzenberg and Kimbal Musk See Drone Shows as 'Third Pillar' of Live Entertainment
The pair chat about their venture, Nova Sky Stories, and how they plan to wed well-known IP to more sophisticated drone shows. With a plethora of drone show options, the two also talked about their plans to stand out by employing a narrative structure, something that would elevate them past being a gimmick.
Dhar Mann Studios on the Pace of Creator Content vs. Traditional TV
Dhar Mann Studios CEO Sean Atkins and Toni Gray, head of production, give the audience a peak behind the curtain on one of the biggest creators out there. Atkins shared that views on its YouTube channel and Facebook page average 45 million a day.
Studios Address Rising Competition From Asia
Between "Ne Zha 2" and "Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle," there's rising appeal for Asian content. Warner Bros. Distribution Chief Jeff Goldstein, Disney Global Distribution Chief Andrew Cripps and Regal/Cineworld CEO Eduardo Acuna talked about the changing dynamics, and how they need to trust in their local teams to find the content that will resonate.
The State of Indie Filmmaking
Indie films might not be what they once were, but that doesn't mean their aren't plenty of champions for the industry. Nina Shaw, founding partner for Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein & Lezcano, Sev Ohanian, founder of Proxmity Media, Topic Studios VP of film Jasmine Daghighian and Confluential Films CEO Tommy Oliver talked about the shifting value of festivals and the challenges they face.
