Jason Carey

Huge news for BMG and our industry this week: BMG and Concord are combining to create what will be the world’s leading independent music company - a significant step that positions us incredibly well in a changing industry. Deals like this don’t come around often, and they only happen through a huge amount of hard work, collaboration and trust. Personally, I’m incredibly proud to not only have been part of the BMG team working on this, but also to have gotten to contribute to building the strong foundation over the last few years that made this possible in the first place (hard to believe it’s been almost two years already Johannes von Schwarzkopf & Thomas Coesfeld). Excited for the opportunities this brings to artists, songwriters, and partners around the world. Watch this space! Read more in the Financial Times: https://lnkd.in/eV4RHEqK

9

1 Comment

Part 2 is now live! A structural look at international vertical drama markets: scale, monetization models, infrastructure gaps, and the signals shaping the next phase. Vertical drama has globalized as a format. Whether it globalizes as a system remains an open question. For those working in or watching this space, the dynamics are evolving quickly. Link: https://lnkd.in/gertzzdT Proud of the depth and rigor the team brought to this work ❤️ #VerticalDrama #MediaStrategy

24

1 Comment

===PARAMOUNT = = = The consolidation paradox: Four-studio system concentrates power but $79B combined debt limits investment capacity exactly when theatrical needs MORE tentpole supply, not less. Exhibitors require 140-160 wide releases annually to sustain 40,000+ screens. Paramount-WBD merger targets 30 films combined—improvement over current contraction but insufficient reversing decline. For this and more sign up to https://lnkd.in/gRFsvNn7

1

"Immersive Audio Technology Experience" took place at the Tokyo Electron Hall Miyagi. 115 people, including artists, producers, and stage technicians, participated in the exhibition to experience the d&b's "soundscape" immersive audio system, which will be installed in the new Miyagi Performing Arts Center. It will be the first publicly funded venue to permanently install the system in Japan.

8

Summons Productions Announces Dual Bay Area Music Residencies for 2026 In a strategic expansion that reflects its rising influence in the independent music sector, Summons Productions, under the leadership of Chairman and CEO Drananda Summons, has secured two year-defining music residencies in the Bay Area—Berkeley and San Francisco—positioning the company for a landmark 2026. The Berkeley Residency, scheduled to launch January 2026, will serve as the flagship location for the Summons Productions performance series Summons Lounge. Designed as an incubator for independent musicians, vocalists, and cross-genre creators, Summons Lounge has rapidly become a proving ground for emerging artistry and an essential space for music discovery in Northern California. In May 2026, Summons Productions will extend its reach with a second Summons Lounge Residency in San Francisco, widening its platform for musicians seeking industry-level performance opportunities without the barriers often found in traditional venues. This dual-residency structure marks a significant evolution in the company’s music-driven programming, allowing Summons Productions to operate simultaneously in two of the Bay Area’s most competitive cultural markets. Both residencies are being established in partnership with North Beach Pizza Berkeley & San Francisco, whose venues have become hubs for live music, creative gatherings, and community-centered entertainment. Their collaboration with Summons Productions underscores a shared mission: to cultivate accessible performance spaces that elevate independent music while supporting the creative economy of the region. As Summons Productions enters 2026 with two anchored residencies, the company strengthens its position as a leading force in the Bay Area’s independent music landscape—bridging artists, audiences, and industry pathways through the ongoing evolution of Summons Lounge.

1

Before you start to develop an experience, you need to think about the roles that will fill it. What can the production afford? How many cast? What jobs will they need to do alongside performance to keep things running. All of these things, and more, determine the scale and intricacies of an experience before it’s even got off the drawing board. Danny Romeo captures it well in his post here!

2

This is a big step forward for the animation industry in California and also a huge step in recognizing animation as medium for storytelling...

22

3 Comments

A hopeful sign that feature films may soon return to California in greater numbers. According to the ProdPro Report on Active Development, there are 95 titles in active development or preproduction in California for the first half of 2025, with budgets over $10 million. This is presented as "more than New York, Georgia and New Mexico combined,” signaling a strong pipeline. Note, California also just had the 1st application window for TV earlier this month, and with animation, competition shows, and TV/Less than 30 minutes now qualified, we should expect even more production in California in the next 6 to 12 months. Entertainment Partners California Film Commission FilmLA California Production Coalition ProdPro https://lnkd.in/gJf8W7fe

50

4 Comments

Ever wonder how films get off the ground? What does it really take to bring a story to the screen? In Long Beach, a conversation unfolds around securing development capital for "La Matadora," a project requiring an investment between $5 to $15 million. It’s a meeting of minds, bringing together publicity and private equity to turn a creative vision into reality. Securing funding is a critical step, and one that proves that even in creative fields, strong business acumen and financial backing are crucial for success. It's a reminder that every project, regardless of industry, requires not just passion but also strategic investment to thrive. Curious to hear, what are some unconventional ways you've seen projects get funding or find the support they need? #FilmFinancing #PrivateEquity #FilmInvestment #MovieMaking #CreativeFinance

2

Producer/Director James Pratt discusses strategies on attaching marketable and "name" talent to your film (Big Apple Film Festival Industry Networking Sessions). James Pratt is an award-winning director and producer residing in Los Angeles, California. His most recent work includes being executive producer on 4-time academy award nominee Edward Norton's Longevity Hackers (2024) and associate Producer on Harland Williams new comedy Film, Wingman (2025) which stars Kayla Wallace (Landman) and Jamie Kennedy (Romeo + Juliet). #BigAppleFilmFestival #FilmIndustryNetworking #JamesPratt #FilmDirector #FilmProducer #IndependentFilm #FilmmakingTips #AttachNameTalent #CastingStrategies #FilmProduction #HollywoodFilmmakers #LongevityHackers #WingmanMovie #IndieFilmmakers #FilmmakerNetworking #BehindTheScenes #MovieMaking #FilmFestivalSeason #CreativeProducers #DirectorLife

4

Entertainment Partners is excited to join Film City Futures in supporting Scottish film, TV and animation companies. Our VP of Incentives, Lloyd Gunton, and his team will be working directly with participating companies to help them strengthen financial decision making and navigate #UK incentives. This is part of our ongoing commitment to make the entertainment industry more accessible across the globe: https://bit.ly/46KrQsv #EntertainmentPartners #FilmCityFutures #ScottishFilm #ProductionFinance #Innovation #FilmScotland #entertainment #entertainmentnews

123

48 new film projects are the latest recipients of tax credits under the Film and Television Tax Credit Program. California Film Commission #FilmCalifornia #indiefilms

23

2 Comments

”Policymakers and business leaders alike need to understand that the decline of filmed entertainment in California is not only real but at significant risk of being irreversible as workers and companies flee both the industry and the state” #HollywoodNeedsAnUpgrade https://lnkd.in/e9acuYnD

1

One Hopeful Sign for California’s Film Industry: Features May Return For years, feature films have increasingly elected to shoot in other regions, but a production report suggests that they may soon return to the Golden State in greater numbers. https://lnkd.in/grRMPtwb

6

L.A. Location Shoots Continue to Struggle as Productions Look Forward to Expanded Tax Credit - new article: https://lnkd.in/gSXiZDKg - plus Executive Director of the California Film Commission talks about the rapid collapse of California’s film industry - new video: https://lnkd.in/gPwQDZ3B - Production in the Los Angeles area continued to limp along in the second quarter of 2025, with a 6.2% decline in total location shoot days compared to the same quarter in 2024, according to FilmLA‘s latest report

21

28 Comments

Los Angeles is starting to see the impact of California’s expansion to its film and TV subsidy program, with production in the region trending upwards, though production levels sit well below the five-year average. https://lnkd.in/eMEm7KRY

7