Future of Film Podcast

Community has become one of the most talked-about ideas in the creative industries. But what does it actually mean in practice for storytellers and filmmakers? In this episode, Alex Stolz is joined by community strategist Carol Trang, whose work spans platforms and brands shaping modern creator culture including Unity, TikTok and LEGO. Together they explore how communities form, why creators should think beyond traditional audience engagement, and what storytellers can learn from gaming, fandom and platform culture. Carol shares insights from her work across global creative ecosystems — from the power of rituals and remix culture to the role of authenticity, niche audiences and creator identity in building lasting communities. The conversation also looks at how filmmakers can practically begin building communities around their work today — starting with existing spaces like Reddit, Twitch and live events. For creators navigating an increasingly fragmented media landscape, this episode offers a powerful reframing: Stories don’t just attract audiences anymore, they create worlds people want to live in. About Carol Trang Carol Trang is a community strategist working at the intersection of games, entertainment, and digital platforms. She’s spent her career building creator-first communities at Unity Technologies, TikTok, and The LEGO Group, exploring how fandom, creators, and players shape culture together.

In this episode, Alex is joined by Emmy and Peabody Award–winning producer, and analyst, Evan Shapiro. Known widely as the Media Cartographer, Evan has spent years mapping how power, attention, and money move across media. But now he’s gone beyond analysis and into practice with SKIT, a $65,000 feature film shot in eight days and released globally via Tubi and Filmhub. Evan calls SKIT a case study in the “Affinity Economy”: a new model for independent filmmaking that is creator-led, audience-aligned, and designed for sustainability rather than old industry models of gatekeepers and 'lottery-ticket' thinking. Evan and Alex explore why the traditional indie film system no longer works, how festivals and streamers have narrowed opportunity, and why creators must now think in terms of communities, engagement, and ownership. They dive into the making of SKIT, the economics of free ad-supported streaming, the collapse of monoculture media, and what it really takes to build a sustainable creative career in 2026 and beyond. This episode is essential listening for filmmakers, creators, and anyone navigating the future of screen storytelling. About Evan Shapiro Since he created his Media Universe Map, Evan Shapiro has become known as the Media Cartographer. Using his very specific voice and point of view, Shapiro charts Media's future through his essays on the Media War & Peace Newsletter – which is now one of the most read entertainment business publications on Substack. He also co-hosts The Media Odyssey podcast, which has become an industry touchstone. Shapiro has been a featured speaker at the world’s most important media events. His maps, infographics, and ruminations are now widely quoted and used by businesses, executives, analysts, and colleges around the world. Shapiro is also an Emmy and Peabody Award winning producer of TV, films and podcasts, including Portlandia, This Film Is Not Yet Rated, Please Like Me, Comedy Bang Bang, Brick City, and Harmonquest. He also served 18 years as a professor at New York University’s Stern School of Business. Find our more about Evan at https://eshap.substack.com/ More abut Future of Film: www.futureoffilm.live

This episode is about decision-making; and how filmmakers, producers, and executives can make more effective, more impactful creative choices under uncertainty. Kevin Goetz and Bob Levin argue that most films don’t fail because they lack quality or ambition, but because key decisions around budget, positioning, and audience fit are made without enough clarity. Drawing on decades of experience in audience insight and testing, they unpack how better greenlight decisions come from understanding what a film is, who it is for, and the scale at which it can genuinely succeed. Rather than treating testing as a verdict on creativity, the conversation reframes it as a decision-support capability: a way to reduce blind spots, align stakeholders, and give filmmakers the confidence to make braver, more grounded creative choices. Used well, insight doesn’t dilute vision, it strengthens it. As Kevin puts it: “Every movie, if made and marketed for the right price, should make money.” For anyone involved in development, financing, or creative leadership, this episode explores how better decisions earlier in the process can dramatically change outcomes later on. About Kevin Goetz Kevin Goetz is the founder and CEO of Screen Engine, a global leader in entertainment research and strategy serving all the major film studios, television networks, and streaming services. Throughout his career, he has been at the forefront of Hollywood, having personally tested over 5,000 film titles, where his work significantly impacts how movies are made, marketed, and released. In 2024, Kevin received American Cinematheque's prestigious Power of Cinema Award for his contributions to the film industry. He is the author of two books: the bestselling Audience•ology: How Moviegoers Shape the Films We Love (Simon & Schuster, 2021), offering an inside look at the power of audience pre-release movie test screenings, and How to Score in Hollywood (Simon & Schuster, November 2025), exploring the secrets to success in the movie business. Kevin brings his expertise to life as the host of the popular podcast, Don’t Kill the Messenger (Apple Top 100), and continues educating the filmmaking community through keynote speeches and global presentations. He has produced twelve TV movies, including the Emmy-winning Wild Iris, and the 2026 documentary Children in the Fire. A member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Television Academy, and the Producers Guild of America, Kevin also serves on the boards of six nonprofit organizations. He currently resides in Beverly Hills with his husband, Neil, a producer and former creative advertising executive, and their labradoodle, Kasha. About Bob Levin Bob Levin is a legendary movie marketing executive, having for over two decades holding the position of president, worldwide marketing at first Disney, then Sony and MGM. As well as being a key member of each studio’s greenlight committee, he led the advertising, publicity, promotion, and research programs that helped launch hundreds of films, breaking numerous box office records throughout his career. Bob came out of semi-retirement when Kevin Goetz invited him to join Screen Engine/ASI as president and chief operating officer, where he has played a pivotal role in the company’s continued success. His first book, How to Score in Hollywood, cowritten with Kevin, reveals the secrets to a movie’s success and profitability, exploring how smart, data-driven decisions—from development to release—help filmmakers minimize risks and maximize returns. Bob lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Hilda Wynn.

What happens when a BAFTA winning VFX veteran walks away from the studio system to help reinvent the film pipeline with AI? In this episode, Alex is joined by Ben Lock, a producer with over 20 years in animation, VFX and virtual production, with credits including Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Rogue One and Ready Player One. After decades at Aardman, Lucasfilm and ILM, Ben is now Director of Production Strategy at Asteria Film and Moon Valley, where he is working on a new generation of ethical, AI driven workflows for film and animation. Ben shares why he believes the future of filmmaking lies in visual intelligence rather than prompt driven tools, and how rapid visualisation can transform pre production, VFX and animation. He explains how AI can reduce friction, keep artists closer to performance and story, and even help make high quality animated features in under a year. The conversation explores: - How AI is reshaping the production pipeline without replacing artists - Why Moon Valley is built around visual intelligence, not just language models - What a faster, more iterative animation and VFX workflow looks like in practice - How generative tools can support virtual production and independent visions - What the VFX industry needs to do now to adapt and thrive Sharing insights from across his career working on tentpole studio projects as well as independent filmmaking, Ben conveys his vision for how AI might just help the film industry become more creative, more sustainable and more responsive to new stories and audiences. About Ben Lock Ben Lock - A BAFTA-winning producer with over 20 years of experience in animation, VFX, and virtual production. He has produced award-winning content for studios in Europe, Asia and the US including Aardman, Lucasfilm, and ILM, with credits on global franchises such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Rogue One, and Ready Player One. As Director of Production Strategy at Asteria Film, he helps develop scalable, ethical AI workflows for film and animation. Ben is the Chair of the VES Education Committee, member of BAFTA, PGA, ATAS and a UK National Film and Television School alumni.

How do you build an entire creative ecosystem? And what does it take to empower storytellers at scale? In this episode, Alex speaks with Emmy-nominated producer, writer, doctor and serial entrepreneur Mehret Mandefro, a visionary voice at the intersection of storytelling, healing and creative innovation. As co-founder and MD of Realness Institute, Mehret has spent years strengthening Africa’s media landscape through training, mentorship and systemic infrastructure-building. She shares her remarkable journey from medicine to media, the origins of her “audiovisual medicine” artistic practice, and the powerful lessons learned from pioneering television in Ethiopia and developing talent across the continent. In a wide ranging conversation, Mehret also dives into: • Why creative infrastructure is the missing piece in global storytelling • How Realness Institute nurtures and de-risks new creative voices • The urgent need for producers to think like entrepreneurs • The role of technology and AI in elevating human stories • Why Africa is central to the future of film This is a conversation about creativity, systems change and the responsibility we all share in shaping the future of screen storytelling. About Mehret Mandefro Mehret Mandefro is an Emmy-nominated producer, writer, and entrepreneur working at the intersection of culture, commerce, and social impact. A former physician turned storyteller, she has dedicated her career to transforming how stories are made—and who gets to tell them. Born in Ethiopia and raised in America, Mehret is a transnational force in global media who has built several groundbreaking enterprises, including Truth Aid Media in New York, Kana TV in Addis Ababa, and the Realness Institute in Cape Town, a nonprofit dedicated to training and mentoring writers, producers, and directors across Africa and the diaspora. Her award-winning film and television work bridges documentary and fiction, revealing hidden truths across the human experience. Her credits include How It Feels to Be Free (American Masters), Sweetness in the Belly (Amazon), Difret (Netflix), The Cost of Inheritance (PBS), Little White Lie (PBS), and Ethiopia’s first teen drama, Yegna. Recognized on Variety’s list of the most impactful women in global entertainment, Mehret is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and is currently building the African Film and Media Arts Collective with artist Julie Mehretu with the support of BMW. Mehret has a BA in Anthropology from Harvard University, an MD from Harvard Medical School, a MSc in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine as a Fulbright Scholar, and a PhD in Cultural Anthropology from Temple University. www.futureoffilm.live

What happens when a documentary storyteller steps into the heart of creative tech? In this episode, Alex talks with Meagan Keane, Director of Product Marketing at Adobe Pro Video, about the tools, trends, and tectonic shifts shaping the future of screen storytelling. From AI and generative workflows to the rise of mobile editing and creative AI agents, Meagan shares Adobe’s vision for empowering a new generation of creators, while protecting the values of authenticity and artistry. In a conversation that explores the intersection of storytelling and technology in the fast changing media landscape, Meagan shares how her journey in film shapes her work today and shares powerful advice for anyone creating today. About Meagan Keane Meagan Keane is Director of Product Marketing for Adobe Professional Film & Video. She joined the Adobe Premiere Pro Management team in 2012 and has led business strategy across the Adobe video portfolio since 2019. While Meagan’s leadership has guided Adobe video strategies for over a decade, her beginnings were in documentary film. She was a producer across numerous documentary features including High School 911 (2016), Defining Beauty (2011), We Live in Public (Sundance Grand Jury Winner, 2009) and Join Us (2007). Meagan is a thought leader in the film and video industry, recently speaking on behalf of Adobe at the IBC in Amsterdam, the ITVS independent filmmakers summit in San Francisco, “AI on the Lot” conference in Los Angeles, hosting numerous panels at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Keane has also recently been quoted in Variety, Hollywood Reporter and Forbes Magazine regarding the future of filmmaking, as well as the growing impact of AI in Hollywood. Meagan sits on the Board of Governors of the Advanced Imaging Society and was named one of PR Daily’s Top Women in Marketing in 2023. She loves remaining connected to the film industry, while influencing future innovation in her field. Meagan lives with her family in Marin County, CA and has an MFA in film production from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts.

In this episode of Future of Film, Alex talks with David Neumann, CEO of Newmation, a talent management and production company working with some of the world’s leading writers, directors and TV creators in both animation and live action. David shares his journey from ICM and CAA to founding Newmation, and why he bet early on global and independent animation. He discusses how to balance creativity with business, what makes a project stand out, and why IP ownership matters more than ever. The conversation explores: - How international co-productions and new funding models are reshaping animation - Why African and global voices are essential for the next generation of stories - The impact of technology — from Flow’s Blender breakthrough to AI disruption - How creators can pitch, package and protect their dream projects It’s an inspiring, candid look at where the animation industry is heading — and how new storytellers can succeed within it. About David Neumann David Neumann is a Producer, Talent Manager and CEO of NEWMATION. Newmation represents Academy award winning animation writers, directors and TV creators, spanning 5 continents and produces animated and live action films & series. He previously was an agent at Hollywood mega-agency, CAA, growing global animation in New York. Between his agent career at CAA and ICM, he's represented Oscar winning filmmakers such as David Yates (Harry Potter), Tom Hooper (Les Miserables, The King's Speech), Sir Stephen Frears (The Queen, Philomena) Arlene Klasky (Rugrats), Todd Komarnicki (Sully), and Anthony McCarten (Bohemian Rhapsody) to name a few. In 2020, Neumann launched his own company and was honored on Observer's Entertainment Power 50 List, alongside Dwayne Johnson, Will Smith, JJ Abrams, Margot Robbie, and more.

In this episode of Future of Film, Alex Stolz speaks with worldbuilding pioneer Kurt McClung, a narrative designer whose “world-first” methodology has helped build over 100 fictional universes across AAA games, film, TV, animation, and transmedia. From major gmaing franchises such as Ghost Recon and Beyond Good & Evil 2 to original IPs in development for the screen, Kurt has worked at the intersection of storytelling, design, and audience engagement for over two decades. Kurt shares why the traditional focus on characters and plot is no longer enough and how starting with a flawed world, defined by a central metaphor or societal question, can unlock new creative possibilities and commercial longevity. But more than that, Kurt explores how powerful worlds don’t just contain stories they create space for audience participation, debate, and community-building. With real world and practical examples, Kurt explains how worldbuilding is not just a storytelling tool, it’s a strategic engine that can align creative teams, connect with real-world conversations and give audiences something they want to explore, contribute to, and advocate for. Whether you're developing a game, a TV series, or an immersive transmedia experience, this conversation offers essential insights into designing IP that’s both creatively bold and culturally resonant. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why starting with a flawed world — not a character — leads to stronger stories - How to frame your world as a metaphor for a meaningful societal question - The three essential elements of a compelling narrative bible - How world-first storytelling creates alignment across large creative teams - Why audiences gather around problems, not plots and how to build a community around your story -Practical strategies for involving marketing and distribution early through theme-based outreach - How to design IP with built-in potential for audience expansion and participation About Kurt McClung Kurt McClung is a transmedia storyteller with a passion for epic inspirational experiences. He started his career writing graphic novels and interactive children’s books, and then blossomed into videogames and recently television and cinema. He has worked on over on one hundred fictional worlds for more than forty studios as a Creator, Writer, Lead Writer, Script Doctor, Content Director, Narrative Designer and World Designer. A specialist of IP creation, narrative structure and world logic with an industrial engineering education, he builds fictional journeys like one would plan the construction of a work of architecture. He has developed his own set of creative vision tools, and has shared his passion teaching transmedia strategy, interactive script writing, world design and 360 narrative design in several universities and for master class circuits. He serves as narrative Content Director on several boards of game studios he helped found. Kurt is an excellent team builder and creative alignment lead, whether on small scale projects or those of AAA scale. He strives to give audiences a novel point of view, an “extra life”.

Doug Shapiro, a media strategist and author of The Mediator, dives into the transformative impact of generative AI on filmmaking. He discusses how AI is reshaping content creation, driving costs down, and altering audience expectations. Shapiro warns of market saturation while highlighting opportunities for new voices in the industry. He reflects on lessons from past disruptions, advocating for an approach that sees AI as an empowering tool rather than a replacement. The conversation illuminates the need for innovation and adaptability in a rapidly changing media landscape.

Guy Gadney, CEO of Charismatic.ai, dives into how generative AI is revolutionizing storytelling, making it more personalized and accessible. He discusses the concept of microdramas—short, mobile-native narratives that engage audiences in new ways. Gadney emphasizes the importance of empowering neurodiverse creators and underserved communities in this space. He also highlights the need for fair compensation in the creator economy and warns against the centralization of power in platforms, advocating for a more equitable future for all storytellers.