Michael Cioni knows Hollywood. From the inside of Light Iron, Frame-io, Panavision, and his new startup STRADA, he knows technology. This conversation picks up on the issues and themes from Michael’s recent presentation to the Hollywood Professional Association’s annual Tech Retreat, which has been making waves around the industry. Michael talks about the existential threats that face the Film & TV industry which he collectively and broadly calls “Hollywood” and what we can do about them to create an even better future. In short… how do we save Hollywood?
Above you can listen to the podcast.
If you haven’t already seen it, I posted an article recently with Michael’s presentation to the Hollywood Professional Association’s annual Tech Retreat. Michael Cioni gives a very in-depth presentation about how Hollywood is facing unprecedented challenges from the creator economy, which has emerged as a formidable competitor in the entertainment industry.
Michael argues that Hollywood’s traditional competitive advantages are no longer sufficient to maintain more than a century of market dominance.
He goes on to say that the rise of platforms like YouTube and the proliferation of user-friendly, low-cost production tools have democratized content creation. This has led to a new sphere of influence where creators can produce and distribute content with minimal friction, unlike Hollywood’s outdated, complex, and expensive processes.
The only option remaining for Hollywood is to reconsider its traditions, embrace change, and find ways to collaborate with the creator economy rather than competing against it. The future of Hollywood lies in adapting to these new realities rather than trying to return to past models.
This talk certainly raises some interesting points and some hard truths that the industry is facing. Change is always inevitable and as the old saying goes, you either adapt or you die.
Topics Covered
- 0:00 Michael Cioni introduction
- 3:39 Hollywood’s Competitive Moat
- 5:45 Trouble on the Horizon
- 6:50 The Sphere of Influence
- 9:05 General Purpose Technology
- 11:32 The Rise of New Technology
- 13:08 A New Sphere of Influence
- 16:32 Some Good News
- 18:10 A Shrinking Technology Gap
- 22:06 Rode Microphones
- 22:30 Aputure Lights
- 23:02 Nikon Zero Optic Primes
- 24:29 Arri Alexa, iPhone 16, Fuji GFX
- 26:47 What To Do?
- 28:00 Recommendations for Manufacturers
- 29:08 Recommendations for Vendors
- 30:29: Recommendations for Studios
- 32:31 Final Thoughts
