In The News

The Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said, “Change is the only constant in life.” The entertainment sector is no exception to this adage. It’s an industry that has long benefited from advancements in technology that have increasingly enriched the quality of films and programs and have also condensed the filmmaking process across the entire pipeline from pre-production to distribution and exhibition.

But while it’s easy to look back and see how digital tech has improved the sector, assessing the future of the business as it stands on the threshold of two hot button topics — Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Epic Games’ Unreal Engine — is much less clear.

 Are you ready for Maine Mayhem? It may sound like a night of professional wrestling, but Maine Mayhem is actually a festival that showcases the work of student filmmakers from Southern Maine Community College’s Department of Communications and New Media Studies. The festival will feature six films, each of which runs between 15 and 20 minutes. The students write, produce, and direct, and often they act as well.

The WGA strike started just one minute after its contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers expired. The guild confirmed that the strike indeed would happen about three hours prior to the midnight deadline. Following is a primer covering the issues, the parties involved and what’s at stake for the entire industry during the work stoppage.

The 2023 National Association of Broadcasters Show, which wrapped Wednesday in Las Vegas, attracted an estimated 65,000 delegates, according to show organizers, which many viewed as a healthy number for a post-pandemic show. Artificial intelligence was arguably the most widespread topic this year, as NAB marked its centennial. As the potential of AI rapidly evolves, it’s a topic that clearly will continue to cause significant anxiety, as well as staggering potential opportunities.

At a recent power station showcase, members of the IATSE electrical lighting technician union explained how they used alternatives to diesel-powered generators on projects like ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ and ‘Red One’: “It’s all of our responsibility.” IASTE’s Eco-Committee recently hosted a showcase featuring local union members and companies like Moxion Power, Grip Trix, FlashFish, and Goal Zero, highlighting alternatives to diesel generators. These included portable power stations, electric camera cars, and large zero-emission batteries, aimed at helping lighting technicians use cleaner power sources.