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AI in Entertainment: Reshaping Production and Distribution

Last Updated: Today, 6:22 PM

Production

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Join us in this week’s edition of Entertainment Supply Chain Digest as we delve into how AI in entertainment is reshaping production and distribution.

From scriptwriting and storyboarding to casting decisions, shooting schedules, cinematography, and more, AI’s imprint is indelible. Discover how AI analyzes facial expressions for scene consistency, refines video editing and color grading, drives stunning visual effects, and enables global resonance through localization and dubbing. Witness automated post-production and data-driven distribution strategies with AI reshape the industry’s landscape.

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AI in Pre-Production

The Power of AI in Scriptwriting and Casting Decisions

In the pre-production phase, AI is making waves with its cutting-edge capabilities in scriptwriting, storyboarding, and casting decisions
Many AI-powered storyboard and marketing video generators have emerged, such as D-ID, Cuebric, and Maverick, which allow rapid visualization of scenes and compositions, streamlining the planning process and offering filmmakers a clearer vision of their ideas
In casting decisions, AI algorithms come into play as well, as companies like Casting Droid and Largo. AI utilize AI to match actors with suitable roles based on their performances, attributes, and past experiences
ScriptBook and ScriptHop are AI-powered platforms that analyze scripts, predict audience reactions, and offer insights to help filmmakers refine their stories
AI-powered storyboard and marketing video generators, such as D-ID, Cuebric, and Maverick, allow rapid visualization of scenes and compositions, streamlining the planning process and offering filmmakers a clearer vision of their ideas

AI in Production

AI-Powered Efficiency in Shooting Schedules and Cinematography

AI is transforming various aspects of filmmaking, from shooting schedules to cinematography. Companies like Scenechronize and Celtx use AI to optimize shooting schedules and allocate resources efficiently. By analyzing historical production data, weather patterns, and equipment availability, these platforms can predict potential bottlenecks and adjust schedules accordingly, ensuring a smoother production workflow
In cinematography, businesses like Arri and RED are pioneering the development of AI-powered cameras and robotic cinematography solutions
AI technology from companies like MorphCast and Affectiva is being used to analyze actors’ facial expressions and emotions during filming. Similarly, Filmustage assists continuity supervisors in monitoring scene consistency and prop placements during filming
Companies like Scenechronize and Celtx use AI to optimize shooting schedules and allocate resources efficiently
MorphCast and Affectiva is being used to analyze actors’ facial expressions and emotions during filming, while Filmustage assists continuity supervisors in monitoring scene consistency and prop placements during filming

AI in Post-Production

From Automated Editing to AI-Enhanced Sound Design

AI-powered video editing software can analyze hours of raw footage, identify the best shots, and assemble them into cohesive sequences, significantly reducing editing time
Adobe Sensei and Blackmagic Design’s DaVinci Resolve use AI to automate video editing tasks, such as scene segmentation, auto-cuts, and shot selection, significantly speeding up the editing process
Automated color grading tools enhance consistency across scenes and provide filmmakers with various creative looks to choose from. Filmora and Colorlab AI analyze footage to automatically adjust colors, contrast, and lighting, ensuring a consistent look throughout the film
Foundry’s Nuke and Chaos Group’s V-Ray use machine learning algorithms to optimize rendering and compositing tasks, reducing rendering times and improving image quality. Sound Design and Mixing AI tools like Cryo Mix and Roex Audio offer advanced audio processing capabilities, including noise reduction, dialogue enhancement, and dynamic audio mixing
AI-based solutions like Pixop and Recuro Media assist in restoring and remastering old or low-quality footage, enhancing image resolution and reducing visual artifacts. Companies like Interra Systems offer AI-driven quality control tools that automatically detect and fix video and audio issues in post-production, ensuring the final product meets industry standards
Companies like Weta FX and Digital Domain are leading the charge in this AI-driven VFX revolution, bringing worlds and creatures to life like never before. Xsens is a company that specializes in motion capture technology using AI algorithms. Zoic Studios is a VFX studio that leverages AI-powered tools to deliver real-time VFX solutions for television and film projects
Filmora and Colorlab AI analyze footage to automatically adjust colors, contrast, and lighting, ensuring a consistent look throughout the film

AI in Localisation, Delivery and Distribution

Streamlining the Final Stages of Filmmaking with AI-driven solutions

Companies like Unbabel and Papercup offer innovative solutions in this realm, optimizing the localization process and ensuring cultural sensitivity
Flawless AI, Respeecher, are among the AI-powered dubbing platforms that provide seamless voiceover options, making films more inclusive and accessible.
Deluxe Media offers AI-driven post-production services that automate the creation of deliverables, such as different aspect ratios and formats for theatrical release, streaming platforms, and television
Companies like Movio and FilmTrack use AI to analyze audience behavior and preferences, enabling film distributors to target the right audience and predict a film’s potential success in different markets

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IP Deals

Hottest IP Stories, Formats, Books, Games, Podcasts to be turned into the next big blockbuster

Harry and Meghan’s prodco, Archewell Productions, will turn Canadian author Carley Fortune’s book “Meet Me at the Lake” into a film, reflecting themes similar to their lives. The project, part of their partnership with Netflix, aims to produce enlightening and inspiring content 🇺🇸
Telecinco in Spain to produce a local version of “The Musical of Your Life,” titled “El Musical de tu Vida,” with The Mediapro Studio adapting the format for Be-Entertaiment. This marks Mediapro Studio’s return as a producer for Mediaset España 🇪🇸
French-Canadian network TVA is creating a version of MasterChef called “MasterChef Quebec”, partnering with Pixcom and Quebecor Content 🇨🇦
TBS to create a live-action series based on Yūgo Kobayashi’s manga “Fermat no Ryōri”. The story follows gifted math scholor, Gaku Kitada, who amid challenges, shifts to the culinary world, teaming up with skilled young chef Kai Asakura 🇯🇵
Latin American horror podcast, “Crónicas Obscuras,” to be adapted for both TV and film by Elefantec Global Partners and Sonoro. It covers the region’s most popular myths and legends 🇺🇸

Production Deals

Sneak peak into recently announced production projects worldwide

Tigris Media produces “De Beul van Twente” for AVROTROS. The three-part series uncovers the methods of a ruthless psychopath responsible for gruesome crimes in the Twente region two decades ago 🇳🇱
Caroline Quentin to host a new series “The UK’s National Parks with Caroline Quentin” for More4, commissioned by Channel 4. Produced by King of Sunshine Productions and Group M Motion Entertainment, the show follows Quentin as she explores the UK’s National Parks, delving into their allure, functionality, and plans for sustainability & growth 🇬🇧
Tiempo Libre, Peru based prodco teams up for Andrea Hoyos’ second film “Valves.” The movie delves into trans masculinity and relationships in a road trip setting. Co-produced with Episodio 14, and currently in development it seeks further partners 🇵🇪
Veronika Lišková directs her debut film “Year of the Widow,” a psychological drama challenging taboos and advocating mental health. Produced by Cinémotif Films, Kerekesfilm, and Pipser, with funding from Czech, Slovak, and Croatian institutions. Czech Republic, 🇭🇷
Dominican filmmaker Ico Abréu to write, produce and direct the action-thriller “Predicament,” blending social themes with mainstream appeal. The film is a co-production involving iFilm, Estudio Quitasueño, Pulpo, and Haiti’s Muska Film, with support from Fonprocine 🇩🇴

Season Renewals

More episodes on the way! Season Renewal Announcements

“Mira Quien Baila” returns for a special 11th season on Univision named “La Revancha.” The show features themed nights, music guests, and moving stories where celebrity contestants compete in dance routines to support their chosen charities 🇺🇸 🇲🇽
“Drag Race Spain” will return for Season 4 on Atresplayer after the success of its 3rd season. Casting is currently underway for a new cast of queens in the upcoming edition 🇪🇸
“MasterChef USA” has been renewed for a 14th season on FOX, starring Gordon Ramsay, Aarón Sánchez, and Joe Bastianich as hosts and judges. The show, recognized by Guinness World Records as the “Most Successful Cookery Television Format,” has over 60 adaptations in 250+ countries 🇺🇸
Australian rom-com “Colin from Accounts,” starring Patrick Brammall and Harriet Dyer, is renewed for Season 2 after winning at the TV Logie Awards. Easy Tiger Productions will produce the new season for BINGE 🇦🇺
Canal+ in Poland greenlights Season 3 of the local crime thriller “The Teach,” following its previous seasons’ impressive ratings and global sales 🇵🇱

Discover how sellers on Vitrina use such signals to find new customers!

Distribution Deals

Distributors securing worldwide content across different genres, languages and format types

Blue Finch Film Releasing acquires global distribution rights (excluding North America) for Teresa Sutherland’s “Lovely, Dark, and Deep,” that premiered at Fantasia International Film Festival. It will be part of its sales slate at Toronto Film Festival 🇬🇧 🇵🇹
LevelK acquires distribution rights for Rainer Sarnet’s “The Invisible Fight,” a kung-fu comedy set in a Soviet monastery. Premiering at Locarno Film Festival, it depicts Private Rafael defending against kung fu warriors at a Soviet-Chinese border post in 1973 🇩🇰 🇱🇻 🇪🇪 🇫🇮 🇬🇷
Rome’s sales agency True Colours adds “Comandante,” Edoardo de Angelis’ Venice Film Festival opening movie, to its roster. The film follows Italian submarine commander Salvatore Todaro in 1940 leading the Italian Royal Navy submarine Cappellini 🇮🇹🌐
FilmSharks acquires global sales rights for Finnish kids’ movie “Snot & Splash: The Mystery of Disappearing Holes.” Produced by It’s Alive Films, the film will be distributed in Scanbox, Folkets Bio, Norsk Filmdistribusjon and I Wonder Pictures 🇫🇮 🇸🇪 🇳🇴 🇮🇹
Distributor TVF International (TVFI) secures educational content deals with platforms like Kanopy, Dreamscape Media and ProQuest, offering diverse factual content, from cultural identity to true crime documentaries worldwide 🇬🇧 🇪🇺

Acquisition Deals

Streamers & channels acquiring latest content across the world

Chile’s Mega channel has partnered with ATV to broadcast two Turkish dramas, “A Little Sunshine” and “Wounded Heart” 🇹🇷 🇨🇱
Studio 100 Media has secured streaming deals with Peacock and Kabillion in the USA, as well as ITVX in the UK for “FriendZSpace,” an animated series produced by Flying Bark Productions and T&B Media Global 🇺🇸
“Those About to Die,” an ancient Rome gladiator drama, is heading to Prime Video in several European countries, including the UK, France, Italy, and more, while Peacock has the U.S. rights 🇩🇪 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 🇮🇹 🇪🇸 🇵🇹 🇳🇱 🇦🇹 🇨🇭 🇮🇪 🇵🇱 🇹🇷 🇦🇩 🇲🇨 🇱🇺 🇧🇪 🇺🇸
Two new WildBrain shows, “Tata & Kuma” and “Princess Mirror-Belle,” are set to debut on The Roku Channel in the US this year. This comes as part of a fresh deal between WildBrain and Roku 🇺🇸
Portuguese broadcasters RTP and Dreamia have obtained Dandelooo’s animation series. RTP acquired a significant package of over 290 episodes, including shows like “Royals Next Door” and “Stinky Dog.” The lineup also features popular series such as “Shooom’s Odyssey,” “Petit,” “Little Bear,” “Kiwi,” and “Jasmine & Jambo,” set to air on RTP2 and ZigZag’s children’s programming block 🇵🇹 🇫🇷

Partnerships/M&A

Cross-Border Collaborations, Joint Ventures, M&A and Partnerships!

Lionsgate to acquire eOne from Hasbro for around $500 million, gaining eOne’s vast film and TV library, including 1917, “Green Book”, and TV series like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “The Rookie”. As part of the deal, Lionsgate secures film development rights for Hasbro’s “Monopoly”, inspired by the renowned board game 🇺🇸
Blue Ant Media acquires Canadian company Marblemedia, merging production and distribution, forming a unified global studio under co-presidents Mark Bishop and Matthew Hornburg
Indian regulators greenlight long-awaited merger of Sony’s TV operations and Zee Entertainment Enterprises, uniting TV, digital, production, and content resources to establish a dominant Indian media entity 🇮🇳
France’s Zed acquires documentary production company, Point du Jour – Les Films du Balibari, taking over assets, in development films, L’Oeil et la Main collection, and distribution of the 900-hour catalog 🇫🇷
Spafax, a global leader in inflight entertainment collaborates with Mattel, the renowned toy manufacturer, for a Barbie channel on in-flight entertainment systems that are already used by Qatar Airways, British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus for diverse IFE platforms 🇬🇧 🇺🇸

Companies Making Headlines

Launch and Expansions of facilities, studios, services & technologies

Disney+ to expand into UK and select European nations with an ad-supported tier on November 1, joining US rollout; AVOD extends to France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Canada
LA-based Mortal Media, led by NBA’s Blake Griffin and NFL’s Ryan Kalil, has invested for Louisiana’s Swaybox Studios. Swaybox specializes in Momo Animation, an innovative blend of CGO animation, stop-motion, and real-time performances. The funding aims to expand Swaybox’s infrastructure and streamline production 🇺🇸
Industry experts, John Attard and David ‘Doc’ Abbott, have established US-based prodco Showdog Studio. Showdog Studio’s focus is on creating content, including feature films, and will have a versatile sales approach across different platforms 🇺🇸
Moonbug Entertainment, a subsidiary of Candle Media, partners with Eazie TV to launch Moonbug Channel in Singapore. The Moonbug Channel will be available to all Eazie TV pack subscribers
The Connected Set launches animation-focused label Spud Gun Studios to develop incredible characters and stories that build young fandoms across the world. 🇬🇧

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