VP Land

Let's talk about what we saw at Hollywood's premier AI in media conference. We'll unpack how the industry is dividing into 2 camps: AI that enhances existing workflows versus fully synthetic generation. Plus SAG-approved AI films, the blurring line between real and AI-generated content, and the debate whether these tools will help creators do more or simply replace jobs.

AI is bringing legendary actors back to life - but is SAG-AFTRA on board? In this episode of Denoised, Joey and Addy dive into the controversy surrounding Fortnite's AI Darth Vader and how Orson Welles has returned nearly 40 years after his death. Plus, IMAX makes a surprising comeback with theaters installing 70mm film projectors again, upcoming major films shot on VistaVision, and AI tools you might have missed, including Manus AI's powerful new image generation capabilities.

Google's Veo 3 and Flow, Darren Aronofsky's AI film venture 'Primordial Soup,' and what Jony Ive's $6.5 billion move to OpenAI might mean for the future of AI hardware.

Christopher Nolan's upcoming Odyssey film will be shot entirely on IMAX with newly developed cameras, companies are reassessing their AI investments after disappointing returns, and Microsoft Research has created a new AI model that can identify when it might be providing inaccurate information.

Tips for for control over AI outputs, a look at big studio's being built by YouTube creators, and a new type of neural network.

Netflix unveils two major platform changes that could reshape how you discover content. Hosts Addy Ghani and Joey Daoud dissect Netflix's new ChatGPT-powered search and vertical short clips feed. Plus, they examine Runway's impressive hand-drawn animated pilot and a practical innovation that lets creators control ComfyUI with a gamepad instead of text prompts.

Trump proposes a 100% tariff on film produciton outside of the US, sending shockwaves through Hollywood. In this episode of Denoised, Addy and Joey analyze what this policy could mean for American productions and offer practical alternatives. Plus, we examine ILM's AI demonstrations at a recent TED Talk, discuss LA's efforts to streamline film permitting, and break down Claude's new Integrations feature.

Fox Entertainment quietly approves Runway AI for public-facing deliverables, marking a significant industry shift. In this episode, hosts Addy Ghani and Joey Daoud dissect this major development and what it means for other studios. They explore the actual capabilities of AI in film and TV production today, examining real-world applications and the necessity of custom training foundational models. Plus, they discuss Natasha Lyonne's upcoming AI film directorial debut.

Duolingo's memo announcing an 'AI-first' approach signals a shift away from contractors. In this episode, Addy and Joey analyze what this means for creative professionals, alongside Runway's impressive Gen-4 updates with its new References feature. Plus, we explore how Anthropic's Model Context Protocol is enabling Claude to control professional software like Blender and Resolve, raising questions about the future of creative tools.

The Academy clarifies its stance on generative AI in filmmaking, along with a few other new rules. Then we break down a new AI paper with Test-Time Training and how it generated minute long Tom and Jerry shorts. Then we look at Descript's new 'vibe editing' tool that they teased and what it could mean for video editing. 

Netflix's Ted Sarandos reveals his strategy for AI in filmmaking, suggesting a focus on making movies "10% better" rather than just cheaper. Hosts Addy Ghani and Joey Daoud dig into what this means for production costs and Hollywood's future. Plus, surprising findings about audience perception of AI-generated stories, and the deal that gives Ryan Coogler copyright ownership of 'Sinners' after 25 years - a potential shift in studio-filmmaker power dynamics.

Addy Ghani and Joey Daoud dive into RenderCon's standout moments, including OTOY's Star Trek Unification project that digitally recreates Nimoy and Shatner, analyze Higgfield's impressive new AI video generation capabilities with its 49 pre-built camera moves, and examine Vimeo's strategic pivot with their new streaming service that allows creators to launch their own Netflix-style platforms.

The theater experience is making a comeback as film formats return to prominence. In this episode, Joey and Addy dive into Ryan Coogler's innovative approach to shooting 'Sinners' on 70mm film, the surprising success of the Minecraft movie, and the uncertain future of LA's iconic Cinerama Dome. Plus, we analyze James Cameron's candid take on cutting VFX costs with AI tools, and examine Netflix's partnership with OpenAI to improve their search functionality.

Joey breaks down his week at NAB while Addy provides perspective from afar, covering the unexpected surge in VP innovations, practical AI implementations in post-production tools, and notable hardware releases that dominated the show floor.

Film isn't dead — it's finding new life alongside cutting-edge technology. Join Addy and Joey as they explore why major productions like Fallout and Poor Things are combining film with virtual production, the psychological benefits that shooting on celluloid brings to directors, and the surprising technical advantages film offers over digital. Plus, discover how Kodak and Fujifilm took dramatically different paths in the digital age, and why affordable anamorphic lenses are changing the game for indie filmmakers.

Blackmagic leaks a 12K PYXIS camera just before NAB as the industry prepares for a major trade show. In this episode, hosts Addy Ghani and Joey Daoud dive into pre-NAB announcements, examining Strada's peer-to-peer media sharing tool, Adobe's new AI features, and how Gaussian splats are quietly becoming the next significant technology evolution. Plus, they unpack OpenAI's strategic move into open weights and what it means for enterprise AI adoption.

Vertical soap operas are generating $10 million monthly while Hollywood struggles with production slowdowns. Plus, H&M reveals they're creating AI twins of real models (and paying them for each use), and we dive into Anthropic's fascinating research showing Claude's AI doesn't think the way you'd expect - with implications that might put us closer to AGI than previously thought.

We analyze the image generation capabilities of ChatGPT 4o, Reve, and Ideogram 3.0, examining their improved text handling and what it means for creators. Then, we dive into the Studio Ghibli AI controversy, Hollywood's production exodus overseas, and why Rob Lowe is shooting American game shows in Dublin. Plus, Roblox enters the generative 3D space with their new Cube tool, potentially changing how virtual worlds are built at scale.

Will robots replace camera operators? WPP and Boston Dynamics' humanoid robots are now wielding cinema cameras on set, raising questions about the future of production crews. We analyze the practical applications and limitations of this technology. Plus, we dive into the escalating AI copyright battle between tech giants and Hollywood creators, and explore Stage Precision's impressive new SP Grid tool that's transforming virtual production workflows with its innovative calibration system.

Stability AI brings VFX legend Rob Legato on board as Chief Pipeline Officer while launching a new virtual camera tool,  Sony enters the camera tracking market with OCELLUS, and we analyze the downsizing at Panavision and Village Roadshow's bankruptcy filing. 

NVIDIA just unveiled its vision for AI's future at GTC, but what does it mean for media professionals? We break down the key announcements from Jensen Huang's keynote, including AI factories, the new Blackwell chips, and their new project Newton. Plus, we discuss NVIDIA's partnerships with DeepMind, Disney Research, and GM, while analyzing how these massive technological advances might reshape creative workflows.

Google DeepMind's latest humanoid robots are blurring the line between science fiction and reality. In this episode of Denoised, Addy and Joey explore how AI is making robots understand our physical world in real-time, the exploration of 'vibe filmmaking' as a creative approach using generative AI tools, and the alarming free speech battle facing Miami's O Cinema over screening the Oscar-winning documentary 'No Other Land.' From cutting-edge AI to cultural censorship, this episode unpacks what these developments mean for creative professionals.

How a chocolate bar turned MrBeast into a $5 billion business while his YouTube videos actually lose money. Joey and Addy break down the financial strategies driving today's biggest creators, from Emma Chamberlain's coffee empire to Logan Paul's Prime energy drink dominance. We also explore YouTube's upfront events challenging traditional TV ad sales, and examine Netflix's experimental move into podcasting with Kill Tony. 

The Oscars signaled a major shift for indie filmmaking this year, with Anora's $6M budget dominating the Academy Awards with only a $6M budget, The Brutalist sweeping up behind with only a $10M budget, and Flow's $3.7M Blender-created animated feature beating out Pixar and Dreamworks. In this episode of Denoised, we analyze what this means for the future of film production, how small-budget projects are redefining Hollywood, and how AI tools might find a sweet spot to help smaller-budget films punch above their weight. Plus, we examine Manus, the sought-after AI agent causing a stir with its impressive capabilities, and break down Apple's latest Mac Studio update with the M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips.

Is America losing its grip as a film production powerhouse? We break down surprising survey results revealing the top global production hubs - with the U.S. notably absent from the top five. We also dive into Promise AI's acquisition of Curious Refuge and what truly AI-native production studios might look like compared to traditional VFX pipelines. Plus, discover how a simple $70 RGB color sensor could become an essential problem-solving tool for virtual production sets.

Addy and Joey break down the latest AI tools reshaping creative workflows. From Pika Labs' impressive video manipulation features to Flora's intelligent canvas connecting multiple AI models, they explore how these tools are changing VFX and content creation.Plus, insights on Midjourney mood boards, Alibaba's open-source video model, and ElevenLabs' new speech-to-text technology. Subscribe for more technical insights on the cutting edge of media production.

Joey and Addy break down three major stories this week: xAI's Grok 3 model emerges as a serious AI contender despite its meme origins, with impressive coding capabilities and real-time data integration via X. RED introduces game-changing Z-mount compatibility, opening up their cameras to Nikon glass and Sony lenses without sacrificing functionality—the first major development since Nikon's acquisition. Plus, Addy shares exclusive insights from his involvement in the 2025 Sci-Tech Awards, highlighting innovations like fire-resistant gel technology and advanced VFX denoising, before the hosts offer their Oscar predictions for Sunday's ceremony. A fast-paced, no-BS breakdown perfect for filmmakers and tech enthusiasts.

Joey and Addy tackle the breaking news of Technicolor's potential collapse and what it means for the 15,000 employees worldwide at iconic VFX houses like The Mill and MPC. They analyze how the future of VFX might shift toward smaller, specialized teams and discuss DNEG's strategic acquisition of Metaphysic AI. The conversation shifts to the escalating tax incentive battles keeping productions away from L.A., with the U.K. raising its relief to 40% and Netflix investing $1B in Mexico. Plus, they examine several AI products recently laid to rest, including the Humane Ai Pin and Skyglass's virtual production app. A sobering but essential episode on the rapidly evolving state of the film and tech industries.

In this episode of Denoised, Joey shares his first-hand experience at the Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) Tech Retreat, including his participation in a live AI-assisted editing challenge. Joey and Addy break down what makes HPA unique in the M&E space, the innovative AI editing tools Joey tested under pressure, and the cutting-edge tech on display in the Innovation Zone.Key topics covered:The unique networking environment at HPA Tech RetreatJoey's "Live without a Net" AI editing challengeAI tools tested: Claude, Perplexity, Strada, Eddie AI, ElevenLabsInnovation Zone highlights: Quickture, Strada's peer-to-peer technologyVirtual production updates from Lightcraft, B&H Studio, and PlatePros#############

Join us for an insightful conversation with Christina Caspers, General Manager of TRIXTER, one of Europe's leading VFX companies. Christina shares her unique perspective on industry changes, technological innovation, and the future of visual effects.In this episode, we explore:✅ The evolution of virtual production in Europe✅ How VFX companies are adapting to smaller budgets✅ The impact of AI and machine learning on VFX workflows✅ Cultural differences between European and American production✅ The challenges of being a female leader in tech#############

In this episode of Denoised, Joey Daoud and Addy Ghani break down an AI-powered hackathon tackling camera control, scene consistency, and AI-generated actors. From real-time cinematography to innovative AI filmmaking tools, we explore the groundbreaking developments that could change Hollywood forever.Plus, we discuss:✅ The latest on Thomson Reuters' copyright lawsuit against AI✅ Stability AI joining the Academy Software Foundation & what it means for the industrySubscribe to Denoised in your podcast app of choice!https://vpgo.lnk/denoised#############

Joey Daoud and Addy Ghani discuss all the AI focused Super Bowl commercials, analyzing ads from OpenAI, Google, Meta, GoDaddy, and Salesforce. Plus, will the Oscars require films to disclose AI use in 2026?Subscribe to Denoised in your podcast app of choice!https://ntm.link/denoised#############

Addy Ghani and Joey Daoud delve into the tech behind Cosm, an immersive sports venue designed to enhance sports viewing experience. They also explore OpenAI's new ChatGPT features, Operator and Deep Research, and discuss VideoJAM, a new model enhancing realistic physics in video outputs. Subscribe to Denoised in your podcast app of choice!https://ntm.link/denoised#############

Joey and Addy explore the latest developments on DeepSeek AI and discuss what it could mean for the media and entertainment industry. They also dive into Blackmagic's new URSA Cine 12K, its lower-cost body-only package, its new RGBW sensor, and how it competes in Hollywood's evolving production landscape. Plus, AI and copyright clarifications.#############

Addy Ghani and Joey Daoud break down The Brutalist's AI debate over using Respeecher and Midjourney, explore virtual production innovations at CES, and share firsthand experiences of LA's recent wildfires.#############

Dive into the future of virtual production with Tim Moore, CEO of Vū. Discover the trends he's seen in smaller stages, AI adoption (and looming crash), and the democratization of filmmaking in this insightful interview.

Dive into the world of high-speed cinematography and virtual production with Steve Giralt, founder of The Garage. Learn how robotics, custom rigs, and LED walls are reinventing food and beverage commercials.

Jim Rider shares his VFX journey from shooting miniatures to virtual production, offering insights into the evolution of visual effects in filmmaking. Discover the cutting-edge VP setup at Pier59 Studios and learn about the challenges and opportunities in modern filmmaking.

In this episode, we dive into the world of virtual production with Meredith Brace Sloss and Jess Marley from Halon Entertainment. They share insights from their work on The Mandalorian, Pinocchio, and other groundbreaking projects

In this episode of VP Land, Aaron Gordon from Synapse VP and David Long from RIT dive into the current state and future of virtual production. Learn about the challenges of LED stage design, how they're teaching virtual production, and how emerging tech like AI will impact filmmaking.RIT | CertifiedGet Certified in Virtual Production http://ntm.link/RITcertified

In this episode of VP Land, we dive into the world of sci-fi and indie production with Steve Dabal, co-founder of the production house The Family. Steve shares his experience working on the indie sci-fi rom-com, Molli and Max in the Future, and how the filmmakers overcame budget constraints with creative solutions.

In this episode of VP Land, we dive into the ZEISS CinCraft Scenario with Nick Hayes and Tanner Grimshaw, a powerful camera tracking system for virtual production. 

In this episode, we dive deep into the making of Project Chimera with Snehal Patel, a music video project that blends classical Indian dance with high-tech filmmaking.We dive into:‣ Working backward to figure out when virtual production is the right approach...and when it isn't‣ Snehal's approach to integrating AI in storyboarding and 3D element generation for a futuristic cyberpunk Mumbai (and when AI didn't work out so well)‣ The limitations and breakthroughs encountered during the film's production, like speeding up lens calibration to get over 100 setups in 2 days‣ Using Kino Flo MIMIK lights, SISU camera robot, and moreAnd a whole lot more!

James Knight, AMD's Global Director of Media and Entertainment, shares some behind-the-scenes insight into his vast history of working on some of the biggest films in Hollywood, from the original Avatar to Gareth Edwards' The Creator to Pixar's Elemental.We also dive into:‣ How AMD works with filmmakers and studios to push filmmaking technology forward‣ Why virtual production is not just about GPUs‣ Where AI tools fit into creative workflowsAnd a whole lot more!

In this wide-ranging conversation with Michael Cioni, CEO of Strada, we talk about the future of media workflows, how AI will help us work faster, and why he decided to build his company in public.

Investigative YouTuber Coffeezilla breaks down his 10 million dollar studio, revealing for the first time the tips and tricks behind the virtual production studio he built for the Coffeezilla Cinematic Universe.

In this episode, we talk with Imaginario AI co-founder and CEO Jose Puga on how AI is going to help us search, transform, and create videos faster and cheaper.We cover:‣ How Imaginario uses AI to search through videos based on context instead of tags and keywords‣ The importance of content repurposing and customization‣ What roles need to level up to stay ahead of AI‣ Predictions on AI and the role of creatives in 2024And a whole lot more!

In this episode, we talk with Raymond Mosco (VIVE Mars) and Rene Amador (ARwall) about these 2 tools we discovered that make virtual production intuitive, affordable, and accessible.

In this episode, we talk with filmmakers Jonathan Mason and Tisha Robinson-Daly about their journey into virtual production and the challenges they faced in filming the teaser for HIGH - an indie film that explores the world of tower climbers.We cover:‣ How indie films can use virtual production‣ Mistakes and challenges in working with VP for the first time‣ How to maximize time and budget with your Virtual Art DepartmentAnd a whole lot more

In this episode, we talk with Secret Weapon Studios Founder & CEO Greg Olliver about the future of post-production management and the pivotal role of environmental responsibility.We cover:‣ Secret Weapon Studios' production tools - PostHero, PlanetHero, ProductionHero, and CrewHero - for maximum production efficiency‣ Sustainable film production via PlanetHero‣ Blackmagic's Cloud storage and collaboration toolsAnd a whole lot more!

In this episode, we talk with Final Pixel CEO Michael McKenna and Global Head of Production Hanah Draper about the future of virtual production.We cover:‣ Final Pixel's Virtual Production Academy‣ Creating the Oracle Red Bull RB19 launch video‣ Where AI fits into filmmaking in the future‣ How virtual production reduces production time, costs, and plays into risk mitigationAnd a whole lot more