I caught up with Evan Shapiro for our second Bypass Hollywood interview and the timing felt right. A lot has shifted since the last time we talked, and Evan is one of the few people in this business who will say what he actually thinks, even when it makes people uncomfortable. He’s funny, blunt, and weirdly optimistic in a way […]
I sat down virtually with filmmaker Emanuele Riccetti after seeing his latest AI-driven short “Vessel” on LinkedIn. I already knew his work, but this one hit different. The storytelling, the shot choices, the emotional build. If he never mentioned AI, I would have assumed he shot it on a RED or on celluloid film. We ended up talking about craft, […]
I’ve been around this industry long enough to see the landscape flip upside down. And right now if you’re a graphic novelist, filmmaker, animator, or unscripted TV producer this is the most wide-open moment you will ever get. You don’t need a gatekeeper. You don’t need representation. You don’t need anyone’s permission. You can make your thing and take it […]
I first discovered Sarah Hurley through her candid, no-fluff approach to building sustainable creative businesses. I first interviewed her some months back and absolutely loved her approach, turning her last $50 into a million dollar empire. While others dish out recycled mantras about “following your passion,” Hurley dishes out hard-earned, field-tested advice. She’s lived every part of the creator journey—from […]
Jillianne Reinseth has seen it all — from her early days working on SpongeBob SquarePants and The Fairly OddParents to leading creative development at Disney Channel, eOne, and now Nelvana. Over the years, she’s helped shape some of the most iconic kids and family content while quietly pushing the industry forward. Today, she stands at the forefront of a major […]
As technology reshapes the filmmaking landscape at lightning speed, Associate Professor Ash Stone of Weber State University is helping bridge the gap between academia and the realities of the industry. As both the founding director of multiple film programs and an active documentary filmmaker, Stone brings a rare dual perspective to the conversation — one grounded in educational structure and […]
Let me just say it: making animation used to feel like something only studios in Hollywood or Tokyo could pull off—teams of 100+, million-dollar budgets, catered lunches, and weeks of rendering time. But today? I’m doing it in my living room, on a regular laptop, in between Zoom meetings and reheated coffee. And I’m not a trained animator. I’m just […]
At a time when Hollywood gatekeeping is tighter than ever, Gregory Maurice from Filmhub is leading a movement to empower independent filmmakers, especially Black creators, to take control of their distribution and destiny. Instead of waiting for validation from traditional studios, filmmakers now have a powerful partner in Filmhub, a distributor that prioritizes transparency, meritocracy, and real-world access to over […]
I sat down with Richard Hone, a powerhouse advisor in film financing who’s worked with everyone from Michael Jackson to Jack Nicholson. As CEO of Group 2 Entertainment, Hone has carved out a unique niche in Hollywood, creating innovative financial models that actually work for investors. What makes his story even more fascinating? His journey began in the boxing ring, not […]
How Carl Reed is Using New Technology, including: AI, Unreal Engine, and a Direct-to-Fan Approach to Disrupt the Industry I’ve been circling around Carl Reed’s orbit for a while now—mutual connections, overlapping conversations, the occasional comment on LinkedIn. But this was our first real sit-down, and I was eager to get into it. Carl isn’t just another animation executive. He’s […]