By Gianni Flowers, FN alum '21 When I first attended the FUTURE NOW Media & Entertainment Conference in May 2021, it was everything I expected and more. At the time, I was a graduate student at American University, studying for my Master’s in Producing for Film, Television, and Video, and looking for a job or internship in the industry. In my search, I stumbled across FUTURE NOW’s website and learned about the Media & Entertainment Conference. I decided to submit an application to attend and the next the thing that I knew, I was accepted. The conference was absolutely phenomenal. I can still remember like it was yesterday. Tina Fey was a guest speaker. She shared her career journey, the ins and outs of the industry, and how to become successful in the entertainment business. What intrigued me most about Fey’s keynote conversation is that it didn’t feel like our host was talking to a highly accomplished, award-winning actress and huge Hollywood star, which she absolutely is, but rather to a normal, everyday human-being working in the industry investing their time in future leaders like me. And, that was comforting. I think this is what allows for a connection to happen, knowing that someone is really no different from you. FUTURE NOW has definitely been a motivating source for me. Attending last year’s conference not only inspired me to come back and attend again this year, but to also become a volunteer. The volunteer experience has been tremendously helpful career wise as I am learning more about the industry as well as gaining opportunities to network with others who have the same desire to pursue a career in the media and entertainment. FUTURE NOW is one organization that is truly about its mission which is to build future leaders in the industry. I want to own a media company one day, and I know that with FUTURE NOW I am on the right track with the right people. To anyone who is considering a career in the media and entertainment, I would definitely recommend that they participate in FUTURE NOW’s annual conference and year-round events and programs. This organization has helped me in so many ways in gaining mentors and networking with professionals in the industry as well as my peers. If there is one thing that I have learned is that it is never too late for one to conquer his/her dreams. The future is ours to take and our future is now!

By Anna Harrison, FN alum '21 My life has been very hectic lately. Preparing to move across the country for a new job is quite an undertaking and time seems to be running away from me, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am originally from Atlanta, and though it claims the sobriquet of “the Hollywood of the South,” the name is not entirely earned. The Georgia peach has become a common sight at the end of movie credits (during the 2022 fiscal year, film and television productions spent $4.4 billion in Georgia), but if you don’t want to work in physical production, Atlanta is limited. I was lucky enough to get a job as a program planning assistant at Cartoon Network soon after graduation thanks to the networking opportunities at FUTURE NOW. Cartoon Network is a legacy of Ted Turner and now part of Warner Brothers Discovery. It’s been a great learning experience during a lot of change at the company. And now, I am making the move to Los Angeles with a new job. Again, thanks to FUTURE NOW! I attended my first FUTURE NOW Media & Entertainment Conference in 2021 as a graduating senior from Emory University and loved it so much that I raised my hand to join FUTURE NOW as a volunteer on The NOW team. At this year’s conference in June, I had the honor of being asked to moderate a panel called “The New Creator Economy,” featuring a wide range of accomplished members of the industry, from podcasters to food bloggers. One of the panelists was Andy Yeatman, President at Moonbug Entertainment, an animation company known for shows like CoComelon and Blippi (if you’re over the age of eight and haven’t heard of these, don’t worry—you’re not the target audience!). When he mentioned that Moonbug was hiring, I reached out to him and applied. I’m excited to share that I’ll be starting my new job as a Distribution and Content Sales Coordinator in a few weeks. It was a quick turnaround from the offer to the move, and though it is a BIG DEAL to move across the country, I knew that if I turned it down, I would just be delaying the inevitable and staying in my comfort zone. I am confident that this is the right move for my professional and personal life, as it forces me out of my comfort zone and into something new and exciting. (If anyone needs a roommate, let me know…!) I am acutely aware of how lucky I have been in my professional life so far, but luck was not the only factor. Attending my first FUTURE NOW conference and volunteering with the organization since then has opened doors for me and made all this possible. The conference introduced me to some great mentors, who provided important guidance on how to navigate the industry and building these relationships and investing time in FUTURE NOW as a volunteer has been vital to my growth and success. I would encourage anyone looking to gain experience and craving to break into and be part of the media community to lean into FUTURE NOW. Attend the events, apply for the conference, be a Campus Ambassador, volunteer. There are so many opportunities and things to learn, but you have to seize the day. Had I not applied to attend my first FUTURE NOW conference, had I not started volunteering, had I not worked hard at my first job, had I not moderated the panel at my second FUTURE NOW conference, had I not taken a leap of faith to reach out to Andy Yeatman and consider moving across the country, none of these things would have happened. I worked hard and I am grateful and don’t take any of it for granted. I am excited for the future! LA, here I come!

How do you make the most of the unexpected? Today’s episode features a FUTURE NOW Leadership Talk with Jennifer Mirgorod, Executive Vice President of Content Distribution and Strategic Partnerships, Turner Networks, and FUTURE NOW Founder and Host, Peggy Kim. Together they discuss how Jennifer got started in her career, what her path to executive leadership looked like, and what she finds to be the most exciting and challenging aspects of content distribution in this new media environment. (FUTURE NOW Leadership Talk & Networking Event, The Sheen Center, NYC, September 20, 2018)

We cover the streaming wars and the art of deal-making in today’s changing world of distribution. Moderator, Nick Febrizio, a long-time distribution executive now with FloatLeft Interactive, is joined by Roy Cho, Senior Vice President of Distribution at AMC Networks; Lauren Morrissey, Senior Vice President of Platform Distribution at the Walt Disney Company; and Brendan Thomas, Vice President of Distribution at Pluto TV. They discuss how technology and innovation have driven new distribution opportunities and business models, and how complex and intricate the deals are becoming.

Today’s episode features a panel of early career professionals, working in a variety of roles in media. Recorded at the 2019 FUTURE NOW Media & Entertainment Conference, the speakers include: Kim Patel, Director of Global Corporate Strategy at VICE Media; Annie Yu, Chief of Staff & Head of Operations and Revenue at Vox Media; Maya Hawkins-Nelson, Product Marketing Specialist at Spectrum Reach; and Christian Ortega, Associate Account Executive at Twentieth Television. Moderated by Neil Braun, Dean of the Lubin School of Business at Pace University, the panelists discuss how they got started in the business, how they learned to network, and what they wish they knew when they were in college. They also share about some of the worst mistakes they’ve made in their careers so far and what they’ve learned from it.

By Asca Akiyama, FN alum '22 After years of unprecedented growth, Netflix is experiencing the highest number of subscription cancellations in company history. In its second-quarter earnings report, Netflix revealed a loss of 970,000 subscribers during the three-month period from April to July. This number reaches a whopping 1.3 million when accounting for Canadian users as well. In the first quarter, Netflix announced a loss of 200,000 subscribers and projected a loss of 2 million subscribers in the second quarter. The success of the fourth season of “Stranger Things” buoyed results for Netflix, downscaling the damage by half. While the forecasted disaster was averted, it is the largest subscriber loss in company history. This quarter’s statement still comes as a devastating blow for Netflix, suggesting to many, the end of the company’s long reign as the leading streaming giant. Reed Hastings, the Chief Executive Officer of Netflix expressed his disappointment, stating, “it’s tough losing one million subscribers and calling it a success.” As pre-pandemic activities like moviegoing return, Netflix is struggling to attract new subscribers and maintain loyal customers. Given the recent rise in costs of living, the hike in subscription pricing was a breaking point for many consumers, who chose to cut back on expensive streaming services. The company also faces unrelenting competition from companies like HBO Max, Amazon Prime, and Disney+. While Netflix remains well above its closest competitors, it is coming up against the biggest company slowdown in years. Analysts suspect that unless Netflix creates more franchises that speak to its broad audience, it will eventually fall behind its fast-moving contenders. In an effort to restore its growth, Netflix plans to continue producing original content in-house to hold copyright ownership rights of movies and series. The future of Netflix depends on its ability to ensure quality content that resonates with mass audiences. Additionally, it is crucial for Netflix to continually generate buzzworthy entertainment. In July, Netflix received 104 Emmy nominations to HBO’s 140. Looking into the third quarter, HBO has an impressive lineup prepared with the release of the “Game of Thrones” prequel and “House of the Dragon” in August. Amazon is also expected to garner considerable engagement with the release of “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” in September. The pressure is on. Netflix is also focused on restricting password sharing and building an ad-supported subscription tier, which, if executed well, could give the company a long-term business advantage by 2023. Richard Greenfield of LightShed Ventures is hopeful of Netflix’s new strategy, stating “Not only were losses not as bad, but expecting growth in Q3, even if it’s modest growth, is probably pretty encouraging to people… They’re basically saying that while everyone else in the industry is losing billions of dollars, not only are they making money in 2022 they’re going to make a lot of money in 2023 and beyond.” Despite facing strong headwinds, Netflix is making significant strides toward rapidly recovering lost revenue and fostering further growth during these times of economic downturn. Time will tell if these strategies will work in Netflix’s favor.

By Nate D'Agostino, FN alum '22 In July, San Diego Comic-Con 2022 unveiled a huge assortment of content from brands like Marvel and DC, proving that there’s still a solid foundation and industry faith in growing existing intellectual properties. Marvel—returning for their first post-Covid convention—pounced in with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which looks to elegantly handle the tragic death of titular star Chadwick Boseman and promises strong performances from Angela Bassett and Danai Gurira. They also premiered an extended look at the upcoming Disney+ series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, welcoming a suited-up Daredevil (Charlie Cox) to the MCU. Marvel and Disney easily won Comic-Con with not only their trailers, but announcements for Phases Five and Six, culminating in not one but two monumental Avengers films in 2025: Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars. DC came prepared, too, promoting the films Shazam! Fury of the Gods and The Rock’s passion project, Black Adam. Their slate paled in comparison to Marvel’s, but Warner Bros. Discovery announced a 10-year plan to reshape the DC Universe that it expects will rival Marvel. These energizing new trailers inspire a fresh direction for these legendary heroes that could finally offer some serious competition. On the television front, Comic-Con fans were treated to new looks at USA and Syfy’s Chucky season two; AMC Networks’ newest series from The Walking Dead universe, Tales of The Walking Dead (an episodic anthology and refreshing new approach to the series); as well as new trailers from dueling fantasy epics House of the Dragon on HBO and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power on Amazon Prime Video, which will both air this fall. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power follows a young Sauron on his rise to power, whereas House of the Dragon takes its cue from George R. R. Martin’s Fire and Blood, following the infamous Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. It’s hard to say which series will fare better, but both have the expectation of redeeming their respective franchises. It’s no secret that many fans were outraged with the disappointing final season of Game of Thrones and the rushed character arcs that ensued. Lord of the Rings fans were less than enthusiastic with Peter Jackson’s prequel Hobbit series with its over reliance on CGI and bloated narrative. Can these dueling fantasy epics redeem their once towering franchises? Not all has been well, however, with these franchises. A recent report in Vulture tells of toxic work culture at Marvel, including grueling conditions and unreasonable demands. The details provided by a visual effects artist (done anonymously to avoid blacklisting) in the article are astonishing and eye-opening. Sidebar: Warner Bros. Discovery canceled TBS’ Full Frontal with Samantha Bee after a seven-season run and quietly pulled six original HBO Max films from streaming. Less under the radar was the sudden news of the HBO Max DC movie Batgirl being canceled. The film was set to feature a lesser-known lead actress, Leslie Grace, in the title role. This is yet another sign of the new direction DC seems to be heading in as the studio also announced the theatrical date for Joker: Folie à deux, introducing Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn on October 4th, 2024. The coming weeks will be interesting with fall premieres and international film festivals debuting several Oscar-hopeful features. Stay tuned to FUTURE NOW for more news you can use. Subscribe to the podcast, follow us on Instagram, and connect with us on LinkedIn to access internship and job opportunities and learn about our upcoming events.

By Anna Harrison, FN alum '21 Attendees of the 2022 FUTURE NOW Media and Entertainment Conference had the privilege to listen to Star Trek: Discovery star Sonequa Martin-Green share her experiences in the industry as she discussed playing the first Black woman to captain a ship in the Star Trek universe. Martin-Green’s character, Captain Michael Burnham, seems worlds away from her small-town Alabaman childhood, but Martin-Green’s faith and perseverance have kept her grounded as she has worked her way to success. Initially, Martin-Green wanted to be a psychologist, and while that may seem very different from her current vocation, Martin-Green sees the two as connected: “I was fascinated with human behavior, and of course that feeds directly into my craft as an actor.” It was in tenth grade after auditioning for a play when Martin-Green found her calling. “I felt this warmth that came from the top of my head down through my body. Like, ‘Woah. This is what I’m supposed to do with my life.’ …This is what makes my soul happy,” she said. Following the advice of her director, Martin-Green applied for a theater scholarship at the University of Alabama. She thought she completely bombed the audition and that her career was over before it even started, but she got the scholarship. “It was all about potential,” she explained. “The story is never done. Never.” The rest, as they say, is history—though Martin-Green credits much of her success to her strong faith. “[God] is what keeps me grounded. That is what keeps me balanced,” she said. For Martin-Green, her professional life has its roots in faith, too: “All of us would be remiss to say that we don’t struggle with the idea of fame and fortune,” but Martin-Green has realized that “the pursuit of [fame and fortune] pales in comparison to the pursuit of art…. There’s such a divinity in artistry.” By framing her work as something spiritual rather than a means to fame and fortune—Martin-Green remains true to her values, though it’s not always been smooth sailing. “I went through the phase of wanting so desperately to be good… I spent so much time trying to be good [and] it was for the approval of other people. It was still self-centered.” Now, Martin-Green strives to be “moment-centric” and focus on the present rather than what accolades her work may bring, linking everything back to the power of storytelling. “If you’re called to this industry, no matter where you are in this industry, I believe it’s a high calling because storytelling is one of the major spheres of influence in our society and it can change people’s lives, it can change what they believe, it can change the world for the better.” When asked about how she chooses parts, Martin-Green mused, “I have to be moved by it in my spirit. I have to agree with the prevailing message,” and that message should be one with the capacity for positive change. It’s not always an obvious choice, though, and requires no small amount of reflection on Martin-Green’s part. “Everything in art, I now know, requires stillness… Sometimes it’s a word from somebody else, it could be a song or a billboard—it could be anything that comes to you, or it could just be a sort of knowing, deep down.” Of course, not everything works out all the time, but Martin-Green puts a positive spin on failure and rejection: “It’s important to experience [rejection]… and be honest about it and feel the pain, but then, redefine it because it really isn’t rejection. It’s strategy. That means the position truly was not meant for you.” Her perspective on failure comes from a grab them by the horns mentality: “Any piece of life that you can take in, take it in, whether it’s art or history or your community…. Take it in, so that your imagination grows, and then your perspective… is now wholly different than anybody else’s… so the way you approach your artistry is now different than anybody else.” “In an industry dedicated to telling the lives and stories of others, having a wide variety of perspectives to inform your own is key—“it gives you a competitive advantage,” Martin-Green said. “You have to understand that you have nothing to prove, only something to offer… Straining and stressing to prove yourself only makes you smaller. You really want to be as big as you possibly can [and] come in with a generous heart, with a heart of service, because that’s what we’re doing in this industry. We are serving. It is an industry of service. We are allowing people the opportunity to see themselves… at their highest potential, to see themselves struggle.” To wrap up, Martin-Green emphasized the importance of training. “You’re always a student,” she said. “I will be a student for the rest of my life. It’s really about getting involved with workshops, getting involved with classes, introducing yourself to people in this industry…. You need to find a community.” And if you attended the FUTURE NOW Media and Entertainment Conference, you’re off to a good start.

By Anna Harrison, FN alum '21 Just a few weeks ago, the FUTURE NOW Media Foundation, Inc. held the sixth annual FUTURE NOW Media and Entertainment Conference. Over three days, FUTURE NOW hosted panels and keynotes from industry leaders to usher in the next generation of talent in the entertainment industry, giving them the tools to help them succeed and the means to help them grow. Day One kicked off with a conversation between FUTURE NOW CEO and Founder, Peggy Kim, and Adriana Waterston, the Chief Revenue Officer and Insights and Strategy Lead at Horowitz Research, a leading consumer insights agency. Waterston, true to her job title, shared keen insights on the state of the industry as the landscape continues to shift. “Change is imminent,” Waterston said. The decline of cable and the rise of streaming has changed the way the entire landscape works, from ad sales to production, and international shows like “Squid Game” have proven that formerly “unprofitable” markets can succeed out of their home country. “Before, ‘mainstream’ was code word for white, non-Hispanic… Now, mainstream media is becoming much more diverse,” Waterston remarked. “Real, honest representation in media… matters. Your stories matter,” she continued. “Hopefully, you all will bring [your own stories] to the table when you enter this media world… You have great value to this media industry that we’re in, and I welcome you to bring that to the table as you enter your future careers—today, tomorrow, and every single day.” With those words, we moved onto other moderated panels including “The New Creator Economy,” about new avenues of content creation, and “Emer-Gen-Z: What I Learned in My First Five Years,” a panel featuring Gen Z perspectives on the media landscape. Other keynotes were with Kris Hayden, the first Black woman to win a national diving title, and Courtney Thomasma, the General Manager of AMC+, who reminded everyone that “failure is not fatal. It’s actually essential for continued growth and success,” a sentiment echoed by Hayden, who said, “Once I’m down, I learn from it. This is only temporary.” Day two featured some of the most anticipated events, including speed mentoring sessions and two more keynote speakers. Danielle Brown, Senior Vice President for Data Enablement and Category Strategy at Disney Advertising Sales, spoke about her own unique path—while she initially wanted to be a creative, she found herself drawn to data and analytics, though “it took a while for me to showcase my abilities in a way that wasn’t just doing the work… Being my own cheerleader was a challenge for me.” Brown ended her keynote by encouraging listeners to “put yourself out there, take risks, and try new things.” That afternoon, Star Trek: Discovery star Sonequa Martin-Green dropped by to discuss her journey to become the first Black female captain of a starship in the Star Trek universe. “My mind was blown,” she said of her casting. “I had no idea where I was going to go next [after The Walking Dead], but I had faith that it was going to work out.” Faith has been a constant for Martin-Green, who grew up in Alabama thinking she wanted to be a psychologist until she auditioned for a play in the tenth grade. “I felt this warmth from the top of my head to the bottom of my body and I felt like, ‘Woah. This is what I’m supposed to do with my life,’” she said of her first performance. After getting a theater scholarship to the University of Alabama—despite bombing her audition—Martin-Green’s career began in earnest, and through her success, she has remained grounded, something she attributes to her faith. [God] is what keeps me grounded. That is what keeps me balanced,” she said. On the final day, Kristina Shepard, Head of Agency Partnerships and National Brand Team Lead at Roku, told listeners to “lean into your mistakes [and] always be learning [from them].” In her closing remarks, Peggy Kim imparted thought-provoking words on the topic of diversity, equity, and inclusion with a quote from iconic director Federico Fellini: “You have to live spherically—in many directions. Never lose your childish enthusiasm—and things will come your way.” “We have a responsibility in this,” said Kim. “If you think about your own circles… and the circles that you are running in and who makes up your community, are you limiting yourself or are you extending yourself so that your community… is diverse also? …We can’t expect some corporate entity to do this if we ourselves are not doing this in our own individual lives… I want to challenge you to take this quote and apply it to your life and lead—lead in your own life, be the example and demonstrate the thing that you want to see happening on that larger scale.” While the media and entertainment industry might seem daunting, FUTURE NOW has shown us once again that there is a whole host of people out there willing to help you if you show up and put your best foot forward. It is not an exaggeration to say that FUTURE NOW has changed my life—here’s to it changing yours, too.