August Update

1. IPG Continues To Develop.

We took a brief break from our updates over the last month, as you may have noticed (I hope you did!). It was, however, not for relaxation - it has been an enforced break due to vastly increased workload on our personal and IPG projects. I will invite all to become involved, once again, if you are not… because YOU are on our team, and your involvement, no matter what level it is, makes you invaluable to our moving forward.

This is YOUR industry. Take control. Empower others.

2. The Revolution Will Be Streamed (FilmPods Update)

See our the website at filmpod.app - FilmPod is the implementation of what was called the Direct To Audience Initiative. It’s a groundbreaking and, to our minds, required step for the preservation and profitability of the independent filmmaking sectors. Our startup concept all by itself got to the semi-finals in Pepperdine’s 100 Most Fundable Startups! We are now preparing our first streaming experiences - the documentary/unscripted series Uncharted Freedom will begin streaming in September!

In October, FilmPod will stream the 72-hour long The Rabbit Hole Game Jam - an interactive experience for lovers of thriller, horror and of course video games! We are in active negotiations with other feature and series titles for FilmPod as well, which will formally launch in July, 2026.

Many are reaching for the same goal - to help independent film bypass studio controlled distribution and finance - but FilmPod is the only one with a workable structure. We are carving out the future of distribution for independent media.

Honestly - film or media investors - all those who believe in the importance of independent film and need to be involved in the FilmPod structure at some level - it’s the wave of the future. If you are reading this, you are one of those who should take advantage and get involved right now.

Get advance information on the FilmPod system, and possibly be permitted participation in the early seed capital round (which, for the same reason as this newsletter, has been delayed). Contact Shadow Dragu-Mihai for information.

3. Use AI With Caution OR NOT AT ALL!

In a previous set of newsletters, I canvassed several important AI issues for film creatives. However, in recent weeks our own experience in dealing with both filmmakers and audience has made one fact very clear:

AUDIENCES ARE BECOMING ACTIVELY HOSTILE TO AI GENERATED IMAGES AND AUDIO.

I use the term hostile intentionally - because that is the reaction I see from audiences. It’s more than distaste, it’s coming to a point where they actively make fun of AI media. The term “AI Slop” is used more and more. In fact, as the head of the IPG I, and Diamond Monique Washington, Artistic Director of Stage And Screen Innovations, were guests of the Tuesday Cinema Club Podcast. The topic of discussion was AI in film. The participants (not us) spent the first segment reviewing published examples of AI generated movie posters and trailers, comparing them to human-crafted media. They were not kind. They also detailed similar streams of posts on TikTok and other social media where the posters attack and point out the poor quality of AI media.

I honestly have expected that audience would quickly tire and begin filtering out AI media, as it is by definition of mediocre quality at best. While that is certainly happening, at least one part of the audience is becoming actively angry about it - and they are becoming quite vocal.

The lesson: don’t use anything AI generated for professional consumption. I have had to say this to several people - if you think your AI generated media is commercially acceptable, you should probably leave this industry. Especially don’t use it to show to a producer in a pitch deck. When I see AI in your pitch deck (most often used for “actor” images or environmental images), it bores me and that’s natural because the images and “characters” are by definition generated averages. Film stars need charisma - average looks need not apply. It also makes me wonder what part of your script is AI generated - and therefore guaranteed to be plagiarized in one or more ways. Now… some others may say it’s fine in a pitch deck. I will say, categorically, if a producer looks at your AI generated media and ideas, and says they are worth developing - you should be very wary of the skills of that producer.

I had occasion to answer several questions posed to producers on AI media last week. I will post that exchange here for IPG members in a newsletter tomorrow.

4. Support IPG & SSI Today! - Immediate Needs

ALL the IPG and Stage And Screen Innovations efforts remain the product of volunteer labor. We don’t yet have grants (which are in 2025 at least temporarily much harder to come by) and we don’t have a large donor base or volunteer base. Despite that, the vision and support of IPG members has been amazing and helps us to move forward. We need your continued support, and we have immediate requirements. Please take the time to read what we need and if you can assist - please do so today! We need:

• funding. Any donation from tens to hundreds is tax deductible! See stagescreen.org or contact me direct to see how to donate.

• IMMEDIATE - to work on a PUNC production this August 18 (Monday) - we need a HMU, a Wardrobe, and a Production Assistant in the Los Angeles area. The day will be easy, and they will have to be willing to work for pay deferred at this time - though to be paid in the future. We are under the gun and must shoot at this time so that we can use the footage for fundraising.

• Contact Shadow at [email protected] for details. Please include your contact information in your inquiry.