The Companion Podcast

YOU’RE INVITED - The AI Revolution: Tool or Threat?

Generative AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it is actively reshaping how stories are conceived, pitched, and produced. As creators, we face a critical choice: ignore the shift or lead the conversation.

The Independent Producers Guild invites you to a series of online panel discussions starting this March. Join us for a deep dive into the ethics, aesthetics, and legalities of AI in the independent film world.

We want IPG screenwriters and filmmakers to help steer this dialogue. Whether you are using AI to streamline your workflow or are concerned about the protection of human intellectual property, your voice is essential.

Be Part of the Script! We want this series to address the real-world challenges you face. Help us define the roadmap for 2026 and beyond.

• Suggest a Topic: What specific AI concerns are keeping you up at night?

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• Present Your Perspective: Are you an early adopter or a staunch advocate for traditional craft? We want both.

Contact [email protected] to suggest topics or express your interest in joining a panel. Let’s ensure the future of film remains in the hands of the storytellers.

The Companion Podcast - Opportunity For The Independent Creator.

In the early days of digital fan culture, the "companion podcast" was a grassroots phenomenon. Independent creators and obsessive fans led the charge, dissecting every frame of their favorite shows on platforms like Reddit and YouTube. Then came the cast-led era, where hits like Office Ladies and Pod Meets World proved that audiences didn’t just want to watch a show; they wanted to live inside its production history.

That landscape has shifted again, and this time, streamers are taking the wheel. As marketing budgets tighten and the "growth-at-all-costs" era of streaming ends, networks are pivoting toward engagement and retention. Part of the strategy is a concerted effort by major platforms to launch in-house companion podcasts to keep viewers tethered to their ecosystems.

The Streamer Stranglehold: HBO pioneered the "official" breakdown with its Chernobyl podcast in 2019, but the trend has reached fever pitch in 2026. According to recent industry analysis by Transistor.fm, platforms like Netflix are now integrating video podcasts directly into their interfaces, launching companion series for flagship titles such as Bridgerton, The Crown, and Love is Blind UK. This shift is about "increasing the surface area of what is already popular" by using existing data to feed more content to people who have already shown interest. In other words, it’s about marketing to your existing fanbase, and expanding that in the medium of the podcast.

The numbers prove the strategy. Peacock’s The Traitors Official Podcast climbed to the top of the charts within its first month, coinciding with a 66% jump in viewership for the show’s fourth season. Similarly, Hulu and Disney’s Tell Me Lies: Official Podcast has generated over 50 million social media views, proving that audio-first content can drive massive cross-platform engagement.

The Indie Opportunity - PR vs. Journalism: For independent producers, this trend is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it validates the podcast as a vital marketing tool for any new release. On the other, it raises questions about the "walled gardens" of official content. As industry analysts have noted, these authorized podcasts offer exclusive access that independent creators can’t match, but they are often "hemmed in by legal departments" and serve more as "PR with a podcast mic" than actual journalism. They avoid candid critiques and rarely venture beyond the company line.

For the independent filmmaker, this creates a significant opening. While streamers focus on high-gloss, sanitized aftershows, the market has a persistent hunger for authentic, unfiltered discussion. Independent productions can leverage this by creating companion content that offers the "soul" and investigatory depth that corporate-sanctioned feeds often lack.

The Bottom Line for IPG Members: Podcasting is no longer an optional "extra" for your marketing slate—it is becoming standard issue for any title hoping to sustain a cultural conversation. In an environment where streamers prioritize retention, your title’s longevity may depend on the community you build around it between episodes or after the credits roll.

However, the lesson for independent producers is clear: don't wait for a streamer to build your community for you. While the majors use podcasts to "capture more casual viewing time," independent creators must use the medium to build direct, owned relationships with their audience.

Join the Conversation

As we navigate these shifting tides, the Independent Producers Guild is committed to ensuring our members have the tools to stay competitive. We are currently discussing the launch of a dedicated IPG member channel on the upcoming FilmPod platform—a space designed specifically for independent filmmakers who are IPG members to craft host, control, and promote their own companion content without streamer interference.

Interested in being part of the FilmPod launch? Contact the Guild office today to join our working group and help shape the future of independent promotion.

 You’re Invited! Submit To PUNC!

Independent producers thrive on community and infrastructure. At Stage And Screen Innovations (SSI), we provide both through our Fiscal Sponsorship services and the groundbreaking PUNC (Production Under Network Conditions) program.

PUNC is where theory meets the high-stakes reality of a professional set. We are currently inviting IPG members to submit scripts or properties to serve as PUNC training projects. If selected, your work will be promoted with your name as the writer, and you will be invited to participate directly in the production. It is a rare opportunity to see your property realized by a dedicated team while gaining hands-on experience in a "network-standard" environment.

Currently, the PUNC participants are in post-production on Uncharted Freedom, the series we shot last fall. We need new productions on the slate beginning late spring 2026!

Why support SSI and the PUNC program?

1. Cultivate Your Future Crew: By donating to PUNC, you are literally training the elite technicians you will hire for your next feature. You are investing in a more skilled industry, and training unique, talented creators.

2. Professional Validation: Submitting your property offers high-level visibility. Having your script selected for a PUNC production demonstrates as proof of its quality.

3. The Indie Safety Net: Our fiscal sponsorship program allows you to seek grants and tax-deductible donations for your own projects. Supporting SSI ensures this vital resource remains available for all independent voices.

Our Goal: $2,500 by end of March.

To keep these programs accessible, we need to raise $2,500 in the next 30 days. All donations—large or small—receive an immediate tax-deductible receipt.

Visit stagescreen.org today.

● Donate: Help us hit our $2,500 goal and secure your tax benefit.

● Submit: Offer your production property for PUNC consideration.

This Is Your Industry! Let’s build a smarter, more professional independent industry together. Your contribution today fuels the creators of tomorrow.