Hollywood Valley

By Alvaro de la Cruz

Technology has always changed entertainment. From sound, to television, to streaming, to AI. Hollywood Valley is a podcast exploring how technology is reshaping film, media, storytelling, and creativi... more

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FAQs about Hollywood Valley:

How many episodes does Hollywood Valley have?

The podcast currently has 8 episodes available.

Hollywood Valley episodes:

July 17, 2026#008 Surviving AI as a Filmmaker | Jose Ho-Guanipa
In this episode, we discuss:
Jose’s path from skate videos to commercial directing

Why music videos launched so many great filmmakers

Building a directing career after film school

The importance of curating your portfolio

The business side of filmmaking

Why directors should diversify their income

How commercial production is evolving

Using AI as a creative tool instead of a replacement

Hybrid AI and live-action production workflows

Open-source AI models and local workflows

How filmmakers can stay relevant in a changing industry

Advice for the next generation of directors
Guest Jose Ho-Guanipa
Production Company: https://sophist-films.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josehog/
...more
40min
June 19, 2026#007 Getting Indie Films on the Shelf | Nick Isaak
Nick’s path from MGM into digital distribution and film sales

What it was like working at MGM during the rise of digital platforms

The evolution of iTunes, VOD, and digital movie ownership

Lessons from Microsoft, Amazon, and Gravitas Ventures

How independent films actually get distributed today

Why film festivals are only one part of the distribution journey

The realities of film sales and monetization

How filmmakers should think about marketing before a film is finished

Why distribution strategy matters as much as production strategy

The future of AI dubbing and global film distribution

Helping filmmakers navigate distribution through GroupStitch

Learn more about GroupStitch:
https://groupstitch.com
...more
50min
June 12, 2026#006 Entrepreneurs Need to Be Delusional | Brandon Kleinman
Brandon’s early experience at Disney as an Imagineer

Why entrepreneurs sometimes need to be delusional

Building Laurel & Wolf and Showroom

Finding opportunity in overlooked industries

How AI is changing construction businesses

The idea behind Plan Monster

Cold outreach, sales, and getting attention

Why discomfort and embarrassment are part of building

Human psychology and founder mindset
Learn more about Plan Monster: https://planmonster.com
...more
45min
June 05, 2026#005 From Animation to AI Filmmaking | Ian Wasseluk
Ian’s start at Cartoon Network and working on The Powerpuff Girls

The transition from traditional animation to digital workflows

Similarities between the adoption of digital animation and AI filmmaking

How Ian got started working with AI tools and filmmakers

AI filmmaking, prompt engineering, and creative workflows

Why storytelling and creativity still matter in an AI-driven world

Social media as a portfolio for modern creators

Entrepreneurship and building a creative career outside traditional studios

The future of animation and AI filmmaking
Learn more about Ian:
https://ianwasseluk.com
...more
43min
May 29, 2026#004 Building the Future of Unscripted Development | Adam Wilkenfeld
Adam’s transition from CNN to unscripted television

What makes a strong unscripted pitch

How producers discover new projects and talent

Why YouTube is changing the future of unscripted content

The challenges creators face getting ideas in front of decision-makers

How Showrilly helps creators and producers connect

Protecting pitches and navigating idea ownership

The future of unscripted development and content discovery
Learn more about Showrilly: https://showrilly.com
...more
39min
May 20, 2026 #003 How AI Is Changing VFX | Victor Rivas
• Victor Rivas’ journey into visual effects and filmmaking
• Working on projects connected to major blockbuster films
• The challenges of building a VFX company in Puerto Rico
• Why pre-production matters so much in VFX
• How AI is changing visual effects workflows
• Why AI should be viewed as a tool instead of a replacement
• The future of indie filmmaking and AI-assisted production
• Why storytelling and human emotion still matter in film

Learn more about Lacus Post:
https://www.lacuspost.com
...more
27min
May 14, 2026#002 Building Better AI Visuals for Creators | Colton Soref
Colton’s background in commercial production and documentary storytelling

Building Open Canva and simplifying AI creative workflows

How AI is changing filmmaking and visual storytelling

AI in pre-production, treatments, and creative planning

Authenticity and storytelling in an AI-driven world

Startup culture and filmmaking similarities

Collaboration, creativity, and the future of AI tools
Learn more about Open Canva: https://opencanva.co
...more
42min
May 13, 2026#001 What's Data Actually Good For? | Tim Shea
In the first episode of Hollywood Valley, Alvaro de la Cruz sits down with Tim Shea, founder of Latticework Insights, to discuss AI, entertainment, audience behavior, and the growing gap between what these tools promise and what they can actually deliver today.
The conversation explores the current state of generative AI, the limitations of creative AI tools, predictive analytics, audience behavior, and why human creativity, taste, and decision-making still matter deeply in entertainment and storytelling.

Topics discussed:
AI hype versus practical reality

Why creativity and taste still matter in an AI-driven world

Predictive analytics and audience behavior in entertainment

The limitations of current generative AI tools

AI as a tool for creators, not a replacement

The future of media, storytelling, and entertainment technology
Follow Hollywood Valley for future conversations around entertainment, technology, AI, media, and storytelling.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/R6zoTDB74k0
X/Twitter: https://x.com/alvarodlcruz
...more
47min

FAQs about Hollywood Valley:

How many episodes does Hollywood Valley have?

The podcast currently has 8 episodes available.