This week, we're looking at the people trying to shape culture from behind the scenes.

Byron Allen quietly increases his media empire with a major STARZ stake. Tyler Perry and Malcolm D. Lee invest in the next generation of Black filmmakers. A fully AI-generated feature film premieres at Cannes after being made in just two weeks. And Country Wayne says Hollywood wants his vertical drama blueprint—but not at his price.

We also discuss the reality of actor residuals in the streaming era, Quinta Brunson's Betty Boop project, and whether the industry is still rewarding creativity—or simply chasing efficiency.

Who controls the infrastructure? Who owns the audience? And who gets left behind when the business changes?