Xytech After Dark

Gregg Sandheinrich is joined by Greg Dolan to talk about the year that was 2022!  They start by talking the insanely eventual year for Xytech Systems and how the company grew under new ownership in 2022 (8:06). Then we look at our industry in 2022 and major changes and challenges facing the streaming industry (20:28).  From there Gregg and Greg share their favorite films, TV, Music, and Books for 2022 (38:55).  

Happy Holidays from everyone at Xytech Systems!  Here’s to a great 2023!!

Gregg Sandheinrich is joined by Greg Dolan to talk about the latest study on how many streaming services people utilize vs linear TV and just how many apps do "we" subscribe to (3:13)?  Next, they discuss a story about how the demand for 'production space' in Los Angeles has never been hotter and shows no signs of slowing (30:46), in the Halloween spirit, Gregg reviews his experience with the dedicated horror streaming service, Shudder (37:30), and Greg Dolan talks about the success that was IBC and what to look forward to at the NAB East Show next week (44:36)!

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Gregg Sandheinrich is joined by May Chan, Showrunner & Head Writer of the new AppleTV+ series “Surfside Girls” (out now!).  Gregg and May discuss what it means to be a “Showrunner” in the world of episodic television (2:02), from ‘aspiring writer’ to ‘working writer’, how does one ‘break’ into the industry (10:15), what is was like seeing something she wrote on the screen for first time (16:15), winning a WGA award (20:44), thoughts on “weekly release” vs “series drops” strategies  (29:37), ignoring ‘trolls’ on the internet (33:53), adapting books for television and much more (36:45)!

 https://tv.apple.com/us/show/surfside-girls/umc.cmc.4371g2xacdr0wfs071dm3q30x

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After a 2-month ‘summer break’, the XAD Podcast is BACK!  Gregg Sandheinrich is joined by Greg Dolan for a special “Summer Mailbag” show. They start-off the show sharing their admiration for the late great Vin Scully (2:10).  Next, they crack open the mailbag to discuss recent stories about how VFX houses are dealing with a global capacity crisis to keep up with demand (11:06), streamers are beginning to report stalled subscriber growth and is this cause for panic? (32:15), and lastly, how can we stop the remake the of the classic 80’s ‘tough-guy’ movie, Roadhouse (49:32)???

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Gregg Sandheinrich is joined by Greg Dolan who start-off with a tangent around ‘milestone birthdays’ and how to understand them (2:21). Then they move to encouraging news around recent theatrical box office numbers and whether this is simply the “Top Gun Effect” or signs of something bigger for the industry (13:40).  Using the films Ambulance and Top Gun as examples, does a film simply debuting in a theater add to the anticipation prior to landing on a streamer (29:44)?  Finally, they discuss the latest in “Virtual Product Placement” technology from Amazon, how it will effect the home-viewing experience (45:19). 

Gregg Sandheinrich is joined by special guests, Matt Waldock and Greg Dolan, to talk about the week that was at NAB.  They discuss what it felt like to back at NAB (5:01), the impact of starting on Sunday & changing  halls (15:44), what to expect at NAB 2023 (36:00). Then Matt rolls through his various NAB observations about the Telsa Tunnel (49:39),  meeting people you’ve only seen on Zoom calls (51:39), US & English fashion terminology (54:33), and overwhelming American dinner menus (58:17). Lastly, they HAD to talk about the latest Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees (1:02:27)!  Thanks for listening!

Gregg Sandheinrich is joined by Greg Dolan to talk about the return of the National Association of Broadcasters Convention (aka NAB) happening April 24th through April 28th at the Las Vegas Convention Center (Xytech Booth = North Hall #6314).  They dive to why NAB is so important to the industry (and Xytech), what to expect this year, and what makes a successful trade show.  Lastly, they thank a very important person to Xytech and the Xytech After Dark Podcast (43:02).  

For more info: https://www.xytechsystems.com/nab/

Gregg Sandheinrich is joined by Greg Dolan to talk about the return of ‘industry events’ and the sense that the M&E industry, as we know and love it, is slowly ‘coming back’ after a long 2+ years (3:45), Greg talks about his first trip to London in since 2020 (4:54), Gregg has run out of ways to defend the Oscars and the puzzling decisions made for this year’s broadcast and is a TV shows about films crucial to the overall industry (19:25)?  Lastly, they discuss ideas for the “Software Hall of Fame” (57:59) and a quick update on the Xytech After Dark Book Club (1:00:20).

Gregg Sandheinrich is joined by Greg Dolan to discuss their trip to last week’s HPA Tech Retreat in Palm Springs and their thoughts on a new book about the history of HBO.  They start off with a quick discussion around the recent SAG Awards Show and ‘awards season’ leading up The Oscars next month (3:10), followed by their experiences attending last week’s HPA tech Retreat (10:20), what it means for future industry events and trade shows (26:10).  Then they take a deep dive into the new book by James Andrew Miller, “Tinderbox: HBO’s Ruthless Pursuit of New Frontiers”, about the history of HBO from its early cable days, the pivot to original content, and ultimately, their battles in the current streaming wars (29:47). 

Gregg Sandheinrich is joined by Greg Dolan to celebrate the return of the ‘XAD Slow Speed Newswire’!  They started off with brief celebration of the XAD Podcast 2-year birthday!  Then they discuss NBC’s announcement of the Winter Olympics being broadcast entirely in 4k.  What does this mean for broadcasters and why isn’t 4k a ‘bigger deal’ to consumers (4:45)?  Next they look at the final season of Ozark being released in 2-parts.  What does this mean for NETFLIX’s original release strategy and is ‘drop it all at once’ going away (21:56)?  Lastly, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominees were announced right before recording and Gregg & Greg just couldn’t help themselves…again (41:55).  Thanks for listening!