On today’s episode, Variety’s Gene Maddaus talks about the rapid growth of microdrama production activity in L.A. and other areas of the U.S. SAG-AFTRA wants to have a say. And Elsa Keslassy discusses the themes and takeaways from her dogged coverage of the American Film Market.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Variety&rsquo;s Gene Maddaus talks about the rapid growth of microdrama production activity in L.A. and other areas of the U.S. SAG-AFTRA wants to have a say. And Elsa Keslassy discusses the themes and takeaways from her dogged coverage of the American Film Market.

Industry leaders converse about business deals, strategy and the future of media and entertainment.

Strictly Business

Variety journalists and industry leaders converse about news and trends in media and entertainment. "Daily Variety" episodes offer entertainment business headlines and news analysis, published Monday through Thursday. "Strictly Business" episodes, published on Friday, feature long-form interviews with the newsmakers, movers and shakers who drive the business of entertainment.

Variety journalists and industry leaders converse about news and trends in media and entertainment. "Daily Variety" episodes offer entertainment business headlines and news analysis, published Monday through Thursday. "Strictly Business" episodes, published on Friday, feature long-form interviews with the newsmakers, movers and shakers who drive the business of entertainment.

Variety's Strictly Business

Daily Variety -- Nonunion Microdrama Production Grows Fast in the U.S.; Takeaways From AFM With Elsa Keslassy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/bea7ea43-fcbd-4e1f-879e-b39901296db7/transcript

The elder statesman of Hollywood attorneys, Ken Ziffren has logged more than 50 years in Los Angeles’ legal community. He’s represented a wide range of players from the late great showrunner entrepreneur Stephen J. Cannell to the Television Academy to the Directors Guild of America. In this conversation with host Cynthia Littleton, Ziffren touches on his effort to re-establish some content ownership restrictions for the industry's largest players, the state of AI in entertainment, how Hollywood's woes are affecting the Southern California economy and how dealmaking has changed markedly over the decades.

The elder statesman of Hollywood attorneys, Ken Ziffren has logged more than 50 years in Los Angeles&rsquo; legal community. He&rsquo;s represented a wide range of players from the late great showrunner entrepreneur Stephen J. Cannell to the Television Academy to the Directors Guild of America. <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/ken-ziffren-fin-syn-ai-ucla-entertainment-law-1236783296/">In this conversation with host Cynthia Littleton, Ziffren</a> touches on his effort to re-establish some content ownership restrictions for the industry's largest players, the state of AI in entertainment, how Hollywood's woes are affecting the Southern California economy and how dealmaking has changed markedly over the decades.

Ken Ziffren Tackles a New Spin on Fin-Syn and Reflects on Six Decades of Hollywood Lawyering

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5a990742-65b6-4015-bbcd-b46e011cdcb3/transcript

On today’s episode, Owen Gleiberman, Variety’s chief film critic, sings the praises of Pixar’s “Toy Story” movies as the fifth installment arrives in theaters on June 19. Pixar’s pioneering CG animated series, which began in 1995, amounts to “some of the greatest movies ever made about childhood,” Gleiberman enthuses.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Owen Gleiberman, Variety&rsquo;s chief film critic,<a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/reviews/toy-story-5-review-tom-hanks-joan-cusack-tim-allen-1236779443/"> sings the praises of Pixar&rsquo;s &ldquo;Toy Story&rdquo; movies</a> as the fifth installment arrives in theaters on June 19. Pixar&rsquo;s pioneering CG animated series, which began in 1995, amounts to &ldquo;some of the greatest movies ever made about childhood,&rdquo; Gleiberman enthuses.

Daily Variety -- Owen Gleiberman Unpacks Why We Love ‘Toy Story’: ‘Some of the Greatest Movies Ever Made About Childhood’

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2443750d-dfab-4018-99e5-b46d010c6f70/transcript

On today's episode, Ana Valdez, president and CEO of the Latino Donor Collaborative, details the nonprofit organization's work with McKinsey & Co. on their latest report on Latino representation in mainstream movies and TV shows. The numbers are going in the wrong direction, and that means Hollywood is leaving money on the table, as Valdez explains.

On today's episode, Ana Valdez, president and CEO of the Latino Donor Collaborative, details the nonprofit organization's work with McKinsey &amp; Co. on their <a href="https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/latino-donor-collaborative-media-ana-valdez-1235385200/">l</a><a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/latino-donor-collaborative-mckinsey-hollywood-12-billion-1236785196/">atest report on Latino representation in mainstream movies and TV shows. </a>The numbers are going in the wrong direction, and that means Hollywood is leaving money on the table, as Valdez explains.

Daily Variety -- Latino Donor Collaborative Makes the Business Case Why Hollywood Loses Money by Ignoring Latinos

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ab78d7bd-1343-49d6-9c9a-b46c01517b28/transcript

Daily Variety -- Nonunion Microdrama Production Grows Fast in the U.S.; Takeaways From AFM With Elsa Keslassy

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