To make its animated Netflix series "Arcane," Riot Games didn't follow the typical Hollywood rules. Marc Merrill, co-founder and president of games, and Shauna Spenley, head of entertainment, discuss how they are trying to take a company known for gaming sensations like "League of Legends" into brand-new territory. 

To make its animated Netflix series "Arcane," Riot Games didn't follow the typical Hollywood rules. Marc Merrill, co-founder and president of games, and Shauna Spenley, head of entertainment, discuss how they are trying to take a company known for gaming sensations like "League of Legends" into brand-new territory.

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

Riot Games Tackles TV Production Its Own Way

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6bdb180d-916e-4a01-97a1-af48000c821d/transcript

On today’s episode, Colleen Bell, director of the California State Film Commission, discusses her wins in her role as the Golden State’s film chief and the hurdles that remain to restore a high volume of TV and film lensing activity in Hollywood's backyard. Bell says the past few years have been a “seminal moment” for the entertainment industry in California. “People want to shoot their projects here. Public policy needs to evolve to meet the moment,” she says.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Colleen Bell, director of the California State Film Commission, discusses her wins in her role as the Golden State&rsquo;s film chief <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/features/hollywoods-exodus-film-tv-production-los-angeles-1236780390/">and the hurdles that remain to restore a high volume of TV and film lensing activity in Hollywood's backyard.</a> Bell says the past few years have been a &ldquo;seminal moment&rdquo; for the entertainment industry in California. &ldquo;People want to shoot their projects here. Public policy needs to evolve to meet the moment,&rdquo; she says.

Daily Variety -- California Film Commissioner Colleen Bell Talks State Tax Incentive Battles, Hollywood’s Future and More

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/08a07e48-f247-4cd8-9d97-b4910120bede/transcript

On today’s episode, Madison Wells chief Gigi Pritzker and newly appointed president and chief content officer Dan Steinman discuss how the well-positioned indie navigates the ups and downs of a transforming marketplace. “We have to be smarter,” Pritzker says. “Even inexpensive movies are expensive,” says Steinman.

On today&rsquo;s episode, <a href="https://variety.com/2021/film/news/gigi-pritzker-madison-wells-1235114955/">Madison Wells chief Gigi Pritzker</a> and newly appointed <a href="https://variety.com/2026/biz/news/dan-steinman-madison-wells-president-chief-content-officer-1236731114/">president and chief content officer Dan Steinman </a>discuss how the well-positioned indie navigates the ups and downs of a transforming marketplace. &ldquo;We have to be smarter,&rdquo; Pritzker says. &ldquo;Even inexpensive movies are expensive,&rdquo; says Steinman.

Madison Wells Balances Art, Commerce and Audience Demands to Back Movies, TV Shows, Live Events

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3623a3ae-0d75-4f8c-874b-b4910070f09c/transcript

On today’s episode, in our Cover Story segment,Variety’s Angelique Jackson details the time she spent with multihyphenate superstar Travis Scott, who comes off a record-setting music tour with a high-profile role in the movie of the moment, Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey.”

On today&rsquo;s episode, <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/features/travis-scott-interview-the-odyssey-paramount-deal-1236817092/">in our Cover Story segment,</a> Variety&rsquo;s Angelique Jackson details the time she spent with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bsy5nqToNc">multihyphenate superstar Travis Scott,</a> who comes off a record-setting music tour with a high-profile role in the movie of the moment, Christopher Nolan&rsquo;s &ldquo;The Odyssey.&rdquo;

Daily Variety -- Cover Story: Travis Scott Ascends to Culture Moguldom Through Music, Movies, Retail, Business and More

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9d7e1cce-b3a5-487c-a433-b49001394f45/transcript

Riot Games Tackles TV Production Its Own Way

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