The Hollywood Makers

Welcome to the new era of The Hollywood Makers! We're shifting away from traditional seasons and episode numbers to bring you continuous coverage of the ever-changing media and entertainment landscape. From tech innovations to industry trends, we'll break down the latest developments shaping the future of the Media and Entertainment industry. 

Join us for insightful conversations with top executives, experts, and innovators as we na...

The Hollywood Makers returns with a heartfelt episode exploring the devastating fires still impacting Los Angeles. Host Claudia Cano-Asbjornsen shares her firsthand experiences as an LA resident, highlighting the immense loss, dispelling misconceptions about Hollywood wealth, and emphasizing what truly matters: the resilience of our communities.

Join us as we reflect on the strength, kindness, and compassion that make LA a place o...

This week on The Hollywood Makers, we dive deep into the seismic shifts redefining the entertainment industry. From widespread layoffs to the rise of the creator economy, technological revolutions, and the changing production landscape, Hollywood is at a critical crossroads.
Join Claudia Cano-Asbjornsen as she unpacks:

The financial and employment challenges reshaping traditional media
How platforms like TikTok and YouTube are thriv...

In our new episode of The Hollywood Makers, our host Claudia Cano-Asbjornsen, analyzes the current struggles in Hollywood, exploring how the ongoing recession is reshaping the industry.

With major players like Paramount, Disney, and Sony undergoing 'restructuring', layoffs, and leadership changes, the entertainment landscape is more uncertain than ever. Claudia breaks down how this evolving environment is impacting below-the-line ...

In this episode of The Hollywood Makers, we sit down with Helen Sam, the Vice President of Post-Production at Film Finances, a pivotal company that ensures films are completed on time and within budget. With nearly two decades of experience, Helen shares her unique journey from studying sociology to building a career in TV, documentaries, and film, leading to her role as an executive supervising the post-production of many successf...

In this episode, host Claudia Cano-Asbjornsen discusses the latest news from the Venice International Film Festival, including award winners and tributes. Then the conversation shifts to an exciting casting call for a new Harry Potter series. We also explore groundbreaking legislation in California regarding the use of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry, highlighting key bills aimed at protecting performers' ...

In this compelling episode of The Hollywood Makers podcast, Rossy Eguigure sits down with Dr. Ana-Christina Ramón, the Director of the UCLA Entertainment and Media Research Initiative.

Listen to this conversation about the latest Hollywood Diversity Reports and the evolving landscape of representation in the industry. Discover why films with diverse casts are thriving at the box office, Latinos' challenges in media, and actiona...

In our new episode of The Hollywood Makers, Claudia Cano-Asbjornsen sits down with Lin Tam, an acclaimed director, producer, and writer renowned for her innovative contributions to animation and technology. Lin shares insights from her illustrious career, highlighted by her award-winning short film "Friendship," which has captivated audiences worldwide. We invite you to know about Lin's creative journey as she discuss...

Gordon Firemark, an entertainment attorney with over 30 years of experience, discusses the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the media and entertainment industry. In this interview with Claudia Cano-Asbjornsen, he highlights the legal challenges and uncertainties surrounding AI, such as copyright protection for AI-generated works and the use of AI to create fake content. Firemark emphasizes the importance of protecting crea...

In this episode Claudia Cano-Asbjornsen takes you into the intricacies surrounding the closure of Participant Media, exploring the factors that led to its shutdown. She also provides an insider's look at Cinemacon in Las Vegas and the importance of this event in the film industry. Perhaps most importantly for our community "The Hollywood Makers," Claudia offers valuable insights into the financial repercussions of Hol...

In this episode, Claudia Cano-Asbjornsen interviews Danny De Lillo who is the Chair of the Board of Directors of New Filmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA). This is an interesting conversation where we, at 'The Hollywood Makers', continue to unite efforts with NFMLA to support emerging filmmakers. The insights these two filmmakers of supporters share have a lot of value. If you are a creative working, or wanting to work in the medi...

We are ending the celebration of Women's History Month with a wonderful episode with insightful stories of women trailblazers in the Media and Entertainment industry from the beginning of cinema. Join Claudia Cano-Asbjornsen, who shines a spotlight on the incredible contributions of women in Hollywood. From pioneers to Oscar-winning legends, discover these specific inspiring stories of women who have shaped the world of audiovi...

Daniel Indart, a music genius, is our guest of honor in this episode of The Hollywood Makers. From scoring blockbusters and awarded films to collaborating with music icons like Ricky Martin and Quincy Jones, Daniel's influence in the industry is unparalleled. Join Claudia Cano-Asbjornsen as she asks him about his career, from the founding of Latin Music Specialists and LMS Records to producing over 60 albums. With more than 250...

Claudia Cano-Asbjornsen brings you a summary of what happened at the Sundance Film Festival. This independent film festival has launched the careers of some of the most admired filmmakers of today. The Sundance Festival celebrated its 40th anniversary, and you won't want to miss what projects were screened at this important event. Come and listen to the episode where you'll hear valuable information for those who are part o...

Claudia Cano-Asbjornsen brings a great guest in this episode: Jana Nascimento Nagase. Jana is a film critic and voting member for the Critics Choice Awards and the Spirit Awards. Both Claudia and Jana have a lot of experience not only interviewing the makers of the films that are being nominated but also Jana's career shows the road map of how those films and series win the prizes. Don't miss this insightful episode brought...

In this new episode of The Hollywood Makers Claudia Cano-Asbjornsen shares in brief the meaning of the new agreement that ended the last historic strike. The dust has settled, and everyone can feel the enthusiasm in the entertainment capital generating a lot of activity once again. Directors are hurrying to regroup their casts for paused film productions, while actors are waiting for the opportunity to hit the red carpet and promot...

In this episode, we decided to go deep into the world of AI with Dr. Duan Peng, an awarded and distinguished executive in the tech and media sectors. We knew Dr. Peng had to be featured in our program, which is by and directed to 'The Hollywood Makers', given her impressive career achievements in data science, machine learning, Generative AI, and data strategy, which continue to shape our industry.

Duan Peng shares valuabl...