A Futurist’s Handbook for Hollywood
PART 1: A practical guide to the tech re-shaping our world
In case you missed it, we live in the future. We may not have flying cars (yet) but a tidal wave of technological advancements is radically transforming our existence. We face disruptions from a fleet of AI tools deployed by tech giants, neuro-tech firms on the cusp of enhancing our cognitive abilities with nano-sized brain computer interfaces, while bacteria inspired tools augment our genome. Above us, swarms of new satellites stream through Lower Earth Orbit, laying the foundation for our next communication upgrade, as we make an urgent call for cutting-edge infrastructure to address the climate crisis.
“We are now living on the exponential… change is coming faster than anyone or anything can adapt to it.” — Shelly Palmer (Futurist)
And this is just the ‘cold open’.
Hi there, it’s Taryn, your friendly futurist filmmaker. If you are in entertainment and trying to make sense of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other hyper-accelerating technologies impacting our world and our industry, you’re at the right place. I’m a sci-fi screenwriter, director, new media producer, former actor, occasional blogger, and thinker of all things ‘future’. Because of my passion for science and technology topics coupled with my long standing belief that STEM literacy will help us navigate society’s big challenges, I co-founded Scirens, a STEM in entertainment advocacy and creative group, in 2014. And I’m here to offer you, my fellow Hollywood citizens, a portal to the future.
But first, a quick leap back to the Pandemic days when the Metaverse and NFTs dominated Hollywood headlines, promising interconnected digital goods and worlds, some even built on the blockchain. Most people I knew, especially in the ‘biz’, froze at this impending techno-shift, scrambling to figure out the Metaverse’s potential impacts. Being in continuous sci-tech ‘research mode’ (and having written a ‘Black Mirror’esque short film with AI elements), I realized the need to look at all the disruptive near-future technologies on the horizon — — because our stories needed to be ready to reflect our changing and uncertain times.
And besides, Reese Witherspoon had tweeted about the need for avatars and digital wallets, so the timing seemed right. I started to write a post.
… But I dropped the ball and never finished it (blame gravity and directing a movie). Yet here we are, almost three years later, facing even more tech upheveal. Zuck’s VR Metaverse may still be languishing in its infancy, but Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI), which was #3 on my 2021 list, has hit the industry like an asteroid. It’s been a mere 16 months since Open AI’s ChatGPT 3 was released (GPT 5 coming soon) and seismic shifts in Hollywood are already underway. Big tech is heavily invested in this new ‘tech arms race’, with Meta, Google, Microsoft and Open AI all revealing the billions they will be investing in AI alone this year. Gen AI has now taken center stage, while other groundbreaking technologies are waiting in the wings. So, I’m back to finish what I started.
Why? I believe, as creatives, we need to have a better grasp of these world shifting technologies to evolve our industry and create more impactful stories that reflect our rapidly changing world.
But, but — — sci-fi movies already have been offering up the baselines for how we think about the future and its technologies — — Star Trek, The Terminator, HER, Blade Runner, Ex Machina, Westworld, Gattaca, The Island, Jurassic Park, and most things Marvel. All those hyper smart sci-fi writers with their snappy banter have got us covered. But to point out — — all of these films are canonized as ‘sci-fi’. A separate world from our own. If you weren’t a sci-fi fan, you weren’t even exposed to these ideas. But I’m here because many of these sci-fi ideas are quickly heading towards sci-fact. Everyone should be learning about the real world developments, yet most people are ill-equipped and unprepared.
I believe these futurist concepts, on the verge of becoming reality, should be interwoven into Hollywood storytelling of all genres: Murder mysteries, family comedies, yes, even stoner roadtrip flicks. Because stories are excellent information delivery systems. They hold a mirror up to society, and also light a candle to lead the way somewhere new.
Most importantly, shouldn’t we want to a hand in how our future unfolds? As a society, we’ve become short-term thinkers, prioritizing present day satisfaction over long-term well-being. (Please visit Ella Saltmarshe’s wonderful The Long Time Academy to explore this further). Through storytelling, we wield the power to focus on the long term… revealing how our actions, combined with unfolding technologies, might shape it. As writers and filmmakers, we can devise visual narrative blueprints, helping society envision and construct those very landscapes. Maybe we can even get excited about the future again if we have a better grasp on what is just over the horizon. Because as Ari Wallach narrates in PBS’s wonderful new series A Brief History of the Future:
“What if we get it right?”
Welcome to A Futurist’s Handbook for Hollywood, a #longread blog post. It’s a top-level, non-technical overview to immerse you in our unfolding sci-tech landscape and help you navigate the future of society, storytelling and the entertainment industry.
One more thing to note: almost all of these topics and technologies are interconnected. (And that will be explored in Part 2.) As Margaret Atwood posited, “it’s not Climate Change, it’s Everything Change”. So buckle up, jump aboard the latest Starlink launch and get the 20,000 ft view of our quickly changing world. Adjust your lives and storytelling accordingly.
Welcome to…
The Bamboo Forest. 🎋
Wait, we’re not in space? Nope, didn’t have the budget. We’re in a regular ol’ bamboo forest, perhaps in the hills of Nara, Japan, or probably in the backyard of a Los Feliz mansion. Bamboo, especially running bamboo, is fascinating. For years, planted bamboo lays dormant to the naked eye. But beneath the surface, the bamboo is spreading its roots across the forest floor. And then one day, shoots of bamboo spring upwards, multiple feet tall. Within months, the entire forest has been altered by this bamboo, some species eradicated, many species forced to adapt or die, unaware that the bamboo was laying its roots for months out of sight.
This is what has been happening with advanced technologies. Decades of research predates the disruptions we are now feeling; on the surface it seems to happen overnight, but these developments were merely out of sight from the everyday world. But their impact, like the bamboo, has been swift and robust, offering advantages to some industries, decimating others, stripping many of their ability to garner proverbial sunlight and water to survive. And there is much more waiting to sprout.
And to note, ‘the soil’ influences this root system. Forces like climate change, shifting age demographics, unhealthly capital systems, are ingredients of our ‘soil’ that have cultivated this bamboo.
But my focus here in PART 1 of this Handbook is to examine the roots: What are the underlying, fundamental technologies driving the change we are seeing? There are SEVEN. #1, #6, #7, especially, have substantial impacts on Hollywood. Exploring these ‘roots’ help reveal the fundamental elements that are reshaping society and thus, our future. And to be clear, they are evolving at a fast and furious rate. So let’s dig in:
1. AI and Machine Learning 🤖 (The Juggernaut)
The Basics
We’ll address the elephant in the room first. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, branches of computer science, create systems that learn, adapt, and perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence. Trained on massive datasets, often scraped from the internet, they process, ‘learn’ and reconfigure billions of data points to deliver responses to human ‘prompts’ reminiscent of Jarvis from ‘Iron Man.’
The Evolution and Impact of AI
AI is not new. The exploration of machine intelligence and artificial neural networks began as a field in the late ’50s. For over a decade we’ve interacted with simple AI chatbots like Alexa and Siri. Algorithms have been serving us Netflix suggestions or customized online ads for even longer. But the game changed because of the GPTs (Generative Pre-trained Transformers), a revolutionary form of deep learning initially developed by OpenAI in 2018. Inspired by the structure of the brain, Transformer models have made significant strides in Natural Language Processing (NLP), enhancing how machines understand and generate human language. The other types of models used for Generative AI are Diffusion (often used for images) and GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks). Powered by high-performance GPUs with billions of transistors on a single chip (kudos if you invested in Nvidia), these models have expanded AI’s capabilities exponentially.
Just think, in 2012, Google famously announced that it had trained an AI to recognize the image of a cat. Today, visually trained AIs can not only identify but generate every type of image, animate those images, and produce almost cinema quality video clips. According to Stanford’s HAI (Initiative for Human-Centered AI), there were 149 ‘foundational’ models (many open sourced) that were released in 2023. Add these to an already robust offering that can code you a website, translate languages, run high-level math and science equations, model new folding proteins, ace the LSAT, write a news story or a sonnet, and talk to you like a therapist. Many of these skills were not explicitly taught but emergent (yes, that is as mysterious as it sounds).
Furthermore, an AI model doesn’t need food, rest, or a pat on the back — just a lot of power and a decent internet connection. And as of writing this, Open AI’s CEO Sam Altman called ChatGPT 4 “stupid” as compared to Open AI’s newest model, soon be released. AI is now the fastest growing sector of capital investments.
The Drive Towards AGI
And what is this progress leading to? AGI — Artificial General Intelligence. Experts all have different definitions of what that means, but for me, AGI is an AI that exceeds human intelligence and operates autonomously. Even without AGI, AI is transforming every sector that it touches, as it amplifies and automates skills and potentially renders many human workers redundant.
Pros: healthcare (new drug discoveries, disease detection, personalized medicine), education (knowledge catalyst, class planning assistance, expanded outreach to all ages), science (data analysis, modeling, materials structuring), robotics (autonomous functions), creative fields (tool for expanding creativity and efficiency), legal (case law analysis, summaries).
Concerns: job displacement, IP issues for creatives and artists, ethical concerns (bias in AI algorithms, misuse of autonomous systems), huge energy consumption (threatening climate carbon reduction goals), existential concerns.
How Will It Impact Hollywood:
As many of you are Hollywood types, you are already familiar with issues surrounding AI because of the WGA and SAG ’23 strikes. AI can be used across almost every sector in entertainment. From research and writing, to storyboarding, to line production + budgets, to visual effects, animation and color correction. It’s also very robust at voice cloning and music generating, thus able to generate a digitally cloned voice in whatever manner or language is wished (Eleven Labs is at the forefront, Google can even reconstruct music from your brain activity). Actor digital doubles are also feasible now (they have been for a while) but AI software allows the manipulation of these realistic digital doubles to act and say whatever is prompted. Thus, securing one’s digital likeness rights becomes of new import. As of writing this, Microsoft just released a demo of VASA, its new digital double tool, created off of a single headshot and an audio clip.
Synthetic character creation (your newest girlfriend or bestie is an AI character you create) is also a newly booming business. AI already personalizes your content recommendations but the next iteration will be ‘in story’ where content can be personalized on the fly. Open AI’s video generator Sora (which has yet to be released to the public) is already being challenged by China’s VIDU generating HD 16 second videos. AI is putting creative storytelling power in everyone’s hands and it’s here to stay. How do we steer its impact on this industry to ensure a future? That is the question.
(If you want a dramatized look at AI gone wrong, watch the “Joan is Awful” Black Mirror episode),
Impact Horizon : Present
Resources: AI Breakfast, Future Tools, MIT AI Newsletter, The Rundown, The Batch
2. Quantum Computing 🔮
The Basics
Quantum computing is next up, and if you finish the Black Mirror episode, you’ll get the tie-in. Well, sort of, because quantum computers are underpinned by quantum physics, which is notoriously difficult to get. But it’s one of the most fascinating topics because quantum physics is the fundamental science of reality, yet quantum particles obey laws that are alien to us and contrary to the ‘classical’ laws that our visible reality follows (like not being able to instantaneously tunnel through a wall).
My favorite concepts are two particles being fundamentally connected across space (entanglement) or existing in two positions simultaneously (superposition). Quantum computing leverages these principles of quantum mechanics to process information. Unlike classical computing, which uses bits (0s and 1s), quantum computing uses quantum bits or qubits, which can represent and process a large amount of data simultaneously, thanks to quantum superposition.
If you can maintain a specific number of qubits in ‘coherence’, using extremely complicated and ultra cold machinery, complex solutions that would take a classical supercomputer thousands of years could be at our fingertips. What do we not know that we don’t know? What is dark matter? What is the nature of existence? My mind spins at what the quantum revolution will reveal. And I’m not the only one.
There are massive investments in the quantum systems realm, paralleling big advancements in the tech. In April 2024, PsiQuantum announced a $610 million investment from the Australian government, bringing the Silicon Valley company’s total funding upwards of $1.3 billion. McKinsey projected that quantum technologies could create value worth trillions of dollars within the decade. However, with the potential of quantum computing systems going mainstream, our existing internet and every system protected by encryption (from banking to the military) will need to be reconfigured to keep it safe and private. There will be a pressing need for quantum-resistant cryptography.
Pros: potential to solve complex, currently unknowable problems (drug development, weather modeling, code-breaking), synergy with AI for unfathomable computational power and decision-making capabilities.
Concerns: significant security concerns (breaking encryption), complexity and cost limiting access and widening the technological divide.
How Will It Impact Hollywood
Quantum computing could revolutionize VFX rendering times, enable complex simulations, and enhance encryption for digital content and intellectual property protection. It would also, very well, redefine the nature of existence which will certain impact our entertainment. However, these impacts are far in the future, as the technology is still in its testing phase and very expensive.
Impact Horizon: Future (5–10 years)
Resources: Google Quantum, New Scientist, The Quantum Insider
3. Biotechnology 🧬
The Basics
Biotechnology is a truly fascinating field that merges biology with technology, harnessing the power of living organisms and biological systems to develop innovative products and solutions. It’s a two-fold domain: one involves integrating technology into living systems, like the OG pacemaker that regulates heart rhythms or a cutting edge Brain Computer Interface, while the other explores how we can use biology (and nature’s designs that have evolved over millions of years) to shape new technologies.
Biotech delves into multiple fields — like genetic engineering, and synthetic biology. This is where scientists study life’s intricate processes, from the molecular level to entire ecosystems, to develop groundbreaking solutions for big problems. CRISPR-Cas9, a revolutionary gene-editing tool inspired by bacteria, allows us to modify DNA with incredible precision (now also utilizing a neural network trained AI tool), potentially giving us the power to cure genetic diseases. The very first Sickle Cell patient, a 12 year old boy, is just now undergoing an FDA approved CRISPR blood treatment (a $3 million cost!).
Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) represent another significant frontier in biotech. The tech is what it sounds to be: a device that connects your brain to a computational system. These devices vary widely in design, some are full brain implants, some have a filament device inserted through your jugular, others are external nodes on your skull. The technology was initially designed to address severe medical conditions — like speech and movement disorders — but the future ramifications of BCI’s — connecting a brain to the internet, for example — is nothing short of mind boggling.
Synthetic biology involves designing and engineering new biological parts and systems that don’t exist in nature (like vaccines and biofuels). In 2010 biologist Craig Venter and team revealed their creation of the first synthetic bacteria, a cell controlled completely by a synthetic genome. When it comes to rejuvenating an extinct genome, this is where biotech pioneers like George Church come in.
A pivotal application of biotechnology was the development of mRNA delivery technology for COVID-19 vaccines. Unlike traditional methods that use weakened pathogens, mRNA vaccines employ a piece of genetic code to instruct cells to produce a protein characteristic of the virus, triggering an immune response.
But biotech isn’t just about medicine. It has applications in agriculture, environmental conservation, and industrial processes, from creating drought-resistant crops to engineering microbes that can break down pollutants.
At its core, biotechnology is about tapping into the cellular and biomolecular processes of life itself. (I know, just that).
Pros: Has the potential to dramatically solve problems in healthcare, improve medical treatments, create sustainable agricultural practices, and address environmental issues head-on. Oh, and transform what we consider the human body and brain.
Concerns: Ethical questions abound regarding genetic engineering, such as the potential for creating designer babies or exacerbating social inequalities through access to genetic enhancements. There’s also the risk of unintended consequences in tampering with complex biological systems and privacy concerns with personal genetic data.
How Will It Impact Hollywood
Biotech has the potential to augment how we ‘experience’ entertainment with Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI). Here, the narrative becomes immersive as it would derive from inside our sensory system. Likewise, a BCI implant could augment a performer in an unexpected way, giving them access to new emotions or skills. There are already marketing companies that use EEGs to read your brain’s responses while watching a trailer (since the early ’10s) to shape it into the most engaging, emotion provoking version. Biotech could also improve more sophisticated motion capture technologies. And from an on-set safety perspective, the technology could lead to better health monitoring, especially during the rise of new novel viruses.
Impact Horizon: Near Future (1–5 years)
Resources: Gen News, Bio Space, J. Craig Venter Institute, Fierce Biotech
4. Nanotechnology ✨
The Basics
The building blocks of life exist at a level that we cannot see, touch, or manipulate without advanced technologies. It wasn’t until we developed microscopy in the late 1800s that we could examine blood, tissue, and reveal the world of antibodies, viruses, and bacteria. Nanotechnology is the frontier of science and engineering where the incredibly small reigns supreme. Operating at the scale of molecules and atoms, a nanometer being just one-billionth of a meter, this field allows scientists to manipulate materials at the most fundamental level.
Under the nanotech umbrella, we have nanoparticles, nanofibers, nanosensors, and quantum dots (yes, very small). Their compositions vary based on their purpose, ranging from metals like gold and silver for their antimicrobial properties, to semiconductors like graphene for its exceptional strength and conductivity, and polymers for targeted drug delivery.
Nanotech has enabled targeted drug delivery, allowing medications to be delivered directly to specific cells or tissues while minimizing side effects. It has also made early disease detection possible through nanosensors that can identify biomarkers at the molecular level. Tissue regeneration can be promoted using nanofibers that mimic the extracellular matrix, guiding cell growth. Environmental cleanup and water purification benefit from nanomaterials that can efficiently absorb pollutants.
And let’s not forget about Chips. Nanotech is the driving force behind Moore’s Law, enabling computer chips to decrease in size, increase power, and decrease energy usage. Our newest VR/spatial computing and AI systems depend on the latest generation of chips, which are only possible through advancements in nanotechnology.
Pros: Enables the development of revolutionary products and materials, such as ultra-high-definition displays, highly efficient solar panels, targeted drug delivery, early disease detection, tissue regeneration, and environmental cleanup.
Concerns: The introduction of nanomaterials into the environment and the human body raises concerns about toxicity and long-term health effects, which are still not fully understood. There’s also the potential for nanotechnology to be used in surveillance and military applications, raising privacy and security issues. Ethical considerations regarding the manipulation of matter at the atomic scale also come into play.
How Will It Impact Hollywood
Nanotechnology could introduce new materials for set and costume design, such as nanofiber-based fabrics that are lightweight, durable, and can change color or texture on demand. It could also lead to more efficient and compact lighting and camera equipment, allowing for greater flexibility in filming. Nanotech could enhance physical effects used on-screen, like using nanoparticles to create more realistic explosions or weather effects. There’s also the potential for new visual storytelling techniques based on nanoscale phenomena, such as visualizing molecular interactions or exploring the world at the atomic level.
Impact Horizon: Present -> Near Future (0–5 years)
Resources: Nanowerk, phys.org, Nanotech Initiative (gov)
5. Materials Science and 3D Fabrication 🏗️
The Basics
When you step back and think about it, all our technology is derived from minerals and elements that we have extracted from the Earth and manipulating into tiny components (yes, there is an overlap here with nanotech) that run currents of electricity and turn millions of teeny switches on and off. Then, these components power bigger designs that we also make with these raw materials. Materials science is an interdisciplinary field focused on the discovery and design of new materials, sometimes inspired by structures in nature. It involves studying the properties and performance of materials at various scales, from the atomic level to the macro scale.
My fascination with materials science sparked when I learned about graphene (thanks New Scientist subscription!) — a lattice of carbon atoms with incredible superconductive properties, allowing electricity to flow almost unhindered. It’s also lightweight, bendable, and incredibly strong, peaking my sci-fi mind with inspiring visions of self-charging cars and adaptive buildings (though ‘Borophene’ apparently has just been named its successor).
Metamaterials are fabricated materials which do not occur in nature, with unique properties derived from their structure rather than their natural composition. Metamaterials are crafted to have a precise architecture, which allows them to manipulate electromagnetic waves and other forms of energy in unusual ways. Examples include advanced ceramics for protecting lithium car batteries, which are lightweight yet highly durable, and conductive polymers for revolutionizing MRIs by enabling clearer imaging with lower magnetic field strengths. Another example is a shape memory alloy, which can return to their original shape after being deformed, which has applications in robotics and self-repairing structures.
These materials are often created through 3D fabrication (printing), which allows for the creation of complex structures layer by layer, opening up new possibilities in manufacturing and design that would be impossible with traditional manufacturing methods. For example, a new material (made out of lasers and a metal powder) has been printed and it’s stronger than any known alloy in nature, and yet it’s lightweight. 3D printing also reduces waste by using only the necessary amount of material.
The combination of advanced materials, AI powered design and 3D fabrication techniques is driving innovation across industries, from aerospace and automotive to healthcare and consumer products. Be prepared to see ‘smart’ meta-materials embedded with AI.
Pros: Development of enhanced smart materials with novel properties and capabilities (self-healing, shape-shifting, energy harvesting), ability to produce customized items on demand in a more sustainable way, potential for more efficient and eco-friendly manufacturing processes.
Concerns: Environmental challenges related to the disposal and lifecycle of existing materials, high energy costs in the short term, increased demand for rare elements leading to resource depletion and geopolitical tensions, job displacement and IP theft from 3D printing, ensuring safety and reliability of 3D printed parts.
How Will It Impact Hollywood
New possibilities for costume, prop, and set design with custom, on-demand production; advanced materials creating ‘smart’ costumes and sets that respond to stimuli or change appearance; custom camera rigs and equipment built on the fly; safer, custom-made protective wear for stunt performers; potential for new visual effects and practical effects based on advanced material properties.
Timeline: Near future (1–5 years)
Resources: Duke Materials Initiative, Frontiers in Materials
6. Advanced Connectivity (and Edge Computing) 🌐
The Basics
Advanced connectivity, powered by the next-generation data network called 6G and edge computing, has the power to revolutionize our interaction with the digital world. 6G promises hyper-fast internet speeds enabling real-time, holographic communications, XR (eXtended Reality) — which is an umbrella term for Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality — digital sensory experiences, autonomous transportation, and fully integrated smart cities. It will expand the Internet of Things (IoT) to the Internet of Everything (IoE), where the Internet of Senses and Internet of Skills expand our integration into digital worlds.
6G will be 50 times faster than 5G, with sub-millisecond latency, allowing for instantaneous immersion into digital cloud realms. It will use higher frequency bands (terahertz spectrum) and AI for network and energy efficiencies. It will likely utilize a ‘3D’ network with nodes in space (ie. Satellites). 6G is the enabler for merging our physical and digital worlds.
Edge computing takes data processing local — to where it’s needed most, slashing latency and allowing for instant decision-making by devices (self-driving cars avoiding accidents, wearables providing immediate health feedback). This shift is crucial for speed-dependent applications, optimizing the data flood from our connected environments directly at the network’s edge. Edge computing can still be connected to the larger cloud but reduces the need for large amounts of data to transmit to distant data centers, enhancing privacy and data security.
Pros: Drastically increases speed and volume of data transmission, enabling new forms of communication and interaction. Environmental monitoring that detect changes in real time and with AI embedded agents can trigger automated responses.
Concerns: Data privacy and security issues, digital divide potentially exacerbating social inequalities, need for health safety research in the 6G spectrum. New materials will need to be developed to operate at the higher terahertz frequency.
How Will It Impact Hollywood
Keep an eye on this sector when it comes to Hollywood. Advanced connectivity will have a profound impact facilitating sophisticated on-set technologies, real-time collaboration across global production teams, new forms of content consumption enabling seamless, high-quality streaming experiences and reducing latency for interactive content (gaming, XR). It will also enable real-time remote experiences (live events, premieres). The most important impact? It could foster new business and distribution models (see Web 3 below).
Timeline: Near Future (1–5 years)
Resources: Gartner, ZD Net, Ericsson, Network World
7. Web 3: Blockchain + Crypto 🔗
The Basics
Web 3.0 (Web3) represents the next generation of the internet, aiming to create more intelligent, connected, and open web ecosystems. It’s driven by blockchain technology, which is a digital record (ledger) of online transactions that’s duplicated and distributed across a network of computer systems (decentralization). The ledger is made up of records called blocks, which are linked together in a chain. Each transaction in the blockchain is secured through encryption, authorized by the owner’s digital signature which authenticates the transaction and protects it from tampering. ‘Miners’ play a crucial role by using their computational power to solve cryptographic challenges that confirm these transactions and add new blocks to the chain, awarding them with cryptocurrency as payment, a process known as mining. (I know, this part gets confusing to me too…)
Because of this process, the information on the blockchain is secure, transparent, and immutable (cannot be altered retroactively). Blockchain aims to remove intermediaries in transactions, challenging traditional centralized systems like banking, large tech eco-systems and government. And yes, even Hollywood studios. This is the big draw for many people investing in the space.
Decentralized finance (DeFi) uses blockchain for financial services like lending and borrowing directly on public blockchains, bypassing traditional banking. Smart contracts are automated agreements coded into the blockchain that self-execute when conditions are met, without intermediaries. For example a home purchase agreement would not need an escrow company, or a musician could automatically receive a royalty payment without the need for ASCAP or BMI.
Cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin and Ethereum, are digital or virtual currencies that use cryptography to secure transactions, operating on the decentralized network. While volatile and risky, cryptocurrency offers a potential hedge against fiat (country issues) currency inflation and provides a way to secure transactions without centralized control. The initial craze for NFTs was underpinned by blockchain and showcased a digital asset that was purchased by cryptocurrency.
Stable coins are a type of crypto currency that is tied to a fiat currency (like the US dollar) making it less volatile. Also, recognized financial institutions like BlackRock and Schwab have started offering crypto ‘thematic’ ETFs (electronically traded funds), meaning that they are investing in companies using the blockchain, stabilizing the new markets further.
Pros: Introduces a new paradigm for secure, transparent transactions without centralized authorities, potentially revolutionizing digital ownership and trust; enables digital currencies outside traditional systems; could track IP rights, ensuring fair compensation and protection for artists across the internet.
Concerns: Challenges in scalability and energy consumption (has a poor environmental impact because of the ‘mining’ process, regulatory and legal frameworks yet to fully catch up, creating legal uncertainties; speculative cryptocurrencies are unprotected by federal government, ie. You could lose all your currency with no recourse.
How Will It Impact Hollywood
Web3 very well could transform content distribution through direct, secure transactions between creators and consumers; protect IP rights; enable new models for financing productions and bolster fan communities. Most importantly, it could also address current IP issues surrounding AI trained on scripts, movies, and TV series by assigning rights that are tracked across digital ledger tech and royalties paid out automatically. Web3 and blockchain are still in their early stages, but they hold the promise of a more decentralized, transparent, and creator-focused future for the entertainment industry. As these technologies mature, they could reshape how content is created, distributed, and monetized, giving more power back to the artists and storytellers. The Film3 movement is well underway with some robust (albeit small) communities and projects.
Timeframe: Present → Near Future (0–5 years)
Resources: CoinDesk, The Block, Currency Analytics, Film io
The 7: AI, Quantum, Biotech, Nanotech, Meta Materials, 6G, Web3
“Together, they are synergistically accelerating the rate of transformative change between past and future beyond anything we’ve ever experienced as a species…Successfully navigating the world-changing transitions these technologies will bring about is is perhaps one of the greatest challenges facing humanity today”
— Andrew Maynard (ASU Professor and AI expert)
🎬 AND… CUT.
That’s a wrap on Part 1 of A Futurist’s Handbook for Hollywood. Do you have a better grasp on these technologies impacting our world? Are you curious for more? Let me know in the comments.
In Part 2, dropping next week, I’ll turn the lens on the Bamboo Forest above ground, where these seven technologies have ‘sprouted’ and are interacting to impact our planet. I’ll actively explore these near future worlds we will likely be inhabiting. I’ll also have more links and a ‘cheat sheet’ to tuck into your script, so stay tuned!
And if this post was helpful to you, a lot of time went into it so please consider sharing. This information is not just for Hollywood creative types, sci-tech literacy is for everyone!
The future is moving fast. See you there.
(Part 2 is now published)
