The AvA Connection

1) Buzzword alert!!! “Generative AI” Sick of it yet? Same. But it’s not going anywhere.

Quick updates from Hollywood as it’s been a crazy week

• WME opt-ed out all of their clients on OpenAI’s Sora 2 gen AI video platform.

• UTA called Sora 2 ““exploitation, not innovation” and “there is no substitute for human talent in our business, and we will continue to fight tirelessly for our clients to ensure that they are protected.” Full statement here.

• CAA doesn’t explicitly opt-out but calls it a “misuse” of emerging technology that “exposes our clients and their intellectual property to significant risk.”

• Fox Entertainment takes equity stake in AI-microdramas company Holywater. oof.

• OpenAI’s likeness protections don’t apply to dead celebrities. Crazy. 

2) Netflix debuts video games to their TV services for the first time. 

The company has been offering games on mobile devices for the past 4 years, but this is a major step towards Netflix’s targeted growth in the sector. They continue to capture the addicted eyeballs of the next gen.

3) California passed an (underrated) law banning loud commercials on streaming services.

It fittingly is titled the CALM (Commercial Advertising Loudness Mitigation) Act, and hopefully this means everyone in LA will no longer be yelled at by Idris Elba in AI commercials or get jump-scared about random health products.

4) From Aziz Ansari’s Assistant to his co-producer

That’s the story of Kelsey Comeau. We hosted an Assistant-only screening of her new movie, Good Fortune ft. Aziz, Seth Rogan, Keanu Reeves, Sandra Oh, Keke Palmer and caught up with her to hear her inspiring story.

5) iHeartMedia conducted large-scale layoffs right before their Q3 Earnings Report. 

These cost-cutting measures include employees from long-time executives to on-air personalities, and signals a potential shift in iHeart’s operations going forward. Translation: even radio’s biggest player is struggling to stay relevant in a streaming world.

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Nick Abate is the first producer to put together a multi-day concert at the legendary Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville, Iowa, a location that has long been a bucket list destination for baseball fans, but until now, had never hosted a major lineup of performances.

His journey to this moment is as cinematic as the site itself: he’s a self-taught producer who went from sneaking into venues with a camera and a “press pass” to creating a primary ticketing partnership with StubHub, all while rebuilding from a near-total career collapse in the pandemic. The Field of Dreams concert is more than just his comeback, it’s a tribute to risk, resilience, and betting on yourself.

Our conversation is below:

AvA: Field of Dreams is an iconic and sacred ground. How did you convince the venue and city to make it all happen?  

Abate: I think the venue and our team were on the same page about wanting to elevate the fan experience at the Field of Dreams. They host MLB games out on the field and are enhancing the grounds – I believe it was just good timing that we were all able to make it happen.

AvA: You locked in the venue before you even had artists. What gave you the confidence in the project to bet on yourself like that? 

Abate: I always bet on myself – if you don’t take chances, you’ll never know if your project will ever become a successful reward.

AvA: The festival drove more than $11.2 million for the community + region, but every win comes with chaos behind the scenes. What were some hurdles you had to overcome along the way? 

Abate: We were going into this festival without any historical data, which was a bit of a hurdle. We really had to dial into the traffic control and staffing to ensure a smooth experience for fans and our team alike. One of the challenges we faced was resources; our vendors were located far away and had to travel to get here. Given that we were in a small town, there are a bunch of limitations with that. For example,  If we were doing an event in Chicago, and I needed an additional fan, it’d be like a quick 10-minute trip to the store. In this situation, we’d have to plan for at least an hour – hahaha.

AvA: You went from sneaking into shows with a fake press pass to cutting a deal with StubHub. How much of your career has been "fake it till you make it"? 

Abate: Great question. I think the first three years of my career were my “fake” years. However, they were the most important. With all the mistakes I made during those early years, I learned the right ways to make decisions and got an understanding of the industry basics, which gave me the tools to move forward. 

AvA: The Pandemic was a tough era for you, but you still came back swinging. How did rebuilding shape your perspective? 

Abate: Man, it changed my life completely. I went from losing everything and having people not wanting to work with me because of my situation to now – it has solidified the fact that if you have the will and perseverance to change, it will change. I am humble and grateful for the downfalls.

AvA: What is one piece of advice for someone wanting to break into Entertainment? 

Abate: Fake it, hahaha. No, I think you have to work your way up from a small venue position that requires little to no experience. Get connected with industry folks, and understand the risks involved in the industry.

👋 See you back here on Monday

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