The AvA Connection

AvA is going LIVE & virtual tomorrow for the first time. Where? At ZCON, the first conference built by Gen Z, for Gen Z.

Some confirmed guests:

Tati Bruening (@illumitati)

Head of Inclusive & Cultural Partnerships @ Yahoo

CMO @ Invisalign

CMO @ Rivet

Execs @ UTA

+A LOT of surprise guests

1) California invested $342 million worth of tax credits into 52 films to kick start big budget productions again. This includes:

The state will also now cover 35.8% of qualified expenses, which has nearly doubled from 19.5%. (Both weirdly specific numbers but let’s continue on)

This comes as a direct response of many factors including industry production jobs being down by 29% since 2022, and due to the fact that only 8 big budget productions are taking place this most recent quarter in California – which is down 43% to the year prior.

Under this new expanded program the state will award $337 million to feature films and $412 million to TV shows each year for the next 5 years.

Lotttta shit talking about L.A. film, and at least it feels like a step in the right direction.

2) Paramount had their second bid turned down to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery.

There has been interest from various companies like Netflix (allegedly) and Comcast to acquire WBD, who is more back and forth about if they want to be sold than HBO/HBO Max deciding on their name, but CEO David Ellison’s seemingly endless pockets are currently leading the charge.

Co-CEO of Netflix Ted Sarandos shut that down, saying Netflix has “no interest in owning legacy media networks.”

Paramount’s first bid of around $20 per share was turned down, and their second of $24 per share was also denied. More on that here.

But as of this moment WBD is official up for sale OR in CEO speak “a review of strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value" is happening…

3) Having a bad day? Not as bad as whoever at Netflix is dealing their $600m tax dispute with Brazil.

Netflix just broke its six-quarter profit streak after getting slammed with an unexpected $619M tax bill from Brazil, tanking what was otherwise a solid quarter.

What happened? Brazil’s government hit Netflix with a surprise tax dispute charge, throwing off their Q3 earnings. And you thought your $12 Ticketmaster surprise service charge was bad.

Revenue still climbed 17% YoY to $11.5B, but investors weren’t feeling forgiving as shares dropped ~10%.

Bigger Picture: Netflix is pivoting from subscriber flexes to financial discipline. AKA no more reporting subs, just revenue growth (+40% this year)

4) An AI news anchor was debuted on the UK’s Channel 4 in a stunt “to prove the dangers of artificial intelligence.”

At the end of the hour long program the AI host reveals that everything they saw was artificially generated, and the station had this to say afterwards:

Our new job board features 120+ early career roles in Entertainment, including:

💼 Executive Assistant - Cactus Jack - Apply Here

💼 Executive Assistant - Planet Reimagined - Apply Here

💼 Senior Account Executive - Dive Studios - Apply Here

💼 Music Touring Assistant - CAA - Apply Here

💼 Partnerships & Strategy Manager - TikTok - Apply Here

💼 Instagram & TikTok Coordinator - Dhar Mann Studios - Apply Here

💼 Digital Client Success Manager - iHeartMedia - Apply Here

💼 Senior Royalty Coordinator - Downtown Music - Apply Here

💼 Client Services Executive - Whalar Group - Apply Here

🎒 Music Brand Partnerships Spring Intern - Roc Nation - Apply Here

🎒 Disney Live Entertainment CAD Design Intern Spring 2026 - Disney - Apply Here

🎒 Sales & Distribution Internships (Spring 2026) - Warner Bros. Discovery - Apply Here

🎒 Spring 2026 Internships - Legendary Entertainment - Apply Here

Bio / Intro

Our conversation is below:

AvA: What was your first job in Entertainment and how did you get your foot in the door? 

Comeau: My first job was as an Office PA on Billions Season 3 in New York. I was offered the position from my fellow UMich alum and friend, Kelsey Fox, who mentioned an Office PA didn't show up for the first day. And I remember saying in the interview, "I'll literally do anything you say and I have no ego".. then I got the job.  It was a really hard gig but I had some really kind and steady mentorship in my production office coordinator, Todd Judson.

AvA: Can you share how the opportunity to co-produce this film came about?

Comeau: I was initially signed on as associate producer but through the writers strike, Keanu breaking his kneecap and navigating making the film with the time and budget we had, I took on a lot more responsibility. So when my formal agreement came up while in production, I took the opportunity to ask for a credit I thought I had earned. Aziz has always been supportive of career so I knew he wouldn't have any opposition to me asking for a bigger credit and I am happy that our partners at Lionsgate agreed. 

AvA: Everyone throws around the word Producer, but what does it actually mean? What does your role really entail day-to-day?

Comeau: I have no idea what the word means either. I think there's a lot of different versions of a producer (entirely creative, entirely logistical or financial, etc etc) but from where I sat next to our producer, Anthony Katagas, it's the mitochondria of the production. And with that, you accept full responsibility for what you're in charge of which in many cases is the well-being of the crew, the artistic vision and integrity of the project. My day to day is one sidequest after another (a lot like an assistant) but at its core it's making Aziz's day to day of wearing so many hats possible.

AvA: Every assistant dreams of “the jump.” What’s something you learned during your assistant days that no film class or producing course could have ever taught you?

Comeau: I had a production secretary on Billions, Olivia Reed, who very much led with kindness. She brilliantly cut through any instinct I had with being "competitive" as a PA by reminding me that when one of us bumps up we all bump up. Which is pretty true, because suddenly you have friends in high places. A year or so after we worked together, Olivia passed my PA resume onto her new boss and producer Igor Srubshchik (Master of None, Mrs. Fletcher, Crashing) who in turn, passed it onto Aziz. I don't think film school could've taught me to value friendship over opportunity, so thank you Olivia. 

AvA: Who do you admire most in the industry and why? 

Comeau: I admire anyone who is able to make a film nowadays. It's a miracle in itself. Paul Thomas Anderson comes to mind, only because he makes movies that really are unique and really are for everyone. And though I've never met him, I have heard is a Grade-A nice guy, which is always a treat.

AvA: What is one piece of advice you have for someone early in their career? 

Comeau: Don't get too good at making coffee. Seriously. And think outside of the box but only share a solution when you feel like they've hit a wall or are out of ideas or have outright asked.. and listen... for the love of god, just listen to everyone around you. Soak it all in. 

The LA Brandwagon is pulling up to The Grove on October 24th from 10am to 5pm PDT. Stop by for creative workshops and hands-on Canva demos.

(The Grove, in front of Nike and Nordstrom: 189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90036)

See the website for more information and RSVP at the link below:

👋 See you back here on Friday

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