From Hollywood to Anywhere: The New Era of Content Creation and Learning

By Larry Namer, Founder of E! Entertainment TV Networks, President and CEO LJN Media Inc.

The world of media, whether it be commercial, artistic, or educational, has changed dramatically over the past decade. Advanced technology has made it possible for talented individuals everywhere to learn world-class skills and gain media-related business acumen without being blocked by geography or financial constraints. Today, hundreds of hours of master classes in every area of video content creation exist—from feature films to TikTok videos and everything in between—taught by renowned experts covering every aspect from creation to development to production, distribution, and financing. Efforts are now underway to build this type of technical infrastructure to make these resources available at accessible cost, enabling people to enhance their skills by learning from the best in each discipline.

Back when Hollywood first started up, it was the geographic center of the film world. If you wanted to make a film, you had to come to Hollywood to use the big sound stages and expensive equipment.  But that is no longer the case. Technology has lowered the barriers of entry, and visual content can now be created anywhere in the world. Today it’s very possible to make a movie in Africa on your iPhone. The term “Hollywood" has become more a measure of creativity and quality not a geographic place.

Television came in and made it possible technically and economically to make content in just about every place on earth. Then there was cable and now the distribution of video content can be created on the internet thereby bypassing the gatekeepers of old (networks, then cable companies). As more and more creative people found that they could be part of the process, not just consumers of the works of big media companies, the audiences were treated to a new era of creativity.

It used to be that you had to be a filmmaker to be seen as a thought leader, but television brought new formats, and digital technology changed viewing habits even further. Gone are the days of being restricted to watching what networks offered on Thursday nights at 8 p.m. Now, people can watch what they want, when they want, and on the device of their choice.

When Covid hit and people were confined to their homes, they discovered yet another new form of distribution, streaming platforms (Netflix etc.). Audiences quickly discovered that the fare being offered was better than what they consumed on traditional television. Writers were set free to create and tell stories that were deep and rich in character development in whatever amount of time they needed to write the stories the way they wanted to write them. Audiences responded well to this new golden age.

Then internet platforms like YouTube changed the rules for how much time content needed to be. Young audiences discovered short-form videos that were much more in line with their lifestyles and time constraints. Even those formats have since evolved into serialized stories told in bite-sized chunks through new platforms like Reels and Shorts.

About The World Film Institute:

World Film Institute sets a new path. To bring master-class level courses to anyone, anywhere who wants to make better video content. World Film Institute will be a catalyst for leveling the playing field for education and information. By offering these courses combined with the use of artificial intelligence, the materials will be available anywhere in the world and be presented in local languages. The World Film Institute is funded via donations.