How Hollywood Can Comeback, Kid
Part 2 with the legendary Steve Papazian
“Anybody from California who is a politician listening to this: get off your ass, and don’t lose Hollywood.” - Steve Papazian
Happy Thursday!
Welcome to this little corner of the internet where I share my musings and pontificate how we can sustain and dare I say thrive (?!) in the Entertainment Industry.
Earlier this week I shared part 1 of my conversation with Hollywood icon Steve Papazian. He is the former President of Worldwide Physical Production at Warner Bros. That chat was recorded back in April of 2019 and chronicles his rise from the mailroom to The Matrix.
Highly recommend checking that out as his career spans nearly five decades and is masterclass. Executives of his generation are a rare breed. They just don’t make ‘em like they used to.
To refresh your memory, his impressive filmography includes some of cinema's most defining moments: The Matrix, The Hobbit trilogy, and the Harry Potter films.
He's been the trusted production partner for visionaries like Clint Eastwood and Christopher Nolan across multiple projects, helping bring their creative visions to life on an unprecedented scale.
And some folks like to say physical executives / producers aren’t creative… 😬
Given the tectonic shifts of the last six years, we recorded this episode last week to discuss how dramatically the landscape has shifted—and what it means for the future of American cinema.
“The show is lost in showbiz.” - Steve Papazian
It’s abundantly clear to anyone with a pulse in 2025 that social media and corporate models have fundamentally changed how entertainment is created and consumed. Steve shares his deep concerns about Hollywood's fading identity and offers bold solutions for reclaiming America's cinematic legacy.
Our conversation is about more than just movies—it's about preserving a uniquely American art form that has shaped how the world sees us. It’s about saving the myriad of blue collar jobs of people who love making movies and television.
The often invisible folks behind the scenes.
It’s about saving the working class of Hollywood.
Let's dive in.
1. Hollywood Doesn’t Make Movie Stars Anymore
Imagine Kim Novak being discovered at a bus stop and receiving six months of training before her first film. Today's "nepo baby" phenomenon has replaced merit-based discovery with connections, while studios no longer invest in the long-term development of talent.
2. California's Policy Failures Are Killing the Industry
While countries like the UK and Canada offer streamlined, generous tax incentives for film production, California's convoluted incentive structure has driven production overseas. These overly complex regulations have cost the state $10 billion and 50,000 jobs.
3. The Solution Requires Going Back to Basics
In Steve’s mind, Hollywood's revival includes studios owning their own theaters again, massive reinvestment in marketing and showmanship, and government incentives that put California above all international competition. He emphasizes that winning back younger generations will require experiential offerings—free Coca-Colas, Harry Potter wands, and the kind of magical moviegoing experience that creates lifelong film lovers.
Keep creating, keep hustling. And as always, thanks for doing this life thing with me!
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