Production environment representing ETC work in media technology

Shaping the Future of Entertainment Technology

ETC is a USC School of Cinematic Arts research center and industry convenor exploring how emerging technologies change the way entertainment is created, distributed, archived, and experienced.

Explore Projects Latest Publications ETC Events

Focus

Media, AI, and production workflows

Approach

Research grounded in industry practice

Output

Projects, convenings, and publications

ETC News

The latest from the Entertainment Technology Center

Announcement

ETC Welcomes Wendy Aylsworth as Board Chair

Industry veteran and award-winning media executive Wendy Aylsworth — CEO and CTO of Walden Pond technology consultancy — has been named the new chair of ETC’s executive board. Aylsworth has an impressive history developing entertainment technology while serving leadership positions at Warner Bros. and The Walt Disney Company. She also has a distinguished track record providing strategic board guidance for numerous organizations, including the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Hollywood Professional Association (HPA), American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), among others. As the next chair of ETC’s executive board, Aylsworth replaces Michael Wise, former CTO of Universal Pictures.

September 2, 2026

Events

ETC Integrates Beeble into Film Projects

The Entertainment Technology Center has integrated Beeble’s AI-powered production tools into its filmmaking education and research, giving students hands-on experience with AI workflows for visual effects, virtual production, and cinematic storytelling. Beeble develops AI-powered tools for filmmakers, VFX studios, technical artists, and content creators. Its technologies enable artists to integrate advanced machine learning into professional filmmaking workflows.

September 1, 2026

Announcements

ETC Unveils New Website, Social Media Plans

The Entertainment Technology Center launched a strategic marketing and communication initiative this year to reimagine its brand, industry interaction, online presence, and knowledge-sharing efforts. The first step involved shuttering the ETCentric daily news portal and designing a new website with a focus on ETC film projects, research, special events, and related news.

August 31, 2026

Latest from ETC on LinkedIn

Read the latest ETC update on LinkedIn.

Featured Research

Current projects advancing the intersection of entertainment and technology

Narrative Context ProtocolOngoing

Narrative Context Protocol

Exploring new frameworks for story, metadata, attribution, provenance, interoperability, and distribution in a media landscape assisted by generative tools.

Archived ProjectsArchive

Archived Projects

Legacy projects from ETC

AI & Emergent MediaOngoing

AI & Emergent Media

Researching production workflows that combine physical stages, real-time rendering, LED volumes, and adaptive creative pipelines.

AI & Enterprise SystemsOngoing

AI & Enterprise Systems

Examining how artificial intelligence can support creative teams while raising important questions about authorship, labor, standards, and responsibility.

View All Research Projects

Industry News

Curated developments from across the entertainment technology sector

AI in MediaWPPSep 24, 2026

WPP launches flagship production hub in East London

WPP launches flagship production hub in East London uniting AI and virtual production.

AI in MediaCNBCSep 24, 2026

Mark Zuckerberg debuts $1,299 Meta VR Glasses and Muse Charm pendant as part of AI agent push

Meta unveiled new VR Glasses and the Muse Charm gadget for AI agents.

Industry InsightsVarietySep 24, 2026

Lawmakers Unveil 20%-30% U.S. Film Incentive in Bid to Restore Hollywood Production

Lawmakers have introduce da 20%-30% stackable film incentive in a bid to restore domestic production.

AI in MediaDigital TrendsSep 24, 2026

Your next Gemini answer might come from space as Google tests AI data centers in orbit

Google is taking its AI ambitions into orbit with Project Suncatcher, a plan to test AI data centers in space using solar-powered satellites and its TPU chips.

AI in MediaBBC NewsSep 24, 2026

Are we back in big tech's 'move fast and break things' era?

Despite promises to make safe AI, examples of bots behaving badly are now coming at us thick and fast.

AI in MediaThe VergeSep 23, 2026

Meta Connect 2026: The biggest news and announcements

Meta Connect 2026 will feature AI and hardware announcements.

EventsBillboardSep 24, 2026

Apple Music to Host Its First Ever Video Livestream From Dance Festival Head Trip

Apple Music will livestream its first video from the Dance Festival Head Trip.

StreamingPetaPixelSep 24, 2026

The RodeCaster Video Series Now Does 4K Capture and Distribution

RodeCaster Video 1.4 firmware update adds 4K capture and distribution.

Industry InsightsTechCrunchSep 24, 2026

Ando wants to take on Slack with a team messaging app that lets humans and agents work together

Ando has raised $20 million in pre-seed and seed funding from investors including Accel, Index Ventures, and Emergence.

Industry InsightsAndroid AuthoritySep 24, 2026

Spotify just gave Meta Muse the keys to your music

Spotify now allows Meta Muse to react to your plans without user input.

AI in MediaSiliconANGLESep 23, 2026

Microsoft unveils Integrated Security Operations Center in Defender for AI agents

Microsoft unveiled Integrated Security Operations Center in Defender for AI agents.

StreamingRoad to VRSep 23, 2026

Meta VR Glasses Hands-on: What Apple Vision Pro Probably Should Have Been

Meta VR Glasses bridge the gap between augmented reality projects and its Quest platform.

EventsPetaPixelSep 23, 2026

Microsoft’s New Surface Devices Are Faster, Brighter, and More Efficient

Microsoft unveiled new Surface devices powered by the Snapdragon X2 Plus processor.

StreamingSports Video Group NewsSep 22, 2026

SVG Sit-Down: Disney’s Dave Johnson on ESPN’s New 4K HDR Distribution Pipeline and What It Means for Super Bowl LXI and Beyond

ESPN recently took a notable step in its long-running evolution toward higher-quality video with the rollout of 4K HDR distribution for ESPN and ESPN2 in the United States.