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

Industry InsightsVarietyOct 1, 2026

Screenvision Shakes Up Movie-Theater Pre Show in Bid for Gen Z Ad Dollars

Screenvision will launch a new pre-show concept in October.

Industry InsightsLos Angeles TimesOct 1, 2026

After ban threats, TikTok touts a $12-billion boost to California businesses

After being nearly banned in the U.S. over privacy concerns and launching a new U.S. joint venture, TikTok touts its contributions to California's economy.

StreamingThe VergeOct 1, 2026

What even is a ‘microdrama’?

RoseBerry Media is recutting Neighbours episodes into microdramas for short-form vertical video.

Industry InsightsGizmodoOct 1, 2026

Amazon Refreshes Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, and Kindle Colorsoft E-Readers With Flush Screens

There are also fun new colors and two page-turning accessories—a wireless remote and a cover case—that keep the e-reader fresh.

Industry InsightsForbesOct 1, 2026

Amazon Could Be The Smartglasses Contender Nobody Saw Coming

Amazon is quietly rolling out smartglasses to its workforce.

Industry InsightsMacworldOct 1, 2026

iPhone Duo Guide: Everything you need to know about Apple’s folding iPhone

Apple's folding iPhone Duo pre-orders begin October 16.

AI in MediaPetaPixelOct 1, 2026

Instagram Launches AI Assistant That Analyzes Your Reels and Suggests New Ideas

Instagram launches an AI assistant that analyzes Reels and suggests new content ideas.

AI in MediaWiredOct 1, 2026

Apple Mac Studio (M5 Ultra) Review: Unlimited Power

The Mac Studio can run frontier-level AI language models locally.

Industry InsightsBillboardOct 1, 2026

Kobalt Co-Founder Willard Ahdritz Launches Music & Media Tech Venture Firm

The firm includes banker Stephen Langer and Isabel Keulen, formerly head of Stockholm School of Economics' business incubator and venture capital fund.

Industry InsightsTechCrunchSep 30, 2026

Google releases Gemini 4 Argon, called its most powerful model yet

Google released Gemini 4 Argon, its most powerful model for coding and cybersecurity.

Industry InsightsThe New York TimesSep 30, 2026Subscription Required

Google Wants Hollywood to Stop Being So Afraid of Technology

100 Zeros, a collaboration between Google and Range Media Partners, aims to give the tech giant a foothold in movies, TV and emerging forms of entertainment.

StreamingCord Cutters NewsSep 30, 2026