Hollywood's Secret AI Plan; Disney's 'Edgy' Tinker Bell Era; DGA v. WGA

Our biggest story of the week was about — what else? — AI. While Hollywood spent the past three years arguing over what generative AI might do to film and TV, a group of top executives and creatives quietly met regularly behind the scenes — led by Kathleen Kennedy and AFI dean Susan Ruskin — to answer a harder question: How should the industry actually use it? And under what guidelines? Though participants in the often heated discussions shall remain anonymous, trust me, you certainly know their names — including those of Richard Rushfield and Janice Min, who were invited into the rooms off the record, and as periodic moderators.

This week, Richard presented the group’s proposed “Human Generative Workflows” — a written framework meant to harness AI while keeping human creativity in control.

It is an absolute must-read for anyone with a stake in Hollywood’s future.

First Look: Hollywood’s Secret AI Talks Go Public. Here’s the Plan

Aug 20, 2026

Richard Rushfield

Meanwhile, Emmy voting is in full swing, and Ankler writers were all over the TV Academy’s Televerse last weekend. Katey Rich led a lively session with The Traitors stars, while Elaine Low moderated panels on Dancing With the Stars, Summer House and the future of TV. Voting closes Aug. 26; for the latest race calls, check out Prestige Junkie Pundits.

Next up: Ankler Media international correspondent Manori Ravindran heads to the Edinburgh TV Festival, where she’ll sit down Tuesday with Chicken Shop Date creator Amelia Dimoldenberg, among other conversations. If you’re there, say hello!

And one housekeeping note: Tell us what you think about everything we do — and what to do better — in our 2026 Ankler Audience Survey. Weigh in by Sept. 1, and you’ll be eligible to win a $500 AMEX gift card.

Now, ICYMI, the rest of our best of the week:

Series Business

↑ DGA v. WGA: Directors Score Pilot Credit, Writers Cry ‘Power Grab’ Tensions between the guilds mount over creative clout, as Elaine reveals the emotions and rhetoric coming from both sides: “Motherfuckers, I helped make this show for you.”

Amazon Calls Her Its YA ‘Secret Sauce.’ She Reveals How the Machine Works Romance author Mercedes Ron gave Prime Video its biggest non-English launch ever — and takes Manori inside her 11-adaptation deal.

Disney’s Battle for YouTube’s Youngest Viewers Is Just Beginning Lesley Goldberg dissects how Ayo Davis’ division is minting stars, rebooting classic IP (“edgy” Tinker Bell?) and forging new franchises to win Gen Alpha.

TV in 3: Amazon Raids Netflix Again; Dungeon Crawler Carl Nabs Bosses Plus: Netflix starts co-financing AMC originals, and Lesley unpacks why Peacock’s price hike is all in the timing.

Dealmakers

↑ Michael Ellenberg’s Market Rule: ‘Frisky’ Viewers Will Punish ‘Safe’ Shows Media Res’ CEO tells Ashley Cullins the fundamentals that matter when the formulas stop working — and you still have to sell TV and film.

Film School vs. YouTube

↑ As Directors Rise From YouTube, What’s Film School for, Then? Matthew Frank talks to film school deans about how they’re innovating — and what they’re selling — in an era of free training online and a new generation of hitmakers.

Richard Rushfield

↑ Hollywood Abandoned August. But the Movies Didn’t The dog days of summer get a bad rap. But Richard makes the case that the eighth month has long been where the most interesting cinema thrives.

Dodgers, Chelsea & Sports’ Messy Money

↑ Chelsea, Dodgers and the Huckster Economy That Came for Sports As federal investigators circle, Mark Walter is only the latest billionaire to turn team ownership into a speculative casino. Erik Barmack explains who really loses when it goes belly up.

Prestige Junkie

↑ The 10% Case Against The Pitt (As If) In the first of a four-part series highlighting the ups and downs of the Emmy race, Katey and Chris dish on who could — but likely won’t — unseat the reigning best drama champ.

Fiona Dourif Had Been Her Mom’s Caretaker. Then The Pitt Came Calling Katey chats with the Emmy nominee, who was cast at an age she thought her best roles were behind her.

Plus, Lisa Kudrow tells Katey about the final season of The Comeback, David Harbour explains why he spent years getting DTF St. Louis off the ground, and Love Story’s Sarah Pidgeon talks about her transformation into Carolyn Bessette on the FX limited series:

Everybody Loves Hacks & Widow’s Bay — but One Has to Lose Katey gives her read of the most competitive Emmy race — plus full videos from our starry Women Shaping Television lunch.

The Wakeup

Sean McNulty takes you beat-by-beat through the latest developments on the Paramount-WBD front, including the lawsuit argument no one is talking about:

Friday → ☀️ L.A. Mayor, WGA Clash on WBD-PSKY

Thursday → ☀️ PSKY Eyes Austin, PAR-WB L.A. Job Damage Numbers

Wednesday → ☀️ PSKY Elephant in the Room Amid ‘Settle This!’ Chorus

Tuesday → ☀️ PSKY & Bonta Trade Barbs; DISNEY Sues FCC

Sunday → ☀️ WB ’26 Woes Mount; PSKY Move Tax Savings Questioned

Podcasts

Ankler Agenda

California AG Rob Bonta tells Elaine what it will take to get him to the table to settle with Ellison, and WSJ’s Esther Zuckerman reflects on Hayden Panettiere’s life, career and exploitation: