Latest news with #MichaelBurns
Business Insider
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
M&A News: 'A Pure-Play Studio' Lionsgate Studios (NYSE:LION) an Acquisition Target
There was once a time, back when video stores dotted the landscape and buying a DVD at an electronics retailer was a thing of charming simplicity, that movie producer Lionsgate Studios (LION) ruled the landscape in the field of direct-to-video releasing. But those days are gone, perhaps forever, and Lionsgate now finds itself a potential acquisition target. The news did little good for Lionsgate stock, however, as investors sent shares down over 2.5% in the closing minutes of Monday's trading. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Make smarter investment decisions with TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks, delivered to your inbox every week. Lionsgate is drawing interest from Legendary Entertainment LLC. Backed by Apollo Global Management (APO), Legendary is the studio behind, among other things, the recent hit remake of Dune. After Lionsgate separated itself from the Starz Entertainment Group, which runs the Starz line of cable movie channels as well as a streaming service, Lionsgate proved more attractive to Legendary, reports noted. As a 'pure-play studio,' noted Geetha Ranganathan of Bloomberg Intelligence, the deal makes sense, and reports suggest that the two are already looking into producing some movies together to see how they might work together. And with around a third of Lionsgate's revenue coming from its stable of library content—and that at a '…high profit margin…'—the end result is an attractive proposition for Legendary. Kid-Friendly Cuts Within Hours With AI Meanwhile, Lionsgate also revealed, not so long ago, that it was very much prepared to make artificial intelligence (AI) part of everyday operations. In fact, Lionsgate even had use cases ready, including the ability to adjust a movie's rating—not especially hard; removing a few extra obscenities or a particularly violent scene can drop a movie from R to PG-13 in rapid fashion—or to make it 'kid-friendly.' Lionsgate looks to turn to the Runway platform, setting up what reports called Runway's '…first deal with a Hollywood studio.' Vice chairman Michael Burns described how AI allows Lionsgate to '…make movies and television shows we'd otherwise never make.' The judicious use of AI, reports noted, can cut production costs in half and, just like magic, make a property viable. Is Lionsgate a Good Stock to Buy? Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Moderate Buy consensus rating on LION stock based on five Buys and two Holds assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. After a 16.19% loss in its share price over the past year, the average LION price target of $9 per share implies 31.2% upside potential.
NBC News
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
For some in the industry, AI filmmaking is already becoming mainstream
Across Hollywood, talking about it publicly can sometimes be taboo. Using it without disclosing that you did could make you the center of controversy. And protesting its use has been the norm. But even amid widespread vocal pushback against generative artificial intelligence, industry leaders say its use in film and TV is slowly becoming mainstream. More filmmakers are using evolving AI tools, and studios are partnering with AI companies to explore how they can use the technology in content creation. 'It's being used by everybody that doesn't talk about the fact that they're using it,' Michael Burns, vice chairman of Lionsgate, said during a panel at the third annual Runway AI Film Festival in Los Angeles last week. Lionsgate, which is behind hits like the 'John Wick' and 'Hunger Games' franchises, signed a deal with Runway last fall allowing its video generation model to train on the studio's movies and TV shows. Burns joked that AI tools are like the Ozempic of the film industry, referring to the popularity of the semaglutide-based weight loss drug. Burns was among hundreds — including a mix of creatives and execs — who attended the AI video company's showcase of user-submitted short films made with generative tools. The festival, which was also held in New York City this month, ballooned from 300 film submissions in its first year to 6,000 submissions this year, its organizers said. While using AI in film isn't completely new, the technology has continued to stoke concerns among creatives. AI was a sticking point during the 2023 writers and actors strikes against studios, with creatives seeking assurances that their work wouldn't be replaced by the technology. Runway CEO Cristóbal Valenzuela, however, is optimistic about AI's impact on the labor force, telling reporters before the Los Angeles festival that history has 'proven once and again' that industries can adapt to new technologies. AI-generated video-making has taken off even as it remains controversial. The technology has given rise to music videos to brand advertisements to nonconsensual deepfakes. Though AI videos have frequently been marked by telltale distortions, such as extra fingers or nonsensical physics, Google's latest video generation model, Veo 3, shocked the internet last month with how seemingly flawless its outputs were. 'There are going to be new industries' as a result of AI, Valenzuela said. 'Just the hard thing is it's really hard to understand these industries when they're new; we have never experienced them.' The company has increased its presence in Hollywood in the past few years. Burns said the partnership between Lionsgate and Runway is an attempt to create higher-quality content for lower prices. 'Even a year or two years ago, there was no chance that the output was going to be able to be projected on the big screen without you seeing gaps or somebody with three arms or a dragon that didn't look like a dragon,' Burns added. 'And now, today, it's a completely different place.' Runway also recently reached a deal with AMC Networks, giving it access to Runway's AI tools for use in marketing materials and TV development processes, such as pre-visualization or special effects ideation. All 10 of the films shown at the festival included generative video, but not all were made entirely with AI. The shorts, which were created in a variety of animated and photorealistic styles, appeared to lean into the more absurdist themes made possible by generative tools. One followed the perspective of a chicken on its way to prison. Another offered life lessons through a small insect's journey. And another painted a scene of human souls desperate to reclaim their bodies after Earth's collapse. Other AI companies have also upped their visibility in the industry in recent years. OpenAI, which is behind ChatGPT, held its own AI film screenings this year in New York, Los Angeles and Tokyo to tout its popular text-to-video model Sora. The tool, launched in early 2024, stirred both buzz and panic when the company first teased its hyperrealistic generation capabilities. Last year, the Tribeca Film Festival partnered with Runway and OpenAI to highlight more short films that leveraged AI. Even some film schools appear to be hopping on the AI bandwagon. Elizabeth Daley, dean of the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts, said AI is being embedded in various courses, including one focused on AI creativity. She said the school encourages students to explore AI as long as it doesn't become 'an excuse not to work.' 'We need to stay in that conversation. We need to stay in the struggle to make sure that the tools that are developed are actually the tools that writers, directors, producers, cinematographers, animators need to do their work,' Daley said at a panel at the Runway film festival. 'And those will create other jobs. No doubt.'
Hypebeast
05-06-2025
- Business
- Hypebeast
Lionsgate Explores AI for Content Adaptation and Production Efficiency
Summary Lionsgateis actively exploring artificial intelligence, specifically through a partnership withAIstartup Runway, to adapt existing content and streamline production, a move that could reshape how films are created and distributed. The studio inked a deal with AI startup Runway last September, marking Runway's first pact with a Hollywood studio. Michael Burns, Lionsgate's vice chairman, revealed toNew York Magazinethat the studio is experimenting with various AI applications. One significant potential use involves repackaging the studio's extensive library, allowing for adjustments in tone, format, and even rating. This could enable the creation of softer, kid-friendly cuts or even convert live-action films into animated versions. Burns stated that a live-action film could be transformed into a PG-13 anime version in just three hours. Burns notes that with the help of AI, the filmmaker can take their signature action franchises likeJohn Wickand theHunger Gamesand 'Now we can say, 'Do it in anime, make it PG-13.' Three hours later, I'll have the movie.' While the executive reiterates that actors will still be paid, this move means that ' I can do that, and now I can resell it.' Furthermore, AI could offer substantial cost savings in production. Burns cited an example where a complex shot involving '10,000 soldiers on a hillside with a bunch of horses in a snowstorm' could be generated by AI for approximately $10,000, avoiding a multi-million dollar shoot. This strategic integration of AI aims to enable the production of movies and television shows that would otherwise be financially unfeasible.
Geek Tyrant
04-06-2025
- Business
- Geek Tyrant
Lionsgate Head Says AI Can Recut Films for Kids, Create Anime Adaptations, and Save Millions... In Just Hours — GeekTyrant
In a recent interview with New York Magazine, Lionsgate vice chairman Michael Burns opened up on how the studio is starting to experiment with AI, and if what he's saying holds up, it's a glimpse into a very weird (and very real) future for filmmaking. Last September, Lionsgate inked a deal with AI startup Runway, the same company behind several high-profile generative video tools, making it the first major Hollywood studio to partner directly with the tech firm. Burns says the goal is simple: 'make movies and television shows we'd otherwise never make.' 'We can't make it for $100 million, but we'd make it for $50 million because of AI,' he explained. 'We're banging around the art of the possible. Let's try some stuff, see what sticks.' And what 'sticks' could mean anything, from lowering costs to transforming entire franchises for entirely different audiences. Some of the more interesting examples is taking a gritty, R-rated film and repackaging it for kids and turning a film into an anime. 'Now we can say, 'Do it in anime, make it PG-13.' Three hours later, I'll have the movie,' Burns said. 'But I can do that, and now I can resell it.' A full reworking of a major film, adjusted in tone, format, and rating, done in mere hours with AI. It's not just science fiction anymore, this is now a business model. Lionsgate, which holds the rights to massive properties like John Wick and The Hunger Games , now has the option to rework its library for different audiences with just a few tweaks. New York Magazine noted, 'With a library as large as Lionsgate's, they could use Runway to repackage and resell what the studio already owned.' Burns even cited a more grounded, behind-the-scenes example of how this could impact production: 'We have this movie we're trying to decide whether to green-light. There's a 10-second shot — 10,000 soldiers on a hillside with a bunch of horses in a snowstorm.' In the past, shooting that scene would cost millions and take days. Now? AI could generate the shot for about $10,000. Of course, Burns did clarify that AI doesn't erase everyone from the picture. 'I still have to pay the actors and all other rights participants,' he said. 'But I can do that.' So while the creative implications are still a giant question mark, the business play is clea… faster production, lower costs, and endless remix potential. What comes next? We're all about to find out. This is wild, but its the future. The ball is rolling and there's no stopping it.
Toronto Sun
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Woodbine's 70th thoroughbred racing season ready to get off and running
Thoroughbred's train early morning training at Woodbine Racetrack in preparation for opening day on Saturday. Michael Burns Photo With all the logistics having been worked out, it's now time for the horses to begin the show at Woodbine. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The track's 70th thoroughbred racing season begins with a nine-race card on Saturday after the track and horsemen agreed in late March to a new two-year agreement which will see an additional $5.7 million in purse money distributed over 128 days, just one day less than what was run previously. This agreement ended a months-long stalemate but the industry still faces challenges. Adding to issues the sport has faced over the past several years — such as dwindling horse population and the competition from sports betting — is the effect the Canada-U.S. tariff war could have on the horse racing industry. But those issues haven't stopped the show entirely and local fans are in for some entertainment between now and mid-December. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. There are two significant changes to the stakes calendar. The E.P. Taylor Stakes will be run on the King's Plate undercard and is now a Breeders' Cup Challenge qualifier for the Filly and Mare Turf. Also, the Canadian International is back after a one-year absence. Leading the jockey colony is Sahin Civaci. The Vancouver native won 170 races in 2024 for his first Woodbine riding title and first Sovereign Award. He was followed by Rafael Hernandez with 140. They will be joined by Patrick Husbands, Fraser Aebly and Sofia Vives, who was named Canada's outstanding apprentice jockey on Thursday. Fans also are looking forward to the returns of two riders from serious injuries. Pietro Moran, the 19-year-old son of fellow rider David Moran was enjoying a very good campaign before a spill in the final race on Prince of Wales day at Fort Erie ended it. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Emma-Jayne Wilson, who became the career leading money-earner amongst North American female jockeys last year, is recovering from an injury suffered on Oct. 25 when her mount suffered cardiac arrest, sending her crashing into the rail resulting in severe neck and pelvic injuries. Mark Casse again will have a strong local contingent, looking for his 17th Woodbine training title. He will be prominent on Kentucky Derby weekend as well. He looks to win the Kentucky Oaks with La Cara on May 2 and a day later, will enter Sandman in the Run for the Roses itself. Both runners are among the top contenders in their races. Kevin Attard, who won the King's Plate with Caitlinhergrtness and later in the year had the biggest win of his career when Moira won the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, will hold a strong hand, as will veterans Martin Drexler, Josie Carroll and Bob Tiller. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Tiller's stable star Patches O'Houlihan was named Canada's 2024 horse of the year on Thursday. 'You always want to set the bar higher and chase those big wins,' Attard, who was honoured Thursday with his first Sovereign Award as Canada's outstanding trainer, told Woodbine Entertainment. 'Whether it's young horses just starting out or others that are a year older and a year wiser, there's always a feeling of excitement whenever you walk into a barn.' Saturday's card features the $125,000 Star Shoot Stakes for three-year-old fillies at six furlongs. The boys get their first turn in the $125,000 Woodstock Stakes on Sunday. The racing schedule adds Fridays on May 3 and Thursdays on May 16. The meet concludes on Dec. 14. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More Major Local Race Days (At Woodbine, Woodbine Mohawk Park and Fort Erie) May 31 – Four stakes with the Eclipse, Jacques Cartier, Royal North and Belle Mahone all being decided. June 14 – The $1 million North America Cup heads a spectacular card at Woodbine Mohawk Park. June 28 – The road to the Woodbine Oaks and King's Plate ramps up with the Selene and Marine Stakes as part of a five-stake festival. July 20 – The Woodbine Oaks and Plate Trial Stakes are joined by the Canadian and Connaught Cup Stakes. Aug. 16 – The 166th running of the King's Plate will be joined by the E.P. Taylor Stakes which has been added to the Breeders' Cup Challenge schedule. Four other stakes will fill the stacked card. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Aug. 30 – The Canadian Pacing Derby and Maple Leaf Trot kick Mohawk's Grand Circuit month into high gear. Sept. 9 – The Prince of Wales Stakes continues the triple crown series at Fort Erie. Sept. 13 – The $1 million Rogers Woodbine Mile, the Summer Stakes and the Natalma Stakes will all guarantee its winners a Breeders' Cup spot. Two other stakes are scheduled. Sept. 20 – Canada's richest night of horse racing features two $1 million races, the Mohawk Million and Metro Pace amongst five classics. Sept. 28 – The Breeders' Stakes concludes the Canadian triple crown series. Oct. 4 – The $750,000 Canadian International is back with the Nearctic and Dance Smartly Stakes supporting this fall turf festival. Oct. 24-25 – The $7 million (U.S.) Breeders' Crown, harness racing's championships, come to Mohawk for the first time since 2022. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. (Announced Thursday) Horse of the Year: Patches O'Houlihan Two-year-old male: He's Not Joking Two-year-old female: Nitrogen Three-year-old male: Dresden Row Three-year-old female: Caitlinhergrtness Older male: Paramount Prince Older female: Fashionably Fab Top turf male: Filo Di Arianna Top turf female: Full Count Felicia Male Sprinter: Patches O'Houlihan Female Sprinter: Play The Music Apprentice Jockey: Sofia Vives Jockey: Sahin Civaci Trainer: Kevin Attard Broodmare: Platinum Steel Breeder: Adena Springs Owner: Gary Barber Special Sovereign Award: Emma-Jayne Wilson Special Sovereign Award: Moira E.P. Taylor Award of Merit: Roger Attfield Writing: Mike McIntyre Photograph: Mary Jane Sibbitt Digital Media/Broadcast: Horse Racing Alberta Groom: Victor James Off-track Worker: Ian Dick Ontario Toronto Maple Leafs Canada Toronto & GTA Diet & Fitness
