Podcast

Disney just invested $1B in OpenAI and signed a groundbreaking deal to bring over 200 iconic characters (Mickey Mouse, Elsa, Iron Man, Darth Vader, Yoda, and more) into Sora and ChatGPT – letting fans create official short videos starting in 2026.  In episode 2 of our podcast, my brother and I (co-founders of Saga) dive deep into what this means:

• Why Disney chose OpenAI over Google (and send Google a cease-and-desist), is this as a result of the 1-year the exclusivity clause?  
• Guardrails in place: no actor likenesses, no original voices, content reviewed for brand safety (especially before being featured) 
• The best fan creations could actually appear on Disney+ 
• Hollywood backlash: Why the Writers Guild of America called it “sanctioning theft” 
• The future of fan fiction, interactive storytelling, and indie creators in an AI world 
• Will this flood us with “AI slop”… or unlock magical new creativity? 

We’re huge Disney fans, pro-AI innovators (we built Saga around OpenAI), and one of us is in the Writers Guild of Canada – so we explore every angle with nuance.

🚨 Indie film financing just got revolutionary! CineBlock is launching as the first regulated platform where anyone can invest in movies like stocks – equity, debt, real returns if the film succeeds.  In this episode, we sit down with CineBlock founder Prince to break it all down: 

• How CineBlock works: True securities (not Kickstarter perks) – invest $100+ and get a share of profits 
• Why it beats traditional crowdfunding: Transparency, legal protections, and investor upside 
• The future of indie film: Democratizing access to capital for creators 
• Exclusive reveal: CineBlock’s flagship project is our AI-powered sci-fi feature Awake – written/directed by me (Andrew), using Unreal Engine, motion capture, and generative AI to make a micro-budget blockbuster possible 

This is the future of filmmaking: Creators get funding without gatekeepers, fans become investors, and AI lowers production barriers. If you’re a filmmaker, investor, or movie lover, this changes everything.

Join hosts Andrew and Russell Palmer on the Brothers' Saga Podcast as we sit down with Wilfred Lee—a Toronto-based AI filmmaker, worldbuilder, CPP (Creative Partners Program pioneer) at Runway, Kling AI, Luma AI, and part of John Gaeta’s elite Escape.AI Media collective (founded by the Oscar-winning VFX legend behind The Matrix bullet time).

Wilfred shares his journey from pre-AI artist (published author, actor, visual/digital creator) to pioneering AI filmmaking, including how he used SAGA (with ChatGPT) to write stories and dialogue for his short film. 

We dive deep into:  

• The real day-to-day life of a CPP (credits, community, misconceptions) 
• Actionable prompting tips for consistency and advanced workflows 
• Best AI tools dominating 2026 (stack comparisons, must-tries) 
• Escape AI's groundbreaking Neo Cinema + Neo Play vision (interactive worlds, IP expansion, fan engagement) 
• Canada vs. U.S. AI filmmaking: Funding, talent, regulations, opportunities 
• Future of AI art: Collaboration, ideas as valuable assets, and the "latent space" revolution

Welcome to the Brothers' Saga Podcast, where we’re democratizing filmmaking with AI. In this episode, Russell and Andrew sit down with Justin Winters—screenwriter, producer, LMU professor, and creator of Curious Refuge’s groundbreaking AI Screenwriting course.

Justin shares his journey from experimenting with LLMs in 2022 to teaching students how to sell pilots to major studios using custom GPTs and AI pitch decks.

In This Episode: 

• Story First: Why narrative must always lead technology. 
• The Toolbox: A breakdown of ChatGPT, Midjourney, ElevenLabs, Suno, and SAGA. 
• Success Stories: How creators like Neural Viz are building massive followings from home. 
• The Future: Inside the new Creative Technology & Innovation department at LMU. 
• Actionable Advice: Why you should aim to be the "dumbest person in the room".

🚀 Welcome to Brothers' Saga, where we explore the intersection of AI, storytelling, and the future of filmmaking. In this episode, host Russell Palmer sits down with Kiran Malhotra — award-winning TV producer, AI artist, and director bridging traditional post-production with cutting-edge AI tools.  Kiran shares her journey from music major and starving actor in NYC to Co-Executive Producer on hits like Alone and Ink Master.

We dive into what makes compelling narratives in nonfiction TV, the seismic changes shaking Hollywood (mergers, layoffs, fewer greenlights), and why AI is a lifeline for creators facing career crises. Kiran offers optimism on how AI enables indie voices to greenlight their own projects, plus advice for freelancers: get curious about the tools and understand the pipeline.  Whether you're a screenwriter, producer, or AI enthusiast, this episode is packed with insights on evolving with tech while keeping story at the heart.  

🎙️ Guest Spotlight: Kiran Malhotra — Co-Executive Producer (HBO, Paramount+, History Channel), Producers Guild of America National Board alum, and AI innovator.

Watch out for the extended cut for Dustin's hot take on CPP or similar programs and festival events.

🚀 Welcome to Brothers' Saga, where we explore the intersection of AI, storytelling, and the future of filmmaking.  In this episode, we sit down with Dustin Thornton (aka Dustin Hollywood) — award-winning AI Filmmaker and Director of Global Community at ‪@EscapeAIMedia‬. Dustin is also the co-founder of MASSIVE STUDIOS and the founder of NAKID PICTURES, STAGES & PAPER-App, and The Creative Foundation.

Whether you’re a screenwriter, filmmaker, producer, or AI enthusiast, this conversation is packed with insights on how creators can survive—and thrive—in the age of Big Tech, AI Models, and generative AI.  

🎙️ Guest Spotlight: Dustin Hollywood — AI visual artist, photographer, jewelry designer, and engineer. His work and collaborations include VICE, D Magazine, Steve Aoki's Dim Mak, Art Basel, EDC, and Bonnaroo.