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See You at the Summit: Free SMPTE Access + Production Summit Call for Speakers
This newsletter brings together innovation and impact... from a big Production Summit 2025 announcement, #LATechWeek highlights, and my upcoming SMPTE Summit session, to a look at how our growing community is turning connection into real-world collaboration.
Jess Loren
October 13, 2025
Q4, Resilience & a Big WePlay Announcement 🚀🎃✨
Hey friends,
Can you believe we’re already in Q4? It’s wild. Whether this year flew by or felt like a long climb uphill—resilience has been the running theme for so many of us. I want to share a short story about Andre below that really captures the heart of what it means to show up, stay steady, and keep moving forward—even when no one’s watching.
We’ve still got a solid three months left to finish strong, and I want this newsletter to give you tools, inspiration, and community to help you do just that.
We’ve got some big updates:
🎬 WePlay: Production Summit is officially launching in December!
We’ll be making our biggest announcement yet at WePlay—and we’re now open for submissions for our new “AI in 5” demo segment. If you’re using an AI tool that you can showcase in five minutes or less (with impact and output), we want you in. This is about more than panels—it’s about showing real innovation, in real time.
🤖 And speaking of AI… I’ve got to share this—my daughter Sloan (who’s 4!) is obsessed with Sora, OpenAI’s new video-to-text model. We spent the weekend as a family playing around with it, and wow… it’s magical and a little mind-blowing. But also—it raises some big questions about ethics and ownership…
🎥 On that note, the Producers Guild of America just released a formal statement on how to approach AI tools in production and creative work. I’ve linked their guidance below—please take a minute to read it. This moment matters, and we each play a part in how we shape it.
🎃 Also… it’s Halloween season, and I’m HERE FOR IT. Whether you’re hosting something spooky or just sneaking candy from your kids’ stash, this time of year always brings a spark of creativity—and a bit of chaos I secretly love.
You’ll also find:
• 🔍 A curated list of community job openings (including roles at Global Objects and beyond).
• 🎤 My Tech Week speaking events on Oct 16—plus some discount codes just for you.
• 🧠 Thoughts on where we’re headed next—and how you can get involved.
As always, if you have news, roles, or community wins to share—send them my way. This is about lifting each other up and staying connected through all the pivots.
With gratitude & momentum,
Jess
🗞️ In This Issue
Welcome to this deep dive into the innovations, collaborations, and conversations shaping the future of production, technology, and storytelling.
From major event announcements and insider opportunities to thought-provoking discussions on AI and creativity, here’s what’s inside:
🎤 Production Summit 2025 — Call for Speakers + Big Venue Reveal
Be the first to speak at the year’s biggest event in media innovation — live from WePlay Studios in Los Angeles.🎬 SMPTE 2025: Jess Loren Takes the Stage
Jess joins industry leaders to explore the tangible realities of AI in media during her “What’s Real” session.💸 SMPTE Discount Codes for Our Community
Exclusive registration discounts available for our Global Objects network — limited-time access.⚡ SORA, Oversight, and the Next Frontier of AI
A firsthand look at SORA’s creative power — and the importance of oversight — through Jess’s experience as both a technologist and mom.🌆 #LATechWeek Highlights
Key events and moments across LA Tech Week where innovation, networking, and creativity collided.💌 The Power of Connection — In Real Time
How one newsletter sparked new opportunities and relationships across the production community.💼 Jobs in the Community
Featured openings and creative roles shared by our partners and friends — your next move may be here.🎉 Celebrating One Year of PIXERA in Los Angeles
Honoring PIXERA’s milestone year of innovation, collaboration, and community in LA.🤝 Spotlight: NVIDIA x Microsoft Collaboration
Watch our latest feature on the future of virtual production — where creativity meets technology.
🎤 Big News: Call for Speakers + Venue Announcement!
We’re thrilled to announce that this year’s Production Summit (PS) will be hosted at WePlay Studios — one of the most cutting-edge creative environments redefining what’s possible in live and virtual production.
This summit brings together visionaries, innovators, and industry leaders at the intersection of technology, storytelling, and production design — and we want your voice on stage.
If you have insights, case studies, or creative breakthroughs to share in the worlds of virtual production, AI in media, live broadcast, or experiential design, we want to hear from you.
💬 Submit to Speak:
This year’s PS will be bigger, bolder, and more immersive than ever — featuring thought leaders from across production, entertainment, and emerging tech.
Don’t miss your chance to shape the conversation and connect with the people moving our industry forward.
✨ Apply now to join us at WePlay Studios — where ideas meet innovation.
🎥 Featured Event: The SMPTE 2025 Media Technology Summit
📍 Pasadena Convention Center – 300 E Green St, Pasadena, CA
🗓 October 13–16, 2025
🔗 Learn more at SMPTE.org
This October, the brightest minds in media technology will gather in Pasadena for the SMPTE 2025 Media Technology Summit — the industry’s leading peer-reviewed event shaping the future of storytelling, production, and innovation.
I’m honored to be joining industry leaders Renard Jenkins, Richard Welsh, and Andy Beach for a session titled:
“What’s Real: The Tangible Advancements and Limitations of AI”
🗓 Thursday, October 16, 2025 | 10:20 – 10:50 AM
📍 General Program | AI Track
In this talk, we’ll cut through the noise surrounding artificial intelligence and explore its real-world applications in media creation and production. From visual effects to virtual environments, we’ll discuss what AI can truly deliver today — and where its creative boundaries still lie.
As AI continues to redefine how stories are told, this session will offer a clear-eyed perspective on what’s practical, what’s possible, and what’s next for creators, studios, and technologists alike.
If you’re passionate about the future of media, this is the conversation you won’t want to miss.
💡 Tip: SMPTE sells out every year — secure your badge early to join us in Pasadena and connect with peers leading the next evolution of entertainment technology.
Your Exclusive Invitation to the SMPTE Summit 2025 – Free Access to the Exhibits!
Get ready to immerse yourself in the future of media and entertainment technology! Next week, the SMPTE Summit 2025 kicks off at Pasadena Convention Center, AMaps! & GMaps! and we're thrilled to offer you a special opportunity to join us.
As a valued member of the M&E community – whether you're a lead, prospect, or client – we understand your dedication to staying at the forefront of innovation.
That's why Global Objects wants to ensure you don't miss out on this pivotal event.
We're providing you with a free code: sh25bog that grants you full access to this years SMPTE Media & Technology Summit Exhibits.
This is your chance to explore groundbreaking advancements, engage with industry leaders, and discover the latest innovations and technologies that are shaping tomorrow!
The Summit this year is an unparalleled platform for all Motion Picture & Television Engineers to engage with highly technical professionals like yourself – CTOs, Broadcast Engineers, DITs, VFX Soops, and Technical Specialists.
It's where the brightest minds converge, and we believe you'll find immense value in the discussions and demonstrations.
While there, be sure to visit our booth to experience the power of XGRIDS SLAMbased Gaussian Splat Devices, firsthand. We're excited to showcase our solutions, including our revolutionary approach to using Gaussian Splat technologies we’ve developed for Pixara Media Servers, for use on your next projects and/or location scanning
We are transforming the Media & Entertainment industry.
We know that Gaussian Splat technology is very new, and we're eager to demonstrate its immense potential and how it can benefit your projects.
You can learn more about our XGRIDS products by visiting our website:
We're particularly excited to feature PortalCam at the Summit. You can learn more about PortalCam and its capabilities by clicking here:
Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and innovate. Use your free code sh25bog to register for the Summit Exhibits today!
We look forward to seeing you there.
⚡ SORA, Oversight, and the Next Frontier of AI
If you’ve been following the latest in generative tech, you know SORA has officially crossed from experimental to extraordinary… and maybe just a little terrifying.
I tested it out recently, letting my 4-year-old play “prompt artist,” and the results were… hilarious, surreal, and slightly unsettling. We ended up with some wild “footage” of mommy and daddy that never actually happened… a playful reminder of just how powerful (and potentially risky) this technology has become.
The truth is, we’re entering an era where AI can generate lifelike, even incriminating content from nothing more than a text prompt. It’s incredible for creativity, but it also calls for urgent conversations around authorship, consent, and accountability.
At the same time, OpenAI has become the world’s most valuable startup… now worth $500 billion. As Sam Altman put it, “The exact model will take some trial and error to figure out, but we plan to start very soon.” The speed of innovation is staggering — and it’s on all of us to ensure progress doesn’t outpace ethics.
💭 Jess’s Take:
What excites me most about AI isn’t just what it can create — it’s how we choose to use it. At Global Objects, we believe technology should empower creators, not replace them. Every advancement brings new responsibility, and that’s the conversation we need to keep leading — together.
🌟 Where I’ll Be During #LATechWeek
Hey friends,
This week is buzzing with creativity, collaboration, and the kind of conversations that spark the next big thing. I’ll be bouncing around LA connecting with innovators in tech, AI, and entertainment — and I’d love for you to join me.
Here’s the lineup 👇
📍 Santa Monica, CA
🗓 Tuesday, Oct 14 | 3:00–5:00 PM
💬 Fireside chat with David Herrmann (Herrmann Digital) and Rick Lucas (Snapchat) on how newly funded businesses can scale — followed by happy hour.
📍 Beverly Hills, CA
🗓 Tuesday, Oct 14 | 2:00–5:00 PM
💡 A cross-Atlantic panel exploring the future of experiential innovation and global brand engagement, followed by a curated networking reception.
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🗓 Tuesday, Oct 14 | 5:30–10:00 PM
🎶 The “Olympics” of AI film, music, and games — an exclusive night with creators and studios redefining entertainment.
📍 Universal City, CA
🗓 Wednesday, Oct 15 | 11:00 AM–1:30 PM
🎥 Live from the Universal Studios Backlot — brunch and insights from industry leaders at Comcast Ventures, DreamWorks, NBCUniversal, and more.
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🗓 Thursday, Oct 16 | 6:00–10:00 PM
🤖 Panels, live demos, and practical AI frameworks — plus a DJ + happy hour at the legendary Mack Sennett Studios.
📍 Venice, CA
🗓 Thursday, Oct 16 | 6:30 PM
🎬 An immersive evening with Promise & Curious Refuge exploring generative AI’s impact on the future of film and creativity.
Let’s make the most of this week — new ideas, real connections, and a bit of LA magic. 💫
🎬 Community Spotlight: The Story of Antoine Sanchez
One of the things I love most about this community is seeing the incredible journeys that unfold within it — stories of persistence, passion, and pure creative drive.
This month, I want to spotlight Antoine Sanchez, a documentary producer turned VFX producer, whose story perfectly captures the grit and determination that fuel our industry.
After realizing the traditional job-hunting path wasn’t leading where he wanted to go, Antoine flipped the script… sending 341 cold emails, dozens of calls, and even a few faxes (yes, faxes!) to studios across LA. His persistence paid off when he connected with Mike Colarik and the team at Sturdy Bird (aka Le Flock), where he’s now producing with a crew as hungry and driven as he is.
Antoine’s story is a reminder that creativity and connection often start with courage — and that our industry thrives because of people willing to take that extra step (or 852 follow-ups).
You can check out his work and the amazing team at Sturdy Bird.
💼 Jobs in the Community
The Global Objects network is always buzzing with new opportunities across virtual production, creative tech, and media innovation. Here are a few standout openings this month 👇
📸 Scanner Technician — Global Objects
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Capture and process high-fidelity 3D scans for virtual production and digital archiving. 👉 View Job Details
🎬 Virtual Production Specialist — Public Strategies / One Set Studio
📍 Oklahoma City, OK
Lead LED volume and Unreal Engine operations for on-set VP workflows. Ideal for technically-minded creatives ready to take the reins. 👉 View Job Details
🗂 Project Manager — Global Objects
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Oversee client projects from concept to delivery — timelines, budgets, and creative workflows. 👉 View Job Details
🤝 Sales / Business Development — Global Objects
📍 Los Angeles
Lead outreach and partnerships with studios, brands, and creative tech innovators. 👉 View Job Details
🎥 Volume Capture Operator — Eyeline Studios (Scanline VFX)
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Support LED stage and volumetric capture operations — a hands-on role at one of the top virtual production facilities. 👉 View Job Details
✨ Interested in joining our community or sharing an open role?
Email [email protected] to feature it in next month’s roundup.
🎉 Celebrating One Year of PIXERA in Los Angeles!
This month marks a huge milestone for our friends and collaborators at PIXERA — celebrating one incredible year in Los Angeles.
In just twelve months, their team has become an integral part of the city’s creative and production landscape, driving innovation across immersive experiences and virtual production. Their vision and technology continue to inspire the entire industry — and we’re proud to call them partners and friends.
💫 Here’s to many more years of creativity, collaboration, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
🎬 Spotlight: Our NVIDIA x Microsoft Collaboration
I’m so excited to share our latest feature with NVIDIA and Microsoft, highlighting how Global Objects is helping redefine what’s possible in virtual production and real-time storytelling.
This collaboration represents more than just innovation — it’s a glimpse into the future of creativity, where advanced tools meet human imagination to build the next generation of digital experiences.
Thank you to the brilliant teams at NVIDIA and Microsoft for continuing to push boundaries and champion creators who think differently. The future of media is here — and it’s powered by collaboration
🌙 That’s It for Now
From LA Tech Week’s innovation buzz to the SMPTE Summit, and everything in between — it’s been a week of momentum, creativity, and connection.
Thank you for being part of this incredible community of thinkers, makers, and storytellers who continue to push boundaries and bring ideas to life.
Stay curious, stay inspired — and I’ll see you next week with more from the intersection of tech, art, and imagination. 💫
With gratitude,
Jess