Many artists have diverse careers and may transition between different types of entertainment. For instance:
TikTok epitomizes the new paradigm. Its algorithm prioritizes engagement over follower count, meaning any 15-second video can go viral. Music, comedy, education, and activism compress into loops. The platform has disrupted the music industry (songs chart based on TikTok trends) and film marketing (official trailers now mimic TikTok aesthetics). However, concerns over data security, addictive design (infinite scroll), and the spread of mis/disinformation have prompted regulatory scrutiny worldwide.
We aren't watching stories anymore. We are surviving them until the next dopamine hit.
This medium satisfies a specific need: Whether commuting, doing dishes, or running on a treadmill, podcast listeners feel a parasocial intimacy with the hosts. It is the medium of the multitasker, proving that sometimes, the best pictures are the ones painted with words alone.
While the Marvels and Star Wars of the world dominate headlines, the true casualties are the mid-budget dramas and weird comedies. The Eternal Sunshines and Napoleon Dynamites of the past would struggle to get greenlit today. They aren't "franchiseable."