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Studio Heads Talk Tariffs, Funny Zombie Flicks, & Lumix S1 II is Here

Author

Ryan Koo
May 15, 2025

Studio Heads Talk Tariffs, Funny Zombie Flicks, & Lumix S1 II is Here

Hey Readers,

You’re back! Let’s dig into this week’s industry, tech, and movie news.

First up — Trump’s announcement that the U.S. is going to put a 100% tax on foreign films is still making waves a week later. So much so that studio heads have started to weigh in on how they could affect Hollywood and the film industry in the future. We’ll share what they said down below.

Second, who doesn’t love zombie movies, especially funny zombie movies? We put together nine of the most fun and hilarious (and bloody disgusting) horror comedies that feature the undead. Also, the Panasonic Lumix S1 II is officially here! Let’s take a look at the specs and price of this long-awaited mirrorless camera.

Lastly, on this week’s No Film School podcast, we talk regional films and fests — and why they’re so essential.

Okay, let’s get to it!

📽️ Industry

'The Studio' Credit: Apple

This week, Trump's Hollywood Tariffs have been a hot-button issue across the entertainment industry, as everyone debates whether or not they could help us.

Well, movie studio heads are starting to weigh in on the possibility of these upcoming taxes and to offer solutions as to what would really help the industry out.

A few of these studio moguls were at the 2025 Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, where the tariffs were one of the first questions brought up.

This is what they said.

🗞️ Quick Reads from Industry

• In a Stunning Move, Max is Calling Itself HBO Again - What the heck is the marketing department doing over there?

• Read the Letter The Hollywood Unions Sent to Trump Asking For Help To Bring Production Home - Major unions are uniting to try to get Trump to help Hollywood production.

• Will The Threat of Tariffs Hurt The Cannes Sales Market? - Here's how foreign films will fare this week.

🎞️ Movies & TV

Zombies are terrifying—slow, groaning, and dead-set on eating your face and brain. But filmmakers handed them a punchline somewhere along the way and turned the apocalypse into a comedy club.

The undead still stumble through cities, but now they also trip over their own feet, crack jokes, and sometimes fall in love mid-brain snack.

If you’ve had your fill of grim survival horror and want your zombies with a side of ridiculous, you’re in the right graveyard. Here are nine zombie movies that prove the end of the world can actually be pretty hilarious.

🗞️ Quick Reads from Movies & TV

• What Are The 100 Most Famous Movie Quotes Of All Time? - Which of these just sticks in your head?

• Are the Cardinals Really Watching 'Conclave' While Electing a New Pope? - At least they got it right in the movie.

• What Are Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary's Favorite Movies Right Now? - Which movies are these two auteurs trying to get us to watch?

📷 Tech

Panasonic Lumix S1 II Credit: Panasonic

No, the future isn’t AI, it’s content. And while that probably means the same thing to some brands and creatives out there, for the majority of those in the content creation field, it means that finding new, budget, and creative ways to tell stories is going to be critical in the coming years.

The major camera manufacturers appear to get this as they’re leaning toward developing sophisticated digital cameras that can satisfy the diverse needs of this new generation of creators. The new Panasonic Lumix S1 II is a great example of this push as it is fully designed for hybrid photo and video content creation.

Let’s check out the specs!

🗞️ Quick Reads for Tech

• The DJI Mavic 4 Pro is Here to Elevate Your Aerial Cinematography Once Again - Here’s everything you need to know about the now officially announced DJI Mavic 4 Pro.

• Maxima Brings MicroFocus Lens to the Maxima 6 GaN to Refine Light Output - Maxima has announced that the company has brought the MicroFocus Lens to the Maxima 6 GaN.

• Rumors Indicate Sony to Unveil Xperia 1 VII Smartphone Later This Week - Here’s what we know about the rumored Sony Xperia 1 VII and its Alpha 1-inspired specs and features.

🎙️ Podcast

In this episode of the No Film School Podcast, GG Hawkins and Jason Hellerman tackle breaking news, unpacking President Trump’s proposed 100% tariff on foreign-made films, and what it could mean for the future of Hollywood. Then, GG takes us to the heart of indie filmmaking with a vibrant live conversation from Cinema Columbus, where filmmakers Michael Polk, Sam Dunning, and Kelsey Lea Jones share war stories, festival lessons, and the power of regional cinema in a shifting industry.

📚 Recommended Reads:

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