In the Season 2 premiere of Technically Creative, we sit down with André Vargas, Chief Data Officer at CAA, to talk about why data (and the people behind it) matter more than ever in the entertainment industry.

From redefining AI as “augmented intuition” to building CAA Intell, a machine learning platform designed for artist representation, André breaks down what it really takes to integrate technology into one of the most human industries in the world. Hint: it starts with trust, ethics, and a relentless focus on the client.

Vargas shares stories from the frontlines of negotiating with streamers, the art of measuring black holes with proxy data, and why generative AI is both powerful and perilous. Most importantly, he makes a compelling case for what data should be: not a shortcut, but a supercharger for creative success.

Orlando and André explore:

• Why client-centricity is the only real AI strategy in entertainment
• What happens when a Chief Data Officer thinks like an artist, not just a technologist
• How CAA Intell closes the negotiation gap with actionable insights
• The real risks of generative AI—and how CAA is staying ethical in a hype-driven industry
• The power of feedback loops and co-design with agents
• What it means to say “the AI is guilty until proven innocent”

In the SEASON FINALE of Technically Creative, we close out with a true legend.

Orlando Wood sits down with director Rob Minkoff, the visionary behind The Lion King, Stuart Little, and The Forbidden Kingdom — for a wide-ranging conversation about legacy, authorship, AI, and the future of animation.

With decades of experience across both animated and live-action storytelling, Rob reflects on how creative risk shaped his career, why emotional structure is central to great animation, and how emerging technologies like AI are reshaping what it means to tell stories.

It’s an insightful & heartfelt conversation to close out the season, and one you don’t want to miss!

🔍 Highlights include:

• How The Lion King nearly didn’t happen — and why it did
• The narrative timing of animation vs. live action
• Mentorship, creative resilience, and staying inspired

AI’s growing role in the future of animation and storytelling.

In this episode of Technically Creative by KoobrikLabs, Orlando Wood sits down with Mike Day, CEO of Palma Pictures, to unpack what it really takes to run one of Europe’s top production service companies.

Mike shares the story behind Palma Pictures’ growth from its roots in Mallorca to a major player across Spain and Portugal – helping studios, production houses, and brands bring complex creative visions to life. From doubling Spain as every country under the sun for The Crown to pioneering the production logistics behind reality juggernauts like Love Island, Mike offers a masterclass in creative problem-solving at scale.

The conversation explores the evolving role of service companies, the hidden logistics behind seamless shoots, and how production ecosystems survive – and even thrive – through crises like the 2008 crash and COVID. Mike also reflects on the balancing act of building a business with ‘four engines’ – scripted, unscripted, commercial, and digital content – and why the best briefs are the ones that make you a little scared.

Whether you’re a producer, a creative, or just fascinated by what it takes to keep the wheels turning behind the scenes, this episode is a deep dive into the unglamorous, indispensable world of production logistics – with a view from paradise.

Orlando and Mike discuss:

• How Palma Pictures grew into one of Europe’s leading production service companies
• Why Spain’s versatility makes it a global production magnet
• The hidden complexity behind shows like The Crown and Love Island
• Lessons in resilience: surviving the 2008 crash, COVID, and industry strikes
• What production service teams see before the rest of the industry does