Podcast Summary: "What’s Really Going on in Modern Day Hollywood with 2521Entertainment"

De-Influenced with Dani + Jordan
Episode: What’s Really Going on in Modern Day Hollywood with 2521Entertainment
Release Date: August 7, 2025

Introduction to 2521Entertainment

In this episode of De-Influenced with Dani and Jordan, the hosts welcome David Hunt, Co-founder and Chief Content Officer, and Tyler Zachariah, CEO of 2521Entertainment. The conversation delves into the company's mission to revitalize American culture through mainstream entertainment, addressing the current state of Hollywood and its cultural implications.

Founders' Backgrounds and Transition to Film

David Hunt shared his journey from a computer systems engineering major in Arkansas to the film industry. “I realized in college that I was spending... 12 hours coding... but it was very easy for me to spend 12 hours computer editing a project I shot or something like that” (09:32). This passion for storytelling led him to switch his career path towards filmmaking.

Tyler Zachariah, with a background in private equity and international investments, transitioned into the film industry after a serendipitous opportunity. “One of the investors in our fund in Africa called me up and said, hey, would you ever think about moving to LA and figuring out how to invest in films for me?” (14:50). This move marked the beginning of their decade-long journey in the entertainment sector.

Mission and Vision of 2521Entertainment

2521Entertainment was founded with a clear mission: “to help fix and renew our culture that we think is in trouble through the power of mainstream entertainment” (04:49).

David Hunt emphasizes the critical role of storytelling in shaping cultural values. “Stories are vitally important... you are responsible for building the cathedrals of your children's imagination” (02:49). The company aims to produce content that not only entertains but also instills positive values and encourages meaningful dialogue.

Views on Modern Hollywood and Cultural Impact

The hosts and guests discuss the evolving landscape of Hollywood, highlighting the shift from traditional movie consumption to streaming platforms. David Hunt observes, “Hollywood used to be the world leader in entertainment... there's just not quite there anymore” (07:25). This decline, according to him, stems from a loss of cultural memory and meaningful storytelling.

Tyler Zachariah adds, “Hollywood's religion is money... if you have something that's going to make them a lot of money, they're gonna bow at your altar” (59:22). This commercialization often leads to formulaic content aimed at maximizing profits rather than fostering authentic storytelling.

The Importance of Storytelling in Shaping Culture

Both founders stress that stories are fundamental to personal and cultural identity. David Hunt states, “Civilization loses cultural memory, loses its stories. It's like a person who loses his memory, they fade away” (34:05). This underscores their commitment to creating content that preserves and promotes cultural narratives.

Tyler Zachariah echoes this sentiment: “Stories matter... people learn through stories” (51:42). They advocate for stories that ask universal questions and inspire audiences to reflect on their values and beliefs.

Challenges and Opportunities in the Current Industry

The discussion highlights several challenges facing modern Hollywood:

• Over Saturation: “There's a proliferation of stories... creates a whole lot of inertia when it comes to people's decision making on what to watch” (46:02).
• Box-Checking Diversity: Efforts to diversify often result in superficial changes. Tyler recounts a script alteration where a character was changed solely for diversity without narrative relevance, undermining the story’s integrity (61:25).

Despite these challenges, 2521Entertainment sees opportunities:

• Niche Markets: “There's a giant middle space of people that aren't necessarily interested in all the stories that they're telling” (64:17).
• Authentic Storytelling: Focusing on quality and originality, they aim to produce content that resonates deeply with audiences.

Potential Split in Hollywood: Coastal vs. Midwest

The hosts and guests contemplate the future of Hollywood, pondering whether the industry will bifurcate into distinct coastal and Midwest sectors. David Hunt expresses concern over a possible split: “This split is culturally almost inevitable... I don't think it's that healthy” (65:07). He advocates for a unified artistic conversation that bridges cultural divides.

Tyler Zachariah remains optimistic, viewing the current climate as an opportunity to introduce authentic, values-driven stories that appeal to both traditional and modern audiences.

Balancing Faith and Mainstream Appeal

2521Entertainment strives to balance their Christian values with mainstream appeal. David Hunt explains, “Our company is not concentrating on explicit faith-based films so much... we're making movies for all ages” (72:19). They seek to produce films that incorporate positive values without being overtly preachy, aiming for universal relatability and impact.

Tyler Zachariah emphasizes the importance of authenticity in storytelling, stating, “Actors... jump into roles authentically, not based on their personal worldview” (84:14). This approach ensures that their films maintain artistic integrity while subtly embedding their core values.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

As the podcast concludes, David Hunt and Tyler Zachariah reiterate their commitment to transforming the media landscape by prioritizing meaningful storytelling. They envision a future where Hollywood embraces diverse, value-driven narratives that foster cultural unity and personal growth.

David Hunt reflects on the profound impact stories have on individual lives, sharing personal anecdotes to illustrate the emotional and spiritual influence of film (71:03). This highlights the deeply personal mission driving 2521Entertainment’s endeavors.

Notable Quotes:

• “Stories are vitally important. And so one way or another, you as a parent are responsible for building the cathedrals of your children's imagination.” — David Hunt (02:49)

• “Hollywood's religion is money. And so if you have something that's going to make them a lot of money, they're gonna bow at your altar.” — Tyler Zachariah (59:22)

• “Civilization loses cultural memory, loses its stories. It's like a person who loses his memory, they fade away.” — David Hunt (34:05)

• “Actors... jump into roles authentically, not based on their personal worldview.” — Tyler Zachariah (84:14)

Key Takeaways:

• 2521Entertainment aims to revitalize American culture through authentic, value-driven storytelling.
• Modern Hollywood faces challenges of over-commercialization and superficial diversity efforts.
• There's a critical need for meaningful stories that foster cultural unity and personal growth.
• 2521Entertainment seeks to bridge cultural divides by producing content that appeals to a wide audience without compromising core values.
• The founders believe in the profound impact of stories on individual lives and societal values.

For more insights and detailed discussions on pop culture, parenting, and entrepreneurship, tune into De-Influenced with Dani and Jordan weekly.