The TV Campfire

Episode Notes:

With less than 90 days until Season 8 of ATX, co-founders Caitlin McFarland and Emily Gipson begin to dive into what really goes into putting together TV Camp for Grown-ups.

Episode produced by: Caitlin McFarland, Emily Gipson, AJ Meyers, and audio partner Five Ohm Productions.

ATXFestival.com FiveOhm.com

Series Information:

Welcome to a special edition of The TV Campfire: Inside ATX! Following the success of the first season of our podcast series, we decided the next step in our journey would be to give TV fans, attendees and a brand new audience an inside look at what it takes to build an annual festival. As we prepped for the 8th Season of the ATX Television Festival, we decided to document our entire process - from programming topical panels, negotiating network premieres, finding sponsors and yes, dealing with all the unexpected obstacles (both professional and personal) encountered along the way.

Over the course of 6 episodes, you’ll get an inside look into not only the programming and operations, but the relationships and passions that go into building an event from the ground up. This is a behind-the-scenes look at how and why two self-described TV fanatics decided to start an annual “TV camp for grown-ups” and all the blood, sweat, tears, and laughter that happens along the way!

WHERE TO FIND US

• FOLLOW us at @ATXFestival on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and let us know your thoughts on this episode (or any episode!) using #TheTVCampfire!
• WATCH full panels and Q&As from past seasons of ATX at atvxp.com and on our YouTube channel.
• BUY A BADGE, WRISTBAND or SINGLE TICKETS at atxfestival.com and join us June 6-9 for ATX Season 8!

From showrunners to showstoppers, these women are at the forefront of bringing empowered, vulnerable, complex heroines (and antiheroines) to the worlds of sci-fi and fantasy. As a more inclusive fan culture emerges in today’s evolving landscape, their stories take on a new significance and timeliness. Hear from these bold creators, actors and passionate sci-fi lovers on defying expectations, the evolution of genre storytelling and female representation in the industry today.

Episode Guests: Emily Andras (Wynonna Earp), Sera Gamble (The Magicians), Carina MacKenzie (Roswell, New Mexico), Maddie Hasson (Impulse)

Moderator: Cher Martinetti (SYFY WIRE'S Fangrrls)

ATX Season 8 | June 6-9, 2019 | atxfestival.com

Tune in for the premiere of Deadly Class on Jan. 16th, only on SYFY!

WHERE TO FIND US

• FOLLOW us at @ATXFestival on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and let us know your thoughts on this episode (or any episode!) using #TheTVCampfire!
• WATCH full panels and Q&As from past seasons of ATX at atvxp.com and on our YouTube channel.
• BUY A BADGE at atxfestival.com and join us next June for ATX Season 8!

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Prior to a television landscape that favors realism over idyllic life, where major characters face the risk of "being killed off," and daily life is portrayed somewhat accurately, thirtysomething did all that and more. The show that was an early experiment that quickly became a phenomenon, rewriting the rules for dramatic series in more ways than one. Helmed by creators Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz, thirtysomething not only drew viewers into the lives of its characters and tested the boundaries of conventional storytelling, it thrived with a multi-hyphenate cast, many of whom stepped into the role of director during the series run -- then stayed there for the next 30 years. ATX reunites these dynamic creatives as they look back at the series that re-wrote the book on TV dramas, and paved the way for a new direction in their careers.

Episode Guests: Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick, Timothy Busfield, Melanie Mayron, Peter Horton, David Clennon, Polly Draper

Moderator: Bill Keith (Entertainment Weekly)

ATX Season 8 | June 6-9, 2019 | atxfestival.com

WHERE TO FIND US

• FOLLOW us at @ATXFestival on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and let us know your thoughts on this episode (or any episode!) using #TheTVCampfire!
• WATCH full panels and Q&As from past seasons of ATX at atvxp.com and on our YouTube channel.
• BUY A BADGE at atxfestival.com and join us next June for ATX Season 8!

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Get 20% off your new favorite pair of jeans @ DSTLD.com with promo code: TVCAMPFIRE

As these critics can tell you, part of the fun of watching TV (particularly in the digital age) are the discussions and inevitable debates surrounding it. What is the perfect length for an episode, or season? Are time jumps an effective tool, or a hollow plot device? Does a limit exist when it comes to our threshold for subscription services and viewing platforms? Join the experts for an old-school Critics Throwdown as they step away from the tweet-machine to debate the intricacies & future of Peak TV one-on-one.

Episode Guests: Maureen Ryan, Sarah Rodman (Entertainment Weekly), Tara Ariano (Previously.TV)

Moderator: Sara Osburn (Mix 94.7)

ATX Season 8 | June 6-9, 2019 | atxfestival.com

WHERE TO FIND US

• FOLLOW us at @ATXFestival on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and let us know your thoughts on this episode (or any episode!) using #TheTVCampfire!
• WATCH full panels and Q&As from past seasons of ATX at atvxp.com and on our YouTube channel.
• BUY A BADGE at atxfestival.com and join us next June for ATX Season 8!

-----

Get 20% off your new favorite pair of jeans @ DSTLD.com with promo code: TVCAMPFIRE

Time for a very special pre-midterms S'More, y'all! We're throwing back to our full Season 5 convo with the creatives & cast of THE WEST WING, moderated by Lawrence O'Donnell! Join us as we wistfully re-visit the heart-pounding conviction, spit-fire writing, and unforgettable characters that continue to impact viewers more than a decade later, as well as the series’ ongoing relevance to American political culture. Also: GO VOTE! WE MEAN IT!

Not sure if you're registered, where/when to vote, or what's on your ballot? Check out these handy resources:

• Vote.gov
• Vote Save America
• When We All Vote

To learn more about Justice For Vets, please visit: justiceforvets.org

Episode Guests: Aaron Sorkin, Thomas Schlamme, Bradley Whitford, Dulé Hill, Janel Moloney, Joshua Malina, Richard Schiff, and Melissa Fitzgerald

Moderator: Lawrence O'Donnell (MSNBC)

ATX Season 8 | June 6-9, 2019 | atxfestival.com

WHERE TO FIND US

• FOLLOW us at @ATXFestival on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and let us know your thoughts on this episode (or any episode!) using #TheTVCampfire!
• WATCH full panels and Q&As from past seasons of ATX at atvxp.com and on our YouTube channel.
• BUY A BADGE at atxfestival.com and join us next June for ATX Season 8!

-----

Get 20% off your new favorite pair of jeans @ DSTLD.com with promo code: TVCAMPFIRE

From the title sequence to the end credits, and everything in between, composers have an indelible impact on the emotional lens through which we view a story. How do you create a sound that captures the essence of a character, or elevates an already-great scrip to the next level? In this conversation, go behind the score with some of TV's most dynamic composer/creator pairs as they discuss how the two roles come together to shape a characters story, and how a show's themes can deepen our connection to the characters we love.

Episode Guests: Marshall Herskovitz (thirtysomething), Tanya Saracho (Vida), Joe Weisberg (The Americans), Joel Fields (The Americans), W.G. Snuffy Walden (Friday Night Lights), Germaine Franco (Vida), Nathan Barr (The Americans)

Moderator: Tara Ariano (Previously.TV)

ATX Season 8 | June 6-9, 2019 | atxfestival.com

WHERE TO FIND US

• FOLLOW us at @ATXFestival on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and let us know your thoughts on this episode (or any episode!) using #TheTVCampfire!
• WATCH full panels and Q&As from past seasons of ATX at atvxp.com and on our YouTube channel.
• BUY A BADGE at atxfestival.com and join us next June for ATX Season 8!

-----

Get 20% off your new favorite pair of jeans @ DSTLD.com with promo code: TVCAMPFIRE

Penultimates (a.k.a second to last, a.k.a the one before the end) are often beautiful works of episodic TV that are favored over the finale by critics and fans alike. Is it a fair fight though? A penultimate has all of the advantages of a finale - fully formed storylines, character development, complicated relationships - yet, none of the added pressure or immense expectation of tying up lose ends, creating closure, and assuring the final moment is both earned and satisfying. Join a wide-ranging panel of creators as they debate the pros and cons of penultimates vs. finales, from both a writer and viewer's perspective - including some of their all time favorites.

Episode Guests: Christopher C. Rogers (Halt & Catch Fire), Sam Shaw & Dustin Thomason (Castle Rock), Sarah Treem (The Affair)

Moderator: Daniel Fienberg (The Hollywood Reporter)

ATX Season 8 | June 6-9, 2019 | atxfestival.com

WHERE TO FIND US

• FOLLOW us at @ATXFestival on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and let us know your thoughts on this episode (or any episode!) using #TheTVCampfire!
• WATCH full panels and Q&As from past seasons of ATX at atvxp.com and on our YouTube channel.
• BUY A BADGE at atxfestival.com and join us next June for ATX Season 8!

-----

Get 20% off your new favorite pair of jeans @ DSTLD.com with promo code: TVCAMPFIRE

Capturing the coveted 18-34 age demographic is no easy task for programmers, advertisers and creators. What makes that task even more difficult is that it encompasses two generations -- Millennials and Generation Z, which engage with, shape and distribute media in very different ways. Millennials had instant messenger, Gen Z has Instagram; Millennials have DVRs, Gen Z consumes content exclusively on their phone. Millennials seek to be a part of the group while Gen Z seek uniqueness in everything, including the television they watch and the brands they buy. As these two generations seek out new content, Freeform has evolved into a network and platform that represents a combination of the two with series like The Bold Type, The Fosters, Famous In Love, Siren, and more. Listen in as Freeform’s programming executives and series creators discuss the process of navigating the generational divide, and harnessing the power of Gen Z viewers with narratives that are inclusive, diverse, raw, powerful, and smart.

Episode Guests: Bradley Bredeweg (The Fosters), I. Marlene King (Famous In Love), Amanda Lasher (The Bold Type), Eric Wald (Siren), Karey Burke (EVP, Freeform Programming & Development), Tom Aschiem (President of Freeform)

Moderator: Samantha Highfill (Entertainment Weekly)

ATX Season 8 | June 6-9, 2019 | atxfestival.com

WHERE TO FIND US

• FOLLOW us at @ATXFestival on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and let us know your thoughts on this episode (or any episode!) using #TheTVCampfire!
• WATCH full panels and Q&As from past seasons of ATX at atvxp.com and on our YouTube channel.
• BUY A BADGE at atxfestival.com and join us next June for ATX Season 8!

-----

Get 20% off your new favorite pair of jeans @ DSTLD.com with promo code: TVCAMPFIRE

Dark, Gritty, Broad Comedy, Dire, Light-hearted. Every TV show has a tone, the overall mood or emotional response it expects to elicit from viewers. Despite many stories being about the same subject matter, how each series tackles those subjects sets them apart from one another giving each show a distinct voice. How does a writer convey a specific tone in his/her script? Then how is that tone conveyed to the actors, writing staff, and department heads? These writers, all known for series with unique tones, discuss how they were able to first capture it on the page and then onto the screen.

Episode Guests: Robert & Michelle King (The Good Fight), Davey Holmes (Get Shorty), Melanie Mayron (Jane the Virgin)

Moderator: Danielle Turchiano (Variety)

ATX Season 8 | June 6-9, 2019 | atxfestival.com

WHERE TO FIND US

• FOLLOW us at @ATXFestival on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and let us know your thoughts on this episode (or any episode!) using #TheTVCampfire!
• WATCH full panels and Q&As from past seasons of ATX at atvxp.com and on our YouTube channel.
• BUY A BADGE at atxfestival.com and join us next June for ATX Season 8!

-----

Get 20% off your new favorite pair of jeans @ DSTLD.com with promo code: TVCAMPFIRE

While TV has long been considered a writer’s medium, a growing number of directors are discovering ways to put their distinct stamp on the the small screen by sticking around for an entire season. Join these full season directors for a discussion on turning episodics into long form investments; the challenges of transitioning from features or single episode gigs; and how they're using their lens to innovate and push TV forward - one season at time.

Episode Guests: Tony Yacenda (American Vandal), Sara St. Onge (You Me Her), Pamela Fryman (How I Met Your Mother)

Moderator: Daniel Fienberg (The Hollywood Reporter)

ATX Season 8 | June 6-9, 2019 | atxfestival.com

WHERE TO FIND US

• FOLLOW us at @ATXFestival on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and let us know your thoughts on this episode (or any episode!) using #TheTVCampfire!
• WATCH full panels and Q&As from past seasons of ATX at atvxp.com and on our YouTube channel.
• BUY A BADGE at atxfestival.com and join us next June for ATX Season 8!

-----

Get 20% off your new favorite pair of jeans @ DSTLD.com with promo code: TVCAMPFIRE