The Unscripted Files with Madelyn Cunningham

The Unscripted Files with Madelyn Cunningham

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The Unscripted Files with Madelyn Cunningham episodes

  • Second Round Bids & Bridezillas: Unscripted Industry News with Emily Wilson

    This Monday minisode of unscripted industry news with Emily Wilson discusses the latest developments in the bid for Warner Brothers Discovery, AMC's new all-reality streaming service and the revival of Bridezilla, as well as Bravo's upcoming spinoffs and reboots. A new board game IP has entered the chat with Shark Bite and Apple announces a culinary docuseries with Awkwafina.

    Special Guest: Emily Wilson.

    9 min
  • True Crime's Latest Genre Twist with Showrunner Diana Nolan

    Diana Nolan shares her journey from a high school student producer to an executive producer in the true crime genre. She discusses her early experiences in storytelling, the challenges and rewards of working in reality TV, and the importance of empathy and sensitivity in true crime productions. Diana emphasizes the value of mentorship, team building, and creative problem-solving within budget constraints. She also highlights her recent projects that blend horror and true crime, with The Real Murders on Elm Street and The Friday the 13th Murders, and her aspirations to explore scripted content in the future.

    Special Guest: Diana Nolan.

    49 min
  • Shopping, Sports & Spin-offs: Unscripted Industry News with Emily Wilson

    In this Monday minisode, Madelyn and Emily Wilson discuss the latest trends in the entertainment industry, including new competition formats like 'Win The Mall' from Netflix, the rise of celebrity sports shows, and the growing influence of YouTube creators. They also touch on significant industry changes, including executive resignations at the BBC and recent award wins for documentaries, highlighting the dynamic nature of the media landscape.

    Special Guest: Emily Wilson.

    6 min
  • The Production Gravy: In Praise of Associate Producers

    Sebastien Basset, a seasoned associate producer, talks about the challenges of working on large culinary competition formats like 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing, Holiday Baking Championship, Spring Baking Championship and more. He describes how his role supports pre-production, production and post - and how he manages to keep notes on up to 24 contestants at a time on high intensity shows. Sebatien gives his best advice for advancing upward, why preparation is the key to success, and the role he's most thankful for when things get intense.

    52 min
  • Everybody Wants This: Industry Sustainability with Reality of Change Founder Cyle Zezo

    Cyle Zezo discusses his journey from working at the CW to founding Reality of Change, an initiative aimed at promoting sustainability in unscripted television. He shares insights on the industry's response to sustainability, the importance of integrating eco-friendly practices into programming, and the challenges faced in production. Cyle emphasizes the need for collective action and the role of storytelling in engaging audiences on climate issues. He outlines the three pillars of the pledge that production companies can adopt and highlights the significance of collaboration and innovation in creating a sustainable future for the entertainment industry.

    Special Guest: Cyle Zezo .

    Links:

    • Reality of Change
    — Reality of Change works to support sustainability efforts across the entertainment industry.
    Our English-language work is focused on unscripted entertainment, and our team is made up entirely of individuals from the business.
    We provide tools, resources and services to help surface environmental sustainability on-screen, and work with partners to sharpen and adapt tools for making production practices more sustainable.
  • Take The Pledge!
  • — Our mission is to lead the unscripted industry in addressing climate change by incorporating sustainability into our content, promoting environmentally responsible production practices, and inspiring collaboration across the industry to build a more informed and engaged global audience.
  • Follow Cyle on LinkedIn
  • 49 min
  • True Crime, Catan & Consolidation: Unscripted Industry News with Emily Wilson

    Hosts Madelyn Cunningham and Emily Wilson discuss the latest trends and news in the unscripted industry. They cover the upcoming adaptation of the board game Catan into unscripted and scripted series, the significant mergers and acquisitions happening in the media landscape, including Disney's acquisition of FuboTV, and the unfortunate layoffs affecting major companies like Paramount and Amazon Studios. The episode also highlights the growing trend of podcasting, particularly in the true crime genre, with the Crime Junkie podcast's new deal with Tubi Media Group.

    Special Guest: Emily Wilson.

    6 min
  • Smooth Operator: Behind the Camera on Are You My First?

    Jessica Arzate shares her journey in the film industry, highlighting her experiences in cinematography, the importance of mentorship, and her work on various reality TV shows, including 'Are You My First.' She discusses the challenges and creative opportunities in unscripted television, the cultural insights gained from working internationally, and the personal growth that comes from capturing vulnerable moments on set. Jessica emphasizes the significance of being organized, curious, and open to learning in a fast-paced industry.

    35 min
  • The Cost of "Pretty Good" with Nonfiction Hotlist Founder Adam Neuhaus

    In this conversation, Adam Neuhaus discusses the complexities of development, the importance of understanding market trends, and the challenges of pitching projects. He emphasizes the need for access and community building in the current media landscape, as well as the launch of the Nonfiction Hot List, which aims to highlight and support underrepresented projects in the industry. Adam shares insights on what makes a project fundable, the significance of positioning, and the necessity of maintaining good communication in the pitching process.

    Special Guest: Adam Neuhaus.

    Links:

    • The Nonfiction Hotlist
    — Exceptional nonfiction storytelling changes how we see the world — but too many powerful projects never get the chance to be made. The Nonfiction Hotlist was created to change that.
    We are a collective of nonfiction filmmakers, storytellers, producers, and executives behind acclaimed, award-winning content. Together, we curate a vetted list of unproduced projects that deserve champions. By amplifying these stories across the industry, we help ensure more of them find their way into the world — and into the hearts of audiences.
  • Follow the Nonfiction Hotlist on Instagram
  • Follow Adam on LinkedIn
  • Work with Adam
  • 59 min
  • Will You Accept This Renovation? Unscripted Industry News with Emily Wilson

    In this episode of The Unscripted Files, Madelyn and Emily Wilson discuss the latest trends in the TV industry, including the rise of board game adaptations like Clue and Monopoly, a renovation series featuring the Bachelor Mansion, Instagram's plans for a dedicated TV app, and exciting new international formats emerging from MIPCOM.

    Special Guest: Emily Wilson.

    6 min
  • Location, Location, Location: Scouting in the Miami Heat with Elisa Tarrago

    In this engaging conversation, Elisa Tarrago shares her unexpected journey from a pre-med student to a successful segment producer in reality television. She discusses the intricacies of working in unscripted TV, the unique challenges of filming in Miami, and the importance of building relationships in the industry. Elisa highlights her experiences on shows like 'The Ultimatum: Queer Love' and 'Love & Hip Hop Miami,' emphasizing the creative freedom and planning involved in segment producing. The discussion also touches on the practicalities of location management, the impact of Miami's culture on production, and the transition to scripted television. Elisa's insights provide a fascinating look into the world of reality TV production and the skills needed to succeed.

    Links:

    • Scene Seekr
    45 min

About The Unscripted Files with Madelyn Cunningham

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to The Unscripted Files—a podcast that pulls back the curtain on the world of unscripted entertainment. Hosted by development producer Madelyn Cunningham, this series celebrates the talent and…