TV campers bypassed potential rain showers on the ATX TV Festival’s third day. Daytime programming included a showcase from the festival’s Indie TV Pilot finalists, and a roundtable with members of the Television Critics Association. Laughs owned the night as two pillars of TV comedy – Phil Rosenthal and Bill Lawrence – were featured.
At the State Theatre, three filmmakers screened their projects to win the festival’s inaugural Indie TV Pilot Showcase. Producer Cynthia Turner introduced her son, Julien Turner’s, “Freelance,” a semi-biographical look at young creatives seeking to breakthrough amidst personal and professional pitfalls. Based in Ohio, Lance (played by Spence Moore II) and a group of his friends each seek to turn their content hustles into careers. Turner, who serves a producer on the project, described it as Arrested Development meets Atlanta.
The second project came from Juliana Piscina’s “The Ladies” about a divorcé, Jessica Toltzis’ Tracy, forced to start over coaching her hometown’s high school girls basketball team. The comical coming-of-age story, similar to PEN15 and Derry Girls, explores the quiet strength in pivoting when life hands you a technical foul.
Finally, the third entry was the dramatic genre piece “Savage” from Connor Paolo. Bridget Regan stars as a private investigator whose missing person’s case unravels a terrifying history to something hauntingly unnatural. The series is described as “Erin Brokovich goes to Lovecraft Country with a gun (maybe two).”
The winner of the showcase will be announced at a later date.
Next, campers gathered at 800 Congress “Around the TV Set”, a conversation with members of the Television Critics Association. Led by TCA President, reality blurred’s Andy Dehnart, critics Megan Vick, Melanie McFarland and Quinci LeGardye discussed their career paths, the state of modern criticism and what to expect in this current media landscape. All three women had different paths to their current roles.
Vick began doing series explainers for Zap2It, which led to work at TV Guide. She’s now a freelancer obsessed with Heated Rivalry. McFarland worked as a pop culture critic in Portland and now works for Salon.com. LeGardye, the youngest on stage, turned being too online on YouTube and BuzzFeed into a career with Marie Claire.
Discussion touched on the art of criticism being encroached by non-traditional creatives — content creators and influencers. The trio agreed they welcome artists who understand the world of critique and produce good work, but are weary of people twisting journalistic integrity for personal clicks.
Finally, the conversation examined WTF is wrong with Hollywood as less work is made in Los Angeles. LeGardye emphasized a need to prioritize story over visuals, and allowing shows to find an audience. Vick called it cyclical, comparing the current consolidation to studios’ monopoly of the late 1940s and 50s. She said a resurgence of work from other outlets is on the horizon, but it’s always darkest before the dawn.
McFarland agreed, citing the pattern of dominant culture leaving marginalized creatives to innovate with fewer resources. Eventually, mass media surveyors seek to adapt those subcultures. As critics, its their job to uplift those lesser known works.
As the sun went down, Apple TV welcomed the creator and cast of its dark comedic thriller, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed. David J. Rosen was joined by Tatiana Maslany, Jack Johnson, Murray Bartlett, Jessy Hodges and Brandon Flynn. Campers enjoyed two episodes of Maslany’s Paula, a woman seeking control as her life spirals. Amidst a messy divorce from husband Karl (Johnson), Paula finds solace in a camboy. But when he winds up dead, Paula is caught in a caper more dangerous than her daughter moving states away with her ex’s new wife.
Rosen set to explore the darkness behind online anonymity and what secrets we bury about ourselves.
The night was filled with laughter as two panels focused on TV comedy with the writers of Everybody Loves Raymond and Scrubs showrunner, Bill Lawrence. Held in the Paramount Theatre, “Everybody (Still) Loves Raymond” welcomed frequent festival attendee Phil Rosenthal, Ray Romano and the writers of the Emmy-winning CBS sitcom for its 30th anniversary.
Conversations explored Romano landing the role after being fired from News Radio. The standup-comedian-turned actor joined a writers room of male standup comics. They displayed how their lived married experiences inspired the plot lines for infamous episodes such as “Boob Job”, “Young Girl” and “She’s the One.”
Rosenthal praised their ability to deliver things that could happen, which gave the show its universal reliability. Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, and the late Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle, allowed folks to see their own families in their characters. Rosenthal also championed Romano for his understated acting ability. While Ray felt he improved throughout the first season, Rosenthal appreciated his ability to deliver his lines with a authenticity that felt normal.
The laughs continued as Bill Lawrence received the festival’s second Showrunner Award. Thirty years since running his first show, ABC’s Spin City, Lawrence was joined by of Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, Connie Britton, Michael Urie and Scott MacArthur to discuss his amazing work and friendship.
The cast of Scrubs highlighted how Lawrence was responsible for their careers, and exuded excitement when asked to return for the series’ revival earlier this year. Fasion joked how he went from being known as “Clueless,” citing his role in the classic 90s teen comedy, to “Hey, it’s Zach Braff and the guy from Clueless.” Fasion grew sentimental acknowledging how Lawrence remaied a lifeboat during some of his life’s lowest points.
Britton entered the industry with Spin City and reunited with Lawrence on HBO’s, Rooster. She sarcastically described him as a bro early in his career, with a blond haircut and backwards cap. Today, she praised him for his growth as a showrunner and friend, whose warm and welcoming nature permeates on his sets.
Urie joined Lawrence’s circle of trust in Apple TV’s Shrinking. He cited Lawrence’s “no asshole” policy, that diminishes any narcissism on set allowing an inclusive environment for all to shine.
MacArthur, who stars on HBO’s Rooster, was in awe of how much Lawrence appreciates “the jam,” comparing his direction to pure jam sessions of The Grateful Dead and Willie Nelson. His openness for improvisation delivers work that resonates beyond the screen.