ATX TV Festival Season 10 is here! So…convention time! From yesterday until June 20 we are going to enjoy the best news from our TV, expected returns and secrets behind the cameras of our favorite shows. Yesterday was the first day of this incredible festival and we bring you the top moments from Day 1 from Degrassi: The Next Generation to some behind-the-scenes games and secrets.
Here we go!
Degrassi: The Next Generation 20th Anniversary
ATX’s Opening Night included a 20th Anniversary panel for the groundbreaking Canadian series “Degrassi: The Next Generation“ presented by Tubi.
Marking 20 years since the series premiere, the panel featured creatives and cast from across the show’s 14-season run as they revisit iconic storylines and moments from the series, the show’s groundbreaking approach to young adult storytelling, behind-the-scenes stories, and more. All episodes of “Degrassi: The Next Generation“ are currently available to stream free on Tubi.
PANELISTS
Linda Schuyler (Co-Creator/Executive Producer), Stephen Stohn (Executive Producer), Stefan Brogren (Producer/Director/Cast) and Cast: Aislinn Paul, Shane Kippel, Luke Bilyk, Lauren Collins, Munro Chambers, Jake Epstein, Daniel Clark, Andrea Lewis, Christina Schmidt.
MODERATOR
Louis Peitzman
Corner Points:
- The idea for Degrassi: The Next Generation came about because Yan Moore, Kit Hood, and Linda Schuyler missed writing and telling stories about teenagers.
- At first, the show had a somewhat cold reception but in its second year, they felt all the love from the fans.
- Regarding the episodes dealing with abortion such as “#IRegretNothing” or “Accidents Will Happen,” they had to take into account the temperature of American society on the subject and Linda believes that perhaps pro-life protesters at that time influenced the failure to air “Accidents Will Happen.”
At this point, from here, we want to say that this is intolerable. Abortion is a right – and it should be in all parts of the world – and, as such, no one is forced to exercise it but everyone must respect people who decide to, and basically mind their own fucking business.
- They love interacting with fans but at first it was a bit overwhelming.
- They never expected so much success, but they really enjoyed it, especially working with people their age, and they talked about their favorite scenes.
- The best thing about a series like Degrassi or Degrassi: The Next Generation is that they are stories in which fans can see themselves reflected and realize some things that it was difficult for them to accept, for example, if they were in an abusive relationship. It helps them fight their way out of it. The show marks them.
- And do you know how special it is for an actor to learn from the stories that he is seeing in his show? That happened to Munro with Adam’s story.
- Bad news for the Craig & Marco ship, Aaron confirmed that the two of them were just friends but it’s also important to show that friendship.
- They were clear that they wanted authenticity even in the casting and decided to have a casting with the exact age of the characters.
And, from here, we appreciate it because sometimes someone too old plays a teenager and it doesn’t look exactly right, in addition to that we agree on the authenticity of the story and that by giving real teenagers a chance, they give new talents a chance to shine, so…Bravo!
- The essence of the show never changed. Times changed, the way of telling stories changed but the essence of the show remained the same and that made the difference.
- About a possible Degrassi reboot, everyone is on board, they love the idea and even speculated on some plots so…who knows?
The Daily
Cait and Emily host The Daily… daily. Take this 30 minutes to hear about upcoming programming, share coffee with special guests, get the day’s weather report, and see exciting content premiered here first!
PANELISTS
Caitlin McFarland (Co-Founder, ATX TV Festival) and Emily Gipson (Co-Founder, ATX TV Festival.)
ATX TV + FNL Pep Rally: 10 Festivals Later
Some of our favorite FNL family members for a look back to the start of this beautiful friendship. In 2012, the very first ATX TV Festival arrives in Austin, and we launched it with a series that had just ended and would become a classic…. Friday Night Lights.
There’s no better way to kick off ATX Season 10 than with a virtual pep rally that looks back at some of our favorite Friday Night Lights moments, and includes some of our favorite people from the show (or who just love it as much as we do.)
Happy and nostalgic tears around here.
PANELISTS
Surprise FNL Alums
MODERATOR
Emily Gipson, Caitlin McFarland
ATX TV Trivia
Join ATX and Hulu to celebrate Pride Month with LIVE TV Trivia! From special guest contestants, speed rounds, and witty banter… who doesn’t love a good game of Trivia.
Friday Night Flashbacks
Join Friday Night Lights family for daily one-on-one retrospectives on the beloved series presented by Tubi. Ten years since the finale and 15 since the pilot, this series has become a part of ATX TV Festival very fiber, and it’s time to see what these actors and writers could remember about their first meetings, scenes, time in Austin, and what it all means to them now.
And these are the top moments from day 1 of ATX TV Festival Season 10. Stay tuned tomorrow to review the top moments from day 2.
What was your favorite moment? Do you enjoy the day? Feel free to share with us in the comments below!
ATX TV Festival will run from June 11 to June 20 virtually.