We enter the last weekend at ATX TV Festival! While we cry in a corner and remember day 7 of this festival, we are going to review the top moments of day 8 because it was really intense. We talked about diversity, representation, the Queer Community, there were show reunions that marked a generation and… news about the new episodes of The Good Fight!
Showrunner State of the Union
We always take our TV for granted, we always think that even if one show leaves, others will arrive, but what happens behind the scenes? What are the challenges that showrunners have to make that happen? What will be the challenges for the future?
Because TV is changing every day and even if it is for the better, in fact, we need to change more. This conversation was about the logistical challenges of creating a show in the middle of a pandemic (something that was not easy), how everything changed from there (some ways of doing things will stay for when this is all over) and the changes to implement.
We have to have a lot more voices representing everyone in the showrunner room. That image of white men around a table must disappear. The challenges for the future are more representation, more diversity, giving a voice to the people who have always been silenced.
And if this panel was any indication, there is a lot of future for our TV and our shows will get better and more faithful to reality.
The Amazing Race: 20th Anniversary Panel
Another awesome panel! It is always nostalgic to remember a show that marked so many lives. “The Amazing Race” marked a generation. 32 seasons, OMG, that’s impressive!
This conversation was about remembering the best moments of the show and some secrets behind the scenes, where the best things happen. The best memories. Where a family is created.
I didn’t have the pleasure of enjoying this show (I definitely have it on my radar now) but just hearing them talk about what they enjoyed filming, how close they were… I don’t know, it brought an emotion to my heart that made me smile.
The show made an impact on everyone’s lives. Contestants, host… and fans. It marked a life. Sometimes shows are more important than we think. Sometimes, they help us get through a bad moment or smile on a bad day or not take life so seriously and a show that lasted so long inevitably burned itself in everyone’s heart.
It was a real pleasure to hear the special way that even after so many years, the fandom and those who were part of the show, still feel part of it.
Casting: Non-Fiction Series
Have you ever been curious to know what a casting process was like? I have. I mean, I always wanted to know what was that special thing that they were looking for in people who went to the casting, as well as how to organize one.
And I didn’t expect it to be so much fun! It’s amazing how everyone works as a team to get a casting going and that spark that they find, that special something they look for is simply authenticity. That we show ourselves as we are and that we show passion for what we do.
This discussion confirmed that the best of our TV happens behind the cameras and that in each project, in each adventure, families are formed. And I love to see it.
Work In Progress: A Conversation on Queer Storytelling (Showtime)
The panel we all needed. This show is inclusive, diverse and should be the norm, not the exception. This discussion tried to explain how the cast and crew collaborated to bring seasons 1 and 2 to life, especially in the midst of a pandemic.
The pandemic changed absolutely everything in a way that was not expected and I loved to see how it helped everyone to take it as a challenge, as a way to unite even more in the distance and how, together, they created a unique voice, a voice that makes you laugh , cry, which deals with something as important and as despised as mental health and the Queer Community.
Mental health is so important, especially at a time that forced us to lock ourselves at home. But nobody notices. Nobody realizes that behind a big smile there can be great sadness, perhaps, behind a smile someone is screaming inside … nobody knows what everyone else is going through. That is why you have to treat everyone with kindness, that can help someone without you knowing it.
Also, representation, diversity was discussed. This is a show where the Queer world is present and we need more shows like this, we need these stories to be told, we need more of this. Much more.
I loved this panel.
History Of Them: Unaired Pilot Screening and Q&A
An unaired pilot that I adored. This pilot was originally designed for CBS in 2018 and the story revolves around two friends, Luna (Ana Villafañe) and Adam (Brett Dier), and how they fell in love, using the couple’s social media accounts as a guide. It is multicultural, different, modern… and it deserved a chance.
This talk was about discovering the ins and outs of the creative process, the way they talked to the studio, how fun it was to participate in this adventure.
And you really feel that the people who participated came together in a special way, you feel that they were passionate about this story and so wanted to tell it. You feel like it was really important… hopefully they can tell this story one day.
The Good Fight (Paramount+)
Season 5 of The Good Fight! We are already looking forward to this legal drama returning on June 24. And I absolutely loved hearing from the cast and crew about how special this season is going to be.
Season 5 feels different, they had to change many things in the creative process to adapt to this pandemic world but it was a challenge for everyone and the whole team did their best to offer us the best season to date.
Because it is clear that Season 5 is the best Season so far. If the conversation in this panel was indicative, we are going to really enjoy the emotional journey of the characters in the new episodes, the way they have to mix social criticism with the legal world. Because our attorneys return more critical than ever.
I definitely have to catch up on “The Good Fight,” it’s worth it just to see the wonderful adventure that season 5 will be.
And these are the top moments from day 8 of ATX TV Festival Season 10. Stay tuned tomorrow to review the top moments from day 9.
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.
