Event Preview: Scripted

Scripted, a conference and market dedicated to the business of scripted entertainment, is returning to the Park Central Hotel for a second run on November 17 and 18.

Last year was the first edition of Scripted. The event, held in New York City, saw a number of top-level executives sharing their points of view on the changes in the industry, among other topics.

“Feedback on last year’s content was overwhelmingly positive, with the strongest desire from both delegates and the advisory board being to introduce more case studies, exploring how hit programs were created and developed,” says Claire Macdonald, executive producer of Scripted. Responding to the feedback, this year’s agenda features in-depth case studies on The Night Manager, The Americans and The Collection.

On Thursday, November 17, delegates will have the chance to attend “30 Minutes With” sessions featuring CBS’s Christina Davis, HBO’s Francesca Orsi, Lifetime’s Joanna Klein and FX Networks’ Nicole Clemens, among others. The keynote conversation that day is with Robert and Michelle King, creators of The Good Wife who have now turned their attention to CBS’s BrainDead.

On Friday, November 18, “30 Minutes With” participants will include DR’s Piv Bernth, NBC’s Quinn Taylor and Amazon Studios’ Morgan Wandell. Super-producer Greg Berlanti, whose long list of credits include The CW’s Arrow, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow and Supergirl, will deliver a keynote, as will Eric Schrier, the president of original programming at FX Networks and FX Productions, who will talk about creativity, risk-taking and connecting with consumers with breakthrough shows in today’s “peak TV” landscape.

“In addition to case studies, we have updated our networking sessions to feature high-level producers as well as network executives at ‘Luncheon Roundtables,’ allowing delegates unrivaled access to some of the most influential executives in the business of scripted entertainment,” Macdonald says. “Also, in our ‘Meet a Mentor’ sessions, featured mentors will focus on topics that will aid producers with their own productions, including valuable knowledge on pitching, development and establishing strategic partnerships.”

Among the various panels taking place over the course of the two-day event are “Going Glocal,” touching on the topic of content that resonates internationally; “Digital Storytelling and Cracking the Youth Code,” about how to connect with millennial and Gen Z viewers; “Changes in Dealmaking: Navigating New Business Models,” focusing on the increasingly complex rights-negotiations taking place; and “Based-On: Inspired Content,” spotlighting the spate of true-life stories, movies and books being remade for the small screen.

“The goal of Scripted is to help foster meaningful business relationships and to bring creators and international production partners together for two days of inspiration and, ultimately, dealmaking,” says Macdonald.