Event Preview: Scripted

Tiffany Rushton, lead conference producer for Scripted, talks to TV Drama about the upcoming event that is being held for the first time in its history in Hollywood.

A conference and market dedicated to the global scripted content business, Scripted unites creators, producers, buyers and distributors for two days of networking and deal-making opportunities. Following its first two years in the Big Apple, the event’s third edition will be held in Los Angeles at the W Hollywood Hotel from November 7 to 8.

“With a large number of the scripted community being based in L.A., we felt the transition of Scripted to the West Coast would further enable the U.S. scripted entertainment community to come together in one place and meet with fellow U.S.-based executives, and connect with international players—from networks to distributors and potential co-producers—for two days of insightful keynotes, panels, case studies and valuable networking,” says Tiffany Rushton, lead conference producer for Scripted.

The first day of Scripted will kick off with the Meet an Expert: Agents session, Keynote Conversation with TBS/TNT’s Sandra Dewey, the Meet the New Buyers panel and a 30 Minutes With session led by HBO’s Chris Salvaterra. After that will be the Shopping Your Show: What’s Right for Your Production? panel and 30 Minutes With sessions featuring Brad Gardner of Paramount Network and TV Land and AMC/SundanceTV’s Kristin Jones.

Later in the afternoon will see the New Funds, New Initiatives: Keeping Up with the Drama Boom panel; 30 Minutes With sessions led by The CW’s Gaye Hirsch, YouTube Red’s Dustin Davis, IFC’s Drew Worobow and Fox Broadcasting Company’s Gabriel Marano; Commissioners Roundtable; and the Comedy Spotlight on Sky Atlantic’s upcoming show Bliss.

“We’re excited to be welcoming more networks for our signature 30 Minutes With sessions, including Showtime, Paramount Network, FOX and The CW,” says Rushton. “More companies can be found across our Meet an Expert and Luncheon Roundtables programming as well, with the addition of companies participating including TBS, MTV, VH1, Amblin Television, Liberty Global, APA and Abrams Artists Agency.”

Day two will start with the Meet an Expert: Distributors session and Keynote Conversation with Steve Stark of MGM Television. There will also be panels titled One Year Later, Beyond the Books: Alternative Sources of IP and The New Alchemy of a Hit. 30 Minutes With sessions will include FX Networks’ Kate Lambert, HISTORY’s Arturo Interian, Starz’s Ken Segna and Showtime Networks’ Robin Gurney, among others.

In addition, November 8 will feature the Drama Spotlight on Starz’s American Gods. The case study of the international hit will offer insight from Stefanie Berk, executive VP of scripted programming and development at FremantleMedia North America; Michael Green, executive producer and co-showrunner; and star Ricky Whittle. The trio will discuss what makes the book-based fantasy series resonate with viewers around the globe and how it will be brought back for future seasons.

“At Scripted 2017, we want our audience to gain valuable knowledge to help them in their own endeavors to create, buy and sell programming, including a better understanding of the deal-making landscape today, what to consider when finding the right home for your show and what working in the global television marketplace means for them,” adds Rushton. “Our program also aims to incite inspiration through an exploration of current TV trends, and where content is headed now as well as in the immediate future.”