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In a panel discussion, five television producers who oversee popular Netflix shows shared their experiences related to the art of scriptwriting (pitching), the enchantment of filming scenes (casting), and the pleasure of collaborating with seasoned actors.

5 creators – Mara Brock Akil (“Forever”), Mindy Kaling (“Running Wild”), Molly Smith Metzler (“Sirens”), Eric Newman (“American Primeval”, “Zero Day”) and Michael Schur (“A Man within”) convened at Netflix’s Tudum Theater in Hollywood on May 20th. They discussed their work, shared insights, and exchanged ideas during a session moderated by Peter Friedlander, who is the head of scripted series for the U.S. and Canada at Netflix.

On a particularly special day for me, I found myself celebrating not just my birthday, but also a significant milestone for Akil. Meanwhile, it was an exciting week for Schur, culminating in the grand unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which happened to be on the same day.

In this rephrased version, I’ve used “I found myself” and “it was an exciting week for Schur” to put it into the first person perspective. The event is still significant for both Akil and Schur, but I’ve highlighted the uniqueness of the day by saying that it was not just a birthday for me, but also a special day for Akil. Finally, I’ve mentioned that Schur celebrated the unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last week, emphasizing that it happened to be on the same day as my birthday.

Schur admitted he hadn’t realized writers were eligible for the award. When he received the call, he initially thought it was a joke. However, upon learning the truth, he felt deeply honored and glad that writers could be involved. He believes more writers should be part of this community. Moreover, this was the first occasion where he felt like this was what a farewell would look like – with all his old friends present, paying tribute to him in kind words.

During the “FYSEE” gathering, the spotlight was on understanding the procedure involved in presenting pitches and their development. Friedlander prompted everyone to share any unique routines or superstitions they follow before a pitch presentation as a means of bringing them luck.

Following my bout of nausea,” I admitted, expressing my discomfort with the theatrics involved in pitching TV shows to network and streaming service executives.

Akil expressed his desire for writing, stating, “All I want is to put words on paper; all I want is to create a script.” He shared one of his habits, which is listening to music. This playlist, he explained, assists him in his writing by helping him establish the right tone, mood, and texture. Additionally, it serves as a means of relaxation before diving into the process of discussing the written piece.

Instead, Kaling finds that writing and producing offers a different creative outlet for her acting talents. With stardom on NBC’s “The Office” and Fox’s “The Mindy Project”, this versatile woman has stepped away from the camera limelight since she became a mother of three (her eldest child is 7).

Personally, since becoming a parent, I’ve taken a break from acting. Yet, even when it’s a dismal performance over Zoom with only small grinning screens, I find joy in the act itself. It allows me to be humorous, narrate a well-rehearsed tale, and share a show with six sets of smiling eyes. As a performer, it feels like a chance to slip back into acting, even just a little bit.

Smith Metzler goes minimalist when she’s trying to make a sale.

I can’t say for sure if this is a good idea, but I have a small habit – when I go somewhere, I carry absolutely nothing with me. This is because if something is in front of me, I usually end up reading it. So, to get ready, I do all my preparation ahead of time and then leave everything behind.

Schur relies on an on-site consultant who offers priceless insights before he presents his concepts to leading purchasers. His spouse, scriptwriter-producer J.J. Philbin, serves as a demanding spectator.

He remarked that she’s quite transparent when it comes to poker, as her expressions instantly reveal if she’s feeling bored. Unconsciously, her thinking mind, acting like a critic, signals ‘This isn’t working.’ It’s fascinating because this gives him the chance to recognize weak parts of his pitch and make necessary adjustments. Eventually, despite her initial dislike for certain parts, she ends up praising it, leaving him in disbelief, knowing full well that she didn’t enjoy it all.

Newman has played a crucial role in Netflix’s original programming since its inception, with shows like “Hemlock Grove” and “Narcos” being among his contributions. Leveraging his background as a movie producer and overseeing several television series in more recent times, he shared insights into what factors typically influence a potential buyer to either approve or decline a project.

Newman stated that most executives you’ll present to tend to prefer saying ‘No’ as it’s a safer choice. There are numerous reasons someone might decline, and remember, nobody gets fired for saying no unless they rejected ‘Star Wars’ or ‘Twilight’. Instead, they get fired for approving something unreasonable. So, my approach is always to present the reasons why it’s safe to say yes. I truly believe that while it’s safer to say no, there’s nothing more satisfying than having Peter (or someone like him) across the table, eager about an idea we’re passionate about and confidently saying ‘I support this.’

Friedlander emphasized a crucial habit he believes is vital for individuals like himself during the Zoom presentation epoch.

During video calls, Friedlander emphasized his awareness of others typing at their computers,” he said to the group. “In fact, I make a point of keeping both hands visible on-screen to demonstrate that I’m fully focused and not distracted with other tasks like shopping.

As a movie reviewer, I’m thrilled to express my gratitude towards Netflix for their generous backing that allowed Akil and his team to bring their creative visions to life, especially in the adaptation of Blume’s cherished coming-of-age novel “Forever”. This heartfelt interpretation moves the narrative to modern-day Los Angeles, where it delves into the blossoming romantic journey of two Black teenagers from contrasting backgrounds.

Akil describes this tale as navigating the complexities of love, both above and below the surface, likening it to “the challenges of falling in love”. The film is deeply rooted in the captivating beauty of Los Angeles, serving not just as a backdrop but as a character in its own right. This production presents an epic and intimate love story that unfolds as a heartfelt ode to the city of angels.

Among other highlights:

Newman expressed gratitude towards Friedlander for purchasing every presentation he’s made, and for never making him feel uncomfortable when a pitch didn’t succeed.

Showrunner Schur strongly encourages his colleagues to cast experienced actors aged 75 and above in their productions, as he himself has done for “A Man on the Inside,” which stars Ted Danson and is based on a Chilean documentary about an undercover investigator set in a retirement community.

It was incredibly delightful and touching to observe so many genuinely talented, hilarious individuals who are 82 years old, yet remain enthusiastic about their work,” Schur expressed. “If you prefer a chaotic, subpar table read of a pilot, gather a group of young people. If, however, you desire the smoothest, flawlessly executed reading experience imaginable, bring together a team of 80-year-olds. These individuals had their lines memorized, timing impeccable, and seemed to have prepared thoroughly beforehand. They were incredibly focused and professional. From start to finish, it was a pure pleasure to watch this large group of actors perform brilliantly each day.

Akil made sure to preserve the essence of Blume’s novel while altering several elements, ensuring no compromises were made since “Forever” falls under Netflix’s Young Adult programming lineup.

Akil shared that he admired Judy Blume for not speaking condescendingly to her readers. Instead, she respected young people as complete individuals. He felt that their problems and concerns were important, and this sincerity was crucial in developing the Young Adult series.”

or

“Akil praised Judy Blume because she didn’t talk down to her readers; she treated them as whole human beings instead. Their issues and worries mattered greatly to her, and he realized that this empathy was essential for creating a genuine Young Adult show.

At the top of this image are six individuals: Eric Newman, Michael Schur, Molly Smith Metzler, Peter Friedlander, Mara Brock Akil, and Mindy Kaling.

The people in this picture from top to bottom are Eric Newman, Michael Schur, Molly Smith Metzler, Peter Friedlander, Mara Brock Akil, and Mindy Kaling.

Or simply: This image shows Eric Newman, Michael Schur, Molly Smith Metzler, Peter Friedlander, Mara Brock Akil, and Mindy Kaling from top to bottom.

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2025-05-30 15:17