SCADFILM Spotlights True Crime at Latest SCAD TVfest Event
Industry professionals from NBC’s ‘Dateline’, Jupiter Entertainment, and DiscoveryID to host panel discussions and screenings Friday, July 12
ATLANTA, June 13, 2024 — Building upon the success of SCAD TVfest, SCADFILM and the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) will continue its newest industry focused programming series with SCAD TVfest: True Crime on Friday, July 12, spotlighting the explosion in true crime shows on TV and streaming platforms. All events to be held at SCADshow, the university's new, state-of-the-art theater complex in Midtown Atlanta.
“The fascination with true crime has only grown over the years, with studios, networks and streamers racing to create the next series or documentary,” said senior executive director of SCADFILM Leigh Seaman. “Some of the best in the business will be joining us in Atlanta for a deep dive into the process of creating the compelling programming that has captivated a passionate and global fanbase.”
During the True Crime event, SCAD will welcome Andrea Canning and Josh Mankiewicz, correspondents from Dateline — the top-rated and longest-running NBC series, one that has expanded into a podcast empire, syndication powerhouse, and a Dateline 24/7 free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel which appears on more than a dozen platforms — for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the show. Attendees will also enjoy panel discussions with top entertainment executives from DiscoveryID, Jupiter Entertainment, York and Wilder, and more as they dive into the process of mining for the right combination of murder and mayhem to create a successful true crime series.
Inspired by SCAD TVfest — Georgia's only festival dedicated to all things television and streaming — SCADFILM launched a new series of one-day spotlights on trending TV topics and production in January with SCAD TVfest: Reality, a deeper look at the expansive world of unscripted television. Since then, SCAD has hosted sessions on broadcast news and documentary production, and partnered with the Writer’s Guild Foundation for a spotlight on screenwriting for TV. During the April screenwriting event, the WGF activated an exclusive pop-up experience highlighting their famous archives, offering SCAD students and members of the public the opportunity to review scripts and documents from iconic TV shows like Friends, The Sopranos, Cheers, and Star Trek, as well as scripts from Academy Award-nominated and winning films signed by directors, producers, and stars. The SCADFILM series reflects many of the university's top ranked degree programs, including acting, film and television, sound design, dramatic writing, production design, and more.
Tickets for each session are free for SCAD students, faculty, and staff, $5 for SCAD alumni, and $10 for the general public. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the SCAD Box Office. Programming topics are subject to change.
SCAD TVfest: True Crime
Stories of real-life murders, mysteries, and mayhem have captivated audiences dating back to the earliest forms of storytelling. From news-style reporting to recreated crime scenes and narrative accounts, true crime programming has exploded in recent years, growing into one of the most-binged genres on TV. At SCAD TVfest: True Crime, SCADFILM turns the spotlight on the producers, directors, and creators behind the scenes of some of your favorite true crime shows.
12:30 p.m.
The Perfect Crime Show
SCADshow, Main Stage
No matter what the crime might be, capturing savvy true crime audiences eager to get lost in a good whodunnit requires a nuanced combination of compelling characters, finely honed production skills, and an effective narrative format. In this panel discussion, hear from producers and programming executives about the process of mining for the right combination of murder and mayhem for a successful series.
Panelists: Erica Diaz-Gant, vice president of development, DiscoveryID; Matt Sprouse, president and executive producer, York and Wilder (An American Murder Mystery, Casey Anthony's Parents: The Lie Detector Test); Deborah Allen, executive vice president, Jupiter Entertainment (Snapped, ID Murder Mystery); additional panelists to be announced
2:15 p.m.
Inspired by a True Story
SCADshow, Stage 2
Adapting true crime stories into dramatic limited series or made-for-TV movies draw huge ratings and win awards — especially when the fiction stays true to reality. In this writing workshop, dig into the true crime adaptation process with successful creators and writers.
Panelists to be announced.
5:30 p.m.
In Conversation with Dateline, The True Crime Original
SCADshow, Main Stage
The longest running primetime series in NBC history, Dateline remains must-see TV that audiences crave. NBC reporters Andrea Canning and Josh Mankiewicz take the SCAD stage to lead audiences behind the scenes of the compelling mysteries, powerful documentaries, and in-depth investigations conducted by NBC News journalists for this award-winning weekly series.
7:30 p.m.
How I Caught My Killer Exclusive Screening
SCADshow, Main Stage
Be one of the first to watch the premiere episode from the upcoming season of Hulu's How I Caught My Killer, which returns Thursday, July 18. The hit docuseries highlights the real-life stories behind unique homicide cases, with in-depth interviews, authentic archival material, and cinematic recreations all packaged together in a fresh spin on the true crime genre.
The screening is free to attend, but a ticket is required.
SCADFILM
SCADFILM produces premier events for students and professionals working in film, television, animation, gaming, AR/VR, performing arts, and video production. Audiences experience year-round programming that includes screenings, master classes, and behind-the-scenes presentations from industry luminaries. SCADFILM’s events calendar includes SCAD AnimationFest, SCAD TVfest, and the SCADFILM Storytelling Series.
The preeminent authority in film and television education, SCAD is the only university with professionally run casting offices, located in Atlanta and Savannah. With more than 8,100 SCAD students and alumni working in animation, entertainment, film, media production, writing, editing, broadcast media, and performing arts — with over 2,800 in Georgia alone — SCAD helps drive the multibillion-dollar film and television industry in Atlanta, Business Facilities Magazine’s No. 1 city for film production, and Savannah, MovieMaker magazine’s No. 1 small city for filmmaking. Additionally, SCAD students, alumni, and faculty have won Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, Golden Reels, Tonys, Annies, and more.
SCAD: The University for Creative Careers
SCAD is a private, nonprofit, accredited university, offering 100 graduate and undergraduate degree programs across locations in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Lacoste, France; and online via SCADnow. SCAD enrolls more than 17,500 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 120 countries. The future-minded SCAD curriculum engages professional-level technology and myriad advanced learning resources, affording students opportunities for internships, professional certifications, and real-world assignments with corporate partners through SCADpro, the university’s renowned research lab and prototype generator. SCAD also has earned top rankings for degree programs in interior design, architecture, film, fashion, digital media, and more. Career success is woven into every fiber of the university, resulting in a superior alumni employment rate. According to a recent study, 99% of SCAD graduates were employed, pursuing further education, or both within 10 months of graduation. SCAD provides students and alumni with ongoing career support through personal coaching, alumni programs, a professional presentation studio, and more. Visit scad.edu.
Media Contact:
Wendy Gardner
Sr. Director, Public Relations
wgardner@scad.edu