Media Industry Conversations Podcast
Conversations with professionals throughout the entertainment industry. Created as part of a course in the Department of Radio Television and Film in the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin.
Episodes
Austin Animation Panel
This MIC podcast features a panel about animation in Austin. Guests Carrye Glazer, Brad Graeber, Austin Harper, Evan Narcisse, and Craig Staggs join us to explore career paths, roles, and the state of animation industries in Austin.
At the time the podcast was recorded at the UT campus on February 16, 2024, Carrye Glazer was the executive producer for Austin Community College television; she for
Anatomy of a Production Company: 26 Keys Productions
This week's MIC podcast features a panel on the anatomy of a production company. Guests Michael Garcia and Maddy Bilder join us to explore the production process and everyday workflows of 26 Keys Productions, a production company based right here in Austin. Michael Garcia, who is the President of 26 Keys, has extensive experience as an executive producer and studio executive, having worked with Lu
Texas Entertainment and Media Industries Symposium: Conversation with Elizabeth Avellán
Today, we’re bringing you the final episode in our special series about the Texas media industries. This podcast was recorded at the Texas Entertainment and Media Industries Symposium, which took place on September 20th, 2024 at the University of Texas at Austin. The symposium and this podcast were co-produced by the Center for Entertainment and Media Industries and the Department of Radio-Televis
Texas Entertainment and Media Industries Symposium: Live Events and Experiential Entertainment
Today, we’re bringing you the fourth episode in our special series about the Texas media industries. This podcast was recorded at the Texas Entertainment and Media Industries Symposium, which took place on September 20th, 2024 at the University of Texas at Austin. The symposium and this podcast were co-produced by the Center for Entertainment and Media Industries and the Department of Radio-Televi
Texas Entertainment and Media Industries Symposium: Development and Exhibition
Today, we’re bringing you the third episode in our special series about the Texas media industries. This podcast was recorded at the Texas Entertainment and Media Industries Symposium, which took place on September 20th, 2024 at the University of Texas at Austin. The symposium and this podcast were co-produced by the Center for Entertainment and Media Industries and the Department of Radio-Televis
Texas Entertainment and Media Industries Symposium: Production
Today, we’re bringing you the second episode in our special series about the Texas media industries. This podcast was recorded at the Texas Entertainment and Media Industries Symposium, which took place on September 20th, 2024 at the University of Texas at Austin, which was made possible by the generous support of Wofford Denius.
The Texas Entertainment and Media Industries Symposium showcased
Texas Entertainment and Media Industries Symposium: Development
Today, we’re bringing you the first episode in a special series about the Texas media industries. This podcast was recorded at the Texas Entertainment and Media Industries Symposium, which took place on September 20th, 2024 at the University of Texas at Austin. The symposium and this podcast were co-produced by the Center for Entertainment and Media Industries and the Department of Radio-Televisio
James Emmanuel Shapiro - Former President, US Distribution at XYZ Films
This week's MIC podcast features James Emmanuel Shapiro, who was President of US Distribution at XYZ films at the time of this recording. James Emanuel Shapiro is an entertainment executive veteran of twenty years and has been the COO of both Drafthouse Films and NEON, where he helped build both distribution companies from the ground up. He's worked on several academy award campaigns including Bul
Screenwriter/Agent Relationship: Cindy McCreery and Jim Ehrich
This week's MIC Podcast features a panel on the Screenwriter/Agent relationship with Jim Ehrich, literary agent, and Cindy McCreery, screenwriter and Chair of the Radio-Television-Film Department at UT Austin. Cindy McCreery is Chair of the Department of Radio-Television-Film here at UT Austin, where she teaches screenwriting. Cindy has written many feature and television scripts, and most recentl
Mark Shapiro - President and COO, Endeavor and TKO
For this week’s MIC Podcast, we’re excited to present our conversation with Mark Shapiro, moderated by Dr. Alisa Perren and James Andrew Miller. For regular listeners of the MIC podcast, this episode will have a unique structure, as James Andrew Miller moderates the first half of the conversation and Alisa Perren moderates the second half.
Mark Shapiro is President and Chief Operating Officer of
Elaine Frontain Bryant - EVP and Head of Programming at A&E, Lifetime, and LMN - September 30, 2024
This week's guest is Elaine Frontain Bryant who is Executive Vice President and Head of Programming at A&E, Lifetime, and LMN. She manages the programming teams for all three networks and is responsible for overseeing the development, creation and execution of all programming. Elaine has developed lots of groundbreaking unscripted programming, such as Storage Wars and Duck Dynasty, and her work o
Entertainment Law Panel: PJ Shapiro and Greg Slewett - November 4, 2024
This week's MIC podcast features a panel on Entertainment Law with attorneys PJ Shapiro and Greg Slewett. Both Slewett and Shapiro are founding partners at Johnson, Shapiro, Slewett, and Kole LLP, which was established in 2021 with philanthropy, civic engagement, and inclusion as its core tenants. JSSK LLP represents some of Hollywood's most in-demand talent, including Donald Glover, Florence Pugh
Colby Gaines - Founder of Back Roads Entertainment - Oct. 28, 2024
This week’s guest is Colby Gaines, who is the Founder of Back Roads Entertainment. Colby, who produces unscripted series in his home state of Texas after 20 years in NYC, is an Emmy nominated executive producer and one of the top storytellers in unscripted entertainment. He’s well known for having co created cable’s longest-running hit show, Pawn Stars. He’s managed large teams and a variety of C-
Brent Weinstein - Chief Development Officer at Candle Media - Oct. 21, 2024
This week's guest is Brent Weinstein, Chief Development Officer of Candle Media. At Candle, Brent oversees brands like Moonbug, Faraway Road Productions, and Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine. Before joining Candle Media, Brent worked at United Talent Agency, one of Hollywood’s largest and most influential agencies, for nearly 20 years. During his time at UTA, Brent served as Partner and Chief In
MIC: Andrew Wang, Head of TV, Development, and Production
This week's guest is Andrew Wang. Andrew Wang is Head of TV, Development & Production at JuVee Productions, a production company founded by Viola Davis and Julius Tenon that emphasizes artist driven projects from a diverse range of new and established voices. At JuVee, Andrew guides projects through all stages of the development process, seeing a title through from the early days of its conception
Elaine Frontain Bryant - EVP and Head of Programming at A&E - Nov. 7, 2022
This week, we're taking a look back at an MIC session with Elaine Frontain Bryant from Fall 2022. Elaine is Executive Vice President and Head of Programming at A&E Network, where she manages the A&E programming team and is responsible for overseeing the development, creation and execution of all programming for the network. In this role, Elaine won Emmy awards for launching the groundbreaking seri
Scot Cru, Independent International Television & Media Consultant
This week's guest is Scot Cru, who works as an independent international television and media consultant and previously served as Executive Vice President of Global Formats and Unscripted Content at MGM Studios. In this role, Scot was responsible for the distribution of MGM formats worldwide and launched MGM UK. Before that, Scot worked as Executive Vice President of International for Mark Burnett
MIC Panel: Austin-Based Film Festivals
This week's podast features a panel of film festival leaders based right here in Austin. Neha Aziz, Alka Bhanot, David Finkel, Todd Hogan, and Gabriel Ornelas visited UT Austin on March 21st, 2024 to discuss the community-based film festivals that they lead. Neha is Artistic Director for the Austin Asian American Film Festival, as well an independent filmmaker and podcaster. Alka Bhanot is Co-Foun
Austin Entertainment Industry Panel
We concluded the Fall 2023 semester with a panel featuring five leaders in the media industry right here in Austin. Alfred Gomez is a director of programming and development at Blind Nil Magnolia, an unscripted production company operating here in Texas. Jennifer Hutchins is a freelance producer and founder of All Entertainment Business, and has worked on series such as That Animal Rescue Show. La
MIC: The Screenwriter/Agent Relationship
This week's podcast features a panel on the Screenwriter/Agent relationship with screenwriters Davia Carter and Cindy McCreery and literary agent Jim Ehrich, who visited UT on September 11, 2023. Davia Carter is an alumna of UT Austin's MFA Screenwriting program, and now works as a writer/producer for the Sylvester Stallone-led series, Tulsa King. Davia's other credits include Snowfall, Queen of t
MIC: Patrick Schumacker, EP and Co-Showrunner of Abbott Elementary
This week's guest is Patrick Schumacker, who visited UT on April 1, 2024. Patrick is an Emmy-nominated Creator, Showrunner and Executive Producer at Delicious Non-Sequitur Productions, which he runs with his writing partner Justin Halpern with an overall deal at Warner Bros Television. Patrick is Executive Producer and Co-showrunner on the Emmy Award-winning hit series Abbott Elementary with Quint
MIC: Amanda Harrell, Former EVP, Business and Legal Affairs, Alternative and Specials, MGM Studios
This week's guest is Amanda Harrell, who visited a UT class on Unscripted Media on April 9th, 2024. Amanda is the former Executive Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs for the Alternative and Specials division of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios. This division of MGM focuses on unscripted content, as well as podcasts and live events. In this role, Amanda was responsible for ensuring the legalit
MIC: Jordan Levin, Former General Manager of Rooster Teeth
This week's guest is Jordan Levin, who spoke with UT students on October 10, 2022. At the time of his visit, Jordan was General Manager at Rooster Teeth, an Austin-based media and entertainment company, where he was responsible for leading all aspects of the business including oversight of strategy, creative and operations. Before joining Rooster Teeth in 2019, Levin served as the CEO of Awesomene
MIC: Bob Berney, CEO of Picturehouse
This week's guest is Bob Berney. Bob Berney is an Alum of the RTF program here at UT Austin, and has gone on to become a leader in the field of film distribution. Bob began his career working at art house movie theaters in Houston and Dallas, where he learned the nuances of independent film distribution. He went on to found some of the most influential distribution companies in the industry, inclu
MIC: Entertainment Law Panel with PJ Shapiro and Greg Slewett
This week's MIC podcast features a panel on Entertainment Law with attorneys PJ Shapiro and Greg Slewett. Both Slewett and Shapiro are founding partners at Johnson, Shapiro, Slewett, and Kole LLP, which was established in 2021 with philanthropy, civic engagement, and inclusion as its core tenants. JSSK LLP represents some of Hollywood's most in-demend talent, including Donald Glover, Florence Pugh
MIC: Christopher Casanova, VP of Film & Television at Black Bear Entertainment
This week's guest is Christopher Casanova. At the time of recording, Christopher was the Vice President of Film and Television at Black Bear Entertainment, where he oversaw production for Dumb Money, starring Seth Rogan and Paul Dano. Other upcoming Black Bear titles that Christopher has developed include horror-thriller Immaculate starring Sydney Sweeney and The Rivals of Amziah King, starring Ma
Neal Moritz, Producer and Founder of Original Film
This week's guest is Neal Moritz. Neal H. Moritz is the founder of Original Film and one of the most prolific producers in Hollywood today. After graduating from UCLA with a Bachelor's in Economics, Moritz earned a graduate degree from the prestigious Peter Stark Producing Program at USC. Moritz's credits include some of the best-known titles in film, including the Fast and Furious franchise, 21 a
Pastor Alvarado, Executive Producer and Creative Director, Riverside Entertainment
Pastor Alvarado spoke to UT students on October 30th, 2023 and the conversation was hosted by Dr. Alisa Perren. They discussed his career trajectory, the scope of his work as Co-Founder and Creative Director at Riverside, and his views on the current state of the media industries.
Tom Schatz, Professor Emeritus at UT Austin
Dr. Tom Schatz visited on October 2, 2023 and discussed the history of the Hollywood Studio System, the nature of research into historic media industries, and his thoughts on the current state of the industry.
MIC - Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company - Sept. 9, 2022
Iger visited Moody earlier this fall—before he announced his return to Disney as its CEO in November 2022—to share his insights on his career trajectory, how the Walt Disney Company evolved under his leadership, and his views on the current state of the media industries.
When: Friday, September 9, 2022 - 12 - 1:15 p.m.
Where: University of Texas at Austin
Host: Alisa Perren
Producer: Kate Croni
MIC - PJ Shapiro, Entertainment Attorney, Ziffren Brittenham, LLP - October 12, 2020
Topics of discussion during this Q&A session include the role of an entertainment industry lawyer, the process of negotiating contracts, and some significant shifts in media industry business models that have occurred over the past few decades.
When: Monday, October 12, 2020 - 5 - 6:15 p.m.
Where: Zoom, University of Texas at Austin
Host: Alisa Perren
Producer: Kate Cronin
MIC - PJ Shapiro, Ente
MIC - Jerren Wright, Business Affairs Executive, Amazon Studios - September 28, 2020
Topics of discussion during this Q&A session include Jerren Wright's diverse experiences as a a multimedia/technology businessman and attorney in the entertainment industry.
Jerren Wright, Business Affairs Executive, Amazon Studios
When: Monday, September 28, 2020 - 5 - 6:15 p.m.
Where: Zoom, University of Texas at Austin
Host: Alisa Perren
Producer: Kate Cronin
MIC - Jerren Wright, Business Aff
MIC - Raymond Mansfield, Executive Producer, Get Out; Producer, BlacKkKlansman - April 23, 2018
Ray Mansfield's (RTF BS, '00)discusses his career trajectory, his roles and responsibilities as Partner for QC Entertainment, and his views on the current state of film financing, production, and distribution.
Who: Raymond Mansfield — Partner, QC Entertainment; Executive Producer, Get Out (2017); Producer, BlacKkKlansman (2018)
When: Monday, April 23, 2018 - 3-4:15 p.m.
Where: BMC 5.208, Universi
MIC - Hall Hood, Studio Lead Writer, BioWare - Nov. 27, 2017
We discuss Hall Hood's career trajectory since his time as an RTF major, his roles and responsibilities as studio lead writer at BioWare, and his views on the current state of the video game industry.
Who: Hall Hood, Studio Lead Writer, BioWare
When: Monday, November 27, 2017 - 6 - 7:15 p.m.
Where: CMA 2.306, University of Texas at Austin
Host: Alisa Perren
Producer: Kyle Wrather
MIC - Luke Pebler, Editor/Post at Detour Films - Nov. 20, 2017
We discuss Luke Pebler’s career trajectory, his roles and responsibilities as an editor at Detour Films, and his views on the current state of media industries.
Luke Pebler, Editor/Post-production at Detour Films
When: Monday, November 20, 2017 - 6 - 7:15 p.m.
Where: CMA 2.306, University of Texas at Austin
Host: Alisa Perren
Producer: Kyle Wrather
MIC - Andrew Wang, Head of TV, Development and Production, JuVee Productions - Nov. 13, 2017
We discuss Andrew Wang's career trajectory since his time as an RTF major, his roles and responsibilities as Head of TV Development and Production at JuVee Productions, and his views on the current state of television industry.
Andrew Wang, Head of TV, Development and Production, JuVee Productions
When: Monday, November 13, 2017 - 6 - 7:15 p.m.
Where: CMA 2.306, University of Texas at Austin
Host
MIC - Gaylyn Fraiche, Vice President of Movies, Mar Vista Entertainment - Nov. 6, 2017
We discuss Gaylyn Fraiche’s career trajectory since her time as an RTF major, her roles and responsibilities as Vice President for Movies at MarVista Entertainment, and her views on the current state of the film and TV industries.
Gaylyn Fraiche, Vice President of Movies, Mar Vista Entertainment
When: Monday, November 6, 2017 - 6 - 7:15 p.m.
Where: CMA 2.306, University of Texas at Austin, USA
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MIC - Felicia Henderson, Writer/Producer/Showrunner, Writer (Marvel's The Punisher) - Sept. 25, 2017
Topics of discussion during this Q&A session include Felicia Henderson’s career trajectory from her time as a publicist to her time as a staff writer for shows on The WB up through her present experience as co-creator and Executive Producer for an acclaimed BET series, The Quad; her perspectives on the craft of writing for film, television, comic books, and more; and what it’s like to work in a co
MIC - Jordan Levin, CEO of Awesomeness TV - Oct. 30, 2017
Topics of discussion during this Q&A session include Jordan Levin's career trajectory since his time as an RTF major as well as his current roles and responsibilities in his position as CEO of the multi-platform media company, Awesomeness. The conversation will also address the growing role of new media companies and multichannel networks, the new ways media talent is developed and discovered, and
MIC - Noah Hawley, Writer/Producer/Director for FX's FARGO and LEGION - Oct. 16, 2017
Topics of discussion during this Q&A session include Noah Hawley's history and career as an executive producer, writer, and showrunner. He will discuss his work on several acclaimed television series including Bones, Legion, and the FX limited series Fargo. He will also address how economics and technology have impacted TV’s production and storytelling practices.
Noah Hawley, Television Produce
MIC - Luis Ribeiro, Managing Partner, LOBO design and animation studio - Oct 9, 2017
Topics of discussion during this Q&A session include Luis Ribeiro's career trajectory from his time as an RTF major to his current role as Managing Partner/EP for LOBO post-production in New York City. The conversation will address how post-production and design companies like LOBO collaborate with creators for animation, VFX, 3D, and more along with his experiences connecting Brazilian and U.S. a
MIC - Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer, SXSW - October 2, 2017
Topics of discussion during this Q&A session include Hugh Forrest's career trajectory and current role as Chief Programming Officer for South by Southwest (SXSW), an annual gathering of music, technology and media voices and organizations. He will discuss the role of tech and media in Austin, organizing for an internationally-renowned festival and how SXSW has grown and connects to other parts of
MIC - Caroline Frick, Founder of the Texas Archive of the Moving Image - Sept. 18, 2017
Topics of discussion during this Q&A session include Caroline Frick’s diverse experiences with media archiving and preservation, film licensing, and television programming for organizations as varied as American Movie Classics, Warner Bros., The George Eastman House, the Library of Congress, and, currently, the Texas Archive of the Moving Image.
Caroline Frick, Founder, Texas Archive of the Movin
MIC - Owen Shiflett - April 27, 2017
Owen Shiflett, (BS, Radio-TV-Film), VP, Development for Sundance Now and Shudder at AMC Networks
When: Thursday, April 27 - 3:30-4:45 p.m.
Where: Belo Center for New Media (BMC) 5.208 (Seating is first come, first served.)
Topics of discussion during this Q&A session include Owen Shiflett’s career trajectory from his time as a student in RTF at UT-Austin, as well as his experience developing and
MIC - Jessica Chou and Britta Lundin - March 30, 2017
Jessica Chou (MFA, Screenwriting), TV writer, CW's No Tomorrow
Britta Lundin (MFA, Production), TV writer, CW’s Riverdale
When: Thursday, March 30 - 3:30-4:45 p.m.
Where: Belo Center for New Media (BMC) 5.208 (Seating is first come, first served.)
Chou and Lundin will discuss their career trajectories from the time they received their degrees in the Department of Radio-TV-Film at UT-Austin up to
MIC - David W. Higgins - February 21, 2017
When: Tuesday, February 21 - 3:30-4:45 p.m.
Where: Belo Center for New Media (BMC) 5.208 (Seating is first come, first served.)
Topics of discussion during this Q&A session include David W. Higgins’s career trajectory from his time as a student in RTF at UT-Austin, his perspectives on the craft and career of writing, as well as his experience producing for film.
Host: Micah Barber
Producer: Kyl
MIC - Philip Levens - November 10, 2016
When: Thursday, November 10 - 3:30-5 p.m.
Where: Belo Center for New Media (BMC) 5.208 (Seating is first come, first served.)
Topics of discussion during this Q&A session include Philip Levens' career trajectory, his experiences writing and producing sci-fi and fantasy television, his thoughts on the exponential boom in popularity of superhero and science fiction media, and his perspectives on th
MIC - Lev Spiro - October 10, 2016
Lev Spiro holds a masters degree in film from the Radio-TV-Film Department at the University of Texas at Austin. He's an award winning director of TV and film who has been recognized for his work on celebrated television shows including 'Arrested Development,' 'Modern Family,' 'Weeds,' and many others. He discussed his career path in Hollywood as well as his thoughts on the changing business of ma
MIC - Todd Nienkerk and Aaron Stanush - November 30, 2015
Todd Nienkerk, (BS, Radio-TV-Film) and Aaron Staunsh (BS, Advertising) are partners with the Austin, Texas-based web design and publishing company Four Kitchens. Their company has produced websites and interactive online spaces for a wide variety of companies in and around the media industry including Entertainment Weekly, NBC, and TWiT.tv.
The event took place at the University of Texas at Aust
MIC - Jared Hoffman - November 23, 2015
Jared Hoffman (BS, Radio-TV-Film) is the President of Generate, an online content and talent management company. He worked for years as an agent for CAA and the SVP of Video Programming for Defy Media.
Hoffman spoke at the University of Texas at Austin on November 23, 2016
Host: Alisa Perren
Producer and Editor: Kyle Wrather
MIC - Tim League - November 9, 2015
This weeks' episode features Tim League, co-founder of the Alamo Drafthouse, a chain of theaters which combines film nostalgia, special events, and food. He's also a creator of Drafthouse Films, a film distribution company and the director of Fantastic Fest a genre movie festival in Austin, Texas. League discusses the creation of the Drafthouse as well as his own thoughts on the media ecosystem.
MIC - Matt Hullum - November 16, 2016
Matt Hullum, CEO, Rooster Teeth
(BS, Radio-TV-Film)
Hullum discussed his experience developing and managing the popular online video and content MCN Rooster Teeth as well as his experiences at the University of Texas at Austin.
Recorded at the University of Texas at Austin,
Host: Alisa Perren
Producer and editor: Kyle Wrather
MIC - Phil Oppenheim - November 2, 2015
Phil Oppenheim, Chief Curator, Comic-Con/Lionsgate SVOD Channel
When: Monday, November 2 - 4:30-5:15 p.m.
Where: University of Texas at Austin, Austin Texas
Phil Oppenheim discussed his experience as a television programmer and SVP of programming for TNT and TBS. He also discussed his new role as Chief Curator for the Comic-Con Subscription-Video-on-Demand service and the challenges and opportun
MIC - Jennifer Howell - October 5, 2015
Jennifer Howell - (BS, Radio-TV-Film) Head of Comedy Development, Paramount TV
When: Monday, October 5 - 4:30 p.m.
Where: The University of Texas at Austin, Department or Radio-Television-Film
Jennifer Howell described her experience working with the creators of the comedy show South Park, her work as the head of comedy development at Paramount TV and the step-by-step process of developing telev
MIC - Christos Gage and Ruth Fletcher Gage - October 29, 2015
Christos Gage and Ruth Fletcher Gage, Writers, for Netflix's Daredevil
Topics of discussion during this Q&A session included their perspectives on writing for different media including broadcast TV (Law & Order: SVU), streaming platforms (Netflix’s Daredevil), video games (Captain America Super Soldier mobile game), comic books (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and beyond. They will also discuss the cha
MIC - Don Stokes - October 26, 2015
Don Stokes, CEO, Post Asylum
When: Monday, October 26 - 4:30-5:15 p.m.
Where: The University of Texas at Austin
Topics of discussion during this Q&A session will include Don Stokes’s decades of both production and postproduction experiences (e.g., editor, sound recordist, still photographer, postproduction manager), his perspective on current media industry opportunities in Dallas and across Texa
MIC - Brian Edwards - October 19, 2015
Brian Edwards, COO, United Artists Media Group/One Three Media
(BS, Journalism)
When: Monday, October 19 - 4:30-5:45 p.m.
Topics of discussion during this Q&A session included Brian Edwards' career trajectory from his graduation from UT-Austin to his time as an entertainment attorney. We discussed his current work producing both unscripted (Survivor, Shark Tank) and scripted (History Channel mini
MIC - Chris Lockhart and Julie Richardson - September 28, 2015
Topics of discussion during this Q&A session included Christopher Lockhart’s career working as a story editor with A-list talent and his insights on screenwriting from his role in reviewing thousands of scripts at a talent agency. Julie Richardson will focus on how she found the screenplay for Collateral and ended up getting it made. Chris and Julie have also collaborated as producers on several p
MIC - Patricia Torres-Burd - October 1, 2015
Topics of discussion during this Q&A session included Patricia Torres-Burd's career trajectory since she graduated from UT’s RTF Department; her responsibilities in developing content, branding, and programming strategies for radio, TV, and new media platforms in Europe, Latin America, and the United States; and the challenges and opportunities involved in working in multiple media markets around
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