By Daniel R. Durrett
@FilmDitz
In what has become one of the strongest festivals in recent years, ATX television festival, in Austin has quietly become a major player in the festival circuitry of Austin Media scene. Many Austin events like SXSW have overgrow their shores and flood the world with mass offerings only adding to the Austin traffic. Well, ATX Television says wait a second we’re gonna be cool and just hang out with TV Stars and discuss the love for this media platform. They do a wonderful job in showing the series in ‘Fan’-tastic ways. This year was a great grouping of screenings panel discussions table, readings, and parties with plenty of free booze offered up in the traditional hospitality of Austin.
Many big-name stars appeared at this festival, but in significant portions, there were wonderful interactions with mass character actors who appeared at the festival and just hung out John Ales (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, Euphoria) ended up taking a picture for us (Benjamin Angrisano, John Gray, and myself of the ReelNewz team, along with Austinites; Kates, Luccia, Benjy and Sarah all from the press team Boss Ladies on the Record).
This is the type of interaction this festival presents. I had loved his portrayal in “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll the Denis Leary rock band family FX Network series.
The festival had a massive variety this year, screening from the locally raised (Yeah, I’m aware that it’s Nawlins!), Duplass Brothers (Baghdad, Puffy Chair) Screened “The Long, Long Night”, This vanguard comedy shot partially in Black and White to I’m sure frustrate you in a way only the Duplass Brothers can, stars Mark Duplass (The Morning Show, Safety Not Guaranteed) and childhood friend Barrett O’Brien (Above the Trees, Acidman) who was also the writer and directed the series
Much of the sought ticket was the “Mad Men” Revisited with John Hamm (Top Gun: Maverick, Tag) and John Slattery (Spotlight, Howard Stark in the Marvel Universe), who explained to their audiences that they smoked way too many fake cigarettes, and all that went on behind the creation, including of the look and feel of the show of “Mad Men” tales from quite possibly the best two individuals to tell you all about the show.
This festival featured a panel with Christine Baranski (Mamma Mia!, The Good Fight), a panel discussion, and a screening of Andor season two. A big highlight, without a doubt, was the conversation with Amy Brenneman (Judging Amy, Heat).
A panel discussion and scene screening of Elsbeth, a show. I’m a big fan of, Star Carrie Preston discussing her character Elsbeth Tascioni. Austin Film Festival ‘diehard’ Damon Lindelof (Lost, The Leftovers) was in the discussion of “Into the Twilight Zone” as well as appeared (of course) in “The Leftovers” panel. This was moderated by Beau Willimon (Andor, House of Cards), where they discussed many of the ins and outs of their fandom of the old show.
Hospitality was paramount with an extensive daily list of parties happy hours and mixers, which made it easy to talk about your favorite television with many of the attendees.
A screening of the new Cinemax show “Duster” from JJ Abrams wow-ed the Paramount Theater audience. As did “The Leftovers” Reunion, which held a mini pack of the cast & Crew a strong number of the audience members were, having worked on the show, since it was shot in Austin.
There were many discussions about shows and panels of return looks at a show’s anniversary like “The Leftovers”. Many of these discussions were fun and informational for their audiences, like a return discussion and retrospective of the show. “UnReal” is an A&E Network show that took a satirical look at reality television, as well as a look inside Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe with the panel; Vampires, Witches, and Other Secret Societies. Which included the executive producers: Roland Jones of “Interview with a Vampire”, Estella Spalding executive producer of “Anne Rice‘s Mayfair Witches”, John Lee, Hancock and Mark Lafferty and “Anne Rice‘s Talamasca: The Secret Order”. Additionally, Mark Johnson who oversees the entire Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe for AMC Networks, and Dan McDermott, the president of AMC Studios and AMC Networks.
This Festival makes every effort to stand out with its reverence of your household Television as the source of the Love you have for media.
The festival ended on a somber note with the news that Jonathan Joss (The Magnificent Seven, True Grit), who voiced John Redcorn on “King of the Hill” and was at the “King of the Hill” Revival Sneak Peek on Friday night pictured with our writer, Benjamin Angrisano below.
Who was tragically shot and killed in his hometown of San Antonio TX, only 24 hours later was his murder that is being viewed as a hate crime killing, and that was the belief of his husband at the time of his death. The San Antonio Police Department, as of June 5th has reported that the investigation is not ruling out the possibility of this murder being a hate crime.
Having interacted with Johnathan Joss more than one time in Austin. The entire ReelNewz team and all of its followers issue the deepest condolences to his family, his community and his husband.
