By COURTNEY SMITH
STAFF WRITER
Calling all television lovers: The eighth annual New York Television Festival has arrived! While this particular festival may be newer and less well-known than most entertainment festivals, it is on its way to developing a reputation for itself in New York City.
In 2005, the festival was launched with the hopes of giving independent television creators a chance to show their work and gain exposure. Eight years later, the festival has done just that and has also expanded into a primetime event. I was there opening night to bask in this “television wonderland”.
On Oct. 22 at the School of Visual Arts Theater, the festival commenced with the world premiere of the CW’s “The Carrie Diaries,” the new series starring AnnaSophia Robb (Soul Surfer), as 16-year-old Carrie Bradshaw. The series comes from Fake Empire’s Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage (“Gossip Girl”, “The O.C.”), based on the book series from Candace Bushnell (Sex and the City).
The New York Television Festival was an appropriate fit for the glamorous series with a “pink” red-carpet, colorful and youthful candy snacks such as ring-pops, nerds, and Fundip, along with soda drinks from the ’80s. Women dressed up in their best “Carrie Bradshaw” heels.
“The event was cute in every way possible,” attendee Sarah Baltruweit, FCRH ’15, said. “As a fan of the original series, I thought the event and the series premiere did justice to such a beloved series and character.”
After the pilot episode, there was a panel discussion with Robb, Bushnell and Executive Producer Amy B. Harris, who was a writer for HBO’s popular series, “Sex and the City.” The panel granted for questions from the audience and an informational conversation between the ladies. The panel really allowed access into the minds of the people most involved in the series along with their hopes and fears for its future. It is just one example of why the New York Television Festival is such a treat for television fanatics.
In addition to attending “The Carrie Diaries” panel, I also took the festival as an opportunity to volunteer and get a look behind the scenes. On Oct. 25, I volunteered for the Unscripted and Comedy Pilot Screenings event at 92Y Tribeca Cinemas.
While my work was minimal, including tasks such as ripping off ticket stubs as the audience entered the theater, the experience gave me insight into the people who run the festival. The staff welcomed all the volunteers into the backroom and treated us as if were vital members of the team. It was not long before the discussion turned to a discussion on our favorite television series and why we wanted careers in the television industry. As Michael Getto, Director of the festival would say, “Television is awesome!”
The New York Television Festival is an opportunity to unite people through their love of television. Television fans now have an event that they can get excited about, which is great. Now they can begin counting down the days until next year’s festival. It is an added bonus that the staff of the event is just as excited about their work as the fans.
“I am so excited for the ‘FOX’s Tuesday Night’ event,” Melissa Rosen, programming director, said. “I love “New Girl.” I honestly do not want to work the event. I just want to sit and watch it.”
While this year’s festival has come and gone, one is left to anticipate next year’s. The festival has expanded dramatically since its establishment, and one can only wait to see where it all goes. So until next fall, keep obsessing over everything television related — I know I will.
