Ken Kao’s Hit Indie Model; Globes’ Hot Mess Mediation; Upfronts Intel – The Ankler.

SubscribeSign inSubscribeSign inShare this postThe Ankler.Ken Kao’s Hit Indie Model; Globes’ Hot Mess Mediation; Upfronts IntelCopy linkFacebookEmailNotesMoreICYMIKen Kao’s Hit Indie Model; Globes’ Hot Mess Mediation; Upfronts IntelPlus: Ankler x Netflix hit the stage Alison BrowerMay 18, 20259Share this postThe Ankler.Ken Kao’s Hit Indie Model; Globes’ Hot Mess Mediation; Upfronts IntelCopy linkFacebookEmailNotesMoreShareShareSubscribeFor all the heavy, real-world topics they tackle on the screen — from statecraft to the state of truth — the creator-showrunners behind The Diplomat, Zero Day and The Residence are all more concerned with the characters at their stories’ center. As The Diplomat’s Debora Cahn told The Ankler’s own showrunner, Janice Min, in a panel at Netflix’s Tudum Theater last night, she wanted to make a show about big, world-changing events, with “the understanding that regular people make these decisions, and they’re just doing their best.” Cahn joined Zero Day co-creator Eric Newman and The Residence creator Paul William Davies for a lively discussion about politics and storytelling — and how to set aside the noise of the frenzied politics around us to simply tell a really, really great story. POLITICAL PARTY From left: Janice, Debora Cahn, Eric Newman and Paul William Davies on stage at Netflix’s Tudum Theater in L.A. last night. (Gregg DeGuire for The Ankler)It was one of three conversations The Ankler led yesterday as part of our partnership with Netflix for FYSEE: LA, the streamer’s first-ever Emmys FYC fest. Earlier yesterday, Katey Rich emceed two “Rebels & Rule Breakers” panels at Tudum — one with showrunners, one with stars. Along with Cahn, Katey spoke to Forever showrunner Mara Brock Akil and star Karen Pittman, The Four Seasons showrunner Tracey Wigfield, The Residence stars Uzo Aduba and Susan Kelechi Watson, Nobody Wants This star Justine Lupe, Zero Day director Lesli Linka Glatter, and Katie Walsh, director and EP of the doc Simone Biles Rising. Katey will have more on these supertalents tomorrow, and we’ll have a fuller report on the day — plus videos on AnklerEnjoy — later this week.SCREEN QUEENS 1. The creators: From left, Mara Brock Akil, Lesli Linka Glatter, Cahn, Katie Walsh, Tracey Wigfield and Katey at Netflix Tudum Theater on Saturday. 2. The stars: From left, Uzo Aduba, Karen Pittman, Justine Lupe and Susan Kelechi Watson. (Gonzalo Marroquin/Getty Images for Netflix)ShareMeanwhile, You’re Invited: L.A.! Today, May 18, together with the Directors Guild of America, we’re hosting our first-ever Series Business event focused on TV directors — The Art of the “Show”: Demystifying TV Directing — presented by Threads, at the DGA Theater. Katey Rich, Elaine Low and Lesley Goldberg will chat with Zero Day helmer and DGA president Lesli Linka Glatter, as well as directors behind Severance, Hacks, High Potential, What We Do in the Shadows, The Pitt and Good American Family. Click here to request to attend.New Yorkers! Join us on Thurs., May 21, for our next Documentary Spotlight event at the Crosby Street Hotel with Thom Powers. Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music and Sly Lives! (aka the Burden of Black Genius) is keynote speaker, and Liz Garbus (Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer), Reginald Hudlin (Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Men in Hollywood), Michelle Khare (Challenge Accepted: I Trained Like a Black Belt for 90 Days), Lance Oppenheim (Ren Faire) and David Tedeschi (Beatles ’64) will take the interview stage. Request to attend here or click the invite below: Now, without further ado, ICYMI, our best of the week:SubscribeRushfield: Penske Problems Mount; HBO > MaxIn Richard’s latest scoop-filled missive from nepo mogul Jay Penske’s media empire, he has exclusive audio from a troubled SXSW’s all-hands call, and reveals that mediation talks have begun following the Attorney General’s reassessment of the Penske-Todd Boehly Golden Globes deal. Plus: Lessons the industry should learn from HBO Max’s return:Penske Scoops: SXSW Leak; Golden Globes-Attorney General Mess BuildsRichard Rushfield·May 13Read full storyThe HBO Brandicide Failure Richard Rushfield·May 15Read full storyShareDealmakers: Power Player Ken Kao’s Hit Indie Model Waypoint CEO Ken Kao has his hands in more projects than ever: a partnership with Neon, a new horror label — he’s even backing a plant-based protein drink with Venus Williams. He tells Ashley Cullins (paid subscribers only) the one thing you need to strike a deal with a distributor like Neon; what kinds of projects he wants to make; and why Kao and Waypoint fund their own development:’Favourite’ Producer Ken Kao’s Hit Indie Model: No More Films ‘Seven People See’ Ashley Cullins·May 13Read full storyGive a gift subscriptionSeries Business: Upfronts-Mania; a Fin-Syn Redux?Before Upfronts consumed New York, Elaine Low caught up with Disney’s and WBD’s ad chiefs (paid subscribers only) to take a broader view of the power moves, shakeups and what really matters this year; how Trump’s trade war is rattling media budgets; and what the live sports ad gold rush means for scripted TV’s future: Disney’s Rita Ferro Rethinks Upfronts: ‘You Buy Cars All Year.’ Why Not Ads? Elaine Low·May 12Read full storyJon Voight wants to bring back the long-gone “fin-syn” rules, which, if reinstated, would upend the economics of the entire industry. Lesley Goldberg reveals whether a fin-syn return could happen under Trump; and why independent producers and studios would rejoice:TV Producers’ Delicious Dream of Fin-Syn’s Return, One Step CloserLesley Goldberg·May 15Read full storyShareGet 10% off a group subscriptionThey Can Stop Me for What?! Int’l Travel FAQAmid President Trump’s new immigration and travel policies, USC immigration law professor Jean Reisz answers your burning questions about what U.S. citizens and non-citizens alike should be concerned about, and actions to take before you cross the border:Before You Fly, Read This. It Could Change Your Journey HomeJean Reisz·May 12Read full storyShareESG: Big Tech Hot Seat = Hollywood ComebackThe judicial microscope is out for Google and Meta, and Entertainment Strategy Guy names the one group that should sue Google to break off YouTube; what a Meta breakup could mean for marketers desperate to escape the algorithm trap; and why Trump-era chaos could be Hollywood’s unexpected M&A lifeline:Break ‘Em Up: Google’s Reckoning Day is Hollywood’s Big ChanceEntertainment Strategy Guy·May 12Read full storyShareSubscribePrestige Junkie: In A Galaxy Far, Far Away . . . Following Andor’s thrilling conclusion, Katey Rich previews her illuminating chat with series creator Tony Gilroy. Plus: Étoile star Luke Kirby unpacks his continued collaboration with the Palladinos:’Andor’: My Awe Over a (Pricey) TV Galaxy Fa