PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: INSIDE MEDIA: THIRD SEASON PREMIERE SCREENING AND DISCUSSION: SAVING GRACE {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented as part of The Paley Center for Media's Inside Media events. Held at the Paley Center in Los Angeles, this evening honors "Saving Grace," a dramatic series about Oklahoma City police detective Grace Hanadarko, who's troubled by external and internal demons before she's "saved" by the angel Earl. Craig Hitchcock, executive director of The Paley Center in Los Angeles, offers opening remarks before bringing moderator Cynthia Littleton, deputy editor at Variety, to the stage. After discussing why "Saving Grace" is aptly part of the TNT network, Littleton introduces Nancy Miller, the show's creator and executive producer. Miller introduces the third season's premiere episode "We're Already Here," which is screened in its entirety. (For episode synopsis and credits, see "Saving Grace: We're Already Here," ACCNUM 100621.)
Following the screening, Littleton introduces the panelists: Miller; and cast members Holly Hunter (Grace Hanadarko); Laura San Giacomo (Rhetta Rodriguez); Bailey Chase (Butch Ada); Lorraine Toussaint (Kate Perry); Dylan Minnette (Clay Norman); Gregory Cruz(Bobby Stillwater); Kenny Johnson (Hamilton Dewey); and Yaani King (Neely Lloyd).
The panelists address subjects which include: what drew big-screen veteran Hunter to television; why Oklahoma City native Miller put elements of her life into the plot; the manner in which Hunter has "learned her life parameters through art"; how Miller pitched the show's angel-based concept to networks; how the actors were cast; Hunter and San Giacomo's chemistry having originated by playing sisters in 1991's "Once Around"; why Toussaint is Miller's "lucky charm"; who is ultimately responsible for the show's "boisterous" moments"; the merits of telling Oklahoma-based stories about "the middle of the country"; if Miller gets feedback about the program's religious themes; why each of the character's last names is based on a city in Oklahoma; the ongoing debate about killing Leon in season two; the reasons that cable has "busted open"; why Holly is indebted to actress Helen Mirren; future directions for the plots; if it was tough for King to join a well-established ensemble; and why the show isn't shot on location in Oklahoma City.
Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics: how the character of Grace has changed due to her recent moral choices; the criteria used to choose the show's writers; how the actors consistently keep Miller "on her toes"; the effort not to make the program into "another police show"; Hunter's behind-the-scenes contributions to the series; and how the actors prepare particularly wrenching moments for their characters.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: June 13, 2009 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:48:05
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 100241
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Craig Hitchcock … Host
- Cynthia Littleton … Moderator
- Holly Hunter … Panelist
- Laura San Giacomo … Panelist
- Bailey Chase … Panelist
- Lorraine Toussaint … Panelist
- Dylan Minnette … Panelist
- Gregory Cruz … Panelist
- Kenny Johnson … Panelist
- Yaani King … Panelist
- Helen Mirren