PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: PALEYFEST NY 2016: QUANTICO {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented as part of The Paley Center for Media's PaleyFest New York 2016. This evening celebrates "Quantico," the dramatic suspense series about government operative Alex Parrish and her fight against terrorism. After a screening of the episode "Kubark" (for synopsis and credits, see ACCNUM 127699), host David Bushman (curator, The Paley Center for Media) offers opening remarks and introduces Richard Lawson (film critic, Vanity Fair).
Lawson moderates the following panelists: executive producer/creator Joshua Safran; and cast members Priyanka Chopra (Alex Parrish), Blair Underwood (Owen Hall), Russell Tovey (Harry Doyle), Aunjanue Ellis (Miranda Shaw), Johanna Braddy (Shelby Wyatt), Yasmine Al Massri (Raina Amin/Nimah Amin), and Jake McLaughlin (Ryan Booth).
The panelists touch on such topics as: "Die Hard" (1988) as a narrative "touchstone" for the action-packed season two; the decision to shift focus from the FBI to the CIA for the second season; the actors' frequent confusion at the endless twists and turns of the plot; shooting the "past" scenes one day and the "present" scenes the next, contrasted with the first season's stressful back-and-forth style; Chopra's enjoyment of fight scenes and her past experience in action films; Ellis' shock at the reveal that Miranda is seemingly aligned with the terrorists; how the actors subtly "interrogate" the writers for hints and clues about upcoming plot developments; Al Massri's sense that her twin characters complement and need one another; the other actors' hopes that either Raina or Nimah would die in season one, owing to the logistical challenges of shooting every scene featuring both sisters twice; the organic nature of the show's diverse cast, dissimilar to that of the real CIA; Braddy's hopes for Shelby to go undercover, as inspired by "Miss Congeniality" (2000); McLaughlin's dislike of "desk jobs" and preference for portraying a spy in the field; Tovey's past experience on British television series and his amazement at the lavish offerings of American craft services tables; his sense of Harry as a charming "Artful Dodger" character; the advantages of setting season two primarily in New York; how Safran's past series "Gossip Girl" and "Smash" relate to "Quantico," including their similar themes of "people stuck together" in unusual bonding circumstances; and hints about the rest of season two and how its mysteries will "resolve themselves" early on.
Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics, among others: the speedy and complex shooting schedules, and the cast's shock at the extensive behind-the-scenes time required for every episode; the cast's sadness over the departures of Josh Hopkins (Liam) and "everybody's best friend" Tate Ellington (Simon), both of whose characters were killed in season one; other difficult emotional moments, including Miranda shooting her own son Charlie (J. Mallory McCree); their lack of free time for watching other, similar shows like "Homeland"; the show's unique qualities, including its portrayal of many points of view and depiction of government agents' personal lives; their characters' personal strengths and McLaughlin's real-life Army background; their work with a real-life FBI consultant; how society influences pop culture and vice-versa; why Chopra, known for her extensive work in Bollywood films, chose the "Quantico" pilot because of Alex's role as "the epitome of the modern woman" who is "allowed to be imperfect"; a memorable incident in which Braddy, playing a weapons specialist, accidentally broke a gun prop; the ethical side and "human aspect" of government work; Chopra's inspiration from her parents' service in the Indian army; and the surprising realism of some of the show's more outlandish details.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: November 30, 1999 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: N/A
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 127683
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: Asian American Pacific Islanders Collection
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- David Bushman … Host
- Richard Lawson … Moderator
- Yasmine Al Massri … Panelist
- Johanna Braddy … Panelist
- Russell Tovey … Panelist
- Jake McLaughlin … Panelist
- Aunjanue Ellis … Panelist
- Blair Underwood … Panelist
- Priyanka Chopra … Panelist
- Joshua Safran … Panelist
- Kai Falkenberg … Guest
- Tate Ellington
- Josh Hopkins
- J. Mallory McCree