PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: MANIFEST: PREVIEW SCREENING AND DISCUSSION {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented at The Paley Center for Media in New York. This evening celebrates "Manifest," the suspenseful science-fiction series about the passengers of Montego Air Flight 828, which mysteriously returns five years after disappearing mid-flight.
Host David Bushman (curator, The Paley Center for Media) offers opening remarks and introduces the episode "Hard Landing," which is then screened in its entirety. (For synopsis and credits, see ACCNUM 136129.) After the screening, veteran journalist and TV anchor Al Roker moderates the following panelists: executive producer/creator/writer Jeff Rake; and cast members J.R. Ramirez (Jared Vasquez), Josh Dallas (Ben Stone), and Melissa Roxburgh (Michaela Stone). Athena Karkanis (Grace Stone) joins the panel later in the evening.
The panelists touch on such topics as: Rake's idea for the series while pondering "what could tear a family apart"; frequent comparisons to the mystery elements of "Lost" and the family drama of "This Is Us"; Roxburgh's memories of her whirlwind audition process; Ramirez's love of the "raw elements" of shooting in New York City; Dallas' role as another "time-traveling dad," as on his previous series "Once Upon a Time"; why Rake's pitch to the network required a thorough "road map" of the story and where it will end up; keeping the actors on a "need-to-know" basis with the story's many twists and surprises; the "tricky cocktail of storytelling" in keeping viewers intrigued by the mystery but not frustrated by its depths; Rake's use of social media to observe the audience's opinions and guesses; the actors' strong bonds, including the sibling-like relationship between on-screen twins Cal (Jack Messina) and Olive (Luna Blaise); Ramirez and Roker's similar experiences as owners of Havenese dogs, a breed that often performs in Cuban circuses; tricks for handling powerful emotional scenes; the "serendipitous" casting process and strength of the actors' chemistry; and why the success of the show is rooted in viewers' investment in the characters rather than mystery plots.
Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics, among others: how Grace's gradual involvement in the conspiracy plot will aid in repairing her relationship with Ben; the real-world symbolism of the "eerie" subplot of the believers, the people who think the 828 survivors to be miraculous and magical; Ramirez's thoughts on Jared's love triangle with would-be fiancée Michaela and wife Lourdes (Victoria Cartagena); wild viewer theories, including wormholes, aliens and the possible involvement of Grace's ex-flame Danny (Daniel Sunjata); Jared's surprisingly funny scenes as he takes a "dark turn" toward obsession; Dallas and Karkanis' elaborate backstory for Ben and Grace's marriage, and why there is "no blame" in their fraught relationship; creating an accurate picture of Queens, New York with a diverse cast; Dallas' interest in both the mystery of the story and in Ben's personal complexities and struggles; why the 16-episode first season is "organic to storytelling"; the reasoning for more network shows moving away from the standard 22- or 24-episode season model; and how characters have grown throughout the season, since the return of Flight 828.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: November 30, 1999 6:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: N/A
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 136115
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- David Bushman … Host
- Al Roker … Moderator
- J.R. Ramirez … Panelist
- Josh Dallas … Panelist
- Melissa Roxburgh … Panelist
- Jeff Rake … Panelist
- Athena Karkanis … Panelist
- Luna Blaise
- Victoria Cartagena
- Jack Messina
- Daniel Sunjata