Televerse Fest Adds TV Academy President’s State of Industry Talk, ‘Queer As Folk’ 25th Anniverary Reunion and ‘Rainmaker’ Premiere

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The Television Academy’s first Televerse festival, an event honoring both past and present TV productions, is set to take place around the time when Emmys voting enters its final round. Since its initial schedule announcement featuring workshops led by Henry Winkler and Beau Willimon, a 20th anniversary gathering of the cast and creators of Bones, and this year’s Television Academy Hall of Fame induction ceremony, they have added more programming to the lineup.

The upcoming event, taking place at the JW Marriott at L.A. Live from August 14-16, is now set to feature a variety of exciting additions. These include a “State of the Industry” discussion led by TV Academy president Cris Abrego, a reunion marking the 25th anniversary of the creators and stars of “Queer As Folk”, the premiere of USA Network’s new series “The Rainmaker”, based on the novel by John Grisham, and many more intriguing elements. This event is open to both TV Academy members and non-members.

A full breakdown of the additional programming can be found below.

Anne Rice’s Talamasca: The Secret Order Premiere Screening and Q&A

A special early viewing of the third season from AMC’s Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe, entitled “Anne Rice’s Talamasca: The Secret Order“, is being held. This series delves into a secret society that monitors and manages witches, vampires, and other supernatural beings worldwide. After the screening, actor William Fichtner and writer Anna Fisher will engage in a discussion about the show, airing in October, and its correlation with Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe.

The Art of Foley With Sanaa Kelley 

Acclaimed Foley artist Sanaa Kelley, who has won an Emmy (for ‘Shogun’, ‘Only Murders in the Building’, and ‘Ted Lasso’), invites us behind the scenes to explore the art of sound design through a live demonstration of Foley techniques. By employing common household items, she breathes life into the settings of your beloved TV shows.

A Candid Conversation With Cris … About the State of the Industry 

*Television Academy Member Exclusive

In exciting and uncharted developments in television, Television Academy members are cordially invited by Abrego, the Television Academy Chair, for a captivating and insightful dialogue with influential entertainment leaders shaping the future of our industry. The identities of these panelists will be revealed later. Following this discussion, an Academy member social event will take place.

FYC Presentations

For the first time ever, attendees at Televerse will get a chance to attend Television Academy-approved “Think About It” discussions with this year’s Emmy nominees in crucial show categories before the final round of Emmy voting. These FYC Presentations will feature nominated programs in various categories such as Comedy, Drama, Miniseries or Anthology, and Reality Competition Series. A restricted number of spots will be open to the general public.

Queer As Folk 25th Anniversary Reunion

Originally aired twenty-five years ago, the innovative Showtime series “Queer As Folk” will bring together its creators Daniel Lipman and Ron Cowen, along with cast members Peter Paige, Gale Harold, Scott Lowell, Sharon Gless, Michelle Clunie, and Thea Gill. They will reminisce about their time on the show, revisit tales from behind the camera during filming, and discuss how “Queer as Folk” has significantly influenced LGBTQIA narratives and representation in the following years.

The Rainmaker Premiere Screening and Q&A 

You’re invited to an exclusive early viewing of the upcoming USA Network summer series “The Rainmaker,” produced by Lionsgate Television and Blumhouse Television. This series is based on the popular novel penned by John Grisham. The story revolves around Rudy Baylor, a fresh law graduate played by Milo Callaghan, who finds himself in a heated courtroom battle against the formidable Leo Drummond (John Slattery), while also navigating his relationship with his law school sweetheart, Sarah (Madison Iseman). In this drama, Rudy, along with his boss Bruiser (Lana Parilla) and her unkempt paralegal Deck (P.J. Byrne), delve into two interconnected conspiracies surrounding the enigmatic death of their client’s son. Following the screening, there will be a discussion featuring showrunner/executive producer Michael Seitzman, along with actors Milo Callaghan, Lana Parilla, Madison Iseman, and P.J. Byrne.

Scene by Scene With Tommy Schlamme 

Acclaimed producer and director Tommy Schlamme, known for shows like “Snowfall”, “Manhattan” and “The West Wing”, invites us for an exclusive look into his perspective as a director, offering an in-depth exploration of pivotal scenes from his career, detailing the stages from pre-production to post-production.

What’s Next: The Future of Music Supervision

As a passionate gamer immersed in the captivating world of TV, I’m always intrigued by the intricate dance between the nitty-gritty and artistic aspects of show creation – from juggling licensing and budgets to partnering with showrunners, directors, and editors to craft unforgettable scenes that resonate long after the final credits. In this exciting panel discussion, trailblazers Maggie Phillips (The Handmaid’s Tale), Thomas Golubić (Breaking Bad), Janet Lopez (The Gilded Age) will share their insights and personal experiences, shedding light on the current entertainment landscape, how their roles have transformed within the TV and music industries, the hurdles and possibilities presented by the ever-changing TV production and post-production landscape, and their visions for the future of music supervision. Tracy McKnight (VP, Creative, Film, TV and Visual Media at Broadcast Music Inc.) will guide the conversation as our moderator.

Televerse tickets are on sale at televerse.com.

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2025-07-25 21:24