The Unscripted Files with Madelyn Cunningham

Cyle Zezo discusses his journey from working at the CW to founding Reality of Change, an initiative aimed at promoting sustainability in unscripted television. He shares insights on the industry's response to sustainability, the importance of integrating eco-friendly practices into programming, and the challenges faced in production. Cyle emphasizes the need for collective action and the role of s...

Hosts Madelyn Cunningham and Emily Wilson discuss the latest trends and news in the unscripted industry. They cover the upcoming adaptation of the board game Catan into unscripted and scripted series, the significant mergers and acquisitions happening in the media landscape, including Disney's acquisition of FuboTV, and the unfortunate layoffs affecting major companies like Paramount and Amazon St...

Jessica Arzate shares her journey in the film industry, highlighting her experiences in cinematography, the importance of mentorship, and her work on various reality TV shows, including 'Are You My First.' She discusses the challenges and creative opportunities in unscripted television, the cultural insights gained from working internationally, and the personal growth that comes from capturing vul...

In this conversation, Adam Neuhaus discusses the complexities of development, the importance of understanding market trends, and the challenges of pitching projects. He emphasizes the need for access and community building in the current media landscape, as well as the launch of the Nonfiction Hot List, which aims to highlight and support underrepresented projects in the industry. Adam shares insi...

In this episode of The Unscripted Files, Madelyn and Emily Wilson discuss the latest trends in the TV industry, including the rise of board game adaptations like Clue and Monopoly, a renovation series featuring the Bachelor Mansion, Instagram's plans for a dedicated TV app, and exciting new international formats emerging from MIPCOM. Special Guest: Emily Wilson.

In this engaging conversation, Elisa Tarrago shares her unexpected journey from a pre-med student to a successful segment producer in reality television. She discusses the intricacies of working in unscripted TV, the unique challenges of filming in Miami, and the importance of building relationships in the industry. Elisa highlights her experiences on shows like 'The Ultimatum: Queer Love' and 'Lo...

In this conversation, editor Stefanie Maridueña shares her unconventional journey into the world of editing, discussing her transition from a background in ecology to becoming a prominent editor in the unscripted industry. She highlights the importance of storytelling, character-driven narratives, and the role of music in editing. Stefanie reflects on her experiences working on impactful shows lik...

In this Unscripted Industry news minisode, Emily Wilson delves into the top headlines in the industry. From the battle over the Monopoly IP for Netflix to the Laguna Beach reunion on Roku, Emily and host Madelyn Cunningham discuss the implications of the moves, mergers and moguls that define the unscripted landscape. Special Guest: Emily Wilson.

In this conversation, director Skye Borgman discusses her journey in filmmaking, focusing on her notable works such as 'Abducted in Plain Sight' and 'Unknown Number.' She emphasizes the importance of curiosity over judgment in storytelling, the challenges of navigating uncomfortable conversations, and the evolution of her creative approach. Skye also reflects on the impact of digital communication...

In this engaging conversation, Chris Decima shares his journey from a sandwich shop worker to a supervising producer in unscripted television. He discusses his experiences on shows like X Factor and Amazing Race, emphasizing the importance of logistics, creativity, and purpose in challenge design. Chris also reflects on the evolving landscape of reality TV and offers valuable advice for aspiring p...

In this Monday minisode, Madelyn Cunningham and Emily Wilson discuss the latest headlines in unscripted entertainment, including the Emmy winners, the dynamics of late night talk shows, industry consolidation, Paramount's new sports entertainment division, the innovative direction of The Bachelorette with social media influencers, and Spotify's expansion into video content. Special Guest: Emily Wi...

In this episode of The Unscripted Files, we dive into the 2025 fall reality TV slate with television producer and entertainment expert Brian Balthazar. From his start in news to becoming a key voice in unscripted television, Brian shares insights on the evolution of reality formats, audience behavior, and the shows everyone will be talking about this season. We cover the hottest upcoming premieres...

In this episode, creator and writer Cole Brown takes us inside the making of Magic City, the documentary series that dives deep into the legendary Atlanta strip club that shaped the sound, style, and swagger of modern hip hop. Brown opens up about how the project evolved from his work on Jermaine Dupri’s memoir to a full-scale series that unpacks the cultural significance of Magic City and its inf...

In this episode of the Unscripted Files, host Madelyn Cunningham and industry expert Emily Wilson discuss the latest headlines in the unscripted entertainment sector. They cover Netflix's ongoing partnership with Archwell, the introduction of a civilian edition of The Traders on NBC, the rising trend of sports documentaries, and significant mergers and acquisitions within the industry. The convers...

In this episode, Matt Dissinger, Senior Producer at NFL Films, takes us inside the world of sports documentaries and the storytelling power behind football’s biggest moments. From his start as an intern to producing and directing series like Hard Knocks and Quarterback, Dissinger shares how sports media has evolved and why authentic storytelling is critical to humanizing athletes. He breaks down t...

Madelyn Cunningham interviews showrunner, director and media generalist Keith Thomas, who shares his journey through the world of storytelling in television. Keith discusses his experiences in development at Scripps and Magnolia, the importance of failure in the creative process, and the significance of diverse voices in media. He highlights his work on Design My Space Atlanta, the challenges of h...

Richard Jensen, the lead production designer for Love Island USA, shares insights into the complexities of designing for reality television. He discusses the scale of production, the challenges of creating immersive environments for contestants, and the importance of collaboration and communication within the production team. Richard also reflects on the evolution of design in the Love Island fran...

In this engaging conversation, Erin Tomasello shares her journey from a small town in California to becoming a prominent casting director in reality television for shows like The Traitors, The Circle, Got To Get Out and more. She discusses her early experiences in front of the camera, her transition into casting, and the evolution of the casting process in the age of social media. Erin emphasizes...

In this episode of The Unscripted Files, host Madelyn Cunningham welcomes Frank Carlisi, a creative partner and producer in the reality TV industry. They discuss Frank's unconventional journey into development, the importance of resilience in the face of rejection, and the critical role of collaboration and trust in the creative process. Frank shares insights on navigating industry insecurities, l...

In this chat, Madelyn Cunningham speaks with John Falchetto, a director of photography and video journalist, about his work in true crime and documentary filmmaking. They discuss the ethical considerations of storytelling, the importance of authenticity, and the unique challenges of capturing the essence of Philadelphia as a backdrop for crime stories. John shares insights into his approach to lig...

In this episode of The Unscripted Files, host Madelyn Cunningham speaks with Naomi Smith, an art director and set decorator based in Atlanta. They discuss Naomi's journey in the unscripted television industry, her role in various popular shows, and the challenges of set design, particularly in terms of budgeting and creative problem-solving. Naomi shares insights on the importance of networking, t...

In this conversation, Madelyn Cunningham speaks with the award-winning Porras sisters, Geraldine and Grace, about their impactful work in documentary filmmaking. They discuss the importance of authenticity, the cultural significance of projects like Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told, and the complexities of navigating the legacies of cultural icons such as Bill Cosby in We Need to Talk About...

In this episode of The Unscripted Files, host Madelyn Cunningham speaks with casting director Tracy Sinclair about her journey from professional dancer to casting director for the Below Deck franchise. Tracy shares insights into the casting process, the evolution of reality TV, and the importance of finding the right guests. They discuss the dynamics of wealth and personality, the role of social m...

In this episode of the Unscripted Files, host Madelyn Cunningham interviews Derek Helwig, a seasoned producer who worked on over 10 seasons of the Amazing Race. They discuss Derek's journey into the entertainment industry, the complexities of producing reality television, and the unique challenges faced while filming the Amazing Race. Derek shares insights on logistics, cultural sensitivity, and m...

In this episode of The Unscripted Files, host Madelyn Cunningham chats with Anthony Gonzales, a seasoned director in the reality TV industry with shows like Big Brother, Dance Moms, Netflix's Perfect Match, Killer Cakes and Claim to Fame amongst his credits. They explore the nuances of directing unscripted shows, the importance of setting the right tone, and the innovative technologies being used...