The Unscripted Files with Madelyn Cunningham
Episode Archive
Episode Archive
20 episodes of The Unscripted Files with Madelyn Cunningham since the first episode, which aired on January 7th, 2025.
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Soul Ties & Neon Vibes: Designing the Love Island USA Villa
May 30th, 2025 | 1 hr 6 mins
aspiringcreators, behindthescenes, candidconversations, creativeprocess, dynamicgenre, entertainmentworld, industrysecrets, inspiringstories, podcastlife, popculturebuzz, realitytvfans, televisioninsights, tvindustry, tvproducer, unscriptedfiles
Richard Jensen, the lead production designer for Love Island USA, shares insights into the complexities of designing for reality television.
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Is the "It" Factor a Myth? Casting Director Erin Tomasello Tells All
May 23rd, 2025 | 36 mins 27 secs
aspiringcreators, behindthescenes, candidconversations, creativeprocess, dynamicgenre, entertainmentworld, industrysecrets, inspiringstories, podcastlife, popculturebuzz, realitytvfans, televisioninsights, tvindustry, tvproducer, unscriptedfiles
In this engaging conversation, Erin Tomasello shares her journey from a small town in California to becoming a prominent casting director in reality television.
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Let's Be Frank: What it Takes to Get the Greenlight
May 16th, 2025 | 46 mins 39 secs
aspiringcreators, behindthescenes, candidconversations, creativeprocess, dynamicgenre, entertainmentworld, industrysecrets, inspiringstories, podcastlife, popculturebuzz, realitytvfans, televisioninsights, tvindustry, tvproducer, unscriptedfiles
In this episode of The Unscripted Files, host Madelyn Cunningham welcomes Frank Carlisi, a creative partner and producer in the reality TV industry.
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Philly Homicide DP on His True Crime Philosophy
May 9th, 2025 | 45 mins 48 secs
aspiringcreators, behindthescenes, candidconversations, creativeprocess, dynamicgenre, entertainmentworld, industrysecrets, inspiringstories, podcastlife, popculturebuzz, realitytvfans, televisioninsights, tvindustry, tvproducer, unscriptedfiles
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.
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Double Your Art Budget: What It Actually Takes to Dress a Set
May 2nd, 2025 | 58 mins 53 secs
aspiringcreators, behindthescenes, candidconversations, creativeprocess, dynamicgenre, entertainmentworld, industrysecrets, inspiringstories, podcastlife, popculturebuzz, realitytvfans, televisioninsights, tvindustry, tvproducer, unscriptedfiles
In this episode of The Unscripted Files, host Madelyn Cunningham speaks with Naomi Smith, an art director and set decorator based in Atlanta.
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Freaknik, Cosby & California Love: Storytelling for the Culture
April 18th, 2025 | 1 hr 24 secs
aspiringcreators, behindthescenes, candidconversations, creativeprocess, dynamicgenre, entertainmentworld, industrysecrets, inspiringstories, podcastlife, popculturebuzz, realitytvfans, televisioninsights, tvindustry, tvproducer, unscriptedfiles
In this conversation, Madelyn Cunningham speaks with the award-winning Porras sisters, Geraldine and Grace, about their impactful work in documentary filmmaking with hit projects like Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told and 1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed.
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Wildly Wealthy & High Demand: Casting the Charter Guests on Below Deck
April 11th, 2025 | 1 hr 2 mins
aspiringcreators, behindthescenes, candidconversations, creativeprocess, dynamicgenre, entertainmentworld, industrysecrets, inspiringstories, podcastlife, popculturebuzz, realitytvfans, televisioninsights, tvindustry, tvproducer, unscriptedfiles
In this episode of The Unscripted Files, host Madelyn Cunningham speaks with casting director Tracy Sinclair about her journey to becoming the casting director for the Below Deck franchise.
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Roadblocks, Pit Stops & Boozy Bribes: An Amazing Race Producer's Wild Stories
April 4th, 2025 | 1 hr 23 mins
aspiringcreators, behindthescenes, candidconversations, creativeprocess, dynamicgenre, entertainmentworld, industrysecrets, inspiringstories, podcastlife, popculturebuzz, realitytvfans, televisioninsights, tvindustry, tvproducer, unscriptedfiles
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.
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Can't Call Cut: Directing Reality with Perfect Match's Anthony Gonzales
March 28th, 2025 | 1 hr 6 mins
aspiringcreators, behindthescenes, candidconversations, creativeprocess, dynamicgenre, entertainmentworld, industrysecrets, inspiringstories, podcastlife, popculturebuzz, realitytvfans, televisioninsights, tvindustry, tvproducer, unscriptedfiles
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.
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Call My Lawyer: The Rise in Reality TV Lawsuits
March 21st, 2025 | 1 hr 13 mins
aspiringcreators, behindthescenes, candidconversations, creativeprocess, dynamicgenre, entertainmentworld, industrysecrets, inspiringstories, podcastlife, popculturebuzz, realitytvfans, televisioninsights, tvindustry, tvproducer, unscriptedfiles
Host Madelyn Cunningham talks to her own entertainment lawyer, Benjamin Moskowitz, about navigating entertainment contracts as a producer, red flags, and how current lawsuits are shaping the industry.
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Staging the Scene: Running a True Crime Recreation Giant
March 14th, 2025 | 1 hr 10 mins
aspiringcreators, behindthescenes, candidconversations, creativeprocess, dynamicgenre, entertainmentworld, industrysecrets, inspiringstories, podcastlife, popculturebuzz, realitytvfans, televisioninsights, tvindustry, tvproducer, unscriptedfiles
In this episode of Unscripted Files, host Madelyn Cunningham chats with David Lane, a seasoned television producer with extensive experience in true crime production at Jupiter Entertainment, one of the largest unscripted studios in the country and responsible for hits like Snapped, Fatal Attraction, Homicide Hunter, In Pursuit with John Walsh and more.
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Creating a Hit Format: A Development Exec's Secret Sauce
March 7th, 2025 | 1 hr 6 mins
aspiringcreators, behindthescenes, candidconversations, creativeprocess, dynamicgenre, entertainmentworld, industrysecrets, inspiringstories, podcastlife, popculturebuzz, realitytvfans, televisioninsights, tvindustry, tvproducer, unscriptedfiles
In this episode of The Unscripted Files, host Madelyn Cunningham speaks with development executive Emily Knight, known for her work on iconic formats like Ex on the Beach. They discuss the resurgence of formats in television, the creative process behind developing successful shows, and the importance of personal anecdotes in pitches.
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Surviving Black Hawk Down: Reframing the Narrative with DP Stefano Ferrari
February 28th, 2025 | 56 mins 19 secs
aspiringcreators, behindthescenes, candidconversations, creativeprocess, dynamicgenre, entertainmentworld, industrysecrets, inspiringstories, podcastlife, popculturebuzz, realitytvfans, televisioninsights, tvindustry, tvproducer, unscriptedfiles
In this episode, Madelyn Cunningham interviews Stefano Ferrari, the director of photography for the documentary 'Surviving Black Hawk Down.'
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Rejection, Relationships & Reality TV: Lessons from a Development Pro
February 21st, 2025 | 45 mins 19 secs
aspiringcreators, behindthescenes, candidconversations, creativeprocess, dynamicgenre, entertainmentworld, industrysecrets, inspiringstories, podcastlife, popculturebuzz, realitytvfans, televisioninsights, tvindustry, tvproducer, unscriptedfiles
In this conversation, Madelyn Cunningham interviews Yael Egnal, a development consultant in the unscripted television industry. They discuss Yael's journey into development, the intricacies of crafting compelling pitches and treatments, and the importance of handling rejection gracefully.
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Escaping Polygamy Producer on Cults & Control
February 14th, 2025 | 37 mins 51 secs
aspiringcreators, behindthescenes, candidconversations, creativeprocess, dynamicgenre, entertainmentworld, industrysecrets, inspiringstories, podcastlife, popculturebuzz, realitytvfans, televisioninsights, tvindustry, tvproducer, unscriptedfiles
The producer of Escaping Polygamy and Secrets of Polygamy reveals how the show was created and the experience of helping cult survivors.
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POV: You're the Chopped Show Runner
February 7th, 2025 | 1 hr 19 mins
aspiringcreators, behindthescenes, candidconversations, creativeprocess, dynamicgenre, entertainmentworld, industrysecrets, inspiringstories, podcastlife, popculturebuzz, realitytvfans, televisioninsights, tvindustry, tvproducer, unscriptedfiles
Amy Stanford, the prolific show runner for Food Network's Chopped, shares her insights on the production process, the importance of problem-solving, and the emotional stakes involved in cooking competitions.