MOPs, Mechanics & Gameplay with Jessica Shikami

This week on The Unscripted Files, Madelyn sits down with Jessica Shikami, Director of Development at Blink49 Studios, to unpack the evolving landscape of unscripted television—from true crime to dating formats to the rise of immersive, world-built competition shows.

Jessica shares her journey from MTV-obsessed kid to development executive, and breaks down what it really takes to sell a show in today’s hyper-competitive market. From the pressure to innovate formats to the challenge of balancing simplicity with compelling gameplay, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone working in (or trying to break into) unscripted.

They also dive into the current obsession with “world-building” (yes, we’re all chasing The Traitors), the future of true crime storytelling, and why some of the best ideas take years to crack—or come back to life.