On July 26, 21st Century Fox and FX Networks teamed up with nonprofit CreativeFuture and the bipartisan Congressional Creative Rights Caucus (CRC) for a panel discussion to give members of Congress and their staff a behind-the-scenes look at “Snowfall” (Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT), the new FX drama set against the infancy of the crack cocaine epidemic in Los Angeles. The conversation also touched on the importance of copyright protection and its impact on job creation.
With opening remarks from CRC co-chairs Reps. Judy Chu (D-CA) and Doug Collins (R-GA), the “Anatomy of a TV Series: Script to Screen” event featured two-time Academy Award nominee John Singleton – co-creator and director of “Snowfall” and writer/director of “Boyz n the Hood.” Other panelists included “Snowfall” co-creator and showrunner Dave Andron, lead actor Damson Idris, music supervisor Maggie Phillips and editor Hunter Via. The event was moderated by CreativeFuture CEO Ruth Vitale. The team delivered a powerful message to Washington: It takes years of hard work and hundreds of skilled creative professionals to bring a television series, like “Snowfall,” to viewers.
Referencing the challenges created by digital piracy, John Singleton asked lawmakers for their support: “Strong copyright protections are essential to our ability as filmmakers to make the content our viewers love. We need lawmakers to help us overcome the tide of technological change that so directly threatens our industry.”
Also present at the discussion were Reps. Karen Bass (D-CA), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Maxine Waters (D-CA). The elected officials noted that America’s core copyright industries drive $1.2 trillion of the economy, employing more than 5.5 million U.S. workers. In fact, the production of “Snowfall” alone has created 847 U.S. jobs.
Later that evening, 21CF, FX and CreativeFuture hosted a screening of the film at D.C.’s E Street Cinema for members of Congress, their staffers and several local community groups.
featuring the team behind FX’s “Snowfall.”
