NATPE

By Todd Parker

Question: Where can you find Emeril Lagasse, Howie Mandel, and Anthony Zucker (Creator of CSI) all in one place? The answer: NATPE 2008!

     NATPE, an acronym known whole-heartedly by the film and television world, stands for National Association of Television Producers and Executives. It is where the who's who of TV producers and executives get together to wheel and deal for next season's new show lineup.

My name is Todd Parker.  I am the Editor of Film and Movie Content for NO STRINGS ATTACHED E NEWS.  I also happen to be one of the executive producers of ATLANTA:

HOMICIDE, a new crime-drama television series, of which I have four of the episodes written and directed!  In addition I am the Owner of WILMOR PRODUCTION SERVICES, a full-service production company based in Central New Jersey. 

     From the moment they yelled "Show's Open!, the endless barrage of attendees and press poured into the Exhibit Hall at the Mandalay Bar Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.  Some had meetings that were previously scheduled.  Some had specific locations that they wanted to hit first.  And some, like me for instance, just wanted to talk to everybody.

I started at the CBS booth.  Not really a booth actually.  More like a half a studio.  There were private meeting rooms and an entire lounge.  Plus, and this is why I started there, they had a continental breakfast buffet at the start of the show and a hot lunch buffet around noon.

So after getting my fill of muffins, juice, and Danishes, I headed over to Warner Bros.  Everybody wanted to get into Warner Bros.  There was a crowd three deep.  I waved to a couple of friends I had made while waiting for the show to open and I kept moving.  Next stop was StarMaxx Media.  I checked in with Hattie Lemon and Carl Millender, the creators of ATLANTA: HOMICIDE, and told them I would be back in the afternoon.  Then it was off to Fremantle Media where Emeril was opening the booth with a blue ribbon cutting ceremony.  Little did I know that after the ceremony ended and I took five steps around the corner, were Howie Mandel was being interviewed by VEGAS TV.  

   "So where are you staying", the reporter asked him.

   "I'm not telling you where I'm staying.  I'm staying here, at the booth.  I'm sleeping here", Howie replied, in an atypical hoarse voice.

   "Getting back to your comedic days, I see", I nudged him gently and continued, "I remember when you had hair...for that matter, I remember when I had hair as well".

   Howie nudged me back, we posed for a quick picture and I was on the move again.  I went over and visited with Steve Wyrick, an amazing magician and illusionist who is currently playing a long-standing gig here in Vegas.  Then it was over to the International Academy of Motion Pictures for a brief chat and then on the move again.

  Needless to say, by the end of the day, I was exhausted and delighted.  So the next time you sit down to watch some "mindless" TV in the evening, just remember the hard work (and "leg" work) that went into getting that show on the air.