As part of the virtual SeriesFest 2020, the cast and producers of Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet took part in a special panel about their recent “quarantine” episode on Apple TV+.
Rob McElhenny, Megan Ganz, and the cast (Danny Pudi, Charlotte Nicdao, Imani Hakim, Ashly Burch, Jessie Ennis, and F. Murray Abraham) talked about the challenges of doing an episode filmed entirely on iPhones and what that could look like in the final product. According to the group, scheduling proved to be one of the toughest challenges. With those living in different time zones, the production is at the mercy of things such as the best hours for shooting with natural light.
After the panel, we got to exchange words with Mythic Quest executive producer and co-creator Megan Ganz about the show and how the pandemic episode might shape the future of its storytelling.
RED CARPET REPORT: Mythic Quest quarantine episode somehow managed to talk about a moment in history without having the “On a very special episode” feel. Can you tell me a little bit about how you found that balance of acknowledgment and entertainment?
MEGAN GANZ: Thank you for saying that. We do try to ground the show in reality and give the characters some emotional depth — while still putting comedy first. It’s a delicate balance that usually starts with us talking about our own experiences and talking to people working in the industry. The quarantine has affected everyone differently. Some people withdraw like Poppy, and some people overshare like Ian. They’re both struggling and they both needed that hug. But we also wanted to end on a victorious note, because even thought we’re isolated, we are all in this together. So the Rube Goldberg storyline gave us the opportunity to have everyone working together for a common goal, which is what we’re all doing now every time we log onto Zoom. Video-conferencing is frustrating and it sucks and it’s not the same as seeing people, but we can still use it to accomplish extraordinary things. We shot this whole episode over Zoom, which is kind of crazy.
RCR: We’ve been in quarantine since roughly late February/mid March but are just now seeing an insurgence of content from Hollywood at home, in your view what are the obstacles keeping more shows from doing “quarantine” episodes?
MG: I’m not sure. I suppose the obstacles are probably practical ones. It’s difficult, expensive and invasive to shift a production off the sets and into the actors’ homes. Also, tonally, there are just some shows that wouldn’t work in this format. We’re a workplace comedy, so it felt within our wheelhouse to comment on this brave new world of working remotely. It might not fit for, say, The Great. We also happened to be partners with the world’s largest technology company that could put thirty iPhones in our hands within hours, so that helped immensely.
RCR: Most, if not all, age of Covid-19 episodes have centered on the theme of finding togetherness while we have to be apart. In the episode, Poppy dealt with this heavily in the quarantine episode, but is it possible to do a quarantine episode of a show that doesn’t use that idea?
MG: Yes. I’m sure it’s possible. I’d love to watch an episode like that. Lord knows I’ve got the time!
RCR: One character was missing in the quarantine episode. Where was Pootie?
MG: Yes, he wasn’t included was he? I assume he’s still living with his mom in the house he paid for. Hopefully, we’ll get to check in on Pootie when we get back to shooting season two. Find out what he’s been up to since his unsuccessful attempt to dethrone Ian. Or maybe Pootie’s too rich to care anymore. Gotta wait and see!
RCR: Like a lot of people, I’m a fan of It’s Always Sunny. But I absolutely love Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet and can’t wait for season 2. Have any of the other events that we’ve gone through in 2020 (Protests, #SpeakingOut, Murder Hornets, UFO confirmation, etc) changed the direction or stories for specific episodes of Mythic Quest going forward?
MG: We try to make the show grounded without being too topical. This is a character-based show, in contrast to Sunny which is a satire of western culture. But obviously the quarantine has affected the tech world in specific ways, and we will address that going forward. We finished writing season two before the quarantine began, and the major seasonal arcs probably won’t change much. But maybe people won’t be shaking hands anymore or asking each other what they did this summer. Stuff like that.
RCR: Finally, this one is more for the fanboy in me. Have we seen the last of Jake Johnson’s character?
MG: I don’t know. That was such an amazing episode to shoot, especially because Jake and Cristin were so dynamic on screen, but also because it’s such a beautiful, self-contained story. Chronologically, it happened years before MQ got started. But never say never!
If you missed SeriesFest panels on inclusion in the industry, storytelling, and your favorite series such as Killing Eve and NOS4A2 you’ll have to wait for next year where hopefully the event will be able to return to a live format. You can keep up with the festival on its website here.
Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet season one and the special quarantine episode are available now to stream on Apple TV+
