Insights from the Team Behind ‘Pluribus’: Collaborating with Vince Gilligan on Albuquerque Projects Since ‘Breaking Bad’ at SXSW Studio

ALBUQUERQUE AFTERMATH: FROM ‘BREAKING BAD’ TO ‘PLURIBUS’
Section: Roundtable Panels
Creator: Vince Gilligan (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Pluribus)
Panel Description: Albuquerque, the creative backdrop of Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and the new series Pluribus, hosted a discussion featuring creator Vince Gilligan alongside Rhea Seehorn, composer Dave Porter, costume designer Jennifer Bryan, and producer Trina Siopy. The panelists delved into their collaborative efforts on some of television’s most esteemed productions, highlighting Albuquerque’s pivotal role as a creative hub. They reflected on the franchise’s enduring presence in popular culture and discussed the unique challenges of crafting a narrative within a recognizable setting.
Logline: Pluribus follows a world where an alien virus spreads a contagious joy, leaving just a handful of survivors. Among them is Seehorn’s character, Carol Sturka, a grumpy romantic author tasked with finding a cure for excessive happiness. Following its premiere on AppleTV, the series has already received an early commitment for a second season.
Panelists: Dave Porter (Music Supporter Across All Series), Jennifer Bryan (Costume Designer Across All Series), Trina Siopy (Producer Across All Series)
Key Quote: “Starting on Breaking Bad opened my eyes to a different kind of filmmaking where everything matters and everything’s important, from the costumes to the props. They all play characters in their own right, and it definitely made me a better filmmaker,” said producer Trina Siopy, who began her career in props on Breaking Bad. “Entering one of Vince’s new shows, Better Call Saul and now Pluribus, I know the audience is smart. They’re going to pay attention, and we have to be on our A game for sure.”