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WonderCon came and went over the weekend at the Anaheim Convention Center, and overall, it felt like a mixed bag that leaned more toward underwhelming than exciting.
The 78th yearly Writers Guild of America Awards served to display the importance and importance of writers in film and television production.
The event was highly cheerful and held in celebration where screenwriter, showrunner and showman personalities combined to promote writing that is of excellence and outstanding in film. The Los Angeles portion of the WGA Awards was canceled due to an ongoing strike. The New York show, went on as it was not affected by the strike at all.
On the red carpet, debates centered heavily on the intrinsic worth of the written word, the evolution of media and the need to be tough in a fiercely competitive field. Perhaps the most powerful story on the red carpet was one of the recognition of writing across many different artistic forms.
JunglePussy, a rapper and actress, launched into a deep conversation about her career, stating, “We treat musical lyrics, as well cinematic video treatments, like a screenplay,” and that’s fine. She added that no genre is the only way writers are defined.
Emphasizing her personal commitment to the craft, JunglePussy said: “I’m a writer. I’ve written all my music. I write poetry. I have actually written my video treatments,” she continued, adding, “I did it because I love it. I can’t help it.”
In addition, she cited the battle rap world as a high-stakes battleground for writers, saying, “Your pen is your sword. It’s your weapon.” She also said that this sector, where writing is at the very center of the performance, should be better recognized by traditional institutions like the WGA.
Asking about the creative team behind the nominated film Swiped gave viewers a small taste of some difficult work that goes into the writing of a screenplay inspired by a true story in the technology industry.
Rachel Lee Goldenberg and Bill Wheeler talked about this emotionally challenging process of moving a film from idea to screen, and how hard it takes to write a film that has a gripping take on the topic. Goldenberg pointed out the special obstacles and victories of production, saying, “How do you actually convert those barriers into creative opportunity, I think is always the end goal.”
This was a reflection of the collaborative and problem-solving nature of script writing.
Roy Wood Jr., who hosted the WGA Awards gave an unbiased look at how the industry was faring and said writers have always been the foundation of entertainment. He referred to writers as the “red blood cells” of the entertainment industry, saying that all begins with a blank sheet of paper.
Wood Jr. similarly ran down on how the internet has expanded access to the industry so that new creators do not feel beholden to old gatekeepers. “If you have an idea and you have a camera, you can reach the people, and I think one thing that we took from the internet is that the internet may not care much about the camera quality,” he said. “A career that will get you [in this room] is really dependent on your ability to absorb rejection and let it roll off at you and ask yourself ‘can you do it again tomorrow?’”
In recent years, several well-known fast food chains have experimented with transforming individual locations into elevated dining experiences. The concept reimagines familiar brands in a setting more commonly associated with fine dining. Companies such as Shake Shack, McDonald’s, and Taco Bell have all explored versions of this idea. Papa Johns recently joined the trend with its own creative interpretation, delivering an experience that surprised many guests.
On February 19, the company transformed its Lower East Side location in New York City into a Michelin inspired dining experience for one day only. The event highlighted the brand’s playful ambition of becoming the first major pizza chain to earn a Michelin Star. While the concept was meant to be lighthearted, the experience emphasized the company’s focus on craftsmanship and quality ingredients.
The event also served as a celebration of Papa Johns’ recently launched Pan Pizza, which debuted earlier in the month. The brand used the occasion to highlight its belief that great pizza deserves recognition alongside other celebrated culinary creations. By placing a familiar menu item in a fine dining style setting, the company created a unique moment that blended fast food culture with the atmosphere of high-end dining.
After experiencing the event firsthand, I can say it was an unexpectedly enjoyable experience. Walking into a fast-food location and seeing it transformed into something resembling a Michelin level dining room was not something I expected at all. The atmosphere, presentation, and attention to detail created a memorable twist on what people usually associate with quick service restaurants.
A spokesperson for Papa Johns explained that the inspiration for the event came from the development of the new Pan Pizza. During its creation, the company realized that the product shared several qualities often associated with the world’s best cuisine. The pizza focused on quality ingredients, careful preparation, balanced flavors, and consistency across every serving.
“So we asked ourselves: what if we lean all the way in? By turning a familiar Papa Johns location into a reservation-only, fine dining moment, we gave guests a playful, elevated way to experience the Michelin-level care, craft, and intention behind Pan Pizza with just enough whimsy to remind everyone we know exactly how bold this all was,” said a spokesperson from Papa Johns.
Now that Pan Pizza has become a permanent item on the Papa Johns menu, the company says it can showcase that consistency on a much larger scale. Customers across the United States can experience the same product at more than 3,000 locations, allowing the brand to deliver the same flavors and preparation standards nationwide.
Following the opening, Papa Rewards members were given the exclusive opportunity to reserve a table at the transformed location for a 50 minute, three course dining experience. Guests enjoyed a curated tasting menu, Michelin level dining service, and a thoughtfully paired beverage experience led by a PepsiCo Soda Sommelier from PepsiCo.
When asked whether the brand might bring the concept to other locations or connect it to future events, representatives explained that the experience was designed as a one night celebration. The event served as a creative proof of concept that allowed the company to showcase its passion for pizza and highlight the scale of its ambitions. The brand emphasized that great pizza deserves meaningful recognition and that the event was a playful way to demonstrate that idea.
Although no additional events have been officially scheduled, the company noted that it remains open to exploring unexpected and engaging ways to connect with customers in the future.
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