Emmy-nominated series
40 million views
Watch trailer and 2 seasons below
The Future Starts Here is a short-form series that captured audiences, tackling a wide range of subjects including the science behind social media, parenting with technology, the creative process, gender and transgender identities, and the relationship between humans and robots.
WATCH TRAILER
SEASON 1
SEASON 2
BONUS BEHIND THE SCENES
DEAR HUMAN
If THE SOCIAL DILEMMA presented the problem
this is a SOCIAL SOLUTION
A LIMITED DOCUSERIES
THE STORY
When Tiffany Shlain founded The Webby Awards, only 1% of the population was online. But she was sure the Web was going to change the world. 25 years later, she has a new... That the vision that the Web was going to connect us did not not to
has always loved technology. In her 20s she founded The Webby Awards, and built a career around the potential of the Web. Then in 2010, after a series of dramatic events, she discovered a practice that transformed her life.
She and her family (professor of robotics husband and kids, now 12 and 18) turned off screens for 24 hours. Not only did they feel more connection, creativity, and joy during their day off, they were noticeably more productive and focused the whole week that followed.
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They decided to do it the next weekend, and the next. The benefits only amplified over time. They’ve now been doing what they call their Technology Shabbat every week for 11 years.
SYNOPSIS
Internet pioneer and filmmaker Tiffany Shlain illuminates a life-changing strategy - unplugging from screens one day a week - that does wonders for the brain, body, and soul.
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​By introducing her unplug strategy to a fantastic lineup of guests (doctors, celebrities, comedians, and everyday people, who will each unplug for four weeks in a row as part of the show), Tiffany uses her own story, the transformation and expertise of her guests, and her powerfully unique point-of-view as a woman tech-insider, to explore: how do we embrace all the benefits of technology, without it burning us out? And why, from a very pro-tech perspective, does unplugging regularly lead to more productivity, creativity, connection, and joy?
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With Tiffany's trademark humor, intellect, and charisma, 24/6 offers a fascinating, entertaining, inspiring look at the past, present, and future of the relationship between humanity and technology, and a simple pathway forward for us to prosper in our increasingly screen-filled world.
ON THE HEELS OF HER
NATIONAL BESTSELLER
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"Part of a pioneering movement."
Maria Shriver, TODAY SHOW
"I gave Shlain's idea a try, and I highly recommend it."
The New York Times
NEW BOOK WORTH READING
PEOPLE MAGAZINE
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A CAREER OF 30+ ACCLAIMED FILMS
"Incredibly engaging....
I could not take my eyes off of it."
The New York Times
AND A HIT ORIGINAL SERIES
COMES OUR NEW SERIES
FORMAT + STYLE
24/6 is a premium docuseries. The seasons are 6 episodes, roughly 30 mins each (flexible).
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The series employs numerous elements of the documentary genre:
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Direct to camera - Tiffany opens each episode with an entertaining and captivating personal story that launches the episode.
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Mesmerizing animation and stunning archival that unpacks big ideas and makes science and history profound, engaging, and entertaining.
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Creative live interviews - Before they're invited to unplug as part of the show, each guest will be introduced by sharing their unique perspective and expertise about the topic. Then they'll unplug, and show us how it goes.
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Verite - We'll be following each guest's journey through unplugging, watching their transformation (and the ups and downs that get them there) unfold throughout the season. Once the guest is introduced, we'll dip back in in later episodes to see how it's going.
As the season unfolds, each episode leaves you hooked to find out more - both in the guest's journey to become more balanced and present, and in the bigger story that Tiffany is building about the past, present and future of humanity and technology. The last episode of the season brings all the guests -- and all the ideas built throughout the season -- together in a crescendo finale.
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EXPERTS AND GUESTS
The first season will have a total of 10-12 guests that we will see throughout the season. They will be on the show both as experts adding their perspective and as subjects we follow through their unplug journey.
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Possible special guests include: ​
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Public figures like Oprah, Steph Curry, or Harry Styles
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Doctors like Dr. Angela Duckworth, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Dr. Michael Rich
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Tech leaders like Vint Cerf, Jeff Bezos, Fei-Fei Li
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TikTok influencers
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Comedians like Ali Wong, Demitri Marin, Gary Gulman
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Luminaries from the past we bring back to life via animation interviews
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Everyday people and families
We have a long track record of securing premium talent, from the Webby Awards to our films to our global events. Past talent includes Prince, Eva Longoria, David Bowie, Tan France, Alan Cummings, Harrison Ford, Margaret Cho, Jada Pinkett Smith, Moby, and Ava Duvernay.
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We are also excited to work with a production partner that brings relationships.
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SEASON 1 EPISODES​
EP 1: HOW WE GOT HERE
A riveting journey through the early days of the web: the visions it started with, what went wrong, and how we got to where we are.
EP 2: TIME ON AND TIME OFF
Traveling through centuries and cultures, we explore the fascinating history of time and time off, and why every culture values it.
EP 3: THE SCIENCE OF WELL-BEING
Tiffany translates the science that shows why unplugging leads to more joy, connection, and better health.
EP 4: CREATIVITY + PRODUCTIVITY
What happens to our minds, bodies, and souls when we unplug, and why does it lead to the ultimate flow of creativity and productivity?
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EP 5: HOW OUR BRAINS ARE CHANGING
We know smartphones are rewiring our brains, our attention and our memory. Tiffany and her guests translate why and how.
EP 6: BUILDING A BETTER WEB
Tiffany heads to the future, looking at the tech industry, government, and ourselves, and presents a path forward that lets us all thrive.
SAMPLE EPISODE
EPISODE 1: HOW WE GOT HERE
OPENING STORY
Tiffany engages the audience immediately with the story of how she went from living an always-on 24/7 mother + tech-pioneer life to completely changing her life by going 24/6.
She pulls us in through her deep love of technology, her history as an early adopter of new technologies, and her acknowledgment that she was one of the first to become addicted. She then reveals the series of dramatic events that led to her epiphany of the power of unplugging.
A TRIP BACK IN TIME
To the world before the Web we go. Through stories about her childhood tech obsessions and her proposal to use personal computers between rival nations that brought her to Russia in the 80s, Tiffany shares her unique perspective of the pre-Internet world — and reminds us that it wasn’t long ago that we lived without supercomputers in our pockets.
SEGMENT 3:
THE EARLY DAYS OF THE WEB
EARLY DAYS OF THE WEB
(This is the Google founders rollerblading on stage to accept their first Webby Award).
Tiffany brings to life the largely unknown feeling of the early days of the Web -- the excitement over the potential of this new medium, and the idea that the Web would be nonprofit, open-sourced, and decentralized. The vision was that the Web would be unlike mainstream media, which was controlled by a few powerful corporations.
This all lays the groundwork for Tiffany's insights of how to create a better web going forward, which we learn throughout the season.
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SPECIAL GUESTS
We meet our first guests -- people who will both bring their expertise and then begin their unplug journey.
"Father of the internet” and long-time friend Vint Cerf joins Tiffany for a fascinating conversation about the original vision of the Internet. “So who’s the mother of the Internet?” Tiffany jokes. Enter two phenomenal women from the past, brought back to life through Tiffany’s signature animation: Victorian mathematician Ada Lovelace and pioneering programmer Katherine Johnson, to offer their perspectives.
Vint will then be the first expert to unplug. He will unplug for four weeks in a row, and will come back throughout the season so we experience the transformation and all that comes with it.
SEGMENT 4:
SPECIAL GUESTS
TIFFANY'S EPIPHANY
Tying together all the insights from the episode (future episodes weave the whole season together), Tiffany offers a big picture synthesis of the early days of the web, where we went wrong, and how we can begin to get back into balance.
Throughout the season these ideas build toward a more complete picture of what we can do as individuals, businesses, governments, and culture.
CLOSING: GUESTS AT THE TABLE
For this first episode, Tiffany welcomes all the guests of the season to a "Shabbat table." With such a wide range of backgrounds, ages and levels of tech use, the table lights up with questions and conversation about unplugging until the moment Tiffany says: “OK everyone, let's see what happens.” And the lights go out.
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Each of the guests' stories and unplugging transformations will be woven throughout the season. By the last episode we'll bring them all back to see what happened.
24/6 SERIES TAKEAWAYS
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Inspiration to unplug regularly
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That taking breaks leads to more connection, productivity, creativity, and joy
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That it's easy -- anyone can do it
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That society and businesses on the whole would thrive through this model
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That there is a simple, healthy, sustainable way to rebalance tech + society
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SHOW REFERENCES
24/6 is similar to many popular series and documentaries in both topic and format.
But Tiffany's unique point-of-view and style make 24/6 fresh, relevant, and original.
The universal question of what to do about technology.
24/6, however, is pro-tech and provides a balanced solution. It's also delivered by one of the only women in the field, who has been there from the start.
The charismatic expert that embarks on an inspiring journey full of emotion, humor, and joy.
24/6 also follows transformations through the season.
The desire for decluttering and bettering life through simple acts.
24/6, though, is also a larger narrative and follows transformations throughout the seasons.
The exploration of science and ideas in visual and accessible ways.
Tiffany (who's style predates Explained) adds the emotion, stories, and personal connection.
The humor and animation that makes complicated ideas engaging, entertaining, and accessible.
Tiffany uses humor to elevate a powerful and urgent global need.
The curiosity and deep exploration of the world and our place in it.
But science and tech explorations are usually guided by men.
UNIQUE, FRESH, RELEVANT VOICE
Always ahead of the curve, with her finger on the pulse of what's next, Tiffany’s ability to connect with audiences of all ages and combine her unique knowledge and perspective with wisdom, emotion, intimacy, humor, and infinite charisma has defined her career.
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This is from Tiffany's sold-out one-woman show Dear Human at The Museum of Modern Art New York.​
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Dear Human could also be sold and produced as a one hour special.
UNIQUE, FRESH, RELEVANT VOICE
Always ahead of the curve, with her finger on the pulse of what's next, Tiffany’s ability to connect with audiences of all ages and combine her unique knowledge and perspective with wisdom, emotion, intimacy, humor, and infinite charisma has defined her career.
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This is from Tiffany's sold-out one-woman show Dear Human at The Museum of Modern Art New York.​
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Dear Human could also be sold and produced as a one hour special.
GLOBAL AUDIENCE
This show speaks to all ages, all races, around the globe, and builds upon Tiffany's global track record:
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50 Million views across channels
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150,000 followers
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195 countries participated in our global initiatives
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Films sold to 27 countries
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Films translated into 85 language
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“With humor and insights all her own, Tiffany illuminates the issues that affect us all.” - Al Gore
THE TEAM
GERALYN DREYFOUS
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Geralyn Dreyfous is an executive producer of many Oscar and Emmy-Award winning films and series. Geralyn taught Documentary and Narrative writing at Harvard University. She is the Founder/ Board Chair of the Utah Film Center and a charter member of the Utah Coalition for Film and Media. She co-founded Impact Partners, which has been involved in financing over 30 films, including The Great Hack; The Cove (Academy Award for Best Documentary); Freeheld (Academy Award Best Short); The Ghosts of Abu Ghraib (Emmy Award for Best Documentary); The Garden (Academy Award Nomination); and Hell and Back Again (Academy Award Nomination). Geralyn’s executive producing and producing credits also include Born Into Brothels (Academy Award Best Documentary); The Day My God Died (Emmy Nomination); and multiple film festival winners such as Tiffany Shlain’s Connected as well as Kick Like a Girl, In A Dream, The Invisible War, Anita, The Crash Reel, and The Square.
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Winner of XX Oscars and Emmys
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THE TEAM
TIFFANY SHLAIN
CREATOR, TALENT
Tiffany Shlain is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker, bestselling author, and founder of the Webby Awards. She has received 80 awards and distinctions, including Newsweek’s list of “women shaping the 21st Century,” NPR’s list of Best Commencement Speeches Ever, and Albert Einstein Foundation’s Genius: 100 Visions for the Future. Her national bestseller 24/6: The Power of Unplugging One Day a Week received wide acclaim from The New York Times, People Magazine, and Harvard Business Review, was called “a wise, wonderful, fascinating work” by Publishers’ Weekly and won the Marshall McLuhan Outstanding Book Award. Tiffany’s one-woman show Dear Human premiered at The Museum of Modern Art New York. Tiffany is a world-renowned dynamic speaker and a Henry Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute. She was the on-air Internet expert on Good Morning America for many years. She serves on the Leadership Board for the Digital Wellness Lab at Harvard. Her writing has been published in Boston Globe, Harvard Business Review, Psychology Today and CNN and her work has been covered in all major media outlets. tiffanyshlain.com
THE TEAM
SAWYER STEELE
PRODUCER, CO-CREATOR
Sawyer Steele is an Emmy-nominated Producer and co-founder of Tiffany Shlain & The Let it Ripple Film Studio. He has produced, edited, and co-written several award-winning films including Connected: An Autoblogography about Love, Death, and Technology; which premiered at Sundance. He was Voice Over Director for the award-winning Sundance film The Royal Road. He produced and co-wrote the Emmy-nominated Original series The Future Starts Here, which includes an episode TransBoom, where he shares his experience being transgender and his thoughts around the past, present, and future of being trans. He co-founded Character Day, an annual day that grew to over 200,000 events in all 50 states and 125 countries, all on the same day.
THE TEAM
PRODUCTION COMPANY - TBD
FUTURE SEASONS + PROJECTS
Tiffany has a branded line of products in development that could be released with the series.
She is also in development on her next book (and series) about
Creativity + Making Things Happen.
