Madelyn Cunningham (00:00) in honor of Baddie's West. In your opinion, what makes the ultimate set baddie? Elisa Tarrago (00:05) Being that yes person forever, no matter what position you're in, you know, I will forever remember you. If I come up to you or even if someone come and ask me for something and you're just like, yes, yes, yes, you're a baddie man. Nothing can stop Madelyn Cunningham (00:07) Yes. Madelyn (00:26) Hello, happy Friday. Welcome to the Unscripted Files. My name is Madelyn Cunningham. I'm a development producer in the unscripted industry, bringing you candid conversations with the minds behind your favorite form of entertainment. Really excited for our guests today. I know I say that every week, but every single one of them is special. Today I have a location scout who hails out of Miami talking about her work on some of your favorite shows on Netflix, like Queer Love the Ultimatum. I will say we recorded this before. The news that Queer Love Ultimatum had been canceled, which is really, really sad and all the more reason to listen to this episode and hear all about her insights as a Location Scout, what it takes, what her day-to-day looks like. So here is my chat with Elisa Tarago. Madelyn Cunningham (01:13) Elisa, welcome to the Unscripted Files. How you doing? Elisa Tarrago (01:15) Doing amazing. Thank you so much for having me. This so cool. Madelyn Cunningham (01:19) thank you. Yeah, I'm so excited to have you. You've worked on some really incredible shows, The Ultimatum Queer Love, Love & Hip Hop Miami, Bad East West, like so many really cool shows that I can't wait to dive into. But I want to know, like, how did you get into entertainment? Like who or what is sort of responsible for where you are today in your career? Elisa Tarrago (01:40) So I'm one of those people that had like a lucky break. never even, I'm supposed to be a doctor. I'm a pre-med student. I'm a biochem major. Really? my God, it's crazy. Yes. Yes. So, but one day I was working at this health insurance agency. We had a life insurance agent. She partied a lot and she went out to club space with a promoter one day and that promoter. Madelyn Cunningham (01:51) Me too, yes, biology, psychology, double major, pre-med track. Yes, I'm with you girl, yes. Elisa Tarrago (02:08) also happened to work in production. He let her know that he was looking for an assistant and she was like, my gosh, I know the perfect person. She put us in contact and that was it. I was a location assistant for Love & Hip Hop Miami. Madelyn Cunningham (02:21) I love it. And you know what I love too is like, there's such a big research element to what we do, a huge amount of organization, a huge amount of logistics that, you know, I look back and I'm like, oh, I should have majored in film or I should have majored in like whatever else. But I'm really, really glad that I got the education that I did because it's such a good foundation for what we do, don't you think? Elisa Tarrago (02:28) Yeah. ⁓ Absolutely 110 % and it's like you said being organized being very detour oriented and then I Guess having the knowledge of being able to think 10 steps ahead That helps out tremendously in this industry Madelyn Cunningham (02:59) Yeah, anticipation, like anticipating needs is huge, even as hard as it is and unscripted where you don't know what's gonna happen next. It is nice to be able to kind of be able to like read the tea leaves and sort of again, like anticipate needs and get out in front of things. ⁓ I mean, you you were pre-med, but did you have a love for reality TV or was it an industry that you just had a total blind spot to until you got into it? Elisa Tarrago (03:23) A little bit of both. loved reality TV. I was in the music world. And then I think that kind of meshed together. And once I got this opportunity, you know, I hit the ground running. I said, yes, I initially did not know what I was doing. If I'm going to be honest, I was just like, you know, an opportunity arises and you just got to take it. And that's what I did. And I'm so happy I did. It changed my life forever. Madelyn Cunningham (03:50) I love that. I was just talking to someone else about this. Like the say yes and figure it out is so big in this industry because there's not, yeah, sure. They have like film classes and you can do that. But for unscripted, there's no classes. There's no pipeline. is no, here's how you get into wardrobe. Here's how you get into locations. Here's how you get into segment producing. Like there is no pipeline to it other than getting an opportunity and going, I got it. And just like jumping right in and trial by fire. Elisa Tarrago (03:53) Yeah. ⁓ Yep. and that confidence to be able to say, you know, I got it, let's go. Madelyn Cunningham (04:21) Totally. Where do you feel like that confidence came from? Did you always have that or is that something that kind of you discovered along the way? Elisa Tarrago (04:30) I think I discovered it along the way. I did aspire to sing. I went to American Idol when I was younger. That definitely puts you out there, puts you in front of a crowd. So it kind of makes you feel not relentless, but like, you know, you could take on the world. can do anything. You just got to figure it out. Madelyn Cunningham (04:49) Yes, wait, Elisa, we have so many parallels, because I was a theater kid, being on stage at a young age and being put in a performative position, I find that skill set so useful in what we do, because you do just have a confidence, and you're able to sell yourself, which is major in this industry, and just kind of be comfortable with having all eyes on you, having to figure it So was there an unscripted show, you said that you were on American Idol, which I am obsessed with, I love that. But was there an unscripted show that like you sort of really remember as being like, Elisa Tarrago (05:15) you Madelyn Cunningham (05:25) really important to you or pivotal just like as you were growing up. Elisa Tarrago (05:29) MTV, the real world. Yeah. And then when Road Rules came out and then when they, you know, went against each other, I always wanted, I was that little girl looking at the TV like, my gosh, I wish I could be grown up already and I can, you know, audition for these shows and be put in that house. I would do this. I would do that. And crazy enough, one day recently, I was already working in production. was on Love and Hip Hop Miami. Madelyn Cunningham (05:31) Yes, yes, the blueprint. Elisa Tarrago (05:57) I went to go do my nails at a nail bar on Biscayne in Edgewater in Miami and one of the girls from the real world was sitting right next to me. Rachel, I was like. Madelyn Cunningham (06:09) when worlds collide. Elisa Tarrago (06:10) Yeah, so it like full circle right there. 100%. Yeah, yeah. Oh yeah. I was like, I know, I know you. I looked up to you a lot. She looks the same. She still has a great figure. She works out. She's a badass and she's so nice. She was amazing. I love her. Madelyn Cunningham (06:12) Wait, did you talk to her or did you play it cool? you did. I love that. you just never know who you're gonna see. You never know. I love that. What do you? Elisa Tarrago (06:34) That's kind of like Miami in a bubble basically. You never know what you're gonna catch. Madelyn Cunningham (06:38) Yeah, 100%. Well, okay, so tell me how you ended up in Miami. Born and raised. Okay, so you really have such a feel for the city, which makes you so good at what you do, which again, we'll get into more. ⁓ But yeah, like being born and raised, I feel like you probably have such an innate sense of like what to represent, how to find different places that are gonna bring out, I don't know, certain. Elisa Tarrago (06:43) I was born and raised here. Yeah, I'm a local. Madelyn Cunningham (07:06) things in certain situations. So we'll get into that when we talk ultimatum. ⁓ What do you think are some misconceptions that people have about being on a reality TV set? Like, you know how it is, you have friends and you have family who know what you do or they think they do. And you're like, that's not what I do at all. But like, they'll ask you like, what about this? Elisa Tarrago (07:10) Okay. Madelyn Cunningham (07:25) And you're like, that is not how it works at all. What are some misconceptions you think people have often? Elisa Tarrago (07:25) ⁓ Definitely about reality TV, know, people think we're like with these cast members 24-7 and everything they do is reality and a lot of it does have some planning. There is some strategic conversations that happen behind, you know, closed doors to make that reality happen. ⁓ There's a lot of times where some certain things happen in these cast members lives that we're just not there for. So we do have to recreate it or reenact it sometimes, you know, we try to get the feeling as best as possible, but some of it is not reality in reality. Madelyn Cunningham (08:11) Yeah. Well, I think the moment that the finale of the Hills, when the Hollywood sign got like hearted off, we were all like, what? And we, it suddenly became very real. And that's what I was like, when people say like reality is scripted, I'm like, I think let's like be very careful. There's a difference between scripted and set up. Like we can set up, we can sort of be a stimulus for a certain situation or conversation. Elisa Tarrago (08:21) Yeah. Right. Madelyn Cunningham (08:39) but like how it plays out, we can definitely set up things and try to like encourage and facilitate, but that is very different than it being scripted, right? ⁓ And like people following some things. So yeah, I agree. Elisa Tarrago (08:43) Correct. You don't really get like, you know, four, five, six different takes. You don't have a rehearsal. It's kind of a in the moment. Let's go. Let's do it. Whatever happens, happens. Madelyn Cunningham (09:03) Exactly, and that's what makes it so exciting, I think. Is there a favorite sort of set you've worked on so far just because the chemistry of the crew was just so good and you loved going to work every day? Elisa Tarrago (09:06) of Some people might hate me for this. No, I'm just kidding. But, ⁓ love it, Hip Hop Miami. The crew that I specifically worked with in seasons four, five, and six, we were a family. it's, when you have a crew that everyone has each other's back, no matter what, it's definitely a lot easier. It's always gonna be stressful. It's always a lot of hours. It's always a lot of unexpected changes. And you have to pivot a lot. And that's normal. But shout out to Precious. Madelyn Cunningham (09:17) You Mm. Elisa Tarrago (09:45) Brian, Shornak, and Eric Soria, because those EPs and the director definitely, they made it feel like family, love them. Madelyn Cunningham (09:53) I love that and it's so important too, because like it's fun work, but it's hard work. It's long hours, like you said, it's a lot of pivots, it's a lot of problem solving and a lot of things that are out of your control, weather, whatever, and having a crew that you can really just sort of depend on and that you love being around is super, super important. I agree. ⁓ Elisa Tarrago (10:14) And they make it more fun too, like when it's a family environment, you know, it takes a little bit of the pressure away, not fully, but a little bit of it. Madelyn Cunningham (10:23) Yeah, 100%. When you think about, you know, so much of like this world is freelance, it's making a good impression so you can get another call, right? It's making sure you get the call for the next job. What do you feel like are the keys to making that impression and making an impression on set so that you do get the call for the next job or the next season? Elisa Tarrago (10:45) Being a yes person, it doesn't matter, know, your position. When somebody asks you for help or they need your help or they need something, don't even ask, just yes, got you. Don't worry about it. Because like I said, it's a, you know, it's a lot of pressure behind closed doors. It's so much stress that goes on that if I can alleviate a little bit of that, that's what I know for sure people will call me back for. Because that's what they'll remember. you being there no matter what to get it done. Madelyn Cunningham (11:17) Do you feel like that is really, that attitude is really what you owe to sort of your ability to break into the industry and get to where you have been? Yeah. Elisa Tarrago (11:25) I think so, yeah, definitely. Because it doesn't matter whether I'm a location manager or I'm a location production assistant. It's a yes for everything. You no matter what is needed is a yes. Madelyn Cunningham (11:34) Yeah, I love that. I love that. ⁓ We talked about how like locations are such an unsung hero when it comes to productions in general. Can you just take me through like a day in your life when you're prepping for a show like The Ultimatum? Elisa Tarrago (11:51) Yeah, so we get into, I guess like meeting mode with our executive producers and our directors. We try to get in their heads, try to get a feel or just of their creative, what they want the scene to look like and feel like. And then from there, it's your turn to get creative. You gotta come up with a location, whether it's calling 30 different places or maybe you already have one in the back of your pocket. ⁓ negotiating with that location, scouting the location, making sure that on all ends it's covered on every single department end. like it's to work for audio, it's got to work for the grip, it's got to work for camera, it's got to work for our directors. Everybody has to say yes before we can actually move on and you know film in that location. it. Madelyn Cunningham (12:41) a really good point, because it's not just aesthetics, it's function. So like you can have a really sick space, but the acoustics, because it's got high ceilings are insane. Like everyone's mics are totally messed up, or you can have like another location that's great, but next door is a, I don't know. ⁓ Exactly, exactly. So it's form, but it's also function. And you have to think of like every individual's. Elisa Tarrago (13:01) Too loud, for example. Madelyn Cunningham (13:10) role and if it's going to work also like what time of day, how does the light come in? you like you're also considering all of those pieces as well, right? Yeah. And so like having to really think like super holistically what, you know, when you were first starting out in location specifically, like what, when you look at that person versus who you are now, what is sort of the biggest things you've learned? Like, or what were some like Elisa Tarrago (13:19) 100 % Madelyn Cunningham (13:36) maybe like stumbles you made early on that you would never make today. Elisa Tarrago (13:39) I think that, like thinking of the crew in general, know, sometimes I wouldn't think about how much power source does a location have, or like you mentioned the place next door. Bathrooms, that's such a huge deal, bathrooms. Like what if this place only has one restroom inside and it's in picture and then where's the crew gonna go? Little things like that that along the way you kind of polish up on and it starts becoming. Madelyn Cunningham (13:42) Hmm. The end. Mm-hmm. Elisa Tarrago (14:08) second habit like nature to just you all right you got to think about everybody not just picture but the crew as well like where are they gonna go are they gonna be okay you know Madelyn Cunningham (14:16) Totally. You learn to kind of like check off all those boxes. Like you said, it becomes second nature. Okay, so let's get into the Ultimatum Queer Love. had not finished, but I was watching a more of it last night. And of course I was like really paying attention to where they were at all times being like, Lisa did that. ⁓ So it dropped this summer in June, Happy Bride. And we had another round of couples faced with a huge decision, but this time in Miami. Elisa Tarrago (14:34) Yeah. Madelyn Cunningham (14:43) So for those who don't know, can you just talk about, so you're credited as a segment producer for this season. So talk to me specifically about what your role was. Elisa Tarrago (14:48) Yeah. So I guess the biggest difference with segment producing versus location management is that segment producers have a little bit more creative freedom to create ⁓ like the vignette of that episode or the vignette of that specific scene. ⁓ We talked a lot with the cast and our talent producers would let us know little insights that they would give us So we paid a lot of attention to what they liked what they didn't like You know some things that they were comfortable with and some things they weren't comfortable with and depending on which way we wanted the scene to go we would choose a location, know, depending on that so let's say if somebody I Don't know hates has a fear of heights and we really wanted to see how they would you know deal with that with a brand new partner, would make them go skydiving, something along those lines. So you also have to take care of more like the props and like the greenery, things that location management doesn't have to do. ⁓ But I guess in a general perspective of it, it's a lot of the same, they have similar roles. Madelyn Cunningham (15:46) Mm-hmm. Elisa Tarrago (16:04) ⁓ They have to find locations. They have to negotiate locations. Make sure that it's within the budget. That's super important to all the productions ⁓ You know kind of give a talk and be proactive with the owners of the locations too in reality TV Like you mentioned there's a lot of times where we don't know what's gonna happen like we can only Guest to me what can happen, but in the ultimatum specifically remember these couples are broken up Madelyn Cunningham (16:26) Mm-hmm. Elisa Tarrago (16:33) they're separated and then sometimes we have all cast events and they come back and reunite and we don't know exactly how that's gonna go. So you gotta be proactive with the location as well. Madelyn Cunningham (16:41) Mm-hmm. Yeah, 100%. So it sounds like what you were doing here was a little more story driven, where you were kind of getting to kind of shape. It's like, here's the location, but here is its purpose. Here's why it's shaping. And so you really get to have a little more of a hand in like, this couple needs this challenge or this couple needs this. I know the perfect place for that. And really starting to weave that in a bit more than just sort of like checking the locations box. that kind of... Elisa Tarrago (17:02) 100 % Madelyn Cunningham (17:14) Okay, great. Yeah. And so then when you're, you know, when you're having those mixers where everyone's coming back together, you know, all of these couples and exes and like new couples are always needing these like little, like they need their own little to some like place to chat. So are you guys often rearranging a lot and specifically scouting so that there's this public space, but there's also these little like private nooks they can go into to have their little one-on-ones. Yeah. Elisa Tarrago (17:39) Yep, that's 100 % correct. We would make sure that on these reunion days, we would have a full cast, like a big space where they can all be together, all can sit down on the table, but at the same time, little nooks and crannies here and there, or maybe have a very, ⁓ like Ironside, Ironside in Miami, everyone should go check it out. It's beautiful. It has a little bit of everything and you know, they had cafes, had ⁓ tables where they can just chat. They had beautiful outdoor exterior locations, you know, that we could pull them outside of the big reunion room and have their own little, you know, one-on-one. So yeah, definitely have to look for locations that are versatile. Madelyn Cunningham (18:26) Yeah. And for Ultimatum, know, it seems like the creative brief is, you know, it is Miami. It is very sleek. It is very sexy. Is that sort of the mandate you were given? And so you're looking for kind of a certain type of venue to reflect that, the tone of the show as well. Elisa Tarrago (18:48) Yeah, and then for this one specifically, it was very tropical as well. So if you notice, there's a lot of greenery in all of the episodes. We used a lot of botanical gardens. We used a lot of locations that already had a lot of greenery. If not, we you know, supplement some of that in there. ⁓ We used a ranch in Homestead, beautiful. It's like for weddings, you know, and that was our ultimatum place. But it was a lot of that, a lot of nature, a lot of tropical vibes. you know, which Mammy has, but we kind of, you know, take it for granted sometimes. Madelyn Cunningham (19:22) Yeah, well, when you live there, you're like, whatever. ⁓ But okay, I do have a question. Just thinking through, again, practicality of locations, the heat. How much in Miami are you having to figure out, okay, this spot is amazing, but it's hot as hell? so talk to me even about the practicality of working around the heat in Miami and how you approach that. Elisa Tarrago (19:33) yeah. Yeah, sometimes we even the places that have AC it's so hot and humid here that it's not enough. So we do have to think outside of the box whether it be, you know, getting a vendor to bring some cooling tents and portable ACs in just to have a place to go to and kind of refresh for 30 seconds. that a lot of times, yeah, I imagine if we were outside the cast everyone is sweating profusely and on reality tv we don't have you know a costume wardrobe department where they can constantly be switching in and out of clothing so we have to cool them down and pop-up tents definitely definitely are needed in Miami all the time if we're filming in exteriors and if not have it be a restaurant or some sort of venue that has amazing ac it's totally needed Madelyn Cunningham (20:15) Right? ⁓ Yeah, but even that, like, even when I think about that, I'm like, great, AC, air, big fans, but then it's like audio. Like it's always something, do you know what I mean? I bet everyone in the crew is just wearing those neck fans that are just like, everyone has a personal fan. You know I'm talking about? Elisa Tarrago (20:43) Thank yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Exactly. Some people do. If not, they'll just hold the the handheld one. It's necessary. It's too much. It's too much. Madelyn Cunningham (21:02) Yeah. Yes. Yeah. Is that, do you feel like in Miami specifically that is maybe like, what do you think is your biggest hurdle when it comes to Miami locations? Is it, is it heat? Is it price? Is it availability? Is there kind of a big hurdle that you sort of always are prepared for? Elisa Tarrago (21:13) Oop. is definitely one of them, but you just mentioned another one that is definitely a huge one. Back in the day, Miami used to be a lot cheaper. It wasn't used much for productions. So a lot of locations were like, yeah, you we would love to be on TV, please. And now it's kind of becoming like LA, like. A lot of these locations are already used to being on TV. They're already used to being recorded and they don't care so they've become a lot more expensive. Miami's not as cheap of a film production place anymore like it used to be. And that's a huge hurdle that sometimes we do have to kind of, you know, get over with our budget and stuff or sometimes think about, okay, this is a very important scene that's allocate more money here than we do over here and kind of... budgeted out, but yeah Miami's becoming expensive. Madelyn Cunningham (22:15) Yeah, no one just wants exposure anymore. You can't pay an exposure anymore. Everyone's too savvy. do have to, I mean, I know the relationships you must build doing this work, you know, must be so deep. I'm sure your Rolodex is major and is it, you know, I'm sure it's necessary for you to, you know, leverage those and have to negotiate. And do you feel like you have gotten to the point where you're a pretty good negotiator now? Elisa Tarrago (22:17) No, Yeah, exactly. 100 % I think it's like I can't sell ice to an Eskimo type situation It's it's a must it's a must and yeah, the Rolodex is huge. You should check out www.scene seeker comm That's all this way any locations. Yep. Yep any location needs Whether it be Miami, New York LA Vegas We're everywhere Atlanta Atlanta is a huge one now actually Madelyn Cunningham (22:45) Yes, I love that. I will link it. I love that. this is like a catalog of locations and big cities. perfect. And it's got like the rate and like all the things and you can access them. Elisa Tarrago (23:10) Yeah. Yeah. So, yep, yep, exactly. And just a couple of pictures so that the creatives can get a gist of what the feel of the location is. Madelyn Cunningham (23:25) Okay, love that. Okay, I will link that, that is so cool. I feel like I saw that in your IG bio actually. So yeah, okay, cool. ⁓ Tell me this, we talked about this a little bit about like, you know, not being able to plan, but how much of your job really is like planning for what might happen versus like reacting to what actually happens on set? Elisa Tarrago (23:35) Yes. A lot of it, yeah, we try to plan as much as possible, but I try to be very proactive with it. knowing the type of show it is, you kind of are able to talk to the owners ahead of time and let them know like, hey, this is supposed to be a very calm and cool collected scene. However, there's always the possibility that it can go sideways. If it does, just know that we are 110 % prepared. We have our security, we have. everything in place like do not worry nothing's gonna happen and you know we we will take care of it we will take care of your place i make sure that they feel like i'm responsible for the place as much as they are like i am on their side even though i'm with the production and that's something that helps a lot no matter what happens which way the scene may go it being proactive helps a lot Madelyn Cunningham (24:46) Yeah, and just being, again, being reassuring and knowing. Okay, so I need a story, I need an example of like when something has gone totally sideways. Like give me some crazy set moment where you were like, we will fix your broken table, I'm so sorry. Elisa Tarrago (25:03) A lot of that has happened, especially on baddies. But ⁓ yeah, we will break it, but we will pay for it, I promise. And even if it's that same exact one you want, we will find it. We'll go to the end of the earth, we'll find it, we'll bring you that table, not to worry. But basically a lot of that has happened, especially on crazy shows like baddies. Madelyn Cunningham (25:05) Yeah. Yeah. Okay, so a lot of replacing broken furniture and broken items. You just have a line item that's just like an extra 10 % for incidentals, literally for... Elisa Tarrago (25:34) Yeah, we make sure that they know that we we pay some under our insurance, you know for any liability stuff, but Sometimes you know that table has a lot of meaning to them or a family member give it to them or whatever So we will go out of our way We will find it no matter where it's from and we will bring it to them in one piece Madelyn Cunningham (25:41) Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. make the baddies do that? Be like, you guys come on. you ⁓ know, it's okay. You just got to focus on being a baddie. You don't have to replace the family heirloom. But yeah, I bet like I'm sure that happens. Does it do you get nervous about stuff like that? Or are you sort of like have you accepted that it's part of the job, especially on shows with like maybe higher stakes or like a higher conflict sort of like, are you pretty calm with it? Because you know that you'll Elisa Tarrago (26:02) Right? You would think. Yeah. Madelyn Cunningham (26:26) fix it and so it just kind of doesn't make you nervous anymore. Elisa Tarrago (26:29) Yeah, I know at first it definitely made me extremely nervous because I mean at the end of the day we are the face You know, we are the person that they know we're the person they talk to they don't know anybody else in the production and it's it's your reputation so you do want to be as like I mentioned as proactive and as Honest as possible and try to have that confidence with the with the owners, you know, no matter what happens I will take care of giving you Madelyn Cunningham (26:32) Mm-hmm. Yeah. Elisa Tarrago (26:58) personal word that we will take care of it. ⁓ But yeah, no, it's... Yeah, sometimes I think it's still nerve-racking. Yeah, it's still nerve-racking, but you know, it is what it is. I explain to them usually, you know, exactly what show it is, what kind of scene is going to happen. you know, for the most part, they're cool with it. As long as you're, you know, straight up and forward with them, you know, they've been pretty cool. Can't complain. Madelyn Cunningham (27:05) Makes your stomach hurt. Yeah. It makes your stomach hurt. Yeah, my gosh. Okay, so how, we talked about this a little bit about sort of like the creative brief or the ultimatum and, you know, it being elevated and botanical, but, you know, this is a huge show. This is a huge Netflix show. You know, when you got the call to come on, like, and you start getting brought into the project, how did you approach this job maybe differently than any of the others in the past? Elisa Tarrago (27:51) So I got called in the show had already started when I got called in and it was kind of a Jump in and hit the ground running. So I got in there. I spoke to our Supervising segment producer and I asked her exactly what is it that you need? What is it that you're looking for? She kind of already had most of the creative done. She had already spoken to the EPs and the directors and now it was just time to find the locations. Being that I am a loco, helped out a lot. But she would just tell me like, need this, I need this, I need this, I need this. And it was kind of like a pop, pop, pop, pop, pop. know, line them up and send them their way. And if it worked, amazing. And if not, let's pivot. But it was just different because I didn't get to be there from the beginning. or even get a creative feel, it was more like, hey, we direly need these locations now, like yesterday. And I'm like, all right, let's do it. Let's find them. Madelyn Cunningham (28:49) Yeah, dive right in like you're ready for the challenge. I love that. was, ⁓ you know, being born and raised in Miami, what was important to you? You know, of course there's always sort of like, okay, the show needs this or it needs this, but you also have a personal investment in the city. You have a personal investment in like showcasing it. So what was important for you to reflect about Miami? Elisa Tarrago (29:12) I think definitely that, I mean, everybody knows that we have beaches and the art deco and ocean drive and all of that, which is beautiful and I love it. And I love that architecture. But when people think Miami, they think palm trees and beach. They don't necessarily think of all the other beautiful places that we have, such as you'll see it in the ultimatum, botanical gardens or different ranches, different venues that you wouldn't even think are part of Miami. You know, and that to me is very important to showcase that it's not just beautiful beaches and women in bikinis. Yeah, exactly, exactly. It's not just Miami Vice Scarface. We have a little more to that. There's different ecosystems all over the place here. Madelyn Cunningham (29:49) Not just Miami Vice, yeah. Yeah, a multifaceted sort of view of a city that is like very often depicted in, you know, popular media and pop culture, but very one dimensionally, very like, you know, Miami Vice. And so it's really nice that you were really trying to showcase some different aspects of a city that we probably all think we know. And so what a cool thing to be able to be like, no, you don't quite know Miami. Like here's some really cool parts of it. I love that. Elisa Tarrago (30:01) Thanks for listening. Yeah. Madelyn Cunningham (30:24) ⁓ What were some, were there any particular sort of like super hard scenes or setups to scout for where you were like, ⁓ this is such a tall order, like, and you were just really having a hard time finding the right fit. Elisa Tarrago (30:37) I think the all cast scenes in the ultimatum because our crew is big, so we had to have the entire crew there, not just, you know, the different, Madelyn Cunningham (30:39) Mm. Elisa Tarrago (30:47) because sometimes we have like A crew, B crew, C crew to follow different couples and we're all filming them at the same time. But when everybody has to be there, now instead of being 30 crew, you're talking about like 70, 80 crew. And then the cast is another 30. So you have over hundred people in one place. And then you always have to think about the fourth wall, you know, where am going to hide all of these people? So while fitting the whole crew. So definitely the full cast. Madelyn Cunningham (31:10) Yeah, exactly. Elisa Tarrago (31:15) locations I think were the hardest but nonetheless they became the most beautiful too. Madelyn Cunningham (31:22) Yeah, well that's so rewarding too. Are there any, mean, you know, when you're on shows like this, obviously you're like doing your job, but like it's hard not to feel, I don't know, like you have a personal investment in like some of the cast members. Were there any that you like really loved or you loved their story or you just like loved them as people that you really got attached to? Elisa Tarrago (31:43) So I didn't get to really mingle with the cast much. I was the one in the office behind the scenes looking at all the places and stuff. Yeah, but I will say, I don't know why exactly. Maybe because of the things I heard and like she was just cool. Dana was probably one of my favorites. ⁓ Down to Earth, you know, kept it cool, kept her vibe. Didn't really, you know, change much. Who you saw on TV is who she is in real life, so. Madelyn Cunningham (31:45) Mm-hmm. Right? Yeah. Mm. Elisa Tarrago (32:12) That was cool, I like that. Madelyn Cunningham (32:14) I mean, when I, like the premise of this show is so extreme in a way that to be, yeah, to be able to like keep your cool and like be chill and like likable, I feel like is actually such a feat because this is, it's wild. And like I said, the emotional stakes are really, really high. ⁓ Elisa Tarrago (32:19) It's crazy! It's crazy! Yes. A lot of these girls, did not understand, you know, how much was gonna be exposed or like how hard it was until they were in there. I mean, imagine you're with your partner for years, like some of them were five plus years, you're forced to break up and you're forced to live, each one of you has to live with a brand new person. Just that thought would kill me, would kill me. I can't, I would never be able to do that. Madelyn Cunningham (33:02) Yeah, it's like, there's a show called Temptation Island, you know what I'm talking about? So it's like giving that a little, like obviously it's more, people are more serious, the end goal is marriage, but like the idea of like splitting up, bringing in someone else to see if the grass is greener is like kind of still the same, it's still kind of the same formatting and messaging and it's still wild. Like it's crazy, but it's so smart and it's so good and that's why we eat it up and we love it, right? Elisa Tarrago (33:06) Yeah. Yeah. I know. Exactly. That's actually one of the shows I would love to work on. Temptation Island or Love Island. I would love to go to Fiji. I would love to do locations or segment over there. It's beautiful. I haven't yet. Madelyn Cunningham (33:32) Yes. Yes. Did you watch the season of Love Island? Elisa Tarrago (33:44) I know, I've been so caught up on work. I got into scripted TV now and I just finished my first feature film on Netflix, 72 hours. It's a Kevin Hart comedy. so. Madelyn Cunningham (33:55) Wait, my gosh, wait, how fun. Okay, wait, tell me about your experience on that. How did it differ from unscripted? Like, what was the biggest differences for you? Elisa Tarrago (34:06) The crew is huge. It's huge. We have like a 200 man crew alone, just the crew. That's not considering cast or their hair and makeup or their friends or their entourage. It's huge. But I got to meet one of my, I think, favorite actors of all time. And he's, Cuban Honduran and this man is Cuban. And to see him live in front of me and acting Andy Garcia. Madelyn Cunningham (34:08) yeah. Elisa Tarrago (34:33) Amazing, yeah, it was insane. Like I haven't had really, I get more ⁓ excited, I guess, about the crew that I'm working with, like the directors and the executive producers and the actors themselves, except for this one. Andy Garcia was just, I mean, he's Andy Garcia, he's phenomenal. Madelyn Cunningham (34:34) Love. Mm-hmm. I love that. Okay, yeah, I'm looking it up. So it looks like, okay, Kevin Hart's character in a bachelor party comedy, 72 hours. Okay, so it's giving like hangover and it was in Miami. Elisa Tarrago (35:05) Exactly like that. Yep. Madelyn Cunningham (35:07) ⁓ fun, I bet that was an absolute blast. Elisa Tarrago (35:11) It was so much fun. was, I was just in awe, you know? The scripted TV show I did was kind of similar, ⁓ but nothing compared to this movie. It was just so cool. Madelyn Cunningham (35:22) is so fun. Are you feeling like so, so are you feeling like you were like, wait, I really like the scripted world. I feel like I'd like to do more in that. Like, is that really calling to you, you think? Elisa Tarrago (35:33) Yeah, definitely. The cool thing about scripted TV and movies is you have a lot of time to pre-plan stuff. You have a lot of time to look at stuff and scout stuff and then do the tech scouts with all the producers, directors, ⁓ even the cam-ops sometimes. Everybody's involved and there's just a lot more pre-planning so it's not as chaotic or stressful. Madelyn Cunningham (35:40) Yeah. Yeah, that's the, that is the proper adjective. ⁓ Not as last minute chaotic, like, yes. Yeah. Elisa Tarrago (36:03) Yeah, yeah, not so much pivoting. mean, there's always in production, you always have to pivot sometimes. But ⁓ location wise, you know, you're pretty much locked and loaded. So there's just a lot of preparation time. I think now that I'm getting older, that's a little bit better for the heart and mouth. No, see, you still stay awake. Madelyn Cunningham (36:22) You value that. Yeah, for the sleep, for this getting the your proper hours of sleep and not staying awake wide open, like what are we gonna do? Yeah. Elisa Tarrago (36:32) You still can't sleep, it's still nerve-racking, but just a tiny bit less. Madelyn Cunningham (36:37) I love that. that's so fun. Okay. Well, I'm so excited for that and I'll know someone who works on it. I love that. Okay. So I have a couple of like fun questions to wrap it up. So what is your, in honor of the ultimatum, what is your ultimate Miami weekend itinerary? Elisa Tarrago (36:39) Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Well, I mean like we were mentioning South Beach is definitely one you got to take a little stroll down Ocean Drive see the art deco architecture Which is you know one of a kind it is unique to Miami Little Havana Little Havana has come up so much part of the 72 hour movie set that I was responsible for is Little Havana so it's a yeah, it's a cultural immersion like you definitely have to have Madelyn Cunningham (37:15) Awesome. Elisa Tarrago (37:19) The colada, is that Cuban coffee. That's the reason why crack never took over Miami. Cuban coffee is just, it gets you wired. does the trick. Or a little croqueta or pastelito to get into that Cuban vibe of Miami, which is very important on here. Wynwood for the art design district for our bougie ladies. Love it. ⁓ Madelyn Cunningham (37:28) It does the job. Elisa Tarrago (37:48) Then you also have an incredible nightlife like, you know, live mangoes space. Madelyn Cunningham (37:53) that doesn't start until 11 p.m. earliest. I was in my... Elisa Tarrago (37:58) Depending on the place because 11 the club goes on 24 7 it's open at all hours every day of the week So, you know for our nocturnal beings Madelyn Cunningham (38:08) Yes, I was in Miami in like February for real screen actually. And I was going out around like nine and someone was like, girl no. And I was like, yeah. And I was like, oh, okay, sorry. And so I'm going back at the same time in February and now I know a little better. Like I have to take a disco nap from like seven to nine, then get ready, then eat, then go out. there's... Elisa Tarrago (38:19) That's pregame time. Exactly, correct. But also there's places like the Everglades, you know, do a little day trip to, know, maybe feed an alligator or even the keys, go on a scuba or snorkel trip. There's just a lot to do here in a very short amount of but there's a lot to do. Madelyn Cunningham (38:49) Totally. Yeah, see some pythons. Apparently, they're a pretty big problem down there. They are. my God. Okay, what, I wanna know what reality show you would like to go on. Elisa Tarrago (38:54) Very big problem. as a cast or like if I could go back in time the real world. I love this. Madelyn Cunningham (39:03) Mm-hmm, as a cast member. Yes, I knew you were going to say that. I love that. What would be like your persona? Okay, let's say you're going back in the real world, but you're the age you are when the real world came out, right? So what would have been your persona and what you were bringing into the house? Elisa Tarrago (39:28) Back then, I'd definitely be like the party girl. Let's, you know, the yes man. You know, any crazy idea. Yes, let's do it. Let's go. Now I'd probably be like the mediator, the person that the people are fighting and I'll be there to talk to each one like, no, let's come together. Love, peace. Madelyn Cunningham (39:45) Yes. Yeah, you've mellowed out a little bit. I love that. I love that. What? Okay, so there was a credit in your IMDB. And if you can't talk about it, that's fine. But I saw it because I was like, I bet this was wild. It's the show with Drusky called The Could Have Been House. And it literally I was like looking at some of the trailers, like he's already so unhinged. And I was looking at some of the trailers being like Elisa Tarrago (39:49) Yeah, very much. Yeah. Yes. ⁓ Madelyn Cunningham (40:12) What the hell? This must have been the craziest thing to work on. What was the wildest thing that happened on that set that you could talk? Elisa Tarrago (40:15) It was. So this this episode already came out it was the first one and it was the wildest to me because I had never worked on something like that ⁓ So it's a bunch of contestants. They all assumed that by being chosen that first night They were all gonna move into the mansion that we rented for them Little did they know they had to sleep outside in a military tent and get woken up at 3 in the morning by an alligator a real-life chomping Alligator. And shout out to Druski and the Forlifers for being hilarious. That's all their creative minds and it just, it makes great TV, man. They're so funny. They're like real life funny. Madelyn Cunningham (41:02) This shows like this are giving me like they really are harkening back to the unhinged reality days of like pumped and you know I'm saying of like just like let's do something crazy and I kind of love that. I feel like that's what we're craving as an audience too. Like we obviously love our like polished set up reality shows but I do feel like we are really craving just the like crazy unhinged like prank style stuff too. Elisa Tarrago (41:08) Yeah. Exactly. It's amazing. It's so funny. It's the things you can least expect. Drusky will do it. I loved it. Madelyn Cunningham (41:35) Okay, all right, I'm gonna have to tune in. Okay, last question in honor of Baddie's West. In your opinion, what makes the ultimate set baddie? Elisa Tarrago (41:44) Being that yes person forever, forever. know, I would, no matter what position you're in, you know, I will forever remember you. If I come up to you or even if someone come and ask me for something and you're just like, yes, yes, yes, you're a baddie man. Nothing can stop you. Madelyn Cunningham (41:46) Yes. Elisa Tarrago (42:03) You're not afraid to, you know, take on a task. You're with it. You're just... your body yes yeah well 15 minutes early you're on time if you're on time you're ⁓ Madelyn Cunningham (42:09) I love that. That's that's fine. And being on time. I'm like, it is Yes, yes, that is my like set baddie formula, because it's it's not it's not anything crazy. my gosh, Elisa, this was so much fun. I loved chatting with you. there's so many people, talented, creative people who work behind the scenes on these shows to bring them together and make them happen. And Elisa Tarrago (42:29) Likewise, I loved it. Madelyn Cunningham (42:37) The Ultimatum Queer Love was such a good series. It's such a necessary series. I mean, we could get into a whole conversation about how important it is to have that type of representation, but just, you know, I love the work that you did on it. It's such a great series and incredibly excited to see what your next 10 credits are gonna be on IMDB and just really excited for you and so happy to chat. Elisa Tarrago (42:55) Thank you. Thank you. I love this. Thank you so much for even, you know, having me on here. It's an honor. And also I would love for this to kind of develop into, like I was telling you, behind the scenes type of show of just showing the production crew. Let's see what that's like. That would be the best reality TV show. Madelyn Cunningham (43:15) Yes. Agreed, know. Breaking the 10th wall. Like we would blow everyone's mind. Inception style reality TV. Yeah, 100%. Yes, I'm gonna pitch it next. We'll see how it goes. I will. Okay, thank you so much. Elisa Tarrago (43:21) Yeah Can you imagine? I love it. I love that. me. Thank you. Madelyn (43:40) That was such a fun conversation with Elisa just flowed. We were having such a great time. Love hearing different perspectives and how, different people spend their days, how they approach their work. It's like dirty jobs, but not dirty, just interesting and niche. I hope you guys have a great weekend. Don't forget that we have our Monday mini-sode. with industry news with Emily Wilson dropping on Monday and more fun, interesting interviews coming up. Some guests I'm really excited about, but some really cool insights, especially about where the development landscape is lately. Don't forget like, subscribe, rate and review. And we'll see you next Friday on The Unscripted Files.