by Voyage | Sep 21, 2011 | Reality TV
SHOWRUNNER PATRICK COSTELLO TALKS REALITY TELEVISION. Adventure reality television maestro Patrick Costello has been a Co-executive Producer and Showrunner on “IRT: Deadliest Roads” and the New England fishing series “Swords: Life on the Line.” He was also a Producer on “The Amazing Race” and “The Apprentice,” among many other shows. Nat sits down with Patrick to discuss how he got started in the reality industry, why you should read Andrew Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” and the deep importance of “what-the-fuckness.” Archives December 2024 (2) November 2024 (2) October 2024 (3) September 2024 (2) April 2023 (1) January 2023 (1) December 2022 (1) October 2022 (1) June 2020 (1) April 2020 (1) February 2020 (1) January 2020 (1) October 2019 (1) August 2019 (1) June 2019 (1) January 2019 (1) April 2018 (1) March 2018 (1) February 2018 (1) January 2018 (1) December 2017 (1) November 2017 (1) October 2017 (2) July 2017 (4) April 2017 (1) February 2017 (1) January 2017 (1) December 2016 (1) November 2016 (1) October 2016 (1) September 2016 (2) June 2016 (1) May 2016 (1) April 2016 (1) February 2016 (3) January 2016 (1) December 2015 (2) November 2015 (1) October 2015 (2) September 2015 (2) August 2015 (2) July 2015 (1) June 2015 (1) April 2015 (1) March 2015 (1) February 2015 (2) January 2015 (3) December 2014 (2) October 2014 (1) September 2014 (3) August 2014 (3) June 2014 (2) May 2014 (5) April 2014 (3) February 2014 (1) January 2014 (1) December 2013 (1) April 2013 (1) December 2012 (1) July 2012 (1) April 2012 (2) March 2012 (2) December 2011 (1) November 2011 (3) October 2011 (4) September 2011 (5) August 2011 (3) May 2011 (2) April 2011 (1) March 2011 (2) November 2010 (2) August 2010 (1) June 2010 (1) March 2010 (1) October 2009 (1) September 2009 (2) CategoriesCategories Select Category Audience (25) Blog post (38) Book to Film (20) Entertainment Business (48) Font Page (7) Pitching (13) Presentations (9) Producer Interviews (10) Reality TV (5) Screenwriting Tips (11) The Expert Network (18)...
by Voyage | Sep 21, 2011 | Reality TV
ANOTHER AVENUE FOR YOUR CREATIVITY IN ENTERTAINMENT Once upon a time, in the early 2000s, reality was considered to be a passing, perhaps lamentable fad. At best it was the bastard child of television – much as television was once considered the bastard child of the movies. Those days are gone. These days, reality has grown up, and it’s more popular than ever. Estimates vary, but on average, one third to one half of the time Americans spend in front of the television is spent watching non-scripted programming. More and more networks and media outlets feature reality, and there are more hours of it on each network. There is a reality “industry” and a whole galaxy of reality stars. Where reality used to be the “wild west,” where anything went, now people are having twenty year careers. Big names like Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have gotten involved, with “Project Greenlight.” Ashton Kutcher did “Punk’d.” Ice-T is on E! with “Ice Loves Coco.” It’s no longer something to be ashamed of. Because of “Survivor” and other shows, you can now even win an Emmy for a reality show. Who would have thunk it? Reality has become respectable. All this doesn’t mean there aren’t still enormous opportunities out there for the aspiring content-producer. Quite the contrary. Now is the time. The demand for reality content has exploded. All those new programming slots need to be filled. This means that, while you’re working on selling your big movie or scripted series, there may be fantastic intermediary opportunities for you in reality television. This industry moves fast. Pitches are being bought, shows...
by Voyage | Sep 21, 2011 | Reality TV
INTERVIEW WITH HOT REALITY TV SELLER AISHA CORPAS Reality T.V. savant Aisha Corpus has her finger on the pulse of what’s hot and what’s not in unscripted programming – she recently sold not one but two shows to the networks, both of which go into production later this year. She draws on years of experience in the industry. Aisha recently sat down with Voyage to share her insights on how to capitalize on the current and future trends in reality. What’s hot right now? What are the networks currently looking for in terms of reality programming? A couple of things. First of all, what the networks want is always changing. That understood, I’d say that, right now, the networks are looking for loud personalities and unique subcultures to build shows around. Think of “Deadliest Catch” and “Pawn Star” – they are built around a really colorful, intense world or person that people love to watch. If you can find a fascinating world like the Jersey Shore, or a really compelling character, that’s what the networks want. The other thing networks are really interested in is talent that can become a network franchise. This has become increasingly important. Think of Bethenny Frankel on Bravo, or Ryan Seacrest and Kim Kardashian on E! They don’t just have one show on that network, they have multiple shows, and they’re in the magazines, on the talk shows. They’re a walking billboard for that network. When you hear the name of that person, you immediately think of that brand. The trends in reality programming change incredibly quickly, sometimes literally overnight. How do you stay...
by Voyage | Sep 21, 2011 | Reality TV
PUTTING SOMETHING TOGETHER AND BRINGING IT TO MARKET So you want to get into reality t.v. as a content producer. It’s a new world – how do you navigate it? The first challenge is the pitch. You’ll have one chance to convince that network executive that your idea is the one. What do you do? Here are four “dos” and “don’ts” from the reality professionals here at Voyage. DO: 1) Have a sizzling Sizzle Reel. In a reality pitch, video is king. Give the executive a picture of what you have in mind – and make it as visually delicious, dramatic and spectacular as possible. 2) Attach a celebrity. How? By offering them a mutually beneficial opportunity. Find someone who has an interest they haven’t been able to explore – cooking, for example – then build your show around that. 3) If you don’t have a track record, hook up with people who do. An experienced show runner, producer, or writer will give your show the credibility it needs. 4) Help the executive see the big picture. In the pitch book, describe a full season, then explain how the show will grow over multiple seasons, or even branch into other shows over time. Help them see your idea as a brand. DON’T 1) Don’t pitch like a car salesman. Engage the person. Have a conversation. Don’t take the word “pitch” too literally. 2) Don’t pitch the kitchen sink. It doesn’t look good to throw out ideas for ten shows in a single meeting. Come in with your best – 3 max. Then you’ve established a good relationship and can...
by Voyage | Sep 21, 2011 | Reality TV
SOME ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS FOR YOUR IDEATION FROM STORY CONSULTANT JULIE GRAY Whether for Reality TV or a longform scripted project, the process of envisioning and fleshing out a great entertaining character will put you in the game. We had a chance to connect with Julie Gray, story consultant, Huffington Post blogger and the self-described Mistress of Just Effing Entertain Me, her website and blog of over six years, to help explain how creatives can approach developing and really inhabiting their characters, and she’s given us an excerpt from her book Just Effing Entertain Me, here: “I am” is a powerful declarative. It puts a stake in the ground for what you stand for. Or, what you think you stand for. At the moment you are asked the question. The way you fill in the rest of the statements below can be very revealing of your current mindset, your goals and your fears. So take a moment and fill in the statements below. Don’t worry whether it’s pretty or flattering, but please, be honest. Remember, that in being willing to reveal yourself to yourself, you are practicing for your characters willingness to reveal themselves to you. I am…, I want…, I dislike…, I am afraid…I wish…I don’t know if …I am angry that…I think I can…I am scared that …I can’t…I am willing…I can…I love…I know…I am… Keep this exercise to do whenever you want to check in with yourself. You can do it once a year and watch yourself change over time. You can do it if you have a particular goal in mind or you can do it...
