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...
by Voyage | Aug 12, 2011 | Uncategorized
Know Who You Are; Make Sure We Know It Too No, you’re not paranoid; when it comes to building a successful career in entertainment, the odds are stacked against you. There’s not a lot of room at the top, and there are already many younger, smarter, better-connected people out there. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still get the advantage by employing some street-smarts and business-savvy—and building a personal brand. For starters (wary artists), let’s go over what a personal brand isn’t: The word “brand” might suggest cliches, like you’ll have to wear a certain kind of shoe, get a fashion-victim haircut and always wear black, i.e. pigeonhole yourself in some way or another. To be clear, that’s not what we’re talking about. According to Personal Branding expert and Voyage Team member Nance Rosen, the real point of personal branding is to be memorable—to stand out based on an expression of your authentic self and a connection with what your audience really needs. Diablo Cody (Juno) is a great example of a screenwriter who expresses her authentic self all the way to the bank. You’d recognize her dialogue style anywhere—it’s never a Little Miss Moffet message—and her audience finds it refreshing. Writers and directors have a great advantage because they are used to creating characters with distinct voices– now the work is to find their unique character. Rosen breaks down the 3 dimensions of a personal brand: 1. Your voice—what do you sound like, and why? 2. Your values—how do you work? Are you refined and traditional like Clint Eastwood or whimsical and inventive like Michel Gondry? 3. Your...
by Voyage | Aug 12, 2011 | Uncategorized
Make A Plan & Work It! A lot of people approach their creative careers with die-hard passion, belief in their talent, and lots of people pulling for them—but no strategy. It’s no wonder that so many reach a certain level of success and then find themselves stalling or stagnating somewhere “comfortable” and doing work that doesn’t really satisfy their true ambition. Plainly put, if you don’t take steps to decisively tell the industry who you are, it won’t know—and certain decisions will be made for you. One way to combat inertia is to define your plan and figure out what it will take to progress from one milestone to the next—i.e. map it out using these 5 important business tools: 1. Strategy – You have to start with your dream. And a great way to ensure that you’re truly passionate about your dream is to write it down and then multiply it times 100 – that’s your real dream (scary, I know). Go for it. Another great building block of strategy comes from Jim Collins (author of “Good to Great”) – Collins’ personal “hedgehog strategy” lies at the intersection of (1) What you’re truly passionate about (2) what you’re genetically encoded or “made” to do and (3) what things can you be paid for. Click here to read the other 4 business tools (link to article on The Professionals program blog) 2. Milestones – you can’t eat a whale all in one sitting. Break impossible dreams down into achievable goals and work through them one at a time. 3. Process – Are you doing things in the right order,...
