by Voyage | Jul 20, 2012 | Presentations
The 6 Most Vital Rules of Pitching TV in 2012 You’re busy as ever, you’re stressed, it’s gorgeous outside, and yes folks, it’s that time of year again: TV pitch season is in full swing. So to give you every advantage, we’re offering our TV pitch look-books at a heavily-discounted flat rate for a limited time. And keep reading, because we’re throwing in a bunch of pointers for free. If you haven’t done anything to sell your projects, don’t kid yourself–you can’t ignore the kind of opportunity that exists right now. Not even Jerry Bruckheimer can do that. We have it on good authority from agents and managers around town that looking like you didn’t try isn’t cool anymore. The stakes are high and the competition… well, we won’t remind you. So here’s a list of.. TV Pilot Season Do’s and Don’ts, 2012: DO Commit: You can’t sell something that’s only halfway there. Invest the needed time and money to let them know you take your work seriously and you’re not messing around. Go big or go home! DON’T Wait: TV Pilot season is peaking a little later this year, but that doesn’t mean you have any time to lose. It can take a few weeks to rewrite scripts and create sales materials. Start! DO Get Visual: Old-school writer wisdom says all you need is a script. Really? Increasingly in the industry, projects vision is shared via the use of imagery. It’s just the way of the future. Get used to it, old-schoolers. DON’T Have to Be There: You might not get a pitch meeting right away, but... read more
by Voyage | Apr 20, 2012 | Uncategorized
“THE SECRET TO PROJECTS THAT SELL” It’s scary how much time, energy, and money is expended every year on films that will never be released, or even made at all, for that matter. Just think about all the films that are submitted Sundance and don’t end up getting distribution. At last count in 2011, this was about 3,775 films. If each one costs $300,000 to make (some cost less, some far more), then those 3,775 represent an investment of over $1 billion. That’s $1 billion those filmmakers probably couldn’t afford to lose. These staggering numbers show the amount of waste in the entertainment industry. If you aspire to have a career you love in entertainment the real question you need to answer in 2012 is how to build projects professionally – so that they don’t end up in the reject pile at great expense. Here’s something you should know before you spend any more of your time and money: The Number One Reason why film and TV projects fail is that their creators haven’t done their research to find out if their project is right for the market, or to find out who their competition is and who might beat them to the punch. There’s a lot more information on this topic that could give you a serious leg up on the competition. One of the most knowledgeable and articulate producers in the business on choosing ideas that sell is Elizabeth Kushman. Elizabeth is a 10-year veteran of the entertainment industry who got her start as Creative Executive for Wes Craven, developing such films as PULSE, CURSED and THE... read more
by Voyage | Apr 10, 2012 | Uncategorized
“THE 3 DIMENSIONS” THAT KEEP PEOPLE TALKING It seems like everyone has an idea that would make a great film or TV show these days. Hopefully you do too! But do you ever wonder what your chances are of actually being able to quit your day job? Well, let’s take a look at what’s going on with the famous Writers Guild in LA-the WGA. To be a member you have to be a working writer at a professional level already-their total membership is about 7,900. And do you have any guesses as to how many of these competitive and connected professionals are actually being paid to write in any given year? In reality it’s only about 3,850. Yes, that is only HALF of the writers in the guild who are working and getting paid. This means that for every two writers who have proven their talent, made the cut, stood out, and been hired once by an established TV or film company, ONE OF THEM WILL NOT FIND EVEN ONE MORE PAYING GIG! No wonder it’s hard to get representation these days. What’s more, there is a lot less work going around: the already sluggish writer employment fell by another 11% as a result of the recession, with 226 professional screenwriters out of a job. These statistics are staggering. Yeah, it’s competitive out there, and it’s getting more so all the time. So where does that leave you and the other emerging talent? The ones who are either just starting out professionally or who are making a move toward their ideal creative career? The odds are stacked against you.... read more
by Voyage | Mar 10, 2012 | Uncategorized
HOW A GOOD ‘OLE BOY FROM ALABAMA SOLD OVER 50 FILMS You already knew the entertainment industry was competitive, but did you realize that you probably have a better chance of getting into the NBA than your project does of getting in front of any kind of real audience? Take a look at the numbers: Of the 3,812 finished films submitted to Sundance last year only about 40 ended up getting any kind of distribution at all. That’s just a little more than one percent-almost as low as the chances of a college basketball player making the NBA. Before you watch the game-changing video above, I want you to pay attention to some interesting facts about the TV biz too: If you think TV is any easier, think again. In 2011, of the thousands of TV show ideas pitched to the big four networks, ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, 429 scripts were picked up…and only about 76 were made into pilots. Far less than half of those went to screen…and of those, only 24 are still on the air at last count. With odds like those, you may find yourself wondering whether the project you’re working on will ever end up in front of real audiences, and whether you’ll be given a chance at all. A lot of good work will ALWAYS get lost in the shuffle. Well, believe it or not, there are actually people who make it their job to sell good creative product and get it in front of audiences. We’d like to introduce you to one of them. Houston King is a film producer who... read more
by Voyage | Mar 2, 2012 | The Expert Network
5 LASER-GUIDE BUSINESS TOOLS FOR SUCCESS Millions of people love movies and TV…hundreds of thousands want to generate work for the screen themselves. But of those, only a few ever will. And the number of them who will end up with successful careers? Well… Only about 10% of movies that make it into Sundance get distribution. Only about 50% of screenwriters in the Writers Guild will earn any kind of money as writers, and of those, only about 1% will make over half a million dollars per year. The statistics are daunting, but the real question is this: What are the 1% doing that you aren’t? The odds are just as bad for them as they are for everyone else, and yet somehow they convince others of their value, and you can bet that in 2012 they’ll be reaping bigger rewards today than ever. What’s the secret sauce? Well, here’s my opinion-and this is from our observation of hundreds of our successful TV and Film clients over the last decade: Having a clear vision; a realistic plan; and the right habits to execute that plan day after day after day Success stems from consistent professionalism in a number of different ways, exhibited on a daily basis. It’s about constantly planning, pushing forward, investing in yourself, thinking big when necessary, thinking to scale when necessary, taking action, and making ALL the right moves so that you deliver the goods and build upward momentum with every deadline, meeting, and screening. The truth of the industry is that it’s not about overnight success-because even when you get that, if you don’t handle... read more
by Voyage | Dec 2, 2011 | Uncategorized
… AND YOUR MOM TELLING YOU YOU’RE AMAZING DOESN’T This month Nat Mundel welcomes hot reality TV producer Aisha Wynn to the Starbird to discuss what it takes to turn unknown talent into network-based celebrity, and spread it across multiple formats. In addition to working with Voyage, Wynn is an independent producer who got her start at HBO, and eventually moved into development positions at New Line Cinema and Robyn Nash Productions. In the past year alone, Wynn has developed and sold 4 reality series to networks and studios. In this insightful interview learn why she attributes 100% of her success to being open minded. 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)... read more
by Voyage | Nov 20, 2011 | Uncategorized
CONVERTING YOUR UNIQUE EXPERTISE INTO GREAT TV In these days of the YouTube generation and reality TV, we’ve got dating coaches helping us find love (Bravo’s Millionaire Matchmaker, Logo’s Bad Sex), stylists perfecting our grooming rituals (The Look For Less, Project Runway, Tabitha’s Hair Salon), and even health and fitness experts shaping our bodies (any given Dr. Oz show). And one of the many lessons reality TV has taught us – besides how to conduct a passive-aggressive catfight, Housewives-style – is that there’s always room for new talent. Reality TV widens the definition of “talent”, offering big opportunities for those of us who didn’t go to Juilliard or Yale Drama School. It can be a great vehicle for people with specific areas of interesting non-entertainment expertise (like therapy, pet-training, and even the lately-very-hot paranormal investigation). Creating a show is a great way to raise your profile and share what you know. If you or a friend has an interesting job or business, it’s worth investigating the possibility of pitching a show about it. Here are the top 3 things to consider when creating your own reality show: 1. Consider the audience—especially the niche. —What group isn’t being reflected or heard in the TV world? Who deserves a spotlight, a chance to share a compelling story and offer viewers something they never knew they needed? Can you speak to them? 2. It doesn’t hurt to try something radically different —Of course you should know what the buyers want now, but you never know how the market will evolve or what other trends may pop up a year (or months and... read more
by Voyage | Nov 10, 2011 | Uncategorized
A GOOD SUBJECT NEEDS AN EVEN BETTER PITCH So let’s say you realize that lots of people might be entertained by your expertise as a French chef, your adventures in ghost-hunting or the hilarious fights your co-workers keep having down at the holistic diet center. Well, guess what? So have a dozen or so others. There’s still room for new faces in Reality TV, but there’s also growing competition for coveted airtime—especially in areas where there are already lots of shows, like cooking, pet care, and weight-loss. If you would like to be a contender, you’ll have to realize that it’s not just what you’ve got, it’s how you’re presenting it. Assume that whatever your central idea is, producers have seen it before in some way, shape, or form (or they’ll assume they have), so it’s imperative that you invest some effort in the details. Here’s your checklist of… 5 Things You Need to Do To Make A Great Pitch: 1. Use a show format that makes the most of your show subject and connects with your audience. For example, would 20-somethings prefer a show about young wives or basketball wives? Would families with teens be more likely to gather around the TV together to watch a show about travel, or a show about other families running around the world in a big race? As well-known past successes have shown, the spin you put on your show idea can make you stand out among the rest. 2. Plan pitch materials that are appropriate to your concept, format, and potential buyers. Some ideas will require a power-point deck, others just... read more
by Voyage | Nov 5, 2011 | The Expert Network
JUST KIDDING. THAT’S NOT HOW IT WORKS. There’s a reason why they say “There’s no time like the present.” The present is what determines and shapes what’s to come. So take action! If you think you’ve got something that connects with today’s audiences and trends, act on it! If not, demand and trends might change, your work might change, and you might change. Don’t assume opportunity will stay constant. Instead of waiting around for an opportunity to come along, create your own opportunities now. Many of us hold back for different reasons, and one of those involves fear and doubt. There’s the fear of rejection (“I’ve had so many doors slammed in my face, why bother knocking on another one?”). There’s the fear of being accepted and then having to follow up on a promising proposal (“What if I don’t have enough to back myself up? They’ll be disappointed!”). And then there’s the basic fear of the unknown (“What will happen to me if…?”). Let’s face it. You (and we) are not getting any younger, and you never know what life-altering changes may be waiting for you around the corner. The wants of the entertainment marketplace are constantly changing. Therefore, there really is no better time to break out of your shell of insecurity with an idea you can share with others who can help you turn your vision into something real. So write your idea and find your talent. Don’t forget to make a sizzle reel and a pitch book. Hit the print button. Compose an email. And send it out into the universe. You just never know.... read more
by Voyage | Oct 27, 2011 | The Expert Network
HOT PRODUCER REVEALS HOW HIS PROJECTS MOVE UP (WHEN EVERYBODY ELSE’S ARE GOING DOWN) Few industry professionals have better insight into the process of getting films greenlit than active producers. This month Nat Mundel welcomes Producer Monnie Wills to the Starbird. Wills is in the process of building on his already impressive list of credits, and just completed filming The Darkest Hour starring Emile Hirsch, produced at Regency and to be distributed by Summit Entertainment and 20th Century Fox later this year. In recent years, the industry has contracted, but many producers, like Wills, just won’t be stopped. In this interview, Wills shares some of his most effective tools for keeping things moving forward. 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... read more
