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...
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,...
by Voyage | Aug 12, 2011 | Uncategorized
Use your resources to raise your profile Up-and-coming film students (i.e. the next generation who will be breathing down your neck soon enough) routinely invest over $100k just to get their feet wet; young professionals wait tables, walk dogs, and donate hundreds of hours of their labor in internships; working writers, producers, directors, and talent re-invest (at least) 10% of their income into their careers, paying their agents & managers and developing projects—what they’re all doing is investing in their careers. And it’s a no-brainer that you need to keep up. Back the talent that you know best: your own. So once you’ve defined yourself and your message it’s time to get the word out, because Hollywood wants to see evidence that people will get in line to check out your work. How do you prove to them that you’ve got audience appeal? As you build your transition strategy, include Social Media and PR to raise your profile. Voyage team member Libby Gill, who helped build the reputation of Dr. Phil and other high-profile personalities’ through personal brand strategy and publicity, weighs in on this topic: “When people are surfing online, you’ve got about 5 seconds to grab their attention- so what’s the most important thing for people to know about you? It might come in the form of a photo, a video snippet, or something quirky and unique that only you can come up with. If you had to sum yourself up on a billboard or T-shirt, what would you say, and how do you say it in a way that nobody’s gonna forget?” Social media tools and...
by Voyage | May 2, 2011 | The Expert Network
An Interview with Story Expert Corey Mandell No other profession in the world insists upon perfect execution with one’s first assignment on the job. So why does screenwriting? Nat Mundel sits down with professional writer and UCLA film-script sage Corey Mandell to examine this and other questions. Welcome to the new issue of The Starbird. It explores the writing process, from the conceptual to the intuitive. Learn the common mistakes made due to over reliance on the calcified edicts of the blockbuster and hear how simple skill sets, diligently applied, will produce success. 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...
by Voyage | May 2, 2011 | The Expert Network
The 3 Most Vital Aspects of Story from the woman who developed SALT — Voyage Team Member Kathleen McLaughlin. A phone rings in the middle of the night, and a movie is born. Such is the case when someone with an exceptional idea connects with the guiding hand of a veteran development expert. Meet Kathleen McLaughlin, a producer and development executive with over 15 years of experience in both studio and independent feature projects. She helped Director Philip Noyce shepherd a midnight pitch into the Golden Globe-nominated film RABBITPROOF FENCE, she Co-Produced The Quiet American, and she developed The Saint, The Bone Collector and The Sum of All Fears. She has worked with some of the top names in the business including Sydney Pollack, Anthony Minghella, Kurt Wimmer, Christopher Hampton, and she recently served as a creative consultant on SALT starring Angelina Jolie. She is now a member of the Voyage Development Team. “You just never know” McLaughlin muses, “The most interesting stories can come from the oddest places.” Throughout her career she has honored this belief to help some of the world’s leading directors bring their visions to life. Whether she’s working on a large tent-pole franchise or a small indie, she focuses her attention on what she considers the three most vital aspects of screen story: 1.) Character Development – “Likeability can be a complex notion. It’s much more fluid than many people think. Heroes, if they’re just “heroic,” are not interesting.It’s the quirks and flaws that make them relatable and interesting.A classic example of this is Indiana Jones’s hatred of snakes.In a roomful of them, he’s uncharacteristically...
by Voyage | Apr 20, 2011 | Blog post, Pitching
AND WHAT THEY CAN TEACH US ABOUT PITCHING I have a dirty secret that’s written on my resume in invisible ink: I used to be a telemarketer. Please just know that most of the money I earned by telemarketing was spent on either beer or t-shirts with offensive phrases on them. There’s a fundamental principle that’s pounded into the heads of any and all those who are brave enough to dabble in the telemarketing profession: Read the pitch script verbatim. No exceptions. It’s easy to see that what works in telemarketing won’t necessarily work in an entertainment pitch. But while the pitches and presentations for TV shows and movies have infinitely higher stakes, it’s still easy to get lazy and tap into the same formulas. This applies to all pitches. What telemarketing specifically amplifies are 2 things: 1) The beginning or introduction of a pitch is where you hook (or lose) the audience 2) Your audience could be having the worst day of their lives That’s not bad advice but what happens with telemarketing: the scripts becomes innate. The precedent becomes reflex. No thought or inflection is put behind the words, whether it’s a pitch for the New York Times, or for the ultimate Snuggie. And it makes you want to throw your phone into traffic. Now, there certainly is something to be said about the value of the precedent and/or formula. I’m not saying that it should be completely thrown out, just that there’s room to breathe and tweak within it. What if the person on the other end of the line actually spoke to you with a...
by Voyage | Mar 12, 2011 | Uncategorized
3 WAYS TO BREAK INTO LONG FORM by Kathleen McLaughlin Whether the goal is to spearhead big studio tent-poles or helm smaller independents, the time has never been better for directors to take control of the creative process and forge their own careers. Enterprising auteurs are turning out terrific work on the Internet and while film school is still a gateway to a career as a feature film director, it is no longer the only, or even the best path to a career in feature films. Here are just a few other ways to start making it happen. Create a product As a director you’re looking for someone to take a chance on you, but if you write a killer script you’ve also got a product to sell. With studio development budgets slashed and indies looking for go projects, if you want to be a director, do what the screenwriters’ do: develop your own material and create a some great material. Read screenplays; find a book or graphic novel, flesh out your own ideas. Alfred Hitchcock used to say that once he’d finished developing the screenplay he didn’t need to shoot because he’d already made the film. Like Hitchcock, find a story you love, “direct it on paper” and give them the confidence that they can’t see anyone else doing the job but you. If you’re not a writer…don’t Okay, you’ve got a great idea but you discover you’re just not a screenwriter. The truth is that the bar is set higher for a screenplay written by a director. If the idea is great but the execution isn’t they...
