Greenlit Developing Factual/Reality TV Ideas from Concept to Pitch

by Lees, Nicola

• ISBN13: 9781408122679
• ISBN10: 1408122677
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-11-15
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama

Summary

Over the last twenty years there has been an explosion of broadcast and cable channels with a desperate need for original factual/reality programming to fill their schedules - documentaries, observational series, makeover formats, reality competitions, celebrity-led journeys. Television executives receive a daily avalanche of inappropriate and badly prepared pitches from aspiring producers and, on average, give only 1 in 100 more than a few seconds of attention with most never readng past the first paragraph. Greenlit is the insider's guide to develop, research, pitch and sell your idea for any type of factual or reality television show. Topics include: What media executives are really looking for in a pitch; The life stories of hit factual shows such as The Apprentice, Deadliest Catch and Strictly Come Dancing; advice from channel executives, development producers and on-screen talent on both sides of the Atlantic; Eleven steps that will increase your chance of getting a green light on a project. In a rapidly expanding TV market, Greenlit is packed with the information, advice and tips to make it THE book on every television producer's desk. "Regardless of whether you're a producer or a buyer, you'll come away with a clear understanding of the steps necessary to get a program on the air. If every first-time producer read this before pitching a program, I guarantee a greater success rate...There is no book like this one...and it's much needed...in (academia and) the library of everyone in TV."--Gary Lico, President/CEO, The Companies of CABLEready, USA "Nicola Lees does a great and thorough job of capturing the in and outs of the TV business. A ‘must have' of the industry."--Fernanda Rossi, story consultant and author of Trailer Mechanics: A Guide to Making your Documentary Fundrasing Demo "To organize so much information and life experience into a book is pretty outrageous, daunting and insanely inspiring."--Natalia Quintana, Producer / Director "Getting that elusive green light really does start here. You won't find a better or more complete guide than Nicola Lees' excellent book."--Julian D. Hoxter, Assistant Professor of Screenwriting, San Francisco State University "There's more skill in this one book than any one person could master in about 20 years of work experience."--Elle Tracy, Screenwriter

Author Biography

Nicola Lees is a successful TV producer and editor at TVMole.com.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. vi
List of Illustrations	p. ix
Style Note	p. x
Introduction	p. 1
Welcome to Development Hell (A.K.A. What the Hell Is Development?)	p. 11
Do You Have What It Takes?	p. 17
Understanding the TV Landscape	p. 34
Generating Ideas	p. 57
Developing an Idea	p. 90
Considering Multiplatform Content	p. 133
Writing a Killer Proposal	p. 158
Finding and Keeping Talent	p. 178
The Pitch Tape	p. 204
The Pitch	p. 226
Alternative Sources of Funding	p. 258
Getting the Greenlight	p. 280
Appendices
Reality Check-Idea Tick List	p. 300
Sample Budget Template	p. 301
Channel Budget Guide	p. 308
Glossary	p. 310
End Notes	p. 322
Select Bibliography	p. 333
Index	p. 336
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