Producing Unscripted: Make Reality TV Shows and Documentary Series with Joke and Biagio

Brian Speciale isn’t just special because of his name. Not only is he a great producer, but he used his producing skills to flip the script, get himself cast on a little show called Shark Tank, and score a huge deal. In fact, he’s on track to do $70,000,000 (yes, seventy-million dollars!) in sales this year. But today’s episode is much more than one man’s incredible story. It’s an inspirational look at using the producing or filmmaking skills you already have to think outside the box, find opportunities, and create success. Plus, you’ll go behind the scenes on the set of Shark Tank and learn what it’s like pitching under such pressure. Who knows? You might just go on to find your own fortune after listening to Brian… Brian Speciale: What A Producer Should Be Let’s be clear: meeting people like Brian Speciale is why we started this podcast and submission portal. We we’re introduced to him when he submitted a pitch with amazing video and great paper. He’d shot, produced, edited, sound mixed, you name it. He wasn’t just pitching ideas (you know how we feel about “ideas” – right?) He was pitching a real package based around unique access and huge characters. And we almost sold it. Almost. (In fact, we’re still actively trying to set it up, it’s a great project!) We’re continuing to team with Brian on several of his other pitches, and have our fingers crossed that one of them will go soon. Now, between producing his own TV show (more on that next month) and creating excellent pitches, Brian had an idea — and it would change his life. Shark Tank: What????? In 2017, Brian Speciale and his brother came up with an idea now known as the Comfy. It’s an oversized sweatshirt made of super-soft blanket material. Perfect to snuggle into on chilly evenings. (Biagio would have loved one of these back in Cleveland!) They’d never tried to create a product before, but felt this might be big. The brothers started the process of prototyping, something neither of them had done before. Brian then decided they had to go on Shark Tank, and aim for the Christmas episode. They found an open audition…and honestly, you’re just gonna have to listen to the podcast to hear the rest of the unbelievable but true story! We will say it involved hard work, passion, some fun filmmaking, and maybe a little Christmas jingle… Use The Skills You Have to Find Success Anywhere Brian also discusses how his skills as a television producer helped him transition to Shark Tank contestant and now, entrepreneur. From Brian you’ll learn about: * The grueling process of competing on Shark Tank * Overcoming rejection * Adapting skills you already have to the business world * How filmmaking skills helped Brian at every stage of his journey * How to stand out during casting sessions for unscripted television * And, if you’re lucky…Brian just might sing you a tune! Hit the giant PLAY button up top to hear it now. We hope you’re the next listener who finds their unique path to riches! Helpful and Related Links Want one of Brian’s COMFY’s? Get one here! (And no, that’s not an affiliate link, we just love Brian!) Brian teamed up with our company Joke Productions through this blog and podcast, Producing Unscripted. Check out this article from Real Screen to see where we cam...

Great titles…Survivor. Big Brother. The Curse of Oak Island. Say Yes to the Dress. Unmasking a Killer. These shows have catchy titles to help viewers… and network execs…understand what the show is all about. Today’s episode of Producing Unscripted is a deep-dive into choosing titles that help you, rather than hurt you, when developing your films, shows, or videos. We’ve got lots of practical advice and tips on thinking about, creating, and presenting titles that get attention. You’ll learn how to create titles for different kinds of buyers. We reveal the process we use to research and learn about appropriate titles for our own projects, so you can do the same. We give you four goals for every title you ever create. And finally, we share ten…count them ten…common title templates you can use to jumpstart your brainstorming process. While most of the examples we use are from unscripted television (no surprise if you’ve been around this site) these same concepts apply to creating titles for your film, novel, YouTube video…you name it. Listen now, and give yourself a giant head start when creating titles for your projects. Create Great Titles: The Big Picture To give you a simple roadmap, here are four goals to aim for with any title you create: * Clearly convey what kind of project you’re pitching * Inspire curiosity * Attract buyers (and eventually viewers) * Do it all concisely When someone hears or reads your title, you want them to instantly get a vibe for what you’re developing. If you’re pitching Deadliest Catch, we can guess it’s action-packed and laced with danger. It’s clearly meant for male-skewing networks along the lines of the History or Discovery network. On the other hand, if you’re pitching Say Yes to The Dress, we’re guessing it’s for female-skewing networks like Lifetime or WE. Make sure your title matches up with your vision of the project. Researching Titles Now that you have an idea of what you’re shooting for with your title creation sessions, it’s crucial to do your research. While not hard, many people skip this part, and it shows. You won’t make that mistake! Know Where To Look So how’s it work? You visit the websites of the TV networks you hope to pitch. Or, if you’re writing a screenplay, find successful titles in the genre you’re working in. That’s how you draw informed inspiration. Personally, we do this research every time we prep our pitches for TV networks. For instance, let’s have a look at some of the current titles on Lifetime: * Dance Moms * Married at First Sight * Marrying Millions * Cheerleader Generation * American Princess You get a sense that all those titles belong on that network. They all skew female, dealing with subjects like marriage, relationships, motherhood and style. Now, let’s take a look at what History Channel has going on: * The Curse of Oak Island * Mountain Men * Forged in Fire * The Curse of Civil War Gold Instantly, you can tell these are very different shows from those airing on Lifetime. Not Just for Unscripted TV To use a film example, let’s say you’re a screenwriter creating a title for a horror script. So visit the Blumhouse IMDB page and look at some of the movies they’ve put out in recent years: * Paranormal Activity * Insidious * The Purge * Happy Death Day

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so on this Producing Unscripted podcast episode we‘re discussing some of the more difficult aspects of working in the entertainment industry…especially on big productions. Anybody who‘s been around it for more than five minutes knows showbiz is an incredibly tough trade to compete in. Pressure is high, and the stakes are, too. Through pop culture we do occasionally hear about the stresses of life in front of the camera. But it’s rare we hear about how those behind the camera stay mentally healthy. In a departure from our usual episodes, we wanted to bring some of these topics to light and share how we do our best to remain happy and healthy during the most stressful of times. We hope these tips help you, or that you‘re inspired to find your own techniques for achieving stability. All that matters is that you find your way to handle the pressures of this industry.  Warning: We Aren’t Mental Health Experts Before we dive in, let’s remind everyone that we are not licensed health professionals. We urge anybody struggling with their mental health to take action. You can find some guidance here.   The methods we‘ve used to get through the tough times may not help you. Everyone is different. That being said, we have worked in this industry in some form or another for 20 years. So on today’s podcast episode we‘re opening up about how we‘ve managed the ups and downs. We hope there are a few nuggets here you find helpful. Talk With Someone One of the most important parts of any production is communication. That‘s how you make sure you’re on the same page as your team members, work through difficult production problems, and deal with the physical exhaustion that comes with making a film or TV show.  But more than just discussing the logistics and fatigue that are part and parcel to this job, you also have to communicate your emotions when appropriate and needed.  That’s not always easy to do, and it’s not always easy to know who you should talk to.  The Right Person at the Right Time One difficulty we’ve run into over the years is that once you get exhausted, stressed out, and overworked, it’s hard to tell a real problem from what’s simply a side effect of the rigors of production. So it’s good to have someone to vent to who you trust before deciding if something needs to be dealt with further.   The two of us are very lucky to have each other in that role. A lot of times we’ll have a venting session, and when we‘re done, we realize we’re just dealing with the stress of it all, and not facing any real issues.  But sometimes, those venting sessions reveal a bigger problem. Then you need to communicate that to the right people, whether a co-worker, supervisor, or other executive. As the “bosses” and owners of our company Joke Productions, we do our best to maintain a healthy and safe work environment. If anyone is having an issue that requires more than venting, we want them to feel comfortable enough to speak up. And that’s not just us. You’ll find most companies in the industry welcome your concerns.  It’s always better to talk to someone than to let yourself crash and burn…even if the problem is not immediately fixable. A Team Effort In production, staying mentally healthy has to be a team effort. Try to surround yourself with the right people when you can (we know it’s not always possible). When you need to take a step back and take care of yourself, ask for the help you need from your friends and co-workers. Trust that your peers will be there to help you. It’s Just TV Yes, the entertainment industry is stressful.

We remember when we were just starting out in the industry. Didn’t know anyone. Couldn’t get a meeting. But…we thought we knew everything! Turns out, like a lot of new producers, we were pitching the worst kinds of projects to launch our careers. Now, years later, receiving hundreds of unscripted television pitches ourselves, we see the same mistakes we made way back when. So today our goal is to save you a ton of time, headaches, and heartaches. We’re telling you the three worst kinds of shows for new producers to pitch. But…we also tell you when you might want to ignore this advice, and offer tips for what you should spend your time on, so you don‘t waste it. New Producers: The Right Mindset As you know from over five years of podcasts, ideas are not enough. It‘s all about your package – that presentation you put together that proves you have unique access to a real person, place, or thing.  When we receive pitches for Joke Productions via the Producing Unscripted portal, the most common mistake we see is new producers ignoring this advice. For instance, some will pitch a big music competition show concept, but have no connections to the music industry. You’re not gonna sell the next Voice if you don’t have someone as big as Gwen Stefani attached. Networks and production companies will not help new producers meet those people. Our own competition show Scream Queens would have never been made if Lionsgate hadn’t put up a role in SAW – a world-wide release – as the grand prize. Otherwise, it was just a pitch about actresses competing for a role, just an idea. Another example is someone who pitches a celebrity based show (“it’s a new show with Jennifer Lawrence!”) but has absolutely no connection to the person they are pitching. Remember, you can‘t pitch what you don’t have. One other kind of show that gets over-pitched is the “we‘re a new startup company!” Unfortunately, if you have access to a brand new company who is just starting out, networks won’t bite. For a business startup show to work, that business can’t run out of someone’s living room. There must already be major factors in place to make the company extraordinary. That might be a billion dollar investment from Silicon Valley, a true celebrity who’s come on board as a partner, or a business that’s so unique it already has real momentum. (By real momentum, we mean many people know the company exists, that they‘re already in the public eye.) Use These Tips to Save Yourself Time and Trouble We hope you use the tips here and in today‘s podcast ep to save yourself time and energy when developing new show concepts and assembling your packages. Whether you pitch to us, or anyone else, you’ll have a leg up if you‘re not the newbie pitching the wrong kind of show. Just some of what we cover today: * Why some types shows are totally wrong for new producers to pitch * Our own mistakes when we were starting out * How to assess if your concept and package could be valuable * Big newbie mistakes you should avoid * Spending your valuable time wisely * …and lots more! Hit that giant PLAY button above and you’ll never make a newbie pitch mistake…ever! Helpful and Related Links

Are you a producer? Or do you see yourself as on-camera talent? Either way, it’s important to realize the challenges and realities of becoming a TV personality. Pat Postiglione is in the throws of that journey right now. He’s the star and host of the new Investigation Discovery series Deadly Recall – something he still can’t believe. Pat never even considered working in television during his 25+ years as a homicide detective in Nashville. Now, he’s appearing on shows like Dr. Oz, popping up in media everywhere, and carrying a highly rated new TV series for a top cable network. What’s it like? How has life changed? What should producers know when working with first-time talent? And what should potential on-camera talent know about what it’s really like to step into the spotlight? Today, we explore it all in an in-depth conversation, and give behind-the-scenes info to help you in your career…whether you’re a producer or on-camera talent. Pat Postiglione Never Chased Television In past episodes, there’s one thing we’ve always preched. TV shows built around real people require great unscripted characters whose primary goal is NOT television, but rather is working at a high level in their field. In other words, some of the best unscripted television characters are real people who care more about their job or mission in life than they do about stardom. That is Pat Postiglione in a nutshell. For over two decades he helped solve hundreds of homicides in Nashville. Known for his photographic memory (which, by the way, was the second hook of Deadly Recall) Pat never forgot one clue, never forgot one grieving family member who needed his help. Deadly Recall – A Long Time In The Making As Pat discusses today, getting the series on air was a long journey. Not only in the time it took to go from pitch tape to TV series, but even after the series was ordered. The show was first hinted at in the Joke Productions RealScreen Article all the way back in July of 2018 (where we couldn’t yet say what the show was). So you can see that even once we knew we had a series, it was a long trek to air. Now, you can catch Deadly Recall on Investigation Discovery Wednesday nights at 10pm, or anytime on the Investigation Discovery IDGo app. Today we’re having an honest conversation with Pat Postiglione, and he’s an open book. Pat shares the entire journey from homicide detective to TV personality…and all the surprises in between. Just some of what we cover today: * How Pat felt about the development process before the show sold * The long journey from pitch tape to TV series * How Pat’s life has changed since Deadly Recall started airing * Handling media appearances * Stepping onto set for the first time * Dealing with crews, cameras, and the filmmaking process * What was important to Pat when it came to making this series * Dealing with the pressure of carrying a TV series * …and lots more! Hit that giant PLAY button above to listen now to an honest conversation about the unscripted TV business, stardom, and what you need to know. Helpful and Related Links Our must-listen episode on second hooks (for Deadly Recall it was Pat’s photographic memory.) Here’s a deep dive on how second hooks work.

If you’ve ever wondered about building a true crime series around a real police detective, today’s episode is for you. We’re sharing everything you need to know, broken down in five easily-digestible tips. What kind of detectives? Which cases to pitch? How do you know if your detective can sustain a series? We’re giving away everything we know. Plus, what you can learn from the behind the scenes of our new Investigation Discovery series Deadly Recall. What Networks Want From You When Pitching These Concepts There’s a lot of reasons why networks pass on potential shows built around detectives. Do they have the right kind of cases? Have they solved enough of them? Are they great on camera? The list goes on. To set up our new Joke Productions TV series Deadly Recall, we needed to make sure we had every single list item nailed down. Today we’re sharing everything we know and learned along the way. Just some of what we cover today: * The qualities every detective you pitch must have * Why some cases work for TV, and some don’t * What’s a “solve rate” and why is it important? * The process of pitching cases to the network * Why you need to know about “overlap checks” * Being sensitive and only telling stories that should be told * And…Why Biagio is turning into his Grandmother Hit that giant PLAY button above to listen now! Deadly Recall in Deadline Hollywood We were very pleased that Deadline Hollywood covered the news of our new series. Here’s a bit about what they had to say: The Discovery-owned cable network will air Deadly Recall on March 5. It will follow Detective Pat Postiglione, who remembers every single detail of the crimes that he’s tasked to solve. With over 25 years of experience as a Nashville homicide detective, Det. Postiglione has seen hundreds of crimes scenes, and he remembers each as if it happened yesterday. The series is produced by Joke Productions, the company behind CNN’s true crime series Unmasking A Killer, which told the story of the Golden State Killer. Joke Fincioen, Biagio Messina and Jeff Kuntz are executive producers. Alongside Investigation Discovery’s Tim Baney is executive producer. An Incredible Series to Make Deadly Recall would not be possible without the amazing Pat Postiglione. A Nashville Detective for over 25 years, he helped solve hundreds of homicide cases in a very unique way. Pat has a photographic memory, and never forgets a single detail of a crime scene or suspect interview. But it’s a blessing and a curse. Pat’s happy he’s been able to use his gift to bring justice to grieving families. On the other hand, every victim’s face, every gruesome crime scene, live on in Pat’s mind. It can be a heavy burden to bear. See for yourself. Check out Deadly Recall on Tuesday, March 5 on Investigation Discovery. Helpful and Related Links Yet again today we talk about the importance of second hooks (for Deadly Recall it was that Pat had a photographic memory.) Here’s a deep dive on how second hooks work. Alexis Linkletter, true crime journalist and TV producer, discusses all aspects of casting true crime. Todd Lindsey discusses teaming up with us on our CNN/HLN series Unmasking a Killer, and describes the journey from his initial concept to hit TV show.

Today’s episode is coming to you straight from the waiting area of the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport! Why? Because we just attended RealScreen 2019, and we’ve got some stuff to share. What is the RealScreen Summit? Well, according to their site: The Realscreen Summit is the definitive global market and conference for the business of unscripted and non-fiction entertainment. That’s a fancy way of saying a lot of big players in the unscripted industry are there. As well as lots of new and aspiring producers hoping to connect with working professionals. There are panels with industry experts, great speakers, and lots to learn. Plus, tons of networking and parties. Since we know many of you couldn’t make it, we’ve pulled together our top three takeaways from RealScreen 2019, plus some totally honest observations and a little emotional support for all you creatives. RealScreen 2019 Summit It was a great year for RealScreen. Set against the French Quarter in New Orleans, this summit had a little more of a casual vibe. That lead to some great networking. Lots of good restaurants were in walking distance, and in general we saw a lot more executives out and having fun. We’ve been to a handful of RealScreen summits over the last six years. And of course, we were flattered (so maybe a little biased) when RealScreen covered us in this Joke Productions story. It’s a good organization that works hard to support our industry. But it’s a lot to navigate. Many new producers are there for the sole reason of pitching their projects. A lot of production company owners are there hearing those pitches (we heard quite a few.) Attendees are also there to learn from the in-depth panels. There’s a lot of action to juggle, but it’s worth it. That said, because it can be expensive (over $1000 to attend, not including hotel and travel) a lot of people just can’t make it. So in this episode we’re sharing some RealScreen “behind the scenes” info, and our top three takeaways from the summit. Some of what we cover today: * How things are (and aren’t) changing in the industry. * The curse of positive feedback (sometimes, not always) * Why some pitches are dismissed out of hand, even if they’re great * What role production companies play in new producers’ careers * Two of our TV projects airing in the next month * And…a very controversial statement from Joke about a favorite New Orleans dessert! Click that giant “Play” button at the top of the page to listen now, and get your 2019 underway with a bang! Helpful and Related Links At RealScreen and other events, you can pay an admission fee, which gives you access to pitch to many people in one day. Is it worth it? How do you make the most of it? We share it all here: Pitch Fests: Should You Pay to Pitch? 4 Rock Solid Rules for Pitch Fests. All about how our company, Joke Productions, works with Producing Unscripted to find and team with new filmmakers and talent (We met with many of you at this year’s RealScreen! Thanks to those who took the time to reach out.) Reach out to us on Twitter! We try to respond regularly, and have actually met a lot of good people there. Let’s Make some TV Together Looking to become a TV producer? Pitch your own projects? Thinking about pitching to us and our company

Happy Holidays from Producing Unscripted! ’Tis the season to be jolly, and if you asked Santa for a new episode of Producing Unscripted, you’re in luck! Today we share some important stocking stuffers with you – three Hollywood tips to make the most of the season. We cover everything under the tree, from important industry advice, to how to keep busy when you aren’t in production. So grab some hot chocolate, start up the fire and get ready for our last podcast of 2018! The Reason for the Season It’s important, especially during the holidays, to go into every production with the right attitude. No matter how long you’ve been in the industry, working hard and getting the job done is a constant must. With every job you take you’re building your career. More importantly, you’re building relationships. We always talk about paying your dues and working your way up the ladder. None of that can be done without creating meaningful bonds with others in the field. The holidays provide lots of opportunities to strengthen those bonds, and reconnect with people who can help you. Another important thing, especially during this time of year, is having a penchant for gratitude, not attitude (even for us!) So, take this season of giving and remember to work hard, treat other crew members with respect, learn new things, and most importantly, have fun! We are making TV after all. Christmas in Tinseltown During the holidays, you’ll find a lot of holly in HOLLYwood, and we’re not talking about the Christmas tree atop Capital Records. Sure, there’s the hustle and bustle that goes with the season. But…this is also the time when people find it the hardest to book work. We have some advice for those stretches when the jobs aren’t coming. Don’t worry…the holiday parties won’t stop. Holly, Jolly Homework Home for the holidays and already hiding from your family? Or just hiding from the cold weather? (More reason to move to LA!) Take advantage of the downtime. It’s been our little trick for years. For the two of us, it’s one of our most productive times. Why? This, more than any other time of year, is the time to study up and do some research. If you play it right, you can turbo-charge your career. We share what to study and how to watch TV like a producer. Plus, some life advice about communicating with your family during this time of year…especially if you’re working. Click that giant “Play” button at the top of the page to listen now! That’s a Wrap! We had such a wild 2018. Thank you for joining us by listening to the Producing Unscripted podcast. Many of you even pitched projects to us at Joke Productions. Be sure to stay tuned in 2019 for more episodes, tips, and fun. Happy Holidays! Joke and Biagio Helpful and Related Links More fun life tips to get you through production, especially during the holidays: Surviving Produduction: 7 Tips to Avoid Burnout and Save Your Sanity. All about how our company, Joke Productions, works with Producing Unscripted to find and team with new filmmakers and talent. Connect with us on Twitter! Let’s Make some TV Together Looking to become a TV producer? Pitch your own projects? Thinking about pitching to us and our company Joke Productions? Here’s what you need to know:

It’s Halloween…and do we have a treat for you. A spooky treat that is! This week we cover all things paranormal. Ghost shows, alien shows, psychic shows…they’ve been a staple of television for years. But how can you make your paranormal pitch stand out? What are the pitfalls to avoid, and the mistakes we see most often when people pitch this genre? Which missteps scare network execs off? How to do make a network scream (with excitement) for your pitch? Get ready for some scary facts about pitching paranormal projects! Creeping It Real Paranormal shows are cyclical. That means sometimes networks can’t get enough of the great beyond. Other times, these pitches are just too scary a proposition for network execs. Right now, paranormal isn’t as hot as it was four years ago…but it’s far from dead and (we hear) making a comeback. Some networks considering other-worldly pitches at the moment are: * Travel Channel * SyFy * Discovery * TLC * Lifetime * E! Even if the genre isn’t smoking hot at any given moment, the right pitch will always get networks excited. If you listen to our advice, that show might be yours. If You’ve Got It, Haunt It! The secret potion to creating a great paranormal pitch and show is not unlike most other shows on TV. You need: * an incredible and unique character, or group of characters * a format that’s completely new and interesting * a first and second hook to keep people watching We’re not tricking you, it’s a lot of hard work! There are many pitfalls (which we share today.) But once you have the right ingredients, a TV network might say the magic words to put your show on the air. Pitching Paranormal Shows – All The Scary Facts Obviously, this genre has enjoyed lots of popularity on television over the years. If it’s not hot right now, you can bet it’ll be back tomorrow. So today we give you all the proper ghouls…er, we mean tools…to pitch paranormal! In this episode, we’ll cover: * The ghosts of paranormal past – what shows have found success in the space? Why? * Finding the right “witch or warlock” for your show – why you need a unique character * How to hook your viewers – both figuratively and literally (It is Halloween after all…) * The ghosts of paranormal future – what can make your show the next spooky hit on TV? * The hardest part about pitching shows in this genre * The secret spell to getting your show on a network – how to know who’s watching and what networks want * Plus…way too many Halloween puns from Biagio! Click that giant “Play” button at the top of the page to listen now! Helpful and Related Links How our own spooky show Ghost Inside My Child came together (pitched to us by new producer Suzanne Stratford), plus many other success stories. The bewitching pilot we shot for Oxygen with Joey and Natalie, Sister Witches. (Also discussed on our Success Stories page.) All about how our company, Joke Productions, works with Producing Unscripted to team with new filmmakers and talent. Want to create a “boo-tiful” second hook for your paranormal pitch? Head over to episode 27 and learn all about

We travelled the streets of Los Angeles for the 109th episode of Producing Unscripted. Well, we went a couple of exits down the 101, where we met with this week’s guest, the multitalented Roger Nygard. Roger has edited on many highly acclaimed television series, including Grey’s Anatomy, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Veep (for which he’s earned an Emmy nomination). He’s also a successful documentarian, with box office hits like Trekkies. Plus, his upcoming doc, The Truth About Marriage premieres soon. He took time to discuss all of this and more when we stopped by his office at the Paramount Studios lot in Hollywood. Today, the excellent Roger Nygard shares priceless tips and advice to help you in your career…whatever path it takes.. Roger Nygard: Living the Dream in Both Scripted and Unscripted Roger is living the life many people in the industry strive for their whole career. He’s successfully working in both scripted and unscripted. Most of the time, he’s editing scripted television, crafting some of today’s most popular TV shows. On the flip side, whenever he’s not up to his ears in footage, he’s travelling around the world, directing, producing, and editing feature-length documentaries. Climbing The Ladder: How Roger Helped Us Roger provided incredible advice that helped shape our careers. When we finished our 2011 documentary, Dying to Do Letterman (which you can watch right now on Amazon), Roger agreed to have dinner with us. He shared his film festival knowledge over the meal. He also encouraged us to submit our doc to Cinequest, a film festival in San Jose. We hadn’t heard of it, but Roger thought it would be a great fit, and said it was an amazing fest. He was right. Our film screened at and won the festival, both the Grand Jury and Audience Award. That led to more festivals, more awards, a theatrical release, distribution, and ultimately, the success of the documentary. Clearly, Roger knows what he’s talking about, and he’s not afraid to support those new to the industry. In fact, in this episode, you’ll hear him talk about the importance of helping people climb the ladder in our industry. Like he did for us. (And we hope to do for you one day.) The Truth About Marriage Roger tackles huge concepts in his films. What better way to follow up his last documentary, The Nature of Existence, than to investigate the deepest secrets of marriage? Today, Roger shares the inside scoop behind his process. How did he deal with a huge topic like marriage? Plus, some of the amazing things he learned along the way. Check out The Truth About Marriage trailer from Roger’s Vimeo Channel below: "The Truth About Marriage" – TRAILER from Roger Nygard on Vimeo. Tons of Great Advice from Roger Nygard Just some of what we discuss today: * How Roger started making movies * Why Roger passed on film school * Saying “yes” to opportunity * How Roger learned to make documentaries * Crossing over from Scripted and Unscripted and back again * How Trekkies sold for 1.25 million dollars * How to keep viewers engaged * Concept documentaries versus character based docs * The Documentarian’s question * How to approach a huge topic like marriage * New avenues for docs * The politics of film festivals * Your chances of getting into big film festivals * And…last but not least…why Biagio’s taking a much cl...

Jon Kroll is the man behind some of your favorite unscripted television shows. From Big Brother to The Amazing Race, he’s been in the industry for over 25 years. He’s here today to share his secrets to success and amazing career advice. Like the students he teaches in the Peter Stark Producing Program at USC, you will learn so much from Jon today. Just like we did when he guest-lectured at a course we took, back when were were trying to break in the industry. Jon shares his his take on how to find a great character, the must haves of every pitch, and what NOT to do to break into Hollywood. Plus, behind the scenes stories from his newest show on CBS, Pink Collar Crimes. Success Secrets From a Total Pro, Jon Kroll Jon Kroll has done it all. He’s an Emmy award winner for his work on The Amazing Race. Jon continues to develop and produce acclaimed TV shows. At the same time, he teaches at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. Jon was one of the first people we met when we were breaking into the industry years ago, and we’re thrilled to have him for you today. With so much experience under his belt, we knew Jon would have some great take-aways for you. And he delivered! Just some of his top tidbits from today’s episode: * Working with some of the youngest and brightest in the industry at USC * How to find and work with the biggest and best TV characters. Like Joke’s favorite, Dr. Will Kirby from Big Brother 2 * Pitch must haves, plus how Jon puts together his own materials. * What do The Jinx, Desperate Housewives, and I, Tonya have in common? * Breaking into Hollywood DO NOTs, a list that spans longer than the DOs. * Turning your Hollywood break into a long-term career – the secret you need to know! * And…Pink Collar Crimes on CBS – an exciting true crime docuseries with no violence and the perfect amount of Marcia Clark. Helpful and Related Links In case you’ve never seen one of the most infamous reality TV characters of all time, here’s The Best of Dr. Will Kirby on Big Brother 2 Jon’s new show Pink Collar Crimes on CBS Follow Jon on Twitter and Instagram Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Let’s Make Some TV Together Are you looking to pitch your own unscripted television project, true crime documentary series or reality TV show? Maybe you have the next great family-based docuseries? Want us to take a look? Here’s what to do next:

It’s time for Episode 107! And to celebrate, we’re taking you all the way back to Episode 6 (ah, so long ago.) Pitches come in every day framed as family-centered docuseries. How can you make yours stand out? We checked our own advice, looking back at the six traits that Reality TV characters must have to be pitch-ready. How do these traits translate to the real world when pitching family-based shows? Well, to help answer that, we’re taking a look at one of the most successful family-based TV shows of all time. Today, we explore how the cast of Keeping Up with the Kardashians exemplifies each trait. But we also explain that a family doesn’t need to be rich and famous to carry at TV Show. Everything you want to know about pitching the family-based docuseries is here…including where you can see the ORIGINAL pitch tape that sold Keeping Up with the Kardashians! TV Shows Need Great Families and Great Hooks The industry sees plenty of families pitched as “the next Kardashians” (we get these at least a few times a week.) This is usually not helpful, and, honestly, inaccurate. Because no one should pitch “the next Kardashians” – they should pitch families who are “the next big thing.” But in doing so, you have to be able to articulate exactly why a family is ready for a mass audience. What is your second hook? What is your story engine? Fact is, few people realize what makes the Kardashians a TV show. Sure, you’ve got drama and interesting characters. But there’s also businesses and celebrities and long backstories revealing how the family got to where they are today. All amazing aspects that make for great television over the past 11 years. That said, when pitching these kinds of docuseries, families don’t have to be celebrities or “celeb-adjacent.” So what makes a new family TV worthy? Six Traits of Successful TV Characters – Including The Kardashians Way back in episode 6, we told you about the six must-have traits of reality TV characters: * They’re unique * These characters bring an extraordinary perspective to the ordinary * The character is someone you can build trust with * They don’t self-censor * They’re not in it for the money * They fit somewhere on the TV landscape So how do the Kardashians meet these six requirements? And how can families you pitch stand out by focussing on these six traits? Some of what we discuss today: * Who are the Kardashians (in case you’ve been living under a rock!) * What makes the Kardashians stand out among other families vying for Reality TV real estate * Where to find story engine inspiration for your family centered docuseries * What exactly is a “Momager” (Biagio had no idea) * How you can watch the original pitch tape that sold the show to E! in 2007 (you never see these!) * And…Where you can read about the early days and wild ride that lead to our company, Joke Productions Press that giant “Play” button at the top of the page, and learn everything you need to know about pitching family-based docuseries and reality shows. Helpful and Related Links Read about the wild journey that lead to our company, Joke Productions in this month’s Realscreen magazine, including a shocking admission from Biagio! (Hint, has to do with how the company got its name.)

When you’re pitching a project, whether to us or anyone else, you’ll be sending a cover letter (or providing information) to briefly explain what the project is about. Unfortunately, this is where many newcomers go wrong. There are certain statements that both we and our network executive friends have read from numerous people on multiple occasions – and none of them help the pitch. In most cases, they hurt it. So today we’re going to share the three most prevalent mistakes we see on a regular basis. By not making these mistakes, you’ll give yourself a better shot at success, no matter who you’re pitching to or what kind of project you’re presenting. I Want to Be Anthony Bourdain Quick side note: as you probably know, Anthony Bourdain, an unscripted TV legend, is no longer with us. He helped define our industry, and seemed to be living an amazing life. So much so, in fact, that a huge number of the pitches we receive reference him. It shows how much of a mark he made, and how alluring his life seemed to so many of us. While we didn’t work with him directly, we had many friends and associates who did. We’re all deeply saddened by the loss. What Not to Write in a Cover Letter Today’s podcast episode goes in depth on the top three pitch mistakes we see over and over again in cover letters. We tell you what not to say, but more importantly, what to say instead. Some of what we cover today: * Cover letters come in different forms * Things you should never say in a cover letter * Common mistakes and how to avoid them * How high to “set your bar” * The problem with comparing yourself or your talent to other people * And remembering Anthony Bourdain Press that giant “Play” button at the top of the page, and you’ll be sure to never stick your foot in your mouth when writing your cover letter. Helpful and Related Links Check out our two free ebooks, How to Pitch a Realty Show, and Unscripted Television: 100 Tips for Breaking in and Career Success Let’s Make Some TV Together Are you looking to pitch your own unscripted television project, true crime documentary series or reality TV show? Ready to avoid cover letter mistakes and pitch to us? Here’s what to do next:

Marc Jackson says he feels like he’s living his dream. A retired police officer, Marc wanted to start a new career in filmmaking and TV production – but had no production experience. Like many of you, Marc discovered the Producing Unscripted podcast and this site. He trusted us with his concept, pitched it through our portal, and we developed it together. We’ve now set it up as a television pilot at a major cable network. Marc’s earning his first producer credit and jumping in the deep end of television production. Today we break down everything Marc did right, what it’s like to finally have your first TV project, and tips you can use to do the same. Marc Jackson – Turning Retirement Into a New Career We’ve said many times, like in this post, that no matter who you are, there’s a way to break into unscripted television. Marc is a great example of someone with no connections to the industry who has made all the right moves. He’s now getting his first producer credit on a TV pilot for a major cable network (stay tuned for when we can say more!) After discovering this site, Marc pitched us several show concepts. It was clear he was creative and enthusiastic about unscripted, but, for various reasons, we passed on his early projects. He did not give up. Now, nearly four years later, we’ve teamed up, collaborating, and making a TV pilot together. Listen Now to Our Conversation with Marc Jackson Hit that giant play button at the top of the page now. It’s an honest conversation about the journey from concept to pilot, what it’s really like for a new producer in this business, and what Marc did right to get our attention. Helpful and Related Links * This episode we did with Abra Chouinard in January details the pitch process from a new producer’s point of view. Excited to tell you…we’ve now set her project up as TV pilot at a major cable network. Stay tuned for more. * Our recent episode with Todd Lindsey about the TV series we made together, Unmasking a Killer. Todd trusted us with his ten year passion project, and together we turned it into a TV series for CNN and HLN. BTW, stream it free anytime on CNNgo! * Check out the official Unmasking A Killer podcast we did for CNN and HLN. The newest episode is the one we did right after the Golden State Killer was caught. Let’s Make Some TV Together Are you looking to pitch your own unscripted television project, true crime documentary series or reality TV show? Think you might want to pitch to us? Here’s what to do next:

Jon Collins has been working in unscripted television for nearly 20 years. He started as a tape logger on the first season of HBO’s Project Greenlight. His credits include The Bachelor and Bacheloette, Project Runway, and House Hunters, just to name a few. And he’s worked on shows at MTV, TLC, E!, HGTV – the list goes on and on. Today, Jon shares the kind of advice that can only be garnered from two decades of experience. From dealing with the notes process, to putting together story in post, shaping a season of television…and so much more. If you are thinking of a career in unscripted television, this episode is a much listen. Jon Collins has a Great Sense of Humor We, like a lot of people, first discovered Jon through his blog at Jeez Jon. There, he takes beloved movies, and gives them a “round of reality TV network notes” as only he can. The first “notes session” we saw was If La La Land got a Round of Reality TV Network Notes. Months later we’re still laughing about it. Jon Collins also started the Notes Notes Notes podcast. There, he puts his Second City training to good use, brining these notes sessions to life as if they’re given over a speaker phone to befuddled producers. It’s sketch comedy and it’s very well acted. Here’s one he did on Raiders of the Lost Ark. Jon Collins: Years of Experience You can’t spend almost twenty years in the trenches without amassing a wealth of knowledge. As a result, John is here today with spot-on, real life tips and advice you won’t find anywhere else. Plus, some “inside baseball” that raraely gets discussed outside the industry. Listen Now Hit that giant play button at the top of the page now. It’s an in-depth and informative conversation about piecing together story in the worlds of unscripted television, documentary series, and reality TV. Helpful and Related Links Check out the Jeez Jon blog for a hilarious look at what happens when notes go wrong. Find Jon Collins on Twitter, and while you’re there, connect with us @JokeAndBiagio, too!. Let’s Make Some TV Together Are you looking to pitch your own unscripted TV project, true crime documentary series or reality TV show? Think you might want to pitch to us? Here’s what to do next: