Reality TV Questions Answered

It’s episode 80 of Producing Unscripted, and today we’re answering your reality tv questions. How to stay creatively motivated? Should you work with a distributor? What concerns change as you earn more success? What’s the best way for a new producer to sell a show? This and more…all thanks to YOUR questions.   Reality TV Questions You Asked Us Today Truth is…we were humbled–and overwhelmed–by the number of great questions members of our newsletter sent our way. So many, in fact, that we couldn’t possibly answer them all this time around. So, we picked those that seem to hit on common themes, and felt like ground we hadn’t covered in previous episodes. Creativity in Unscripted Television – and Hard Times Greg asks, What helps to boost your mind if you end up in a creative slump? To this, Biagio makes a very embarrassing admission, and we offer some real-world tips. Distributors and Credibility and Middle Men, Oh My! Beth hits us with two reality tv questions. Here’s her first: Is it better to sell your show directly to a network or a distribution company? Pros and Cons? If you did partner with a distribution company and they are pitching it to the network (for North America) is the deal less attractive to the network? Why? A very timely question, and aspects of what Beth is asking here affect us to this very day. We talk a lot about it, and then hop into her second question: Discuss the middle man! Most of your audience is a no name producer. They need a known entity to show credibility to the network or purchaser that the content ordered will be delivered on time. So most of us will partner with a middle man… right?  Are these entities production studios, well known names in entertainment, producer agents, distribution companies, investors?  Middle men! While we never thought of ourselves or the companies we worked for when we were starting out as “middle men” we understand the question — and possible underlying frustration many new producers may feel. We share our thoughts, feelings, and experiences on this one. Don’t Worry, Be Happy? And finally, Johnny asked one that made us laugh, sigh, and wish for simpler days: What are some things you used to worry about (in the early days) that don’t matter now? A great question, and the answer might surprise you. To hear us answer the above, and explore other reality TV questions, hit that giant PLAY button at the top of this page! Transcript Coming Soon! Helpful and Related Links * Budgets, Investors, and More — a MUST listen before you ever think about taking a dime from any investor, as Beth alluded to in her question above. * Pressure is a Privilege – some of the best advice we EVER received in this industry, and a podcast ep you might have missed. Give it a listen, especially in context of Johnny’s question above. * Survive Production: 7 Weird Tips Guaranteed to Save Your Sanity and Help Avoid Burnout – some of these will also help you stay creative when you’re feeling burnt, as per Greg’s question above. * Selling Reality TV: Your Questions Answered – another podcast driven by YOUR questions we put together last year. Advice still holds, enjoy!