Producing Unscripted Reviews and Testimonials

This page features Producing Unscripted reviews and testimonials. There are also some kind words about Joke Productions and Joke and Biagio. They come from people we’ve worked with, teamed with, or are professionally associated with.

Some words from people we’ve worked with:

James Gunn – director, Guardians of the Galaxy, Super, Slither

Host – VH1’s Scream Queens

In this world, there are few things more important than aligning yourself with folks you love and respect.  I cannot stress enough, the greatness of Joke and Biagio, the creators and Executive Producers. The atmosphere of a set almost always trickles down from the top, and Joke and Biagio made the show an absolute joy to work on. Every time I had a problem, they were there listening and doing their best to make me comfortable…The crew…and all those I don’t have space to mention here…were awesome. They made me want to stay out of fictional storytelling forever. Either that, or bring them all with me.

Quoted from the article in MovieMaker Magazine

Travis Bible – Co-Executive Producer

MTV’s Caged

Throughout the entire process, they were great to work with and we all shared a vision of what the show should be. They saw that I wasn’t just interested in some fancy credits and a little extra cash, but wanted to be involved in all aspects of the show. After proving I could handle it on the pilot, I took on a full Co-Executive Producer role. They always respected my opinion, and it was great being able to collaborate from pre-production through post. In the end, Caged is the most creatively satisfying project I’ve ever worked on and a large part of that is because of Joke and Biagio.

Troy DeVolld – Television Producer, Best Selling Author

The Osbournes, The Surreal Life, Dancing With the Stars
Author, Reality TV: An Insider’s Guide to Television’s Hottest Market

I wish I could tell you how many aspiring reality pros I’ve directed to Joke and Biagio’s website and podcast. They’re a tremendous resource for anyone looking to break into reality, and I say that as someone who’s been working in the business for quite a while. Helpful, straightforward, and cool. Take a listen.

Todd Lindsey – True Crime Producer

Unmasking a Killer, Three Days to Live, She Made Me Do It

Joke and Biagio will treat your passion project with compassion and respect. Plus the expertise and level of care only they can bring. Unmasking a Killer wouldn’t have happened without them. You’ll not get the same dedication elsewhere that you will from Joke and Biagio and Joke Productions.

They have a dedication to their team that you just don’t get at other companies…trust me on that. If you’re thinking about pitching a project to them through Producing Unscripted, do it. Joke and Biagio are extremely trustworthy, and extremely competent. Take the time to listen to what they have to say on the podcast, and don’t be afraid to pitch to Joke Productions.

Paul Croce – Television Development Executive

VH1, TLC

Joke and Biagio and the Producing Unscripted podcast have long provided an honest POV to anyone trying to crack the unscripted code, and they are two of the kindest people in the business.

Abra Chouinard – New Producer

Producing Unscripted is simply amazing. Between the podcasts, step-by-step guides, and the fact that all of the information is available at NO COST, makes this a ‘go-to’ resource for all aspiring unscripted creators. The information is highly detailed, basically a FREE film production class that will get you to produce results on paper and tape. A refreshing element, there is no sugar coating of anything, and after all, it is called show”biz” not show”friends”.

The litmus test to check your work lets you know if your idea is making the grade. Pitching to Producing Unscripted was a really fun and neat experience that generated a lot of personal growth for me as a creator. With the process of doing your homework, in the end, you will have a finished pitch. When you submit your project, they will read your submission. If your idea is something they are willing to jump on board with, then you have just begun your unscripted filmmaking career with veteran unscripted producers! That is remarkable. You will grow as a producer, as a filmmaker, and you will grow as a creator.

Working with Joke Productions has been a game changer for me. Let me sum it up: no egos, no business politics and no B.S. Joke & Biagio are extremely professional while still being a normal, family oriented couple at their core. I personally witnessed these two drop into a culture they had never visited before and fit right in without disrupting the delicate ecosystem. Even while we were working long hours and hard days in freezing temperatures with snow falling, they were willing to go the extra mile for anyone. Case in point, a cast member asked Biagio an audio question related to the cast member’s personal camera. Biagio, in between filming, took his free time (what normal people would use for napping while on the road) and fully researched the question and returned a detailed email with pictures! Amazing! I 100% recommend pitching to Joke and Biagio and Joke Productions through Producing Unscripted!

Suzanne Stratford – Producer

Ghost Inside My Child

Working with Joke and Biagio changed my life. They believed in my idea, my dream and me: bolstering my vision, creating a riveting program in less than a year, while staying true to the concept. They might be a Hollywood power couple, but they treat you as an equal and always listen to your thoughts and feedback. For that, and so much more I’m eternally grateful and look forward to making many more programs together.

Brian Speciale, Filmmaker

I’ve been fortunate enough to team up with Joke & Biagio, and can tell you from experience that everything you hear in their podcasts is true: you can pitch directly to them (through their website), they’ll personally review your pitch, and if they like it, they’ll team up with you. Dealing with them is exactly as you’d expect after listening to their podcast – they’re attentive, incredibly smart, and very inclusive of you in the process of pitching your dream to their network partners. Before pitching to Joke & Biagio, I made the mistake of thinking I could break into this world by myself. It’s just not that easy, and you’ll likely waste a lot of time (and $$) doing it that way. These two are the way to go. They’re established, they have the connections, and above all they’re fun & genuine people; I can’t recommend them enough!

Alexis Linkletter – Journalist, Associate Producer

Three Days to Live, She Made Me Do It

For me, Joke and Biagio have provided far more than a pleasant working environment under the Joke Productions roof; they’ve constructed a creative family that welcomes the sharing of ideas, provides encouragement and loves outside-the-box thinking. They have a constant willingness to teach and share their experiences while providing the tools and opportunities for their employees to progress and grow with them. I can’t say enough fantastic things about working for these two.

Marc Jackson – Producer, Retired L.A. Sheriff’s Department

In 2014 I was introduced to Joke and Biagio. My pitch was all over the place, definitely lacked a clear vision, and needed focus and fleshing out. With this being my first formal pitch, I waited for the laughter and the polite ejection from their conference room. But instead what I received was guidance, professional constructive criticism, and a welcome to the Joke Productions family.

So when J and B called me March of 2017 for a meeting to collaborate on a show, it could have been about Pig Earwax. I was ready to bend over backwards to assist and/or be part of any project they deemed me worthy. During all of 2017, and the numerous tasks, meetings, interviews, and talent vetting, I have grown as a professional in the industry under the watchful eye of Joke and Biagio.

Needless to say, when they called me recently to tell me “congratulations brother, you have your first Producer credit,” after we received a development deal from a major cable network, I was ecstatic and moved to tears. Words absolutely can not describe how I feel. I’m proudly part of the Joke Productions family and I’ll be forever indebted to them.

Joey Gemelli – Producer, Casting Director

Sister Witches

I worked for Joke and Biagio as an employee and later teamed up with them as an independent producer and we quickly sold a pilot. I learned invaluable skills from the experience and there is no duo in the business that I’m more proud to work with/for. Some of my greatest experiences as a producer have been as a part of the Joke family.

Ben Grynol – New Producer

In the fall of 2016, I decided that I wanted to cut my teeth in the film game. I knew nothing – and I mean nothing – about what it would take to pitch and produce a TV show.

I started Googling “how to make a TV show” and read as much as I could from many different resources about the process of pitching and producing film. Eventually, I came across the Producing Unscripted website, and I can honestly say that Joke and Biagio have the most insightful, helpful and digestible material to help people learn more about producing unscripted film. Without their great blog posts, e-book, and podcast, I would still be at square one.

To learn as much as I could, and eliminate as many rookie mistakes as possible before pitching to Joke and Biagio, I listened to every single episode of their podcast. I took notes and referenced their e-book – many times. After finishing the podcast (all 88 episodes, at the time), I put together a pitch tape and document, and I submitted everything through their online portal. About four weeks later, I got an email back from the studio saying that Joke and Biagio had reviewed the package, and although they weren’t sure my show concept was the right fit for the current TV landscape, they wanted to have a follow up conversation about everything.

Despite their busy schedules, they graciously took over half an hour out of their day to provide me with feedback about the pitch package. Their feedback was very honest, and it helped me understand how to improve my pitch. Although we won’t be moving forward with the project that I pitched them, Joke and Biagio kindly offered an open door so that I can keep soft pitching them ideas. Even if we don’t end up getting to work on a project together down the road, I can’t thank Joke and Biagio enough for making themselves so accessible to the general public – through the podcast and online resources. They are as authentic and genuine as they come. They are the real deal.

Brett Ulery – Audio Professional, Independent Producer

I have had the distinct pleasure and unique privilege of working with Joke and Biagio, two people for whom I have an enormous amount of admiration, on a wide variety of fun and personally fulfilling projects. The diversity of TV shows like Don’t Trust Andrew Mayne on A&E, Caged on MTV and the Snapped spin-off She Made Me Do It for Oxygen speak to their talents as innovators, storytellers and undeniable fans of the medium.

From meeting Joke, Biagio and Peter on Scream Queens for VH1 to working with them on their most recent projects, I have always regarded what they do and the way they do it the standard that other production companies should emulate.

On a personal level, Joke and Biagio are role models. They way they love and support each other paired with Joke’s fierce intelligence and Biagio’s passionate ambition touches every aspect of their lives. The two of them, the separate individuals who are always referred to as a pair, “JokeAndBiagio” or “JNB” inspire me as a family in Los Angeles working in the television industry.

Joke and Biagio along with Peter at Joke Productions continue to set an industry-recognized apex of integrity, professional loyalty and faithful storytelling in a warm, personal and nurturing environment whether on the road or at home in the office. Joke Productions is a place I’m proud to call home and Joke and Biagio are two people I call family.

TaRodd White – Pitched His Life Story

Documentary Subject – MTV True Life Presents: Secrets, Lies, and Sex

It was a great pleasure to have worked with you both, Joke and Biagio. You made it very comfortable for us to be ourselves throughout the process of the production, despite facing our deepest and darkest secrets for the world to see. Allowing us to share our story with the world has changed my life immensely & many others as well.

It has truly been a blessing being able to meet and work with you two, and I cannot thank you enough for being not just great producers but great mentors & friends as well. I will never forget how Joke & Biagio helped save my life, thank you.

Steve Mazan – Emmy® Winning Writer/Comedian

Documentary Subject – Dying to do Letterman

Easily, one of the highlights of my career has been the opportunity to work with Joke Productions on multiple projects. Joke and Biagio are the real deal in a business not usually known for authenticity. This sincerity shows in their work, too. I don’t think there are better storytellers in Hollywood.

It’s easy to just look at their technical expertise and eye for producing quality programs, and attribute Joke Productions’ continuing success to that. It’s probably enough by itself to put them near the top of the game. But I really believe their individual talents combined with their shared humanity and trustworthiness make them a team that stands alone. You really feel like you’re in good hands with them. That Joke and Biagio are looking out for you and your project or story.

All of that heart (and talent) ends up in their projects and is evident on the screen.

From Twitter

(You can follow us @jokeandbiagio — hope to see you there!)


(Okay, that last one’s not really a testimonial, but what would you do if Rainn Wilson gave you a retweet?)