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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 came from, and why we love hands-on-producers.
On Twitter? Us too! Find us here: @JokeAndBiagio – we do our best to reply to all tweets (but it can take time if we’re in production!)
Let’s Make some TV Together
Wanna be like Brian and pitch to our company, Joke Productions?
Here’s what you need to know: