Make Documentary, Unscripted, and Reality TV Podcast

The reality TV podcast to help you create, pitch, sell, and produce reality television shows and documentary series – Producing Unscripted.

We’re Joke and Biagio, and we make reality TV shows, documentaries, and factual programming for a living. These days we have over 100 hours of film and television under our belts, but we remember how impossible it seemed to break in when we were two kids living in our one-bedroom apartment.

We started this podcast to teach you the nuts-and-bolts of making reality TV, but more importantly, to give you a path to pitch your projects to us.

Enjoy the podcasts below, and maybe we’ll even get to work together someday.

Sound Advice on Dreams and Success from Todd C. Burns

September 29, 2021September 28, 2021 by Biagio

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:48 — 29.6MB)

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Are you ever too young — or too old — to chase a dream? Is success in the entertainment industry possible when you don’t know anyone? Can there be one setback that’s just too daunting to get past? Today, prolific composer and all around great person Todd C. Burns is here to share hard-earned advice on overcoming adversity to be successful in the entertainment industry. Like us, Todd came into this crazy business not knowing anyone, hustling to make things happen, and facing some obstacles so big they could have seemed impossible to overcome. Today we talk with Todd about the courage to chase your dreams, how to define your own success, and standing tall and proud when fate tosses you the ultimate curve ball. If you’re a creative person chasing a dream on any level, today’s episode is for you. Todd’s not only successful, he’s a great guy with a big heart, and very open and honest when it comes to giving advice. You’re gonna love him!

Uncharted: Jon Kroll Produces Gordon Ramsay Awesomeness

June 24, 2021 by Biagio

Gordon Ramsay in Puerto Rico. (Credit: National Geographic/Justin Mandel)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:11 — 53.0MB)

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Jon Kroll is the man behind some the biggest unscripted TV shows of all time. From Big Brother to The Amazing Race, he’s been in the industry for close to 30 years. (Not to mention he is a mentor to the two of us, and one of the first industry people we ever met. Plus a super nice guy!) Now, he’s here to share his incredible experience producing UNCHARTED. It stars one of the greatest reality TV personalities of all time, famous chef Gordon Ramsay. Oh…and this globe-trotting action adventure cooking show filmed…during a world-wide pandemic. Learn how Jon takes on the impossible, makes shows look larger than life, and works with Gordon Ramsay. Plus a deep dive into his production process, and more. Get ready to have your mind blown.

3 Ways Podcasting is Changing TV

April 30, 2021 by Biagio

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:28 — 21.3MB)

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It’s an exciting time to be a content creator – for all of us! Not long ago, documentaries were gloomily known as the “D” word…since no one wanted to buy them. Now they’re hot as ever thanks to streamers like Netflix and cable networks who’ve followed suit. On the flip side, podcasting was once thought of as a geeky pass time (hello, Biagio!) It’s now exploded in popularity. In some cases podcasts have even beaten TV at the game of winning pop culture buzz. Being TV producers and filmmakers, networks have begun asking us to find ways to marry the two worlds. Along the way we’ve learned a bunch, and today we’re sharing 3 ways we see podcasting changing how television is developed and made. We’ve got the answers you need, some landmines to look out for, and real-world advice for this new frontier where TV gets married to podcasting.

Troy DeVolld: Sheer Poetry – Life, Dreams, Work and Reality in Los Angeles

February 20, 2021 by Biagio

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:11 — 41.5MB)

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The lure of the entertainment industry, and of course, Los Angeles. It’s something many of us dream about. If you’re a kid from Cleveland like me (Biagio) or a girl from Belgium like Joke, it can seem larger than life, like a fantasy world that’s a million miles away. Many of us come. Some stay. Some move on. But one thing is for sure – L.A. has its own special kind of magic. Now, TV Producer extraordinaire and best-selling author Troy DeVolld has taken the time to really explore why so many of us belong nowhere else but the city of Angels – and he’s done it in the most surprising way! Get ready for a completely unique discussion about life, dreams, work, and the reality that is showbiz and Los Angeles. There are valuable tips and insights here for you that will help you not only chase success, but frame it in a healthy way. What Troy has to say honestly just might change your life for the better, so read on!

2021: Staying Creative, Productive and Motivated

January 26, 2021 by Biagio

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:30 — 27.0MB)

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It’s 2021, and we all know it can be near-impossible to stay motivated in this most challenging of times. If you’re anything like us, things like quarantine, no social interaction, and global pandemics tend to slow down the old creative juices. It’s been hard for us, and probably for a lot of you, too. So today we’re breaking down how we’ve managed to stay at least semi-productive and almost sane. Plus, the four-and-a-half year journey to our new 10-hour anthology TV series…which, or course, we’re producing from home! Join us in taking on 2021 with gusto—or at least breathing deeply all the way through it.

‘Twas the Nightmare Before Editing!

October 30, 2020 by Biagio

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:01 — 25.3MB)

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It’s Halloween time and episode 128 is our annual “spooky” take on the unscripted film and television business. This episode’s question was inspired by a Producing Unscripted podcast listener named Justin, who wrote in with a question about editing. We’re just beginning post-production on our brand new TV series (more coming soon!) and facing a TERRIFYING amount of footage. So we decided to focus today’s episode on three spine-tingling things that can haunt you in post-production. Now…curl up under your blanket, embrace the horror, and listen…IF YOU DARE!

3 Things Ted Lasso Can Teach You About Making TV & Film

September 29, 2020 by Biagio

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:05 — 25.4MB)

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For episode 127 we’re mining great advice from an unlikely place…the new Apple TV series Ted Lasso. What on earth does a fish-out-of-water sports sitcom have to do with making unscripted film and television? Quite a lot, actually! We’ve been inspired by this show, and we’re using the great advice delivered by the unsinkable, everyman coach at its center to reveal truths about working in the entertainment industry. In a time when we can all use a pick me up, this show fits the bill. Get ready for some uplifting advice about showbiz you never thought you’d get from a fictional football coach. And remember…”be the goldfish.”

What Do Producers Actually Do? Ask Our Kids!

July 25, 2020 by Biagio

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 6:55 — 9.2MB)

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For episode 126 we, like you, are stuck in quarantine. It’s turned into a long, hot, “can’t go anywhere” summer. We thought it was time for a little popsicle. One of the questions we get from friends and family members who aren’t in the business is “what does a producer do, anyway?” So we thought we’d ask some special people to give us their opinion…our kids!

Making TV In Quarantine

April 29, 2020 by Biagio

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:11 — 23.2MB)

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First of all, we hope you’re doing okay – we know it’s a very strange, sometimes scary and confusing time. It has certainly scared us – especially because we were smack-dab in the middle of finishing a TV series when the shut down happened. We had to figure out how we and a smattering of team members could finish the show…from home. Not as easy as it sounds. Today we take you through the process of making cable TV from your spare bedroom, share how the day to day of the entertainment business is changing, and share what we’ve learned from TV network executives during this time. And, as you know…we always try to look on the bright side of life – even when it’s hard. So we came up with three good things that have come out of this whole mess, and how those might affect you, too. From our quarantine to yours, we hope you enjoy today’s ep. Even if you don’t get to listen, we wish you well and hope you stay safe out there.

Producing Personal Projects with Emmy Winner Steve Mazan

March 31, 2020 by Biagio

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:49 — 70.9MB)

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The world’s a little crazy at the moment – so we thought this would be a good time to bring you a truly inspirational tale. Emmy winner Steve Mazan, subject of our theatrically released feature documentary Dying to do Letterman, is here today to make you laugh, appreciate life, and believe in the impossible. See, doctors told Steve he might only have five years to live. A stand-up comedian, Steve decided to dedicate whatever was left of his life to living his dream: performing on David Letterman’s show. (Spoiler alert: it’s now fifteen years since his diagnosis, he’s surviving the heck out of cancer, and doctors feel he’s beat it completely.)

We documented Steve’s incredible journey over many years. What was it like for Steve to open up to cameras at his most vulnerable? Why did he want to? And how did we, as friends, handle the pressure of making the film? What are the real costs and rewards of producing personal projects in Hollywood? After a theatrical release and being named New and Noteworthy on iTunes, how much money did we all make? What should you think about if you’re going to make your own personal project? Today we discuss all that and more. Buckle in and get ready to laugh a lot, cry a little, and celebrate the human spirit.