Make Reality TV & Documentary Series | A Podcast & Blog from TV Producers & Filmmakers Joke and Biagio
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.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 13:13 — 13.4MB)
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You asked, we answered. These are the tools we use to make television. Many are free or inexpensive. All have free or less expensive alternatives. Learn our secrets. Save yourself time and money while developing TV shows or breaking into the business. Plus…Biagio was in a cage match? Huh?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 16:31 — 16.4MB)
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Do you develop ideas wisely? You already know (from many episodes here at Producing Unscripted) how we feel about ideas. TV show and movie ideas, in and of themselves, are not worth much. It’s how you package up those ideas that makes the difference. But how do you decide which initial ideas to build out into amazing pitches? Today, you’ll learn four useful considerations to develop ideas wisely. (In an interesting twist, inspired by two iPhone app developers!) Plus, how to decide what you really want to get out of any project you develop.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:57 — 25.9MB)
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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.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:19 — 19.9MB)
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Filming real people is crucial to making unscripted entertainment. It’s also very delicate. It takes trust, respect, forethought, communication, and silly arguments with lawyers. Here are five factors you must consider when filming real people. Don’t roll one second of footage without really thinking these through.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:29 — 20.0MB)
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Today’s episode about pitch tape budgets may be the most serious we’ve ever recorded. It includes important tips for anyone who wants to pitch TV shows, but also a warning. We’ve received a cluster of emails in past weeks reporting something that concerns us. Some companies are asking aspiring producers to fork over thousands of dollars. Why? To create pitch tapes or sizzle reels for these producers’ original TV show ideas. Is this legit? Should you consider this? Would established production companies ask you for $30,000 or more to make a pitch tape for your concept? We have important answers for you. You’ll learn the real “why” behind pitch tape budgets. Plus, sizzle reel goals you need to set for yourself, no matter what.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:21 — 18.1MB)
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Your first time on set? Your 1000th? No matter how many times you’ve worked a film or TV set, it’s important to remember setiquette. That’s a fun way of saying “on set etiquette.” The little things that you have no way of knowing if you’re brand new to Hollywood, or that veterans might forget when worn out after a long shoot, can make or break the way other professionals perceive you. So here’s a few tips to make sure your setiquette is running full tilt.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:06 — 11.4MB)
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Creative control. It’s something most artists strive for — even demand. At the same time, in the entertainment industry, there are a lot of entities entitled to shape the creative of a TV show or movie. So how much control can you really keep over your projects?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:44 — 22.1MB)
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Sure, we’ve made a lot of television. Yes, we’ve had a few (small) films in theaters. But there’s always more to learn. And when it comes to pure, unadulterated, guerrilla filmmaking awesomeness, there’s no one better to learn from, more helpful, or just plain cool than Stu Maschwitz. Affectionately known to legions of Twitter fans as @5tu, he’s had a real impact on our careers. Today, we’ll share a few ways Mr. Maschwitz’s advice helped make us successful Hollywood producers. More importantly, we’ll show how @5tu can jumpstart your filmmaking success.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:27 — 10.8MB)
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You’re dreaming of working in the entertainment industry. But you have doubts. Are you too young? Too old? Live too far away? You can come up with a million potential stumbling blocks to your career. But is there a reason that you — you personally — can’t make it in Hollywood? Well, believe it or not, there is a simple answer (even if it isn’t an easy one) – and we give you that answer today.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:08 — 19.7MB)
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A production company (maybe ours) wants to team up with you on your reality TV concept. The idea of “shopping agreements” comes up. But what does that mean? How long should you agree to let someone pitch your idea? What will that process be like? Let us answer all these questions…and more. If you have EVER thought you might want to pitch your unscripted TV idea to a production company, this episode is a MUST LISTEN.