Produce Reality TV Shows

How do you get started producing reality tv, documentary series, and unscripted programming? It’s a big question! We’ve been able to produce unscripted television for a while now (over 100 hours and counting) and in our effort to give back to you, have a number of podcasts and posts to help you get around the fun, crazy journey that is our career — using our filmmaking talents to produce reality TV shows.

Here’s What You Need to Know First

If you’re going to produce reality TV shows in this day and age, you need to be more than just an “idea” person, more than just a shooter/producer — you need to be a creative filmmaker unafraid to get your hands dirty.

We love meeting aspiring producers who not only want to shoot and/or edit their work, but collaborate with others to make great TV projects.

Whether you want to make films, web series, or produce reality TV shows, if you hope to succeed, you’ll need to come up with great shows, but be willing to reshape those shows as you team up and collaborate with different production companies, networks, or studios.

What You’ll Find Here

Below you’ll find our blog posts and podcast episodes about how to produce reality TV shows. As always, we hope the information helps you on your road to success, and we hope that when you do produce reality TV shows — especially your first endeavors — that you’ll consider teaming up with us!

Life After Reality TV with Shalandra Champ of Beauty and the Geek

April 4, 2017 by Biagio

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:14 — 11.6MB)

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Shalandra Champ is more than just one of our favorite cast members from Beauty and the Geek. She’s a working mom, a fearless go-getter, and as of now…officially a “Beauty” turned “Geek!” Today she shares the truth about life after being a reality TV star, and so much more. Listen in on a spirited, intimate conversation as we relive some moments from season four of Beauty and the Geek. Plus Shalandra, a.k.a. “Shay” offers some advice anyone, anywhere can use. This ep is a lot of fun – and you’ll find it surprisingly useful!

How to Cast Reality TV with Top Casting Director Dana Golder

December 9, 2017February 21, 2017 by Biagio

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:09 — 37.1MB)

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Dana Golder is one of the biggest casting directors in reality TV. Just some of her credits include The Biggest Loser, The Amazing Race, and Cash Cab. We’ve been lucky enough to work with her on Beauty and the Geek, Scream Queens, Ghost Inside My Child, and Don’t Trust Andrew Mayne. Today, Dana is giving you priceless tips on casting just about every kind of reality TV show and documentary series you could imagine. From finding great real people to talking to them and and determining if they would be great TV, Dana is teaching you how to cast reality TV. Priceless!

Reality TV Stripped Naked with Mickey Ramos

February 7, 2017 by Biagio

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:51 — 36.8MB)

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Mickey Ramos is not only a terrific, prolific TV producer who survived an attack by over 600 killer bees while filming Naked and Afraid. She’s also the voice of Kenny’s girlfriend on South Park (how cool!) Plus, she’s dealt with some of the most difficult situations you can imagine in reality TV and documentary series. Today, she not only shares some of the craziest behind-the-scenes stories we’ve ever heard, but offers you exclusive tips on breaking into showbusiness and making better TV.

3 Ways Aspiring TV Producers Can Stand Out in 2017

January 24, 2017 by Biagio

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:56 — 21.4MB)

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Happy 2017! Today, on episode 88 of Producing Unscripted we’re helping you kick off the new year right. Trying to break into unscripted television, documentary series, true crime or reality TV? Here are three ways you can stand out from the crowd in 2017.

How To Survive The Hollywood Notes Process with Troy DeVolld

December 13, 2016December 13, 2016 by Biagio

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:33 — 35.7MB)

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The Hollywood Notes Process: also known as “collaboration” to some and “notes hell” to others. Today, on episode 87 of Producing Unscripted we’re thrilled to be joined by Troy DeVolld, TV Producer extraordinaire and best-selling author. His new book is about the notes process in Hollywood. Today he gives you incredible free advice on surviving and thriving when you’re faced with an avalanche of notes. Getting notes might be confusing, helpful, or soul-sucking. Regardless, the notes process is something you’ll deal with on every project you ever make…from YouTube videos to network TV series. So spend a little time with Troy today and learn…to rock the notes process!

Production Hangovers: How To Survive, Recharge, & Move On

December 10, 2016November 29, 2016 by Biagio

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 13:30 — 13.6MB)

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Production hangovers? It’s episode 86 of Producing Unscripted, and today we’re being way too honest. Want truth? Production can burn you out! Doesn’t matter how much you love your film or TV project. Doesn’t matter how impressively it comes together. At the end of a project worthy of your passion, you will be fried. Production hangovers are real. Here’s how to get through the fog and come out more creative than ever.

Handling Criticism in Hollywood: Your How-To Guide

November 15, 2016November 15, 2016 by Biagio

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:16 — 18.0MB)

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It’s episode 85 of Producing Unscripted, and today we’re discussing a crucial skill that will help you in business…and life. Handling criticism. If Steven Spielberg, Mark Burnett, and Shonda Rhimes have to deal with criticism, you can bet the rest of us will, too. Here are six useful tips, along with real-world advice, to help you when handling criticism.

Catching Your Lucky Break In Hollywood – A Spooky Discussion

November 1, 2016November 1, 2016 by Biagio

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:07 — 10.5MB)

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It’s episode 84 of Producing Unscripted, and today we’re having a crucial discussion about the illusive “lucky break.” We’re not just talking about finally catching your lucky break in Hollywood. We’re also helping you stay sane and survive until you do. We’ll help you explore the big picture along the way. Is this business right for you? Will it make you happy? How do you keep yourself going when things get tough? Should you get out all together? We give you honest answers, based on our many years working in this business. We want to help you decide if your Hollywood career is worth waiting for…your lucky break.

Television Post-Production: Tips You Can Steal!

October 18, 2016 by Biagio

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:41 — 33.0MB)

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In this episode, part 2 of Tools We Use to Make TV, we discuss our television post-production workflow. We’ve spent many years building a post workflow that can help us deliver any kind of TV or film project our company takes on. Today, we’re giving it all away to you. Take these tricks, tips, and insights and use them to help you build your own perfect television post-production workflow… while saving time and money.

Tools We Use To Make TV Shows

October 4, 2016 by Biagio

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?