Puzzling Together Story with Jon Collins

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Jon Collins has been working in unscripted television for nearly 20 years. He started as a tape logger on the first season of HBO’s Project Greenlight. His credits include The Bachelor and Bacheloette, Project Runway, and House Hunters, just to name a few. And he’s worked on shows at MTV, TLC, E!, HGTV – the list goes on and on. Today, Jon shares the kind of advice that can only be garnered from two decades of experience. From dealing with the notes process, to putting together story in post, shaping a season of television…and so much more. If you are thinking of a career in unscripted television, this episode is a much listen.

Puzzling Together Story in Post with Jon Collins

Jon Collins has a Great Sense of Humor

We, like a lot of people, first discovered Jon through his blog at Jeez Jon. There, he takes beloved movies, and gives them a “round of reality TV network notes” as only he can.

The first “notes session” we saw was If La La Land got a Round of Reality TV Network Notes. Months later we’re still laughing about it.

Jon Collins also started the Notes Notes Notes podcast. There, he puts his Second City training to good use, brining these notes sessions to life as if they’re given over a speaker phone to befuddled producers. It’s sketch comedy and it’s very well acted. Here’s one he did on Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Jon Collins: Years of Experience

You can’t spend almost twenty years in the trenches without amassing a wealth of knowledge. As a result, John is here today with spot-on, real life tips and advice you won’t find anywhere else. Plus, some “inside baseball” that raraely gets discussed outside the industry.

Listen Now

Hit that giant play button at the top of the page now. It’s an in-depth and informative conversation about piecing together story in the worlds of unscripted television, documentary series, and reality TV.

Helpful and Related Links

Check out the Jeez Jon blog for a hilarious look at what happens when notes go wrong.

Find Jon Collins on Twitter, and while you’re there, connect with us @JokeAndBiagio, too!.

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Read our in-depth page about how to pitch us a show . It also talks about what it’s really like to work in our business, the unscripted TV and film industry.