Get it out of your head
Pitch tapes, cover letters, meetings, network notes, and the materials that help somebody else understand your show.
30 free episodes. Pick one that sounds useful and start there.
The collection
Episode 115 · April 30, 2019
We remember when we were just starting out in the industry. Didn’t know anyone. Couldn’t get a meeting. But…we thought we knew everything! Turns out, like a lot of new producers, we were pitching the worst k...
Episode 113 · February 28, 2019
If you’ve ever wondered about building a true crime series around a real police detective, today’s episode is for you. We’re sharing everything you need to know, broken down in five easily-digestible tips. W...
Episode 110 · October 30, 2018
It’s Halloween…and do we have a treat for you. A spooky treat that is! This week we cover all things paranormal. Ghost shows, alien shows, psychic shows…they’ve been a staple of television for years. But how...
Episode 107 · July 31, 2018
It’s time for Episode 107! And to celebrate, we’re taking you all the way back to Episode 6 (ah, so long ago.) Pitches come in every day framed as family-centered docuseries. How can you make yours stand out...
Episode 106 · June 29, 2018
When you’re pitching a project, whether to us or anyone else, you’ll be sending a cover letter (or providing information) to briefly explain what the project is about. Unfortunately, this is where many newco...
Episode 101 · January 23, 2018
Many people visit this site to learn how to pitch their own TV shows. Today, we give you an inside look at what happens when our production company teams up with an aspiring producer. We met Abra Chouinard t...
Episode 92 · March 21, 2017
TV Network Executives: the elite group that filmmakers and producers wish to meet, hope to pitch, and pray will fund their projects. For some, they seem to be mysterious, god-like figures who can make dreams...
Episode 73 · April 19, 2016
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 you...
Episode 70 · February 23, 2016
It’s episode 70, and we’re sharing 7 Must-Know Tips for Pitching Reality TV. These are hand-picked to help you avoid the mistakes we see new producers make over and over again. Whether you’re pitching to us...
Episode 65 · November 24, 2015
As you already know from reading our in-depth guide on creating and pitching reality shows, there is no better way to quickly break into the business than building your show around a great, real life charact...
Episode 64 · November 10, 2015
Casting Agreements for reality TV and unscripted television — what are they, and do you need one? Do you need casting agreements for all reality TV projects, or just some? Will they cost you money? Should yo...
Episode 62 · September 29, 2015
Pitching reality TV, documentary series, or unscripted television? After receiving hundreds of pitches, these are the top 3 mistakes people make. Not you!
Episode 53 · May 12, 2015
Here’s a HUGE mistake aspiring producers make when pitching what they think are viable TV series: they pitch profile pieces instead. It’s something we’ve seen a rash of in the past few months, and we want to...
Episode 52 · April 28, 2015
You’ve seen The Jinx on HBO. Enjoyed great crime recreation shows on Discovery ID. Laughed out loud at Drunk History on Comedy Central. Maybe even gasped at TLC’s Sex Sent Me to the ER. These are great, cine...
Episode 47 · February 17, 2015
In past we’ve encouraged you to “soft pitch” ideas. Unfortunately, we’ve never actually told you how to do that. The result is that many of you are sending in submissions that are not soft pitches at all. In...
Episode 46 · February 3, 2015
Hollywood Pitch Meetings can go horribly wrong -- usually at the exact same spot. Here's a pro tip to ensure you rock your Hollywood pitch meetings.
Episode 45 · January 20, 2015
Your reality TV pitch can be derailed early on by one giant POV mistake...here's how to shift your POV and skyrocket your odds of pitch success.
Episode 38 · September 30, 2014
You’re one of the smart ones. Instead of wasting time on larger-than life formats (which are all long shots) or magazine-style travel shows (which no one wants) you understand that the fastest way to break i...
Episode 34 · July 22, 2014
One of the best ways to succeed in our business? Learn from the mistakes of others. Today, we’ll give you the top ten mistakes we see again and again in pitches for reality TV and documentary series. Avoid t...
Episode 32 · June 24, 2014
You have an awesome idea for a TV show — but is it enough? What do you really need to sell reality TV? Can you vision alone carry you to a sale? Great Pitch — Is it Enough? Many, many, MANY of you have been...
Episode 30 · May 27, 2014
It’s episode 30, and we’re giving you the ultimate cheat sheet. Not sure how to start the process of pitching? Want to impress us with your professionalism? Have your pitch stand out above the piles of submi...
Episode 28 · April 29, 2014
Want to break into Hollywood? Whether you’re pitching reality TV, scripted television, or feature length screenplays, at some point you will have to meet — face to face — with real people and convince them t...
Episode 27 · April 15, 2014
Here’s one of the best tips we have to help you pitch and sell projects to Hollywood. This secret will help you sell screenplays, scripted television, documentaries, novels, unscripted television and reality...
Episode 26 · April 1, 2014
As you know from our last episode, we’ve made it easier than ever to pitch reality tv shows and documentary series to us. We’ve even added a free, 50 page ebook on pitching reality TV to this site for added...
Episode 25 · March 18, 2014
Sure, you know we want to team up with you to make great reality TV or documentary series. You’ve read our massive guide on how to pitch a reality show. Wouldn’t it be nice if you knew what shows we were act...
Episode 23 · February 18, 2014
When you pitch reality TV shows or documentary series, you include paper pitches – often called “one sheets.” Many of you have sent us paper pitches. Some are a lot better than others. In fact, some are awfu...
Episode 22 · February 4, 2014
You already know you can pitch to us for free. But what about attending pitch fests or pitch pits — places that charge you a small (or large) fee for access to industry professionals who will consider your p...
Episode 8 · July 23, 2013
Just trying to break in to unscripted television? Don’t pitch these kinds of shows — a four point checklist. Many of YOU have been pitching us! We’re so happy that many, many of you have been listening to th...
Episode 5 · June 9, 2013
We’re guessing you want to pitch reality tv shows and documentary series. After all, you’re here, reading and listening, which already puts you miles ahead of most of the people who pitch reality tv shows to...
Episode 2 · June 8, 2013
Submit Ideas to Hollywood? “I want to submit ideas to Hollywood.” We hear that a lot. Whether someone wants to break into the movies, make reality tv shows, or create the next Emmy Award® winning primetime d...