The great American Unscripted Pitch Season is half over. There’s NATPE and Sundance. History Makers starts this evening. Then the reality gold rush charges off to Washington for Realscreen.
This week: more highlights from our weekly Case Studies and commentaries to help you get in shape. And then to figure out: “Phew! What next?”
Here they are:
1. HOW DO NETWORKS EVALUATE PITCHES?
It was one of the highest-rated panels at Realscreen 2011: A+E’s Stephen Harris shares his four filters, and his one-of-a-kind coverage of the O.C. Gaffer pitch from Burnie Burns. Our 3-part demo of how networks cover pitches includes Burnie’s sizzle tape! Watch it, and you’ll understand how much we want Burnie to be a winner! Read more…
2. STUDY THE FINANCIAL MODELS!
Our Case Studies cover a range of deals, including Leveraging Aussie Tax Dollars, Twinning with Canada, Making a Pretty Good Living from PBS, and more…
3. MARRY ?
Johnny Gould made a strong argument at Westdoc 2010 that emerging producers are better off working with the skilled development teams at a ‘super- preferred producer’ like Pilgrim.
4. THE PRODUCER’S LIFE CYCLE: BETWEEN BASEMENT AND BUYOUT
Hoff Productions’ veteran Michael Hoff generously shared the ups, downs and ups again of a highly-regarded factual prodco. There are valuable Takeaways here for emerging and established producers, as well as for the commissioners who are on the other side of the table. Read more…
5. UNDERSTAND THE BUDGET ‘SWEET SPOT’
Each concept and pitch must be aligned with what networks pay for programs! What are the budgets for top-rated U.S. Factual programs? You can’t pitch without having a grip on the data published in our Sweet Spots Study!
And BTW, please do say ‘Hi’ at History and Realscreen.
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SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT
History Makers International
The History Explosion: New Channels & New Audiences
Thursday, January 25
The first official session of History Makers International presents the significant new opportunities for History program makers worldwide.
Speakers
Piero A. Corsini, Series Producer, Rai Educational
Peter Gaffney, Senior Vice President, Programming Strategy, Scheduling and Acquisitions, History & H2
Dirk Hoogstra, Senior Vice President, Development and Programming, History & H2
Moderator
Peter Hamilton, DocumentaryTelevision.com