My newsletter features detailed Case Studies that reveal the life cycles of documentary films, factual television specials and reality series.
- We tell the inside story of each project, from development through funding, production and distribution.
- And we usually have the numbers: budgets, copro deals, box office, license fees and more.
Why Case Studies?
- In my consulting practice, clients tend to become very engaged when they experience business challenges through detailed case studies.
- That’s the simple premise driving my newsletter.
- My bulleted format is a response to the work pressure that we endure: Readers can ‘use it or lose it.’
Here is a selection of my unique coverage of the business of the business, all published in the five years since the launch of DocumentaryTelevision.com.
The Archive
The archive-based documentary is a personal favorite genre:
- The LOST Kennedy Home Movies – Unlocking an Archival Treasure, from Harrison Engle
- We covered in depth MLK: The Assassination Tapes at MIPDOC 2013.
- An Aussie Abba Love Doc, thanks to Larry Zetlin
- The George Plimpton! Kickstarter Crowd-funding Case Study
- AIDS: ‘The Rise of the Killer Virus’ An International Co-pro for Smithsonian Channel
- BESA: The Promise’ – A Successful Unscripted Producer Carries off a ‘Passion’ Theatrical Doc
- Fidel! A PBS / NGC International Copro from Peabody winner Tom Jennings
And a History film which I proudly co-EP’d:
- A SHOT: Five Takeaways on a special about polio vaccine creator Jonas Salk, with Bill Gates for the Smithsonian Channel and now the BBC.
- ITN Source is the sponsor of our coverage of the Archive business in 2015!
Documentaries
Other valuable Case Studies include:
- Flight of the Butterflies grossed $40mn. How? ‘Giant Screen’ is a key to the answer!
- Funding and marketing lessons from the rightwing: A very profitable polemic against president Obama.
- Slamdance 2015 hit and passion project ‘Sweet Micky’ covers an upset Haitian presidential campaign from the inside.
- An Aussie copro deal and development process is revealed in Dino Stampede.
Reality
- We wrote several more studies covering reality series, including Stephen Harris on key success factors.
- And more on the rise of Reality Rockstar Leftfield Entertainment and Pawn Stars.
Thanks!
- Thanks to the many producers and network execs as well as writers who collaborated on our original work!
Next Week
- Grace Hamilton profiles Every Face Has a Name.
- Its an award-winning Scandinavian documentary that uses a 4K conversion of a precious WW2 archive, plus social media, to establish new ways of story-telling based on historic footage.
- BTW, right after Sunnyside, I’ll rush up to Uppsala, Sweden, where our son James Hamilton and Malin Heymann are marrying. That happy event is on June 26.
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SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Sunnyside of the Doc, La Rochelle, June 21-25
- Trends in US Factual Market, Sunday June 21, 330p
- SVOD Explodes. What It Means for Docs, Monday June 22, 300p
- Meet the Executives, moderator: Tuesday 23 (Science) + Wednesday 24 (Wildlife), both at 1000a
- Trends in Contracts, with Michelle Bruce: Tuesday 23, 230p
- Expert Consultations: Monday 22, 330-500p, Tuesday 330-500p
- Disney Nature and ‘African Cats’ with Jean-Francois Camilleri: Tuesday 600p
Peter’s Recommendation
- Don’t miss Sunnyside!
- I highly recommend attending, for new and established producers.
- It’s a very compatible market, in a beautiful location, with relaxed access to decision-makers and fellow producers.
- The panels are very informative, too.
- Plus: the Manitoba delegation are in attendance for the first time! They bring ideas and tax benefits.
- Also, watch out for our great friends from South African Indies.