The light bulb that became Pawn Stars was first switched on in the back of a Vegas van in 2008.
Pawn Stars is now History Channel’s breakout hit show:
- It ranks #1 in 2012 amongst all U.S. cable non-fiction series, followed by Jersey Shore.
- And last time I checked, it averages nearly 5.6 million viewers.
That Las Vegas van was driven by emerging New York-based producer, Leftfield Pictures
- In 2007, before Pawn Stars, Leftfield produced 1 television hour.
- This year: more than 230 hours!!
- And two of the Top 10 unscripted hits on U.S. cable.
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Leftfield’s Secret Sauce
For a unique, detailed analysis of the Rise and Rise of ‘Pawn Stars’ and Leftfield Pictures, you can purchase ($29:95) and instantly download our original Case Study here. Each commission, every success factor: don’t miss our informative and inspirational new profile of today’s hottest nonfiction production company!
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LEFTFIELD PICTURES SNAPSHOT, 2012
(August estimate)
Produced
- Episodes – 205
- Hours – 103
Aired
- Episodes – 151
- Hours – 75.5
To Be Produced
- Episode #’s – 243
- Hours – 128.5
To Be Aired
- Episode #’s – 60
- Aired Hours – 30
Total for 2012
(August estimate)
- Produced episodes: 448
- Produced hours: 231.5
CURRENT SERIES
- American Restoration (airing) History, 86×30
- Ball Boys (waiting to cycle) ABC, 12×30
- Cajun Pawn Stars (airing) History, 42×30
- Counting Cars (premiering 8/13), History 13×30
- Monster In-Laws (airing) A&E, 23×30
- Oddities, Science (airing) 73×30
- Oddities San Francisco (airing), Science, 18×30
- Odd Folks Home, (TBD) Science, 6×30
- Pawn Stars (airing) History, 274×30
IN THE WORKS
- Bid & Destroy (in Production) National Geographic, 12×30
- Famous Yard Sale – w.t. (in Development) Lifetime, 16×30
- Full Metal Racket – (in Production) CMT, 10×30
- Health Inspectors (in Production) Food Network, 7×30
- Unannounced Series (in development) Animal Planet, 8×30
- Unannounced Series (in development) OWN, 6×60
- Unannounced Series (in envelopment) History, 11×30
- Unannounced Series (in development) truTV, 4×30
- Pilots in development at A&E, 3×30
- Pilot in development at Bio, 2×60
- Pilot in development at Lifetime, 1×30
Channels Served: 2012
- History
- A&E
- Lifetime
- Bio
- Science
- Animal Planet
- CMT
- Food
- Nat Geo
- ABC
- truTV
- OWN
International
- Pawn Stars and American Restoration are among the anchors of A+E Networks’ expanding international operation.
- Regional versions are on various agendas.
- Leftfield may set up a UK office – or the acquisition of an existing UK producer.
PAWN STARS EXPERT VIDEO PANEL
- Pawn Stars, The Inside Story: How to Create and Sustain a #1 Hit Reality Series
- This revealing panel discussion was created for the New York State Bar Association / Entertainment Law Section by Pamela Jones, Attorney (www.PamelaJonesEsq.com) and Peter Hamilton.
- The Panelists included key players in the rise and rise of Pawn Stars:
- Mary Donahue, Executive Producer, History Channel who describes how the History team developed and launched Pawn Stars
- Brent Montgomery, Leftfield Pictures and creator of Pawn Stars
- Rob Miller, Peleton Entertainment, Leftfield’s agent
- Sit back/lean forward and watch their stories and practical insights!
PREFERRED SUPPLIERS??
- Read our unique and extensive coverage since 2010 of the ‘Preferred Producer’ system that operates across the US cable channel eco-system, as in most other territories and industries…
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DON’T MISS OUR INVALUABLE, PRACTICAL WHITE PAPER…
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- If we have the data, what do they pay?
The International Documentary Buyers’ Guide 2012 is an invaluable resource for producers who are working on strategies to pitch ideas or who are selling completed programs to channels.
- 17 Countries
- 40 Buyers
Based on original interviews with broadcasters, funders and senior producers conducted for the Hot Docs Forum 2012.
The Guide includes:
- Executive Personnel
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Westdoc Workshop
- Thanks to the packed room of delegates who contributed to our sizzling Westdoc Workshop in LA last Sunday.
- Your feedback has been great.
- Tom Jennings and Chris Hilton, two talented and very experienced producers joined my co-presenter Stephen Harris to help untangle the trends that drive the documentary / reality sector.
- Many thanks also to Westdoc co-founders Richard Propper (L) Chuck Braverman (R), and the Westdoc team!
Photo: Danna Kinsky
Next: Watch this space for notes and video from the Westdoc Workshop.
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Editorial Assistance: Alexander Watson / George Mokhiber