Writing the Reality Show

WHEN Monday, May 21 6:45-9:45 pm WHERE offices of mediabistro.com West Hollywood, CA MORE INFO Email us, or call (310) 659-5668. PRICE $65 ($50 for ) more info

Course Details

American Idol. Deal or No Deal. My Super Sweet 16. From the multi-million-dollar series of broadcast television to the low-budget niche shows of cable, reality programming dominates every nook and cranny of television. But are reality shows really "reality?" How much planning and production goes into unscripted storytelling? And, most importantly, how the hell can you get in on the action?

This seminar lays the groundwork for anyone wanting to break into the lucrative world of reality TV. We'll look at various types of reality shows and what makes them tick, from docu-dramas and docu-soaps (Dog the Bounty Hunter, Laguna Beach) to game shows and elimination-style competitions (The Apprentice, Survivor) to personality-driven and "aspirational" series (Tasty Travels, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition).

We'll then discuss how to conceive, develop, and sell your idea. What are the critical elements of a pitch? Should you attach talent? Does your series work as a strip? And lastly, we'll explore how to structure your reality pitch and get it to the right people. Who are the major players? When should you attach a senior producer? What networks are best for your concept?

Whether you're a writer, producer, or host, reality television's waiting for you. Flip on the TV and you'll see shows about rich people and poor people, doctors and designers, singers and students, flight attendants and foodies. There's a show about everything and everyone… which means the next one could be yours. And that's reality.

In this seminar, you can expect to learn:

• The difference between various types of reality shows, and how to pitch them accordingly
• The critical elements every reality show—and every pitch—must have, and how to make yours new, fresh, and exciting
• How to structure a pitch both verbally and as a written document
• How to pitch to networks, studios, and production companies—and who to pitch when you get there
• When to attach hosts or producers to your idea, and when not to
• What to expect when you're in the room making your pitch, and what happens when you leave
• Making your show a pitch only you could sell—and only an idiot could pass up.

Instructor Bio

Chad Gervich's Courses

Chad Gervich is a television producer, author, and playwright who spent five years as a development executive and producer with the Littlefield Company, where he developed pilots and series for NBC, ABC, CBS, UPN, the WB, and FOX. Chad has worked in development and production at NBC Studios, Sony Pictures, CBS Productions, and Twentieth Century Fox where he was involved in the development, production, and maintenance of Love, Inc., Malcolm in the Middle, Like Family, Time Tunnel, Star Search, and Do Over.

Chad has created and produced Style network's hit series Foody Call and executive produced Celebrity Drive-By, a talk show pilot for E! Entertainment. Chad has also developed, written, and produced Dirty Laundry, a soap for FOX TV Studios, Wig Out, a Warner Brothers sitcom, and Fox Reality Channel's Reality Binge. He is currently executive producing Spellbound: The Witches of Orange County for The Weinstein Company.

Chad is the author of mediabistro.com's Small Screen, Big Picture: A Writers Guide to the TV Business and is a contributing editor for Writers Digest, where he writes Script Notes, a regular screenwriting column/blog. He also writes for Daily Variety, Fade In, Moving Pictures, and Orange Coast.

Testimonials

Chad is a very energetic and charismatic speaker with a non-judgmental, supportive teaching style. I left his class with tangible tools to move forward with the next step. -- Sue Karlin, freelance journalist, Newsweek, Forbes, Esquire

"Chad has valuable insights to share about the TV business and the craft of writing pilots. Whether you're a rookie or a professional, you'll feel focused, smarter, and ready to write." -- Wendy Calhoun, staff writer, NBC-Universal/NBC

"The course content was fabulous and exactly what I expected in terms of starting from scratch to getting into the minute detail. It was just perfect." -- Georgia Cassimatis

"Chad is very knowledgeable and is able to present all topics in an informative, logical way with lots of enthusiasm." -- Vanessa Amador

"Chad is passionate about television and very down to earth. I was very impressed with the candid nature of Chad's information and his honest responses to people's questions. He gave them real answers." -- Chayah Masters

"I started this class with a blank writing tablet and ended the course with a spec script that I would be proud to submit to an agent. That's worth the time and the money." -- Dylan Conroy

"Chad was a dynamic speaker and took his time to make sure that everyone in the class participated and got their questions answered. I will definitely take another class with him." -- Angie Truschel

"The presentation of the material was excellent. This is probably the best course I've taken." -- Roberta Cruger

"Chad is a great teacher and brings with him a wealth of information. I learned a great deal and the class is a heckuva lot of fun!" -- Susan Morris

"Chad gives you the edge of really understanding the business, what it takes to get those pitch meetings, and how to leave an impression that gets you the assignment." -- Erica Land

"Chad is one of a kind in the entertainment industry. He really wants others to succeed and shows you the pathway to do so. Take his class!" -- La Mer Walker

"Chad not only gives you the basics, but tells you how everything works when you're entering into TV pilot script territory." -- Jerome Cleary

"Chad is an invaluable resource on the art and business of writing for television." -- Sarah Schreckengaust

"Chad knows his stuff and breaks it down for both the beginner and someone who's already in the business." -- Stevie Mac