Making Reality TV a Reality

             The WIFV DC reality programming event is insightful.  There are Food Network and Cooking Channel producers on the panel.  A little backstory: Food Network is the parent station. It owns the Cooking Channel which will be 3 years old this May 31^st (I still miss the Fine Living Channel). The Food Network is purely entertainment with food serving as the platform. Conversely, the Cooking Channel is the hipper station catering to 20 and 30 year olds.  In addition, the Cooking Channel has converted some webisodes (Bitchin’ Kitchen) into TV shows.  The panel admitted that Bitchin’ Kitchen is too edgy for its more mature Food Network clientele. 

            This event has taught me so much about gaining traction and creating a following.  Everyone is saying the importance of marketing your uniqueness on multiple platforms.  TV is the ‘second screen’ because a number of consumers watch their TV elsewhere besides a screen.  The problem with web content is that it is unedited and niche.  Regardless of format, having a great story is the biggest selling point.  I’ll keep working on my craft by enrolling in the Writer Center’s How to Write A Lot course in two weeks.

            There is only one downside: all of these pushy vegans!  Even when the Food Network executive tells them that vegan audience isn’t wide enough for advertising, people still keep asking about writing TV pilots.  Over 90% of the world eats meat! Next, I am so tired of these people that I run out of the meeting straight to the downtown DC Palm Steakhouse where I order the Prime Steak Burger. 

Palm Steakhouse Prime Steak Burger with Bleu Cheese and French Fries

Suck it vegans!

Lights, Camera, Business! Day One at the Hill Center's Workshop

             As a Writer Center member, I subscribe to the Hill Center’s newsletter.  On Wednesday I saw An Insider’s Guide to the Business of Media class.  Immediately I wanted to attend.  I emailed the staff about receiving a Writer Center discount.  The staff responded that it was independent of the Hill Center.  I paid the money because learning about the business was what was needed to get my TV pilot launched. 

            This is the best money I’ve ever spent thus far on a class!  As soon as the first seminar starts, I learn something new. This film workshop makes me proud to have an MBA, because I understand the bottom line. It’s amazing how creativity types don’t value LinkedIn. It’s only the go-to business networking site! I know that even MGM, Miramax and Warner Brothers have LinkedIn profiles. Remember, it’s a business. I’m glad the professional at our table drives home this point. ‘You want something working for you when you are asleep!’ He also stresses 1-page resumes because it shows your editing skills.  As a science/business type with a 2-pager, this is news to me.  I’ll get on that immediately!  Also joining TV professional organizations help expand your network enabling you to get jobs.  Furthermore, during the break, I meet with a lady who sits on an organizational board that interests me.  I’m unclear about which membership category I fit since I’m not in the industry.  When I mention professional, she concurs.  I get to save $20 off because I’ve attended today’s workshop.  That’s money in the bank!  This is proof positive that even with the plethora of Skype, online chats and instant messaging, face-to-face still dominates.  There’s no pretense.  You get the answer ASAP!

My business background has aided me during the afternoon session.  When attendees ask about how much creative control they have when pitching their show ideas, I wholeheartedly understand one of the executive’s responses that she has a budget and viewership metrics to meet.  I think that so many of the students and other participants are so busy creating, they aren’t quantifying.  Everything costs money.  Afterward, we exchange business cards and I head home knowing that I have so work to do because I want to feedback on my TV pilot show.  Better get it tomorrow during the pitch session. 

This first day has given me so many ideas and goals to set allowing me to build my resume.  The announcement has a resume workshop flummoxing me because I am in the industry.  Throughout this first day, I learn that I can volunteer and network to create one.  This motivates me to join the women’s professional organization and look to joining some more.  In addition, there are an abundance of project management jobs.  The fact that I have project management certification and writing experience, I know that I can get jobs in film.  Today and tomorrow I will evaluate my transferable skills to land me a film job.