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!

Writing My Ticket to the Top!

Today while perusing the Ed2Go site, I see Introduction to Screenwriting course.  Two weeks ago I asked the company if it would offer one since I took Sitcom TV Writing.  I paid the money, printed the past three assignments and thank Ed2Go.  The Writer Center isn’t offering anything decent until June.  By then I will be on the 10^th out of 12 lessons.  The upstart cable channel that I dream of writing for will start airing in June, less than one week from now.  I really need a kick in the rear.  Though I have written 12 outlines, I haven’t written an episode. Enrolling in the Introduction to Screenwriting accomplishes this.  The class instructor is the author of Writing the Pilot book that I bought off of Amazon.  I will read this in tandem with the class asking questions.  Besides taking Introduction to Screenwriting, I am taking five more courses before the Writer Center class .  First is the Artomatic’s workshop.  Second is the BlueCat Screenplay workshop.  I’m auditing this class. Third is the second Artomatic evening workshop.  Fourth is the Hill Center DC Food Writing Master Class.  As soon as I saw this I had to enroll because I am contending for the restaurant writer job.  I must upgrade my skills and prepare for the opportunity.  Finally, is third Artomatic workshop.  I am taking all of these three classes because I possess Women in Film & Video membership.  It has given me carte blanche into all of the media-related events.  Come the Writer Center class, I will be ready.

            Writer Center will offer How to Produce a Play.  I email the organization about applying my outstanding credit. I need to know how to stage a TV show and evaluate the fluidity of my episodes.  By the class, I will have written three episodes.  The organization says that I owe only $52.10 due to my credit which is a bargain.  Also I will check out Capital Fringe Festival to see how plays are done.  I might be able to write one myself.  The biggest thing that I will do is network because I might have to start writing plays to get noticed, but, I’m ready to put forth the effort.  I will keep you informed regarding my progress and if the network calls.

Personal Enrichment Is a Must

            Watching these student videos make me want to hand them a copy of Story  by Robert McKee!  Their pictures would be so much better!  Oftentimes, you read on the required textbooks instead of those on the strongly recommended list.  I admit when I was a student I only read from the former. Now as an adult, I understand the personal enrichment concept.  Though I attend Writer Center workshops, I read as many books from the recommended list as possible to learn more tips.  I’ve learned more from these books than the lectures.  I like Story because even though it was written 15 years ago in 1997, it is eye-opening. 

            After I complete Story, I’ll start reading The Screenwriter’s Bible.  Forget the fact that the USDA Graduate School has cancelled its screenwriting class, I’m still reading its assigned textbook.  As I age, I’ve claimed responsibility for my own education.  Monday, I’ll call USDA asking about the class’ status. Still I’ll order the book to prepare me for ScriptFrenzy and April’s volunteer film role.  I must know what I’m talking about.  Moreover, the Writer Center won’t offer filmmaking until mid-May.  That 1 ½ months later.  Besides, I’m on my personal timetable where I must write no less than three 20-minute TV episodes during ScriptFrenzy in order to pitch my concept to Aspire TV.  I have been looking into learning about filming and cinematography.  I am adamant about creating my own sizzle reel to accompany my TV pitch.  Of course, I’ll have all of my newly acquired film friends.  I have the money so I’ll attend in April as many workshops as possible to absorb as much knowledge.  Remember, this is a business and possessing working knowledge of cinematography helps me establish expectations.

            My business mentality has helped me find creative opportunities.  Combine this with my MBA, project management certification and professional film membership, and I’ll blow up the industry!  I am ready to hit the ground running.  I’ve just joined the film organization today and will research area film schools for workshops because I will become the full package.  I haven’t ignored my online Ed2Go courses that hold me over whenever the Writer Center or UDC doesn’t offer the classes that I need.  I’ve just scored 86% on my Breaking into Sitcom TV writing final and scored 100% on Descriptive Settings quizzes 1 and 2.  This week I might pay $99 to enroll in Ed2Go’s Pleasures of Poetry because I must expand my creativity and vocabulary.  In addition, I might rollover my $87 to attend the Writer Center’s Syntax seminar to improve my wordplay.  These classes are personal investment ensuring that I keep learn and honing my craft to get picked up by the network.