Writing for Reality TV - 2014 Screenwriters World Conference Session
Just how "written" is Reality TV? It depends on the show. On one end of the spectrum are documentary style shows with rigorous rules of journalism that preclude any contrivance. On the other end of the spectrum are faux-reality shows where virtually everything is pre-scripted. And with 100+ reality shows on the air there's everything else in between. This session will explore the writing methods, techniques & tropes of various kinds of shows within the Reality TV genre. Learn what executive producers and supervising story producers do to shape the creative and what production company and network executives expect.
Product Details
- Instructor Daniel Abrams
- Instructor Josh Raymond
- Instructor Matt Sims
- Instructor Michael Gara
- Return policy: 30 days
Meet the Instructor: Daniel Abrams
Daniel Lawrence Abrams has produced hundreds of hours of Reality Television. Starting at E! Entertainment Television, Abrams was a writer/producer for E!'s MYSTERIES & SCANDALS documentary series. He subsequently produced the WORLD SERIES OF POKER (where he was the first producer to introduce "running statistics" graphics to illustrate which player had the advantage). He also produced the first season of the WORLD POKER TOUR for the Travel Channel. While working for Riptown Media / Bodog (the online gaming website), Abrams executive produced, wrote & directed the reality webisode series entitled BIF NAKED BRIDE which went on to be name... |
Meet the Instructor: Josh Raymond
Jersey Shore and Snooki & Jwoww while presently producing episodes of Tattoo Nightmares for Spike TV. In addition to aired TV series he has spent three years working in development of new shows for the company. While attending film school, he majored in writing and producing for scripted television and interned in the writer’s room for the first season of Criminal Minds. Though he works in the field, his main duties include building rough cuts of episodes to hand off to editors and then overseeing their completion throughout the entire notes process. Having come from the world of writing and scripted content, he lends a unique perspective ... |
Meet the Instructor: Matt Sims
Matt Sims is the SVP Development, Unscripted Programming with Ryan Seacrest Productions. He formerly served as VP for the company. Sims is currently working with SVP Development Jason Salarnis on several projects for networks such as NBC, Fox, CW, Esquire, MTV, FYI, among others. Sims reports to EVP Unscripted Programming Izzie Pick Ashcroft. Previously, Sims was the Director of Development at TLC. During his tenure there he developed projects including Cheer Nation Perfection and the wedding format Something Borrowed Somethin... |
Meet the Instructor: Michael Gara
Michael Gara is Vice President of Development at Endemol USA. Michael began his career in New York at NBC Sports and Barbra Streisand’s Barwood Films. He then moved to Los Angeles where he worked on scripted sitcoms, including writing credits for NBC’sJust Shoot Me. In 2002, Michael went over to the Dark Side – reality TV. He worked as a Story Producer on series for MTV, CBS, Fox, Discovery and the first year of Bravo's Real Housewives of Orange County, the season that launched the franchise. Michael then moved to Original Productions, hel... |