Getting Your Reality TV Show Idea in Front of the People Who
Make Them
Copyright 2006 Matt Canham
More, more, more for less, less, less is what the networks are
saying about reality television because the popularity has
staying power that is here forever.
There will always be a new reality show coming out, with new
ideas coming from every aspect of life and there are even
television stations dedicated to reality TV 24 hours a day.
But how long can this golden run go on? The short answer is
indefinitely, as there is something of a stand off in place. The
viewers ask that question, and the producers also ask that
question, and both sides continue to watch and create the
programs.
Who will crack first? When will they crack? With the huge
success of many shows, it is not going to be anytime soon. But
what about this huge success?
In terms of the individual success of one show, it will have
little to do with the overall popularity of the genre. The run
away success of The Simpsons didn't stop others producing
animation, just as the wild success of one Reality show won't
stop others from being made.
The big attraction to Reality TV is the audience involvement.
They are watching real people and invest in them emotionally.
Anyone who invests their time emotionally, isn't going to just
walk away, so they stay and keep watching to see the eventual
outcome. And we already know there are no limits to the
behaviour and emotions of human beings.
For this reason, I feel the next wave will be even wilder that
the what we are seeing now. It's going to get kind of weird
folks, which in turn makes for great television. Sorry to all my
buddies in Hollywood that act or are so called real writers.
In my opinion reality TV show writers are just that; "writers"
but they are also creators as well which is an interesting
duality that is really unique to them. Everyone has got an idea
but who is able to lay it out so a producer can envision their
show idea, who knows the ins and out and which hoops to jump
through. Who knows what will be a colossal waste of time and at
the same time knows exactly the proper path to take? The path
that can lift your idea from just an idea to a simple proper one
page treatment across the right desk of the right person, in the
right fashion, without smacking of desperation and looking as if
it has been put together by someone lacking experience...
The big consideration these days is the potential market for
advertising. If you can clearly identify the target age groups
for your show and the companies who might want to advertise to
that market, you will have a very powerful pitch. The Contender
was a great example - Everlast and Toyota Tundra broadcast to an
audience of millions. Reality shows are about Entertainment, but
they are also new vehicles for advertising!
Instead of just being involved in the breaks between the show,
Reality TV allows advertisers to become part of the show. And
any adman worth his place on Madison Avenue will know that being
in the mind of the consumer for the whole show, not just 30
seconds of it, is a very worthy exposure for his client.
For this reason, the role of potential advertisers in the show
should be of paramount importance to writers. Reality TV is not
just about entertainment - it is also about selling products to
the shows target audience. Never forget that.
If your idea is good, you might want to move ahead with it NOW.
There are 150 top production companies that do reality shows and
are waiting for the next big idea.
There is only question left you need to ask yourself. Is it
going to be yours?