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For over a decade, Donna Michelle Anderson (p/k/a "DMA") has been a a writer, producer and show runner of dozens of high-rated non-fiction television programs for networks such as CBS, Fox, Bravo, History Channel, A&E, Disney Channel, TLC and more. She is a graduate of Stanford University and an active member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the Producers Guild of America and Showbiz Mensans.
DMA began her career in Hollywood as a story analyst for a major production company, where she first developed her "1-3-5" system of story structure for screenplays. Within a year, she was teaching the popular system to students at the prestigious UCLA Extension Writing Program. After teaching the system cross-country for nearly a decade, in 2006, DMA published the in-demand technique in The 1-3-5 Story Structure Made Simple System: The Nine Essential Elements of a Sellable Screenplay, her first book.
In non-fiction and reality television, DMA has long been a successful "rescue producer," combining her strong skills in story with a streamlined approach to production process that has earned her the nickname "Systems Queen." An expert in setting up staffing structures, work flow, databases and more to serve story, as a show runner, she's even cast, produced, shot, edited and delivered thirteen half-hour episodes - and aired ten of them - in only twelve weeks, with record ratings (and a stellar production staff)! Currently, she is expanding her production skills into broadband and mobile content.
In 2004, DMA founded her own television and new media production company, Tidal Wave TV, to create "powerful, provocative, signature entertainment" for domestic and international broadcast. Tidal Wave TV is proud to also offer its Show Starter™ production services to set up shows for production companies and offer "reality production instruction" to industry professionals via seminars, private training intensives and a new book series. "The Show Starter Reality TV Made Simple System, Vol. 1: Ten Steps to Creating and Pitching a Sellable Reality Show is DMA's second published book and the first in her ongoing series of non-fiction production manuals.
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Breaking Into Hollywood - How Do I Make Money in Reality Tv?What do the following questions have in common:
* How do I own my reality show?
* How do I keep the rights to my show?
* How do I produce my own show?
* How do I syndicate my own show?
Without fail, the real question underneath the original one is: "How do I make as much money as possible for as little effort as possible in reality TV?" Breaking Into Hollywood - When Should I Just Shoot a Project Myself?If you're excited about your latest TV or film project and are hitting a pitching wall, you may be tempted to grab a camera, call in some favors and shoot the whole thing yourself! Is there ever a right time to do that? Well, yes. And there also are right times to not even consider it. Let's talk about the truth and consequences behind shooting your own reels. Breaking Into Hollywood - How Do I Translate the Entertainment Trades Into Project Sales?Learn about specific examples of what you might find in the entertainment trades - and how you can translate that information into selling your own projects. Breaking Into Hollywood - Do you Know Anyone Who's Hiring?This is a tough article to publish, but it's just so important! The message of this missive is simple: stop asking people to hire you. STOP IT. It is not only not an effective way to break into the industry, it is a sure way to drive away the very people who are able to help you. Breaking Into Hollywood - How Do I Make New Media Work for Me?At this point, you've all heard the term "new media." So you've also probably all asked the question: "What exactly IS new media?" But don't think it's okay not to know the answer! It's been 50 years since there was this radical a shift in the entertainment business model - AND since the barriers to entry and success were this low. That isn't going to last, so if you don't know what's happening with ITV, IPTV, Mobisodes and more, time's up.
Now let me take the question even further and answer this question instead: "How can I make new media work for me?" Breaking Into Hollywood - How Do I Get Cast on a Reality Show?There are 3 ways to be cast on a reality show:
*Attend a cattle call;
*Submit directly for consideration;
*Know somebody who works on the show and get walked in.
#3 is terrific, but it’s not necessary (really!). What’s more important is knowing how to NOT get on a reality show. Let’s start with sending naked photos, videos of yourself in the restroom and a truly bizarre mix of other attempts to get cast. Your personality is enough. Maybe.
Now for the Do's. Breaking Into Hollywood - Do I Really Need a Screenwriting Seminar?I’m a producer who has enjoyed both sides of the writing seminar experience. As a writing fellow years ago, I attended many diverse seminars. Then, as a story analyst for a major production company, I developed my own system for understanding and applying story structure which I now teach in a seminar of my own. There are three things I explain to people who question or resist “learning how to write” through professional seminars. Breaking Into Hollywood - How Do I Write for TV if I Live in Nyc?Despite popular (and fairly legitimate) concern, it definitely is possible to write for TV if you are based in New York rather than Los Angeles. Yes, ultimately, you will want to live here in L.A. to take advantage of the bulk of work being here. But you don't need to live here to get hired. You just need to meet the right people who do. Breaking Into Hollywood - Who Should I Pay to Get Paid?I'm going to keep this short, but not at all sweet! Who should you pay to make it in show biz? You should expect to pay any professional whose products or services help you break into the industry if that person will NOT otherwise directly financially profit from your income. Breaking Into Hollywood - Do I Need to Read the Trades?I very regularly hear the question: "Why should I read the trades?" Here's the quick answer: you have to read the trades to know what's going on in the industry you're trying to earn work, income and respect in. I think the better question is: "HOW should I read the trades?" That's because once you zero in on the key information, you'll be less overwhelmed by all of the additional stories that make reading the trades feel like such a task.
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