DMA/Donna Michelle Anderson

There is one main way to get a pitch meeting for a reality show, whether you work in non-fiction or not, and that is through people you know. Understanding how to meet those people, what to bring into the room, and what to expect as you shop a project, is the secret to success.

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?"

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.

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.

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.

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 t

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.

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.

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.

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.

When new screenwriters finish their scripts, they often begin the search for a rep to submit the work around town. But is that the best way to do it? Well, sure! But it's not the ONLY way to do it. As you prep to get your script sold, base your marketing strategy on these three steps.

There is one main way to get a pitch meeting for a reality show, whether you work in non-fiction or not, and that is through people you know. Understanding how to meet those people, what to bring into the room, and what to expect as you shop a project, is the secret to success.

How do you sell a reality show? If you're like most people who work in reality TV, you sell a show by working for some years in reality television, amassing good credits and production experience, building strong relationships with production companies, networks and vendors, running someone else's shows for trench education, then pitching your concepts and your solid reputation to make your first sale(s). If that doesn't sound like you, or especially if it does, please read on.

One of my first jobs in Los Angeles was as a story analyst at a major production company. If you'd love to spend long nights and weekends reading and analyzing the future hits (and not-so-much-a-hits) of Hollywood, here's how you go after this fascinating, funny and frankly high burn-out entry-level gig.

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?"

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

When new screenwriters finish their scripts, they often begin the search for a rep to submit the work around town. But is that the best way to do it? Well, sure! But it's not the ONLY way to do it. As you prep to get your script sold, base your marketing strategy on these three steps.

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.

There is one main way to get a pitch meeting for a reality show, whether you work in non-fiction or not, and that is through people you know. Understanding how to meet those people, what to bring into the room, and what to expect as you shop a project, is the secret to success.

One of my first jobs in Los Angeles was as a story analyst at a major production company. If you'd love to spend long nights and weekends reading and analyzing the future hits (and not-so-much-a-hits) of Hollywood, here's how you go after this fascinating, funny and frankly high burn-out entry-level gig.

How do you sell a reality show? If you're like most people who work in reality TV, you sell a show by working for some years in reality television, amassing good credits and production experience, building strong relationships with production companies, networks and vendors, running someone else's shows for trench education, then pitching your concepts and your solid reputation to make your first sale(s). If that doesn't sound like you, or especially if it does, please read on.

Recently, I helped a friend put together materials for an upcoming production. We requested a bio from one of the participants three times, and it finally arrived a few days later, with typos. And I thought, "Sometimes Hollywood hopefuls are so focused on what they hope employers are going to give them, they aren't prepared with what they're supposed to give US." So here are the five marketing materials, at minimum, you need to always have on hand to advance as a show biz professional.

If you're starting out or moving up in the entertainment industry, knowing what pay rate to ask for is particularly hard. In general, it's very important not to sell yourself too short OR price yourself too high. What determines this is not just the "market rate" for the services you're delivering. When you're setting your fee for a job, take nine key things into consideration - every time.

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.

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.

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.