How to Produce a TV Show
You've seen many seemingly everyday people with their own TV show, and thought, "I could do that!" The truth is, although producing can be challenging, you are right, you can do it! You just need a few tips to figure out how to manuver through the mysterious world of television production. Follow the steps below and you'll be on your way to producing the next big hit, or at least the greatest local show!
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Instructions
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Develop your idea. The old adage, "Stick with what you know," definitely holds true when attempting to produce your own TV show. If you are a fantastic carpenter, consider creating a show revolving around carpentry. If you bake the best pies in your entire county, a TV show could be the perfect showcase for your baking talents. Even if you are writing a scripted series, having a solid idea, that you are knowledgeable about, will aid your production process. Not to mention the fact that the show will be genuine, and that sincerity will show in the finished product.
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Find someone who has film production experience. Once you have decided on the show's genre, post an ad on to hire a film professional, or film student. Go over everything you will need logistically with your production expert, including the script, equipment, set dressings, number of cameras, lighting and sound concerns, and additional people to hire, before filming begins. Enlist your professional's help to set your budget as well.
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Cast the show. If you are producing a scripted drama or comedy, consider posting your audition in various trade papers such as "Backstage" (for NY area) and "Backstage West"(California). Use talent sites as well, to elicit a greater response. You can cast your unscripted show this way as well. Even reality shows need an entertaining cast.
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Make use of the web. Anyone can upload video to websites. For unlimited time constraints try "blipTV." Before you spend money leasing airtime, and hiring more professionals to help, try your idea out online. See how many hits your video gets. This might be an indication of the public's interest in your idea.
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Rehearse, rehearse and rehearse some more. Before you even consider marketing your project to networks or cable companies, be sure your show is polished. Bring the cast in and get the show as clean as possible. Once ready, shoot one episode. Next you will need to hire an editor to create a promotional demo. This demo will be your calling card in the business.
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Make connections. In television production who you know is so important. You can do a mass mailing of your promotional demo and a friendly query letter to network production houses listed in the "Ross Reports." Visit "Ross Reports Online" at Backstage.com to order the mailing lists. However, some studios will not even look at unsolicited material, so personal connections are your best bet. Use every social outing as an opportunity. Ask around, eventually you'll find someone, who knows someone in the biz. Try to work every angle that you can find to get your demo seen.
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Opt to air the show yourself. Lease airtime from a local station. Cable companies are required to have access channels. You can purchase airtime from these access channels. Decide how much time you want to purchase because most stations offer many options. You may purchase anywhere from an hour to months at a time. You may also decide to go the public access route for educational programs, which is free.
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Tips & Warnings
It can be difficult to break into show business, even educational show business, but with enough ambition it is possible to transform a well developed idea into a produced TV show.
