AboutMarrissa O`Leary Expertise Happy to help with your questions about the business of television. I`ve been a TV Business Affairs, Talent and Comedy executive for over 10 years after starting out as a child actress. I`ve been a VP at two studios, and consulted for others. You may find the answers to your reality show questions in the "Previously Answered Questions", so please take a look!
Experience MBA, Pepperdine University / BA, Theatre Arts, Occidental College / AA Mass-Telecommunications Technology, Unites States International University
Question Hi Marrissa,
I've been trying to figure out how to present a new idea for a reality TV show. I'm sure ideas are given everyday and are probably not as good as we think they are. But my idea would have more drama in it than even The Hills, I can assure you of it, and every time I tell someone they are so sure it would work.
So my question, if you can help, and I really hope you can, is how do I find the information to present my idea, and how do I present it? I would also love to be one of the girls in the show. Can you help? Its been something I've been trying to do for two years.
Thank you very much,
Tawney
Answer Dear Tawney:
Thanks for the question.
I'm certain if you look carefully through the "previously answered questions", you will see tons of questions and answers about reality shows. It seems pretty much everyone has an idea and no one seems to know exactly how to go about selling them.
You should probably go through the questions, and prepare a two or three page write up about what your show would be and who it would appeal to. You will find instructions on how to register it, etc. in the previous questions.
Given that you want to actually appear in yours, I would also then recommend that you grab all your friends and a local college TV/Film Department and shoot a sample of what your show would be. Edit it down to about 5-10 minutes, tops.
Again, referring to the previous questions, you can read about contacting producers and agents and also about attending conventions such as NATPE (www.natpe.org) to try and reach potential buyers. You might even consider trying it out on your local cable access network just to perfect the project before you try to sell it.
I hope this helps you get started. After you've reviewed everything, then if you still need answers, please write me again.
