Who can I pitch my idea to?

[jaredm]

I have a reality show idea. I think it would make a good show and would like to know the process of pitching a reality show and who I could get in touch with to pitch it. Thanks in advance.

[DavidK]

A short answer: look at the credits for some reality shows and pitch to those prodcos. Make sure your idea is fully fleshed out with a treatment written up, don't just deliver the idea. Face to face meetings are usually necessary to do this so you might want to begin with prodcos within easy traveling distance if you aren't in a main production area such as LA. Also realize that reality shows are being pitched by the hundreds these days and it's a competitive market so your concept really needs to stand out. Alternatively try to do it small and local to establish the format and the sell up if it succeeds.

[NikeeGoddess]

see what companies are attending here:
http://www.pitchfest.com/gapf/great_american_pitchfest.shtml

[scripto80]

David is right. Watch the shows, take notes, research the companies and locate contacts for them, create a proper pitch, and start pitching. Also, connections are helpful. Because reality shows are so profusely popular right now as a cheap cost money maker, they are profusely abundant. So if you live in the LA-area, odds are you know someone, or know someone who knows someone, who works or has worked on a reality show. Ask around and see if you can get any contacts, and then start hustlin'.

[OCGirl]

A short answer: look at the credits for some reality shows and pitch to those prodcos. Make sure your idea is fully fleshed out with a treatment written up, don't just deliver the idea. Face to face meetings are usually necessary to do this so you might want to begin with prodcos within easy traveling distance if you aren't in a main production area such as LA. Also realize that reality shows are being pitched by the hundreds these days and it's a competitive market so your concept really needs to stand out. Alternatively try to do it small and local to establish the format and the sell up if it succeeds.

Should you register your treatment with the WGA? Seems like you need to protect your idea somehow...

[dirtbottle]

I have a reality show idea. I think it would make a good show and would like to know the process of pitching a reality show and who I could get in touch with to pitch it. Thanks in advance.


I've pitched a few reality show treatments and worked on the filming of another show that my friends got funding for. You need to get a treatment together (and register it with WGA) you can do a search online for how to do a reality show treatment. Then like these people say, find companies that are involved on the credits. A lot of places like LMNO Productions and so on are good places to start. Good luck.

[LeadSolo]

I've done the search for these things, but come up with some sketchy material. Any links to current (read: good) Reality TV treatment examples out there?

[dirtbottle]

I've done the search for these things, but come up with some sketchy material. Any links to current (read: good) Reality TV treatment examples out there?

http://www.tvwritersvault.com/realitytv/creatingreality.asp

This is a very good link for treatments. It's also the first one that came up on google so I don't know where you've been getting "sketchy" material from it's pretty standard stuff. They have good samples at the bottom of the page.

[LeadSolo]

Thanks. Somehow, I missed it.