The Reality of Reality (Television)
There are basically two kinds of reality shows: the first is the talent-based show that follows around a person, or a family, or a collection of Real Housewives. The second is a competition show based around a talent (or lack thereof) like cooking, sewing, or singing, that often involves celebrity hosts or judges.
So maybe you have an idea for the next great competition reality show, bringing together America’s disobedient dogs along with the greatest dog trainers for an epic doggie obedience battle hosted by pet-lover Ellen DeGeneres. (You even have a great name for it: Pooch Perfect)
There’s only one problem: You don’t know Ellen. And while you’re a great dog trainer, and you’re certain that America would love the show, the fact is you don’t have the access or the connections to get a show like that made. Not many do.
On the other hand, your Cousin Sal is hysterical. The life of the party, he’s always up to do crazy things, like marching in parades without an invitation, or swiping food off stranger’s plates at restaurants. He once even ate an entire bowl of dog food just to
win a bet. Yeah, Sal is totally awesome, your entire family agrees that he should have his own television show!
And the fact is, he could. Why? Because while a competition show like Pooch Perfect is just a concept, a show revolving around your cousin Sal already has one of the most important elements for reality television, and that’s talent.
Now I can’t promise that Cousin Sal has what it takes to have a reality show. But the only way to find out is to put Sal on tape. In the world of reality, that’s called a Sizzle Reel, or Sales Tape. A Sizzle Reel is basically filming, editing, and showcasing the talent for your reality show doing what they do best.
What makes a good Sizzle Reel?
- Your reality characters have to be over the top. Super funny. Super psycho. Super attractive. Super weird. No one is going to tune in to see a guy who’s just sorta funny, or a family who sits down to a nice, quiet dinner.
Are they crazy funny, do they get laughs even when they’re not trying to? Are they dramatic, do they fight a lot and create tension wherever they go? Or are they inspiring, overcoming an obstacle to do amazing things? Because a character-driven reality show has to start with one of these elements.
- Do they live in an interesting world? We’ve seen shows about treasure hunters. (American Pickers). And child beauty pageants. (Honey Boo-Boo). Bakeries. (Cake Boss). Animal conservation. (Whale Wars). Even amazing fishtanks. (Tanked).
A world that’s new and interesting to a television audience is a great start. But if it’s a world that we’ve seen before, hopefully you have an angle on this world that hasn’t been fully explored on television. That said, I wouldn’t recommend pitching a show about the cupcakes you make in your bakery, as there are about 5 cupcake shows currently on TV.
- What are the stakes? “Stakes” is essentially just a device used in television to create tension and drama. While it’s great that the bakery just got in an order for 20 dozen cupcakes, it’s not as entertaining if they don’t have to deliver them for a week. This is reality television, they need to deliver 20 dozen cupcakes in two hours! (And oops, they’ve run out of flour!) Will they deliver?! That is the stakes for the episode.
Stakes can be as simple as a negotiation between an American Picker and a guy selling an old car out of his barn, or as difficult as will the guys from Whale Wars catch the whaling ship and save the whale without the ship sinking?
Now, not every reality show will have all 3 of these elements. Some might have one, others may have two of them. But like a slot machine in Las Vegas, if you can line all three of these elements up together — characters, new worlds, and high stakes, you’ve hit the jackpot and probably have the recipe for a great reality television show!
Why us?
No one in Chicago has worked on more reality shows and Sizzle Reels that me.
Having worked in Hollywood in reality television for over 15 years, I produced and edited some of the most well-known shows around. Biggest Loser, Hell’s Kitchen, America’s Next Top Model, American Ninja Warrior, I’ve helped create hundreds of hours of reality television.
More importantly, I’ve personally produced and/or edited dozens of Sizzle Tapes for nearly every network on television. I’ve worked on shows that have eventually sold and went to series, including Leave It To Lamas, Saved By the Baby, How’d You Get So Rich? and countless others. I’ve worked for every major network and just about every cable outlet, and I have a good idea what they’re looking for.
I would love to speak with you about your idea for a reality show, and be happy to give you my insights into the show’s potential. I can work with you to create a compelling Sizzle for your project, or I’d be happy to take the footage that you’ve already shot and edit it into something that will grab people’s attention.
Additionally, with my experience in the reality world, I’m constantly in touch with producers and executives that are looking for the next great reality show. Who knows, that might wind up being yours!