How to get a tv series produced?

[Andrew Carter]

Hi,

There's a few TV shows on Discovery and QUEST, namely Campervan Crisis and Mark evans Reborn series.
I've a really good idea for a series in a similar vein as this, but Im unsure where to start?

Any advice offered would be hugely appreciated.

thanks
Andrew

[Adam Gold]

Many threads on this already. The short answer is, without a track record, you can't. Do a search for "pilot."

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/taking-c...avel-show.html

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/taking-c...e-network.html

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/taking-c...s-network.html

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/taking-c...roduction.html

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/taking-c...broadcast.html

...among others.

However, if after reading through all of those you still wish to give it a shot, go to the websites for the networks you wish to target as clients. Read carefully and you may find something regarding submission guidelines and whether they are willing to work with unknown talent or are taking unsolicited submissions or pitches. Chances are they are not but you might get lucky. Last time I checked the Discovery and Scripps Networks sites they specified they weren't taking outside submissions and weren't working with anyone with whom they didn't already have a production deal, but things change.

[Brian Drysdale]

If you've never made a series, usually you need to get an independent producer with a track record interested so they can approach the commissioning editor at the broadcaster. There's a fair amount of work involved in just getting it to a stage that you can make a presentation. The Mark Evans was already established as a presenter before he did his "born" series.

[David Rice]

Start small. Create a few episodes and pitch the show to the small television outlets, or even test it on a local Community Television Network . In Alaska we have non-profit public TV networks that accept new programming from Independent producers all the time. There's a new commercial TV Station in Anchorage Alaska seeking programming. I have links to the above networks on my blog at alaskavideo.blogspot.com. There must be similar small outlets that seek new programming in the UK. You don't need to be big or have a big budget to begin producing a TV series. Start small.

[Adam Gold]

David, you're absolutely right. In these days of the democratization of media, with falling equipment prices and access to top-notch post-production tools on cell phones, anyone can "produce" a TV show. Getting national distribution on a broadcast, cable or satellite network is a totally different proposition and I shouldn't have assumed that the latter was what Andrew was asking about.

Also, here's another thread which has some links which deal with the process of turning ideas into shows:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/taking-c...ovie-idea.html

[Brian Drysdale]

Originally Posted by David Rice

There must be similar small outlets that seek new programming in the UK. You don't need to be big or have a big budget to begin producing a TV series. Start small.

Err... Not really, there is some mostly voluntary community type TV, but the next level up would be regional television run by the major broadcasters in the UK. However, the regional aspect of UK TV has actually been reduced over the years. There are plans for some local television based in some major cities doing local news and some local newspapers do have on line channels, but these tend to be news features rather than full programmes.

The programmes that were given as examples were originally made for Discovery Home and Leisure. Discovery Europe and other "cable" channels are looking for lifestyle and health productions that they can commission. The budgets for these programmes are often not that large.