ABSTRACT

This book is an unvarnished look at how to originate, pitch, sell, and produce factual television programming for global broadcast television networks and streaming services.

Grounded in firsthand experience, this essential "how to guide" walks readers through the crucial steps in the factual television process while unpacking valuable insights to successfully producing and delivering projects on time and on budget. With over 20 years of experience in the TV documentary arena, Executive Producer Dylan Weiss shares how to break into the industry, originate your own documentary ideas, forge a path forward through the creative process, prepare your concepts for commissioners, and then pitch them to networks, broadcasters, streamers, and distributors around the world. Industry voices are layered throughout sharing their experiences from each stage of the process. These interviews include top executives from Disney, Investigation Discovery, National Geographic, and many more.

This is an ideal resource for independent documentary producers looking to create and pitch their work to top television networks and streaming services.

chapter Chapter One|23 pages

Breaking In and Getting Started

chapter Chapter Two|3 pages

The Eight Factual Steps

chapter Chapter Three|15 pages

Idea Creation

chapter Chapter Four|16 pages

Crafting a Presentation

chapter Chapter Five|25 pages

Pitching Your Idea

chapter Chapter Six|53 pages

Selling Your Idea

chapter Chapter Seven|42 pages

Pre-Production

chapter Chapter Eight|42 pages

Field-Production

chapter Chapter Nine|36 pages

The Post-Production Process

chapter Chapter Ten|14 pages

Delivery and Exhibition

chapter Chapter Eleven|23 pages

Forging a Factual Career

chapter Chapter Twelve|2 pages

Appendix