How to create, produce and air your reality television idea.

Race Day: MotorSport Ranch the Series wraps!

This morning Ethan and I made our way out to MotorSport Ranch for the final day of filming of the series (13 episodes on VOOM).  Today the final races were held.  There will likely be a couple pick up days, but for most of us it was a wrap!  Ethan, who was a little too young to enjoy the filming of the pilot, enjoyed the races (hopefully his exuberance didn't make its way on the soundtrack). 

It was evident that in the short span of a year HD technology has improved greatly.  The shoot consisted of one large (40lbs) Sony HD camera on mid-track, another big Sony on a 20-30 foot lift, another one the tightest turn and several small Sony HD cameras (these are tiny - less than an lbs) in the cars, one following Jack Farr and one on a remote control helicopter.

I will post photos on Flickr (link to come). 

Big Race and Last Shoot Day!

Filming of the series (13 episodes for VOOM) will wrap on the 21st of January.  On that day we will have the final race between the featured drivers and it should be fairly interesting.  In the pilot the race was staged - i.e. it was simulated and the outcome was predetermined - this time the race is real and we have no idea what is going to happen.  Bob's crew will be using three big HD cameras around the track, a camera car and multiple HD cameras in each car (the editing in Final Cut is going to be exciting). 

We will be filming the behind the scenes (video and stills) and invite all interested parties to attend.  I will post more details about the schedule in the next week or so. 

December Shoot Schedule

Here is the current December shoot schedule:

12/01/05 - Back Interview / Car Profile (track)
12/06/05 - Race day (track)
12/07/05 - Driver / Car Profile (track)
12/08/05 - Race day (track)
12/13/05 - Back Interview / Car Profile (track)
12/14/05 - Race day (track)

Check back for more updates...

Shooting Schedule Update

This weekend (continuing through next week) our film crew will be shooting b-roll and off-track interviews.  We will be shooting on track on November 21, 22 and after Thanksgiving. 

The second chapter: Making the Series

So it has taken quite a bit longer than I had expected, but here we are, finally shooting 13 episodes of MotorSport Ranch to be aired on VOOM. I will be detailing our progress as we begin general photography next week. Check back for a schedule and photos from the shoot. Can you believe it?

Learn how we created, produced and sold MotorSport Ranch (from the beginning).

Start from the beginning and read the first post:  What is MotorSport Ranch?

Have you ever wondered how to create, produce and sell your own television pilot? This blog details the trials and tribulations Scott and I went through to get our show on the air.  From the first meeting in Las Vegas, to the party at the Playboy mansion you will learn how these first time producers from Dallas, Texas lived the Hollywood dream (from Texas).

You have an idea for a show! Now what?

I get this sort of email each week:

Hi, I am trying to write and pitch a tv pilot.  I was just wondering if you could help me out with some info like: what is needed in a proposal and who / how do you attempt to sell it to a network. Thanks a million!

So I figure it might be helpful to answer the question for everyone.  Simple answer:  Hell if I know!  Call me if you figure it out.  First I would suggest writing a treatment, next register your idea with the WGA, and finally start selling your show to networks.  What is your idea? He answers:

Basically all we have is an idea for a sitcom, we really 110% believe this will work. Its based around the [removed] we have the rough sketch / outline / synopsis (whatever its called). What we don't know if A. were missing anything and B. Once we have this outline who are the correct people we should seek out and pitch this to. How do this process work. One of the big advantages we have going for us if that we already operate [removed]. we would have a very unique advantage in marketing this than any normal sitcom or television show.

So here are some thoughts (worth exactly what you are paying for them):

First,  you need something 'they' can't get.  Otherwise you walk in the with the next killer idea and likely have people they 'trust' who can execute quickly and with less risk that you can.  (this happened with the Contender series)  So we had the venue, a pilot in the can, and a BIG headstart.  Even then a few people tried to 'steal' our idea and beat us to the punch.  What can you 'get' that they can't? Well a star – getting a big name attached before you pitch can really help.  Get a show runner who has worked with the networks you want to use – it will be hard to get someone good – the good guys are busy – the bad guys are available. 

Second, most networks won't review unsolicited work – i.e. If they have not asked you for it, they won't watch it.  This is true for major networks and cable networks.  It is crazy hard to get in the door.  So you might consider hiring an agent or get an entertainment lawyer who has connections.  Also, you might consider hiring a production company – cut them in on the deal and get them to help you sell the idea. 

So what are you going to get for all your trouble?  If the sitcom makes it you can make $1-5K per show.  Alternatives?  Have you considered shooting the program yourself?  Editing is very easy (for less than $5K you can get the latest greatest editing station).  Start airing your show on the Internet and then pitch your existing show that already has an audience.  Online distribution is going to be huge – get in early and you might get press for being early – if your show is any good you may get press for having great content – if your show is very good you might get picked up by a network.  If you succeed going this route you will make a lot more per show – 10s of thousands per episode. 

It is almost impossible to play the network game and make any money.   You have to change the game to win – do something they can't – get something they can't and so on...  Good luck!

Then he asks:

I'm curious about your experience with other people trying to steal your ideas or get it done quicker without you. How did they try to steal your idea, who were these people? Networks, agents, random people? etc? How competitive was this? Is this something I should really keep a tight grip of?

I figure the odds of this becoming an actual show I see on TV is the same odds of hitting the lotto, but I'm going in on the attitude you have to be in it to win it and not going to quit my day job.

First, just let go – tell EVERYONE your idea.  You will NOT be able to protect it.  Besides locking up a location or attaching an actor to the project your only protection will be your desire to get your idea on TV.  No one else cares as much as you do about the project.  So who might try to steal it?  Everyone.  The network you pitch to might say, that is a great idea we are working on something similar and indeed they might be working on something that will quickly turn into your show idea.  Everyone has lots of projects in development – i.e. Prior to purchasing them for air.  How can you prevent this from happening?  If EVERYONE knows you are working on something then everyone will know it was your idea.  Get it?  Everyone assumes they should keep their idea secret until the last possible minute.  The opposite is true.  Blog about your concept.  Talk about it.  Email every network executive with your treatment.  Call agents, lawyers and so on...

He then responds:

Again, thank you for all your help...ever thought about writing a book about this subject? You would do very well.

Write a book?  With all of this bogging, who has time to write books?

Co-Production deal in the works for MotorSport Ranch

This afternoon I received a copy of a co-production deal to produce 26 episodes of MotorSport Ranch.  The format would be much like the original 'Big Show' idea with drivers from across the globe competing at the ranch.  The deal is not even close to being finished, but it is quite exciting so I thought I would give you all the good news. 

Fast Company mention of MotorSport Ranch

The Fast Company Weblog gave us a nice mention today.  Check out the post titled, "Dude, You're Getting Dell'd."  Here is an excerpt:

"Sometimes, the amateurs even turn pro.  Alex Muse started his own DIY media project -- a reality tv show called MotorSport Ranch, which followed a few members of a Texas country club built for car racing enthusiasts. He taught himself how to produce the first high-definition reality show, used LinkedIn to find people to work with and pitch the show to, sold the pilot to INHD and is now negotiating for additional episodes and distribution in Asia. All because the tools are simple, knowledge is easily acquired and connections are simpler to come by."

MSR show update for August.

The first airdate for the show was slightly more than 30 days ago.  From all the emails and comments it sounds like the show did fairly well.  Bob met with INHD this week and they are determining how many episodes they want to order.  Another U.S. based HD network has expressed an interest in the program even though it premiered on another HD network.  Finally, we have an international group is interested in the 'big' show concept for air in Asia.  I wasn't hopeful that we would find a home for the series, but the flurry of activity following the premiere of the pilot has made me optimistic.  It is starting to feel like an auction (let the bidding begin).  Cross your fingers!