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

MotorSport Ranch II: The Series

In 2005 I began this blog to detail my experiences creating and producing a reality pilot called MotorSport Ranch.  Since then we sold the pilot to INHD who aired it throughout 2006.  Subsequently we completed production of a 13 episode season which aired on Dish Network's Rush HD channel in 2007.  Most recently I began working on a book titled, "Adventures in High Definition: How a First-time Producer Crossed the Finish Line and Scored a Reality Show - Without Losing His Shirt". 

After reviewing the blog I reread this blog and realized how incomplete, out of date and lousy this blog was.  I understood that not only was I a first-time producer, I was a first-time blogger.  I have had a few years of fairly extensive blogging experience and decided that it might be smart to start over with a new blog.  The new blog is titled, "High Def, the confessions of a reality show newbie". 

Check out a few of the posts:

You should not consider going into reality television production as a career, ever.

So you STILL want to produce your own reality television series?

Never swim alone, that goes for reality television production too.

You have an idea for a reality television show, what do you do next?

Treatment, screener, or pilot? That is the question.

Make your idea defensible.

Turning your run of the mill idea into a ‘high concept idea’.

The Flickr Stream from Race Day at MotorSport Ranch

Here is the Flickr stream from the final race day at MotorSport Ranch.

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).

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."