HOW TO RIDE THE REALITY TV WAVE
Tidal Wave TV's team is proud to have overseen dozens of top-rated shows during the reality TV explosion.  If you think this might also be the career for you, here are some insights that might help you get started:

• INDUSTRY LINGO–This genre of TV is called "non-fiction programming."  Within that category, "reality TV" often refers to story-driven, present-day shows, where events are unfolding with real people in real time.  Reality shows often are broken down into reality competition shows, where contestants compete against each other for a big prize (think "Amazing Race"), and vérité shows, where cameras follow subjects through a certain experience in their life (think "The Real World").  Other non-fiction programming includes documentary or "doc" TV, which is fact- and/or history-based (think "Modern Marvels"), lifestyle shows (think "Sensible Chic"), magazine and entertainment shows (think "Access"), talk  formats (think "Oprah" or "The View") and performance-based and awards shows (think "The Grammys" or "American Idol").


• INDUSTRY STRUCTURE–Usually, production companies (independent or studio-owned) produce shows for the networks to broadcast.  Working on a reality show means getting staffed at the production company that's producing it; their logo card airs at the end of the show on most networks, or you can look the show up on www.imdb.com and look up "Company Credits."

• REALITY MYTHS–Non-fiction shows aren't shot in the field then pieced together in an editing bay...or they shouldn't be!  Producers need to understand story beats and character arc so you can track your stories from pre-interviews to field shoots to editing.  And reality isn't all about shaming guests or grossing the audience out!  There are a lot of life-changing/life-affirming shows getting great ratings (think "Remixed!").

• REALITY JOBS–If any of the non-fiction genres appeal to you as a possible career goal, consider the skills you have that would work in these five areas:  Casting needs recruiters to feed the machine with qualified, charismatic people to appear on shows.  Story/Creative needs writers, researchers and bookers/interviewers to work with guests to develop their stories.  Field needs directors, camera and audio operators, and support crew to capture the show in action. Production needs skilled office coordinators and production assistants to keep the machine running smoothly.  Post needs editors, loggers and assistants to cut the shows together into hits.  Be warned: reality TV is brutal work (six-day weeks, 12-15 hour days) with little time or money for error, so don't try to start at the top by launching a production company and pitching shows before you learn how they operate.  This is an industry where it pays off to learn fast as you go, and you absolutely will rise if you get the experience and contacts you need to create and sustain hit shows.


• GETTING HIRED–The truth is, you usually need to know someone to get a job.  Wherever you live, join at least one professional writer or producer's organization (or start one if you can't find one).  FIND is nationwide, for instance.  Be a good contact, and you'll make good ones.  Post your rez at www.realitystaff.com, and check there and Craig's List and www.mandy.com for regular listings.  If you live in L.A. or NYC, contact a show you love with a one-page, typed rez (use a Word table for a clean look), and offer to work for free for a set period of time.  Everyone's got a lot of interns, so stick it out until you find a company who needs you.  Then wow them with your skills and see if you don't get a paying job (or at least an all-important screen credit).


• SELLING YOUR OWN SHOW–Selling your own show is not impossible; it just is not as easier as many people think it is! Our Show Starter service puts on seminars for professional organizations, film festivals, colleges and more to help people understand the unusual business model that is reality TV. If you are trying to sell your own reality show, you need to read our new book, The Show Starter Reality TV Made Simple System: Ten Steps to Creating and Pitching a Sellable Reality Show. Don't forget to order the online goodie bag, filled with key resources you will need to make that sale!


• REALITY CHECKS–Are lower than the fiction world, but it's a great living once you get going.

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