Greenlit: Developing Factual/TV Ideas From Concept to Pitch – OUT NOW!

There are some simple principles to successfully developing and pitching your ideas, whether you are working for a global ‘super-indie’ production company, or are a documentary filmmaker pitching a passion project. The extraordinary thing is that no one will tell you what they are! Greenlit is the first book to reveal, step-by-step, how to originate, develop and pitch your factual/non-scripted TV ideas in a global market.

Get insider tips from: * 10 TV development producers – who have a combined 50+ years experience of developing and pitching ideas at all levels; * 20 senior executives who have sold some of the world’s most successful shows, to: * 16 channel executives, who between them have worked at: * 18 TV channels in: * 7 countries across 4 continents.

Greenlit is available now from Amazon and all good bookstores.

TV Development and Pitching 101: Do You Have What it Takes?

Not everyone who makes it into a commissioner’s office exhibits the ideal qualities for a successful pitch (and that goes for people on both sides of the desk). I’ve attended countless development meetings and I’ve come to recognize the recurring characters who inhabit Development Hell. Which one are you? Click through and take the quiz to find out. (Photo by DVIDSHUB CC BY 2.0)

Ignite 5-Minute Talks

Ignite is a global network of events where people give five-minute talks within a rigid format: they must present twenty slides and each slide must automatically change to the next after fifteen seconds. Speakers can talk about any topic except their own business interests. Previous talks have included technology, travel, personal hobbies and passions and [...]

Specialist Factual New Talent Pitch at Doc/Fest – Deadline Monday 4th October, 2010

Are you an academic with an idea for history, science or religion documentary that you’d like to pitch (and present)? Check out the Specialist Factual New Talent Pitch at the Sheffield Doc/Fest which gives academics from a range of disciplines the chance to present their own documentaries on TV. A panel of experts from Discovery Channel, Ch4, BBC and the Open University will take pitches from 6-8 shortlisted sumbissions at Doc/Fest on Saturday 6th November, 2010. The the winner will get the chance to make their film for Discovery Channel Europe.

For more information and application details visit http://sheffdocfest.com/view/newtalentpitch

Deadline: Monday 4th October, 2010 (Photo by j.o.h.n. walker CC BY 2.0)

Greenlit: Changing Lanes, BET

Changing Lanes (8x ) – Ludacris narrates this competition reality series which searches for new female and ethnic minority NASCAR race car drivers. The winner gets a place on the NASCAR Revolution Racing team. Channel: BET Producer: NASCAR Media Group / 10 x 10 Entertainment / The 909 Group TX: 1st September, 2010 Source: Cynopsis

How to Find a Celebrity

Red Pages is a subscription database of contacts for agents, managers and publicists for more than 20,000 international celebrities, including business leaders, models, sports stars and actors. It’s website asks you to fill in a subscription form for a sales agent to contact you (a sure sign it’s not going to be cheap), but you [...]

International Factual TV Conferences and Festivals 2011

There are many documentary and factual TV festivals every year. This list only contains festivals and conferences where you can pitch/sell/network with channel execs. All prices are in USD unless otherwise stated. January History Makers Date: 26th – 28th January, 2011 Location: New York, USA Focus: “The  World’s best program makers… looking forward to the [...]

FindaTVexpert YouTube channel

FindaTVexpert the UK talent database has launched its own YouTube channel where you can watch showreels and video pitches of experts ranging from urban gardeners, to vets, psychologists sex therapists and a female priest.

Greenlit: Love Bus, Fiver

Love Bus (10×30′) – Zoe Salmon presents a new dating show that is based on an iconic Routemaster double decker bus, which tours the UK trying to find lonely singles a date from five potential suitors. Each one will have to make an impression before the bus stops at the next stop, where another hopeful [...]

Media Guardian Edinburgh International TV Festival, 27th – 29th August 2010

It’s that time of year again – when all the great and good (bad and ugly) of TV land descend on Edinburgh for the Media Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival to let their hair down and provide enough gossip to last for the next year. Whilst not a sales or pitching market, the festival is a great opportunity to network, get the inside track on industry trends and do some celebrity spotting.

This year’s speakers include: Mark Austin (ITN), Dr Pamela Connelly (Shrink Rap), Katie Price, Steven Moffat (Dr Who), Jimmy Mulville (Hat Trick Productions) and Andy Harries (Wallander / The Royle Family). There’s also a special festival version of Got To Dance and a comedy talent competition to find the funniest people behind the cameras. Click through for more information or visit www.mgeitf.co.uk.