Summary
This Webinar has a 100% Satisfaction Rating!
It’s undeniable that we’re witnessing a new era of unscripted television. The staggering, cultural success of shows like CHEF'S TABLE, CHEER, RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE, PAMELA: A LOVE STORY, LAST CHANCE U: BASKETBALL, LOVE IS BLIND and PERFECT MATCH signify in no uncertain terms that the appetite is huge for premium docuseries and will likely continue to be for at least the near future.
In today’s rapidly evolving television landscape, one of the greatest challenges that producers face is how to develop series that will actually resonate in such an increasingly crowded space. Gone are the days of having an idea, putting a 3-page deck together and pitching it to 30 different networks in the hopes that several of them will make offers to further develop the series. Instead, the most effective way to produce a docu-series in today’s world is to secure many more parts of the package when bringing a new project to market. In a world of talent, access, format and projected story arc, the development of different types of shows require us to ask different questions of ourselves early on and throughout the development process.
Doing this and working to stay ahead of the curve can very well situate you for success and put you on your way to produce your own premium docuseries. And, we're thrilled to bring you a Stage 32 Educator who can help you do just that.
Andrew Fried is the Founder and President of Boardwalk Pictures, producers of premium non-fiction content for multiple networks and distributors, including Netflix, Showtime, YouTube and many others. A recipient of multiple Emmy wins and nominations (including six nominations and three wins for breakout Netflix hit CHEER just this year), Fried and Boardwalk strive to elevate and expand the idea of documentary television across an ever-growing unscripted landscape. Boardwalk has been responsible for some of the most prestigious unscripted series of the last few years. CHEF'S TABLE, now in its 7th season, received 8 Emmy nominations, won 3 James Beard Awards and the IDA Award for Best Documentary Series. CHEER, also on Netflix, has proven to be one of the platform's biggest successes. Other huge commercial hits include Gwyneth Paltrow's THE GOOP LAB, 7 DAYS OUT, STREET FOOD and LAST CHANCE U (now in its 4th season), the Showtime series ACTION and YouTube’s BEST SHOT.
By revealing how the industry works behind popular docuseries and walking you through the entire timeline of what putting together content like this looks like, Andrew will give you clear tools and a practical roadmap you can use to make your own docuseries a reality.
Praise for Andrew's Stage 32 Webinar:
"Really really great info. As someone who has had success in pitching docuseries before Andrews's information was spot on and I still got new info and ideas out of it!"
-Matt R.
"Great presentation. One of my top 2 favorite Stage 32 webinars I have attended.
-Heather L.
What You'll Learn
- A General Overview of Unscripted Programming
- What are the different types of unscripted programming?
- Where do we see these shows/who are potential buyers for them?
- How has this side of the industry grown and evolved recently?
- What Are Different Types of Docuseries and What Are People Watching?
- Anthology vs. arced stories
- Format vs. a more documentary approach
- How does this landscape continue to evolve through time?
- The Circus Analogy
- How do we find story vs. how do we create story?
- Casting
- Access
- Creating Materials That Sell
- How to develop a deck
- How to create a sizzle reel
- How to do all of this while not breaking the bank
- How to avoid over-developing your idea, while being sure to not under-develop it either
- How to Navigate the “Hollywood” of it All
- When celebrity attachments help
- How to package your project without cutting yourself out
- What are the elements you need to actually get a green light
- Now What?
- How development and casting steps generally work
- What is a show bible?
- When do we actually get to make this thing?
- Discussion of process in the field and post
- Q&A with Andrew
Who Should Attend
All levels of directors (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn how to put together, pitch, and hopefully sell your own docuseries to a streamer or network.
All levels of writers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn how to put together, pitch, and hopefully sell your own docuseries to a streamer or network.
Producers looking to learn how to put together, pitch, and hopefully sell your own docuseries to a streamer or network.
Executive
Andrew Fried is the Founder and President of Boardwalk Pictures, producers of premium non-fiction content for multiple networks and distributors, including Netflix, Showtime, YouTube and many others. A recipient of multiple Emmy wins and nominations (including six nominations and three wins for breakout Netflix hit CHEER just this year), Fried and Boardwalk strive to elevate and expand the idea of documentary television across an ever-growing unscripted landscape. Boardwalk has been responsible for some of the most prestigious unscripted series of the last few years. CHEF'S TABLE, now in its 7th season, received 8 Emmy nominations, won 3 James Beard Awards and the IDA Award for Best Documentary Series. CHEER, also on Netflix, has proven to be one of the platform's biggest successes. Other huge commercial hits include Gwyneth Paltrow's THE GOOP LAB, 7 DAYS OUT, STREET FOOD and LAST CHANCE U (now in its 4th season), the Showtime series ACTION and YouTube’s BEST SHOT.
Testimonials
"Truly a great overview on pitching and selling docuseries."
-Michael G.
"Clear, well organized and a pleasant approachable personality."
-Amita S.