Greenlit - (Professional Media Practice) by Nicola Lees (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In recent years there has been an explosion of broadcast and cable channels with a desperate need for original factual/reality programming to fill their schedules: documentaries, observational series, makeover formats, reality competitions. Yet television executives receive a daily avalanche of inappropriate pitches from pushy, badly prepared producers. Only 1 in 100 proposals are considered worth a second look, and most commissioners never read past the first paragraph.

Greenlit explains how to develop, research, pitch and sell your idea for any type of factual or reality television show. It gives the inside track on:
- What channel executives are really looking for in a pitch
- The life stories of hit factual shows such as The Apprentice, Deadliest Catch and Strictly Come Dancing
- Advice from channel commissioners, development producers and on-screen talent on both sides of the Atlantic
- Eleven steps that will increase your chance of winning a commission

In a rapidly expanding TV market, Greenlit is packed with resource lists, sample proposals, case studies and exercises designed to boost your skills and develop commission-winning proposals.

Review Quotes

"Excellent...a really handy primer on getting commissioned for everyone from the beginner to the seasoned pro." --Stage Screen & Radio

"Regardless of whether you're a producer or a buyer, you'll come away with a clear understanding of the steps necessary to get a program on the air. If every first-time producer read this before pitching a program, I guarantee a greater success rate...There is no book like this one...and it's much needed...in (academia and) the library of everyone in TV." --Gary Lico, President/CEO, The Companies of CABLEready, USA

"Nicola Lees does a great and thorough job of capturing the in and outs of the TV business. A 'must have' of the industry." --Fernanda Rossi, story consultant and author of Trailer Mechanics: A Guide to Making your Documentary Fundrasing Demo

"To organize so much information and life experience into a book is pretty outrageous, daunting and insanely inspiring." --Natalia Quintana, Producer / Director

"Getting that elusive green light really does start here. You won't find a better or more complete guide than Nicola Lees' excellent book." --Julian D. Hoxter, Assistant Professor of Screenwriting, San Francisco State University

"There's more skill in this one book than any one person could master in about 20 years of work experience." --Elle Tracy, Screenwriter

About the Author

Nicola Lees has developed documentaries, docudramas, multiplatform and reality programmes for network and cable channels, including the BBC and Discovery, Travel Channel, National Geographic and TLC in the USA. Nicola consults for international clients and is editor of www.tvmole.com dedicated to factual development.