Reality TV: An Insider's Guide to TV's Hottest Market

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Authors: Troy DeVolld

BOOK: Reality TV: An Insider's Guide to TV's Hottest Market

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“As someone transitioning from the scripted world,
Reality TV
was the quintessential guide to prepare me for my first job as an Associate Story Producer. Troy’s knowledge of the industry and desire to help shines through every page, and his book is a must for anyone thinking about getting into the unscripted television business.”

— Max Ostrove, Producer, A Smith & Co.

“Troy DeVolld has worked in the Reality/Nonfiction Television arena for 10+ years. I’ve had the pleasure of representing him on shows that have aired on network and cable alike, including
Dancing With the Stars
,
Basketball Wives
, and
Flipping Out
. This book is a ‘must read’ tool for anyone considering a career working in this genre.”

— Beth Bohn, Talent and Literary Agent, Bohn Management

“Finally, the truth! Troy is a trusted friend, an accomplished producer, and an excellent storyteller. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the frankenbytes!”

— Roberto Cardenas, Producer:
Fear
,
Joe Millionaire
,
Split Ends

“In an industry where most folks seem to be out for themselves, Troy is the exact opposite. In addition to an amazing work ethic, Troy never ceases to offer a helping hand or lend out some advice based on his years of experience in the medium. He’s honest, collaborative, has integrity, and, in my opinion, is the perfect template for a TV Producer. If I didn’t have such a weird complex about giving and receiving compliments, I’d probably tell him this stuff to his face.”

— Cary Krowne, Story Producer:
Split Ends
,
Basketball Wives

“Troy DeVolld’s lifelong love of show business is unabashed and contagious. With over a decade of hands-on experience and a scholarly love of those that came before, I doubt there is a person living who knows more about the making of Reality television from both a personal and historical perspective.”

— Andrew Hoagland, Story Producer:
The Bachelor
,
Extreme
Makeover: Home Edition

“Finally — a straightforward, easy-to-read guide to the lawless, always-changing world of Reality TV! Troy DeVolld has written a fun, thorough guide to both the creative and the production sides of TV’s most ubiquitous genre. In short, it’s a book I wish I would’ve long ago written — or read — myself.”

— Chad Gervich, Writer/Producer:
Wipeout
,
Foody Call
,
Reality Binge
,
Speeders
; Author:
Small Screen, Big Picture: A Writers Guide to the TV Business

“Troy’s
Reality TV
is a must-read for television professionals, students of the medium, or simply lovers of TV. He weaves his years of producing experience with insights from other giants of the industry to create an entertaining, unique, and informative book.”

— Damona Resnick Hoffman, Network Development Executive

“If you want to work in Reality TV — and I certainly hope you do, because then you’ll keep
The Soup
in business — this book is a great resource that really breaks down the process from the invaluable perspective of an insider.”

— Tess Rafferty, Writer/Supervising Producer:
The Soup

“Troy is extremely creative, a great problem solver, and a good human being. And he trusts what’s real. Which is unique in this business. His book is practical and inspiring. And remember — always get a release!”

— Ed Crasnick, Emmy-winning Writer/Producer, currently on
After Lately

“If you want to work in Reality TV or create your own Reality show, you need to read this book first.”

— Andy Dehnart,
RealityBlurred.com

“Thoughtful, thorough, and complete. Troy DeVolld is the rare combo of historian, expert, insider and honest friend telling you everything you need to know about the most important trend in television.”

— Holly Sorensen, Creator/Executive Producer:
Make It or Break It

“
Reality TV
is the most savvy, comprehensive breakdown of the elements of Reality TV I’ve ever seen. Troy DeVolld knows his stuff, and — better — he also knows how to communicate his knowledge. This book is fast, fun, and by far the most accurate and entertaining guide out there for anyone who wants to succeed in the Reality genre. Troy loves what he does, and his joy is imprinted on every page. I wish I were starting out as a writer all over again, just so I could have Troy DeVolld as my mentor!”

— Larry Brody, Writer/Producer; Owner of
TVWriter.com
; Author:
Television Writing From the Inside Out

“If you want to know the reality of working for Reality TV, this is your bible. Troy DeVolld takes you behind the scenes in this entertaining and well-organized book, covering everything you need to know to get a leg up in the competitive Reality TV field.”

— Elizabeth Cosin, Writer/Executive Story Editor:
24
,
Law & Order: Criminal Intent

“People don’t really expect their entertainment to be real… look at wrestling. And people still love magic, don’t they? Any form of entertainment requires suspension of disbelief, and being comfortable with illusion. The audiences for these shows are smarter and more aware of how things are done than ever before. I think that fans enjoy an understanding of how their favorite shows are made, and in Reality TV I think they enjoy knowing what is and isn’t written, and why.”
— Brian Gibson, veteran Reality TV Producer

AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO TV’ SHOTTEST MARKET

REALITY TV

MICHAEL WIESE PRODUCTIONS

Published by Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd. #1111
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 379-8799, (818) 986-3408 (FAX)
[email protected]
www.mwp.com

Cover design by MWP
Interior design by William Morosi
Printed by McNaughton & Gunn

Manufactured in the United States of America
Copyright 2011 by Troy DeVolld
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

DeVolld, Troy, 1970-
Reality TV : an insider’s guide to TV’s hottest market / by Troy DeVolld.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-1-932907-99-5
1. Reality television programs--History and criticism. I. Title. PN1992.8.R43D48 2011
791.45’3--dc22

2011016847

Printed on Recycled Stock

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

FOREWORD BY PATRIC M . VERRONE

INTRODUCTION

Prologue: From Aspiring Screenwriter To Reality Producer; Huh?

CHAPTER ZERO AND RULE NUMBER ONE :
STORY I S STORY, AND STORY IS WRITTEN. SORT OF

The Home Improvement Show Exercise

So Why Don’t I See Writers Credited on Reality Shows?

What Does A Story Producer Do, Exactly?