How to Create a Reality Television Show

Are you wondering how to create a reality television show? This TV genre has dominated in recent years, and the public’s appetite for reality shows doesn’t look set to wane any time soon. Many TV producers, novice and pros alike, have embraced reality show pitching. Here is what you need to know if you want to get into the reality TV show business.

Top Chef is an example of a competition reality show

Before you take the first step in making your reality TV show dreams a reality, you need a show idea. There are a few different types of reality shows:

Some reality shows have a competition at their base, whether the prize is a date, cash or something else. The rules of the competition may be clearly defined – like being the first to complete a challenge – or there may not be any clear cut rules at all, such as in a dating show in which the central character picks “winners” based on personal relationships and feelings. Some examples of shows that fall into this category include:

• The Bachelor
• The Amazing Race
• The Biggest Loser
• Top Chef
• Rock of Love

Some reality shows are about one thing only: people watching. Reality shows of this sort may place people in an unusual situation to see how they react or the cameras may simply follow a group of people as they live their lives. Reality shows that fit into this group include:

• Wife Swap
• Jon and Kate Plus Eight
• The Real World
• The Hills
• The Real Housewives franchise

Makeover reality shows may feature a makeover for a good cause, or they may simply use the makeover to teach about something – fashion, house flipping, etc. Reality shows that fit this bill include:

• Extreme Home Makeover
• What Not to Wear
• The Swan

Of course, there is plenty of room to spin the traditional reality show formats or to combine formats. For instance, the Rock of Love and Flavor of Love franchises on VH1 spin the competition format by centering the show on a celebrity. Further, these franchises combine competition with social experiment, because the interaction of the contestants and how the react to their situation is such a large part of the shows.

Once you’ve got your winning reality show idea, what happens next? You will need to pitch your idea to studios. Getting a meeting is not always easy. Having an agent with connections with the studios helping you out can make a great deal of difference, so if you’re new to the business, approaching a few agents is a good first step. Here are a few tips on landing that pitch meeting, and what to do once you have it:

• Even though you have a general idea for a show, come up with a few different ways that the idea could be implemented. Giving station bosses lots of options for making the idea work lets them see all of the potential for your show.

• Do your research before you start approaching networks with your idea. Is your show plan a little too racy for primetime and more suited to VH1 or Bravo? Is it more likely to attract family viewing? You need to know your target audience and which networks reach those audiences. That way you will be approaching the people who will be most likely to be receptive to your idea.

• Understand your subject matter. You may think a show that features architects competing for a big job would make for great TV, but if you don’t understand how that industry works, then you will struggle with everything from good casting to appropriate challenges. Being well versed in the base concept of your idea lets TV studios know that you are ready to run with the show with a minimum of hand holding.

• Make sure your pitch includes casting procedures and a projected budget for your show, including the size of the production team that will be required. Also suggest how long shooting will take.

• Even though this is a “reality” show, you’ll still need to tell a story. You won’t know the complete story until filming wraps, but you can manipulate the story through casting and how you shape your idea. Be sure you can explain the story you plan to tell to the network.

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