Variety and the Flying V logos are trademarks of Variety Media, LLC. FX's docuseries Dear Mama set a new ratings high for an unscripted series debut on the Disney-owned outlet.. Netflix, Disney, HBO Max, Hulu Battle for Top Reality TV Shows The podcast covers making reality TV, doc series, and more. Since launching the Magnolia Network, both Magnolia Table and Fixer Upper: Welcome Home have become top performers on Discovery+. 2023 Variety Media, LLC. Unscripted TV Agent Kaplan Stahler Agency Nov 2012 - Present10 years 6 months Beverly Hills, CA Representing production companies, showrunners and idea producers; I've sold projects to. Good luck is necessary, says Saidman. My key to success is to only say yes to things that personally excite me, says Cohen. That one took us all by surprise., Biggest change theyve seen: The proliferation of SVOD and AVOD has transformed our industry. Luckily we have a fantastic team., Wishes they knew when starting out: The bigger the show, the more important the location, says Harcourt. I believe we are still just getting started., Change hed like to see: More premium unscripted content to find success theatrically., Laura Palumbo Johnson and Matthew Ostrom, co-owners and executive producers, Magilla Entertainment. Co-creator Nickerson and Carr have launched two successful spinoffs, Messyness and Deliciousness. The duo also head up the live events for Thrill One Sports and Entertainment, selling out both days of its SLS Super Crown World Championship. Selling Sunset returned with its fourth season, quickly climbing to the top of the Netflix Top 10 charts internationally, while Season 5 dropped April 22. This is happening industrywide., Key to success: Tenacity. Change theyd like to see: The reality genre could probably benefit by including more humor and unpredictability, not unlike what Steve Harvey brings to Family Feud,' says Johnston. Gersh's Digital division has immersed itself within the Virtual and Augmented reality space in an effort to package content across platforms in scripted, unscripted, and branded campaigns. Knowing when you are in the right place at the right time, and what the right decisions to make about a project are and when those decisions matter the most has been the game changer, the trio says. This year, Coelen produced The Ultimatum, which was renewed for a second fully queer season before its first debuted. Both shows will go out on WarnerMedias streamer HBO Max. Over the last three decades TV, and more specifically Food TV, has changed immensely, says Flay. ; RuPaul, executive producer and host, RuPauls Drag Race, In addition to creating the mega-hit RuPauls Drag Race, Barbato and Bailey also oversee all iterations of the growing franchise, including Drag Race: All Stars, Drag Race: Untucked and all eight international formats. Julie Pizzi, president, Bunim/Murray Prods. That's driven largely by a 680% increase in the amount of content coming from online-only providers like Netflix and Amazon. You just have to keep on going and walk around the bend., Executive producer and co-founder, Pulse Films. We focus on empowering people at all levels, both creatively and in executing logistics, which is critical for a company the size of Truly Original., Wishes they knew when starting out: First, I wish wed had a sense of how big the business would get and how important it would become to the industry, says Weinstock. Scripted television is all content that's produced with a script. Simply put: Schotz does a little bit of everything. He oversaw the buzzy documentary LulaRich, which went viral on social media. David Kirsch, Geoff Suddleson Named Co-Heads of UTA's Unscripted TV Television is, without a doubt, a team event and finding your tribe is the first step to making content that resonates, says Miceli. The jury's still out on those May flowers, but April showers definitely brought some top-notch television. United Talent Agency ( UTA) announced Thursday that agent Brianna Shebby is joining the agency in its unscripted television division. With the help of host and producer Jeff Probst, Survivor was able to return after a COVID-19 break, beating its Wednesday night competition. Today, were seeing this shift towards bold, character-led, and story arched content on the unscripted side, when historically these series were more episodic in nature.. He recently left A3, and prior was at Paradigm Talent Agency as head of unscripted content after a stint at the company's non-scripted division . But trust me, I also always make sure my voice is heard., Biggest change hes seen: Consumption of programming. We just announced an Amy Poehler project and have something with Kristen Stewart in development, he says. Following the success of Netflixs Deaf U, and Discoverys Pig Royalty, the duo set their sights on bringing back Breaking Amish for its 11th season. Although each project has its own unique characteristics, I approach them in the same way: With love and an appreciation for the culture Im trying to represent, and how that project can push a conversation forward., Williams notes that the trend of working with A-list talent both before and behind the camera, is one theyre thriving in. The famous chef credits everything hes accomplished to his bosses. Latest News - Realscreen Summit 2023 Sussman is the networks master of live events and specials, ranging from the Grammycast to Adele: One Night Only., Biggest change theyve seen: The explosion, popularity and success of reality TV. Weve certainly come a long way, but there is still more work to do. When we launched in 2007, we produced one show. A fantasy format for any household drowning in lockdown mess, this British competition show pitches pairs of OCD cleaning freaks in head-to-head battlesto tidy up the nations dirtiest homes. Co-viewing hits likeWipeout and The Masked Singer show the secret of success involves combining an easy-to-grasp concept with a large dose of silliness. Alana Goldstein, VP of development; Keely Walker Muse, VP of programming, Crazy Legs Prods. Ive literally watched so many of the producers I started with early in my career grow and run our newest shows like Next Level Chef,' he says. The growth of so many genres from doc to soap to live and everything in between., CEO and executive producer, Kinetic Content, Coelen is a proven innovator in the reality genre, creating Lifetimes Married at First Sight and launching Netflixs Love Is Blind. Following a home run second season, three more seasons were picked up. Wishes he knew when he started: The real winning formula is kindness paired with excellence., Toni Miceli, CEO, RTR Media; Jenna Keane, CCO, RTR Media, RTRs hit series Home Town expanded into two spinoffs in 2021, Home Town Takeover and Home Town Kick Start for HGTV. For some decisions, data alone is not enough., Wishes he knew when starting out: All the years I spent watching TV shows and sneaking into movies would actually pay off., Executive VP and head of programming, History, A&E. Fiction production is up and running again, but the unscripted business has only picked up the pace, helped by new investment by the studios and streamers. 2021 marked a huge year for Pizzi and the unscripted landscape as she became the first woman to lead Bunim/Murray Prods. You used to have to be linear and literal. Also Read: Veteran Agent Andrea Nelson Meigs Joins UTA as Partner. In the midst of the pandemic, meanness is out and community spirit is in. George: Earlier this year, George and NBCUniversal announced a deal to move hit Love Island from CBS to Peacock. Key to success: We have a passion for storytelling mixed with a high tolerance for risk., Jilly Pearce, exec VP, Objective Media Group America; Layla Smith, CEO, Objective Media Group America. We went from that to now producing hundreds of shows. CEO and Executive Producer, Tuesdays Child Prods. Baskin, who has executive-produced more than 30 series, says hes thrilled talented unscripted producers are finally recognized. Its comfort TV, but its also a way to inspire everyone to do something kind for their loved ones.. as an insider working with the best producers in the Whether on a streaming service, on broadcast TV or cable, there is a large amount of creatives and executives that made their mark on unscripted television over the last year. Eris also handles film sales worldwide. Now there are over 10., Chip and Joanna Gaines, founders, Magnolia Network; Allison Page, president, Magnolia Network. Change shed like to see: We need more diverse voices at the table in the unscripted world who are not only on screen and producing the work behind the camera, but also in positions of power in every other aspect of the industry. Being authentic in everything I do is very important and certainly plays a big part, but without good people around me, I wouldnt be able to really make the most of it and be as authentic as I want to be, says Fieri. The other side of Rieggs team oversees documentary series Chefs Table, Cheer, Last Chance U and The Last Dance. Since streaming is this teams bread and butter, Levy cant help but note that everything is possible: A great piece of content regardless of budget, scale, talent attachment or marketing support can become a smash hit.. Change she wants to see: The boom in the documentary market., Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey, co-founders, World of Wonder Prods. The advent of streamers and other non-linear distributors has broadened the reach to a global audience and increased the opportunities for added diversity and representation in a wider range of programming, she says, noting that the shift has really helped her grow the company, working with Amazon Prime on Everybody Loves Natti., Key to success: Tenacity, sheer will and a refusal to accept the idea that I cannot find a way or figure out how to accomplish anything I set my mind to.. With tentpole successes Survivor, Big Brother, The Amazing Race and Undercover Boss, he continues to increase unscripted programming as a network priority. Fox delivered the No. Lehrer diversified the linear programming portfolio, producing content with top talent including Leonardo DiCaprio, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Robin Roberts and Tim Allen. Read this free guide. Why AI Has Some Viewers Asking Which Film Actors Are Real. Talent assistant in the unscripted TV industry - ScreenSkills 1. Docu-dramas, docu-soaps and docu-comedies are reality versions of scripted shows. I also watched far too much television as a child, which paid off in dividends!, Show he wishes he thought of: The broad appeal of The Masked Singer is truly incredible and something we should all be striving for. 'The Daily Show' Moves Into Post-Trevor Noah Era While Paying Tribute All Rights Reserved. Senior Vice President, Unscripted and Documentaries, Hulu. Thats where the ideas come from, but the execution is all about the team. Read Next: How Wynonna Judds Judds Final Tour Resulted in a Celebratory, All-Star Concert Special and a Doc That Deals With Grief, Stagecoach: Nelly Steals the Show on Day Two Despite Abrupt Ending, Love & Death True Story: Everything to Know About Candy Montgomerys Real Case, Joshua Jackson Tells All on Explicit Fatal Attraction Sex Scenes: You Have to Believe These People Want to F Each Other, Only Murders in the Building Season 3 Premiere Date Revealed by Steve Martin and Martin Short at Comedy Show (EXCLUSIVE), Jock Zonfrillo, MasterChef Australia Judge, Dies at 46, Matthew Lawrence: 'My Agency Fired Me' After I Refused to Take My Clothes Off for an Award-Winning Director, Super Mario Bros. 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Movie,' the Actor Gives His Peachiest Performance in Years, The Late Late Show With James Corden Series Finale Scores 1.43 Million Viewers, COVER STORY | How a Sex Scandal, Big Egos and Putin Led to Jeff Shells Sudden, No Payout Exit From NBCU, Ryan Goslings Greta Gerwig Barbie Tee and Margot Robbies Pink Two Piece Embrace Barbiecore, The Brilliance of Harry Belafonte in 12 Songs, Bob Odenkirk Joins The Bear Season 2 (EXCLUSIVE), Is This 'Beau Is Afraid' Character a De-Aged Joaquin Phoenix? When Survivor and Amazing Race came our way, who would have thought 20-plus years later the TV landscape would change in this way, Sussman says. He adds that unscripted lives on TikTok, YouTube, news magazines and beyond, to many of the biggest entertainment programs and cultural touchstones that exist in our society today., Change hed like to see: The artists that make unscripted content should be as fairly treated as their scripted counterparts., Andy Cohen, executive producer and host, Watch What Happens Live; Alex Baskin, president, Evolution Media; Lauren Eskelin, executive VP of programming, Truly Original, Cohen serves as producer on all seven versions of The Real Housewives on Bravo and Peacock. Television | CAA - Creative Artists Agency Kirsch has been at UTA since 2008, and Suddleson joined the company in 2004. Divisions Eris Talent Agency Discovery, Beginning at the end of the month, Latman, who has been with Discovery for nearly 20 years, will take over Food Network, expanding her responsibilities as outgoing White launches production company Butternut Films. Lehrer is hopeful that hell see fewer spinoffs and more original series as the world of content continues. Jeff Barry, a hybrid film and TV agent, has landed at Range Media Partners. Reality TV Submissions - Joke Productions They also teamed up with 50 Cent to produce a series for WE tv focusing on solving unsolved hip-hop homicides. An active and effective leader sets the tone with patience, purpose and passion Also, I wish Id known the Cubs would finally win the World Series. Prods., Tinopolis Group U.S. Inducted into the Realscreen Hall of Fame in 2021, Smith has created some of the longest-running unscripted series in history, including Hells Kitchen and American Ninja Warrior. Last year, he produced 200 hours of unscripted content across 11 genre-spanning series. I love the journey more than getting to the destination and the learning part of any job is the most interesting, he says. Wishes he knew when starting out: I wish I had videotaped my bar mitzvah, because now I know almost anything can be a reality show., President of Content and Chief Creative Officer, MTV Entertainment Group; CCO, Unscripted Entertainment and Adult Animation, Paramount+. There is typically a moment where you cant see around the corner. Despite the ups and downs of the COVID-19 pandemic, it became a time for new ideas and new programming from documentaries and competition shows, to dating series and comfort viewing to thrive. She said when an opportunity to move up at work presents itself, dont throw your hat in the ring. EXCLUSIVE: UTA 's unscripted television department is getting a new agent. As we expand the talent pool, we evolve the storytelling approach, which benefits everyone., Executive VP, unscripted and alternative entertainment, Walt Disney Television. Under the Tinopolis Group U.S., he oversees Magical Elves unscripted content, most notably Top Chef and Nailed It!, Wishes he knew: One of the job hazards of being a producer is this drive to always be looking ahead, but if youre constantly doing that youll never fully appreciate the now.. The format for I Can See Your Voice was sold or remade in more than 23 regions. Our guiding principle at RTR Media is leading with a human approach. Youth and Emerging Talent Paradigm is renowned for discovering and developing the careers of the most promising emerging artists. Agent April King, who reps Janelle Mone and Daveed Diggs, is now at WME. The company also inked two unscripted overall deals last year. ; Rob Eric, CCO and executive producer, Scout Prods. A 20-year industry veteran, Jenkins launched Jeff Jenkins Prods., a 3BMG company, in 2018. RLJ Media Management & Consulting Show he wishes he thought of: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Showrunners and executive producers, Fremantle, Warfel, showrunner on The Price Is Right, and Johnston, showrunner of Family Feud and Celebrity Family Feud, have tackled new challenges amid COVID-19 challenges. Variety and the Flying V logos are trademarks of Variety Media, LLC. Additionally, Smith is an executive producer on game show Killer Camp and The Hit List., For me a successful format is an alchemy of brain, heart and gut instinct, she says. Collaboration is everything., Since the premiere of Netflixs Blown Away, which was renewed for a second season and a Christmas spin-off, Bishop and Hornburgs Marblemedia has become go-to producers of new and inventive skill-based competition series. 1 new unscripted show, Alter Ego. Wade also oversees all Gordon Ramsay content, and the production of Irelands Virgin Media TVs most successful format ever, The Big Deal. Last year, he was part of Name That Tune, Ultimate Tag, I Can See Your Voice and Foxs New Years Eve Toast & Roast 2022. Wade is also developing original unscripted programming for Tubi. We are integrating a change that Ive long hoped to see in the unscripted world and that is giving mental health more focus, says Walker Muse. They process emails, make and take calls and may conduct brief interviews to assess availability and suitability. Brogan works in alternative unscripted programming, digital media, licensing and branding. As a full service literary agency, under Eris Entertainment, Eris Talent Agency packages both films and television projects domestically and internationally.