Pro Tip: Adding Zing to Lifeless Interview Subjects

Some pro tips I’ve held close to my vest over the years. One of them is this trick I use to add energy to lifeless interviews. We all know that they happen. You get someone in the chair who’s maybe not all that jazzed to be there or just plain tired. There’s only so much

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Back to the Blog!

Hey, folks. You know, it seems like the last year or so went by pretty fast. In 2018-19, I spent a lot more time working on the documentary (clips galore on Instagram @rememberwerenothere) and exploring some really unusual stuff like creating a card game, guest writing for The Washington Post and much more. I’m resolving

REMEMBER, WE’RE NOT HERE update

The little documentary project I couldn’t get out of my head has already conducted half a dozen interviews this month and continues to move forward after a multi-year lull in production, and I couldn’t be happier. REMEMBER, WE’RE NOT HERE is a tongue-in-cheek exploration of how reality professionals feel about their place in the entertainment

Reality TV and Russia?

I’m quoted in this recent NYT piece by Farhad Manjoo.

Pro Tip: What’s Your Take?

If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you know that the notes process is generally one of my least favorite things about working in television. Why? a) Because some execs enjoy creatively thumbprinting the clay rather than just correcting / clarifying / asking for alterations that satisfy network quality standards, marketing, and

Re: Consulting / Lecturing / http://eiace.org/

I’m proud to be an incoming member of the recently formed Entertainment Industry Association of Consultants and Educators. From the eiACE website: “We are a non-profit organization supporting professionals of the highest caliber in fields relating to story development, analysis and education. This alliance was formed by a group of professional colleagues who share a

FIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD: PARADISE CALLS (10/31 PREMIERE, YOUTUBE RED)

Here’s the trailer for FIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD: PARADISE CALLS, which I had the pleasure of leading the writing and post teams on over the last 26 weeks or so.  It’s making its debut on YouTube on 10/31.  Scary, silly fun, and one of the best examples I can give of how reality producers

Pro Tip Grab Bag

Hi, all.  Gee whiz, it’s been a while… I feel like a ghost on my own blog. Thought I’d pop by with a grab bag of pro tips that aren’t long enough for their own features, but that have been hard-won lessons along the way.  Enjoy. A 44-minute docusoap typically keeps its pace best at

Signature Looks; RACKED Magazine Feature

Check out this fun piece over at Racked.com in which I’m quoted about signature looks being helpful or harmful to reality participants, mostly pertaining to those kitchen-wiz kinders over at MasterChef Junior, which you really should be watching. Just click on the image above to be whisked right over.  Whisked.  Oh, just go.

2017 New Year’s Resolution Suggestions for Reality Television Viewers and Producers

Well, here we are, not so deep into 2017.  I’m wrapping up on season three of Vh1’s K Michelle:My Life and looking forward to some new shows and non-TV opportunities the year is already hinting at… including another book. If you know me, you know what a fan of lists I am.  I keep a