[Daphne Hughes]

Daphne’s Talent

What I learned doing this assignment is the importance of having talent/characters that meet several criteria to bring viewers in and keep them watching, primarily because of the talent’s overall watchability, relatability, and likeability.

ASSIGNMENT #1

1. MARIE KONDO in “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” (Netflix)

Diversity: 5 Technical
Ability: 3 Watchability: 4 Relatability: 4 Likeability: 5

2. JOSH GATES in “Expedition Unknown” (Discovery)

Diversity: 1 Technical
Ability: 4 Watchability: 3 Relatability: 3 Likeability: 4

3. The cast of VANDERPUMP RULES (Bravo)

Diversity: 2 Technical
Ability: 4 Watchability: 5 Relatability: 4 Likeability: 4

ASSIGNMENT #2

For the assignment, let’s have some fun.

1. Pick any TWO people you think would be great in your own show.
a. KEM (singer who experienced homelessness/addiction/Detroit Rescue Mission shelter)
b. Niecy Nash

2. Rate those people on how they might attract an audience for your show based upon our scale.

a. KEM- Diversity: 5 Technical Ability: 4 Watchability: 4 Relatability: 5 Likeability: 5
b. Niecy – Diversity: 5 Technical Ability: 5 Watchability: 5 Relatability: 4 Likeability: 5

[Daphne Hughes]

Daphne’s Show Budget Considerations

What I learned doing this assignment is a better understanding of the current budget ranges for reality shows and how that amount varies depending upon whether the show is for cable, streamers or networks.

Assignment #1

High-Cost Reality Show: “The Pack”
List of considerations affecting the budget:

1. Extensive transportation costs for crews to shoot
contestants in their hometowns.
2. Large number of production crew personnel needed
in the contestants’ hometowns and competition location.
3. Several days of shooting required.
<font face=”inherit”> 4. Catering and lodging for production crews who travel to
the competition site.</font>
<font face=”inherit”> 5. Several editors needed in post-production due to the
large amount of content from various </font>locations.
<font face=”inherit”> 6. Filming permits may be needed in the various hometown
locations of the contestants

7. Prep days are extensive in order to coordinate 12
contestants, shoot calendar, and travel logistics.

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Medium-Cost Reality Show: “Haute Dog”
List of considerations affecting the budget:

1. Studio/Sound stage rental.
2. Studio personnel: 3-4 camera persons, stage manager, lighting
director, production assistants.
3. Control room personnel: producers, director, associate
director, technical director, audio and video specialists.
4. Casting & Talent Fees for Judges.
5. Show is primarily shot in one studio location.

6. Post-production involves 2-3 editors and
minimal music licensing.

Low-Cost Reality Show: “House Hunters”
List of considerations affecting the budget:
1. Each episode is shot in just a few locations: homes
that are for sale, realtors’ offices, and restaurants — minimizing location
fees and film permits.

2. Minimal talent fees; just a voiceover announcer.

3. Small production crew costs: 1-2 camerapersons,
1 sound engineer and 1 field producer.
4. Episodes shot over just 3-5 days.
5. Small post-production costs: 1 editor, show
branded graphics, and minimal music licensing.

ASSIGNMENT #2
Budget considerations for “Hope on the Streets”

Prep Days: 1-2 months for locking in client stories, setting up shoot days & locations.

Shoot Days: Extensive shoot days due to the need to follow the clients over a period of 2-3 months.

Location Fees: Primarily shooting in locations owned by the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries with no associated fees.

Cameras: 2-3 camera operators, plus drone shots.

Air Transportation: Travel costs for any production crew members not based in Detroit.

Lodging: Lodging
costs for any production crew members not based in Detroit.

Talent: Minimal costs for a Voiceover Announcer. Most of the show will be firsthand accounts from the clients, staff and others.

Catering; Lunch/Dinner costs for production crews.

Producers; Executive producer, field producer, production assistants.

Graphics: Design branded graphics for the show open, bumps, name supers, and infographics.

Music: Select library music clips.

Casting (contestants,
participants, or animals); Clients suggested by Detroit Rescue Mission.

COVID Testing: Exercise precautions such as masks, social distancing, and individually packaged meals.

Ground transportation: Cars to transport production crews to various locations.

Shooting Permits:
Obtain any needed permits for shooting in certain city locations, if
applicable, through the Detroit Film Office.

[Daphne Hughes]

Daphne Writes a Sizzle!

What I learned doing this assignment are the guidelines for the content of a sizzle reel and its importance in garnering interest from a production company and eventually for selling the idea to a buyer.

1. Sizzle Script for “My Feet are Killing Me”

EBONIE & BRAD ON-CAMERA TOGETHER:

Hello, I’m Dr. Ebonie Vincent.

And I’m Dr. Brad Schaeffer.

EBONIE ON-CAMERA

Both of us are podiatrists. I’m based on the West Coast, and Dr. Brad is on the East Coast.

And, we’re extremely good at what we do.

Neither of us has ever met a foot too funky to fix.

BRAD ON-CAMERA

And trust us, we have seen and treated a lot of feet.

You’ll see just what we mean in our new TLC series, My Feet Are Killing Me.

EBONIE VOICE-OVER:

Join us each week as we help our patients put their best foot forward.

It’s the first show ever to focus on feet and the medical professionals who treat them.

BRIAN VOICE-OVER:

Now, make no mistake about it, our show may not be for the squeamish.

We encounter some of the strangest, most unpleasant, jaw-dropping and eye-popping foot problems you have probably NEVER seen before.

EBONIE VOICE-OVER:

But in the end, we are changing people’s lives.

You’ll witness the emotional journey our patients take as we fix foot issues they thought could never be repaired.

From extra toes to massive cysts, ingrown toenails and deformities. . we’ll tackle them all with our innovative surgical approaches.

BRAD ON-CAMERA:

If you think Dr. Pimple Popper is powerful and moving, wait until you see My Feet Are Killing Me!

You’ll never look at your feet the same again.

EBONIE ON-CAMERA:

It’s time we brought foot problems to the forefront.

After all, we all have feet. And you don’t have to be embarrassed by them.

Join us for My Feet Are Killing Me.

You’ll be amazed at the transformations!

2. Language that sells your concept
with drama, humor, or urgency:

a. jaw-dropping
b. emotional journey
c. not for the squeamish
d. never met a foot too funky to fix
e. life-changing
f. transformative
journey

[Daphne Hughes]

Daphne Plans a Great Pitch Deck!

What I learned doing this assignment are the essential elements of a Pitch Deck, how best to create one, and the situations in which the Pitch Decks are used.

Download my Pitch Deck here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/z76fzn6hqjvcer01bb0qv/Hope-on-the-Streets-Pitch-Deck.pptx?rlkey=btp3lmrjfvlf1xhz6dzv7jhmf&dl=0

[Daphne Hughes]

Daphne Built Their Clock!

What I learned doing this assignment are the important elements of a snappy logline. As a longtime news and talk show producer, I was already familiar with the show construction elements and terms, such as segments, clock, and rundown.

LESSON 4 – ASSIGNMENT #1

*CANNOT COMPLETE THIS ASSIGNMENT BECAUSE ACCESS TO VIEW “HOUSE IN A HURRY” IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE PROVIDED LINK: https://www.hgtv.com/shows/house-in-a-hurry/episodes/aloha-florida

ASSIGNMENT #2

Give us a logline for a show idea that you might be working on:
LOGLINE: What happens when “The Soloist” meets “Intervention” and gets an “Extreme Makeover” for the mind, body and soul? The result is “Hope on the Streets” — the real-life stories of people who found themselves homeless and turned to the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries for help. Will they succeed at changing their lives or return to the streets?

2. Full Hour Show

3. Segments (8):

#1a. Cold Open
b. Title Sequence: Show Opening Graphics/Animation/Music
c. Introduction of first character, a client telling his backstory
d. Introduction of Detroit Rescue Mission president & explanation of services provided
e. First character talks about his current situation; arrives at Rescue Mission
f. Tease to Break

COMMERCIAL BREAK #1

#2
a. Brief recap
b. First character
goes through intake, medical evaluation, treatment plan
c. First character tries to adapt to
new environment at the Rescue Mission
d. Tease to Break

COMMERCIAL BREAK #2

#3 a. Brief recap
b. Episode story involving first character continues
c. Detroit Rescue Mission staff gives
observations about first character
d. Tease to Break

COMMERCIAL BREAK #3

#4 a. Brief recap
b. Episode story involving first character continues
c. First character reaches important point in recovery. Talks about whether to continue or give up.
d. Tease to Break

COMMERCIAL BREAK #4

#5 a. Brief recap
b. First character is
reunited with family and loved ones at Detroit Rescue Mission facility
c. Emotional gathering & conversation between
the group
d.
Detroit Rescue Mission staffer joins the group to provide a brutally
honest assessment
e. Tease to Break

COMMERCIAL BREAK #5

#6 a. Brief recap
b. Episode story involving first character continues
c. Follow first character through all of his recovery programs
d. Tease to Break

COMMERCIAL BREAK #6

#7 a. Brief
recap
b. Episode story involving first character continues
c. Follow first character through interactions with Detroit Rescue Mission staff and other clients
d. Tease to Break

COMMERCIAL BREAK #7

#8
a. Brief recap
b. Episode story involving first character continues
c. First character decides whether to continue on this journey OR return to the
streets.
d. Tease to Episode 2
e. Production Credits & Company Logo

• This reply was modified 1 year, 10 months ago by  Daphne Hughes.

[Daphne Hughes]

Daphne Connects to Viewers!

What I learned doing this assignment is the importance of looking beneath the surface to define the many ways that viewers will gain access to the hook of your Reality TV show and keep coming back for more.

LESSON 3 – ASSIGNMENT #1

Using the points of access, make a list of the most prominent points of access you observe in “Fixer Upper”:

Emotional Connection: For the new
homebuyers, this is an emotional journey.
Sometimes they are on a path that is new to them, and of course it
is one of the largest purchases/decisions they will ever make. Viewers can
go on the “ride” with them as they see their dreams become reality.

Characters:
A.
Relatable: Chip and Joanna are characters that many viewers can relate to,
simply because of their relationship as a husband and wife with children.
B. Non-Relatable: Perhaps not as
relatable is the fact that Chip and Joanna are in business together. Viewers
may watch to see how the couple maneuvers a business together while
raising a family. Will there be arguments and difficult moments? How will
they work out disagreements?

Expertise: Chip and
Joanna’s expertise at home makeovers is fascinating to viewers who enjoy
this type of reality show. They have skills that complement each other and
makes for a successful end product.

Humor: Viewers can
always count on Chip to bring humor to the home makeover series. Just as
humorous are Joanna’s reactions to her husband’s antics.

What makes this show’s points of access so wildly distinctive and different from shows whose formats are virtually identical? The secret sauce is the main characters: Chip and Joanna. Viewers are drawn to the couple’s playful relationship, humor, compatibility, expertise, and family life.

ASSIGNMENT #2

1. Answer these questions about how your show will connect with viewers.

A. What is the emotional connection
to the show? Viewers will be drawn to the emotional,
physical and economic struggles of the Detroit Rescue Mission’s clients.
They will witness the ups and downs of individuals who are trying to
recover from having lost virtually everything.
B. How are the characters relatable
or non-relatable? The clients are extremely relatable because
they could be anyone you may know – your neighbor, sister, brother, cousin
– or even yourself. Anyone can fall on hard times for a variety of
reasons.

C. Is there expert advice or skill
depicted that is compelling to watch or learn? The expertise
of the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries staff in guiding clients to a new
life will be compelling. They include counselors, treatment specialists,
ministers, vocational instructors, and medical personnel. Even more
compelling is the fact that many of the staff are former clients themselves,
having dealt with homelessness or addiction in their own lives.

D. Is there an authentic setting
that is uniquely compelling? Filming will take place at the
various locations operated by the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries,
including homeless shelters, temporary housing units, and a chapel. Adding
to that authenticity will be street settings that depict the past
lifestyles of the clients.
E. Do the situations portrayed in
your show idea lend themselves to comedy or drama? Are they fun or funny
to watch? The overarching theme will be drama, but
undoubtedly humor will exist during various exchanges and scenarios.

2. How do those answers help define your show and how might it connect with the audience?
These points of access will help retain viewers who feel compelled to come back to see if the clients succeeded in their recovery. Viewers will become attached to various characters and root for them. The circumstances depicted in the show will be thought-provoking to the viewer.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 10 months ago by  Daphne Hughes.

[Daphne Hughes]

Hello Cheryl: I am trying to get caught up on the lessons, however Lesson 3 and beyond are no longer viewable here. Please advise.

[Daphne Hughes]

Daphne Explores the Market!

What I learned doing this assignment is to delve deeper into the themes of my shows to better market them for a specific cable channel or streamer that specializes in those same themes.

LESSON 2 – ASSIGNMENT #1

HGTV’s brand is Transformations. Home & Life Makeovers. Major decision making. Creativity and design. The importance of home.

Bravo’s brand is Relationship drama. Female-skewing content. Lifestyles of the rich and famous. Living your dream. Workplace conflict.

ID’s brand is Criminal investigations. Whodunit murder mysteries. Real people, real stories. Emotional stories that evoke disbelief.

ASSIGNMENT #2

1. Using a few key words, characterize your reality show idea: Transformations. Real people, real issues. Emotional struggles. Unpredictable client-staff relationships. Riveting life stories.

2. Let’s dive deeper into your idea, or any idea if you’re not working on a specific one.
A. What’s at stake (the loss or
gain) emotionally, physically, or materially for the characters in my
show?
Literally, their lives are at stake.
Will they kick their substance abuse issues, get rid of toxic
relationships, or learn a valuable job skill and become employed? Or will
their past catch up with them, sending them back to life on the streets? It’s an emotional, physical and economic journey for the characters.

B. What kind of viewer might
enjoy the show? My show will skew toward female and
diverse, urban audiences. It will also attract members of nonprofit
organizations, philanthropists, and faith-based communities.

C. What elements are the most
compelling to watch in my show? The most compelling are the exchanges
between clients and staff as the journey to recovery progresses or declines. Also compelling are the dynamics between clients and their families and friends as they work
to change their lives.

D. What does a viewer learn (or
take home) after watching the show? Viewers will see that homelessness can
happen to anyone. It can be the allure of drugs and alcohol that sends
someone on a downward spiral. Or the loss of a job that leads to a home
foreclosure. Many people are only a paycheck or two away from being
homeless. But viewers will see that organizations like Detroit Rescue
Mission Ministries are in the businesses of providing miracles and hope.

E. What other show
on cable or streaming most closely resembles my show idea? “Intervention” on A&E. “Celebrity Rehab Presents
Sober House” on VH1.

F. On what platform — cable or
streaming — could my show idea fit? Cable

G. On what cable
channel(s) could my show fit? TLC, A&E

• This reply was modified 1 year, 10 months ago by  Daphne Hughes.

[Daphne Hughes]

Daphne’s Alternative TV Project

ASSIGNMENT #1

What I learned doing this assignment is: How to delineate the various formats of reality TV shows.

Group 1: Tiger King. Format: Docu-Series.
The Vow NXIVM Documentary
Group 2: Below Deck. Format: Occu-Soap.
Group 3: Dating Around. Format: Structured Relationship.
Group 4: Expedition Unknown. Format: Adventure/Exploration.
Group 5: Cash Cab. Format: Game

ASSIGNMENT #2

What I learned doing this assignment is how to create a basic outline and address the questions that will be important when creating a reality TV show.

A. A one or two sentence
explanation of the show: What happens when “The Soloist”
meets “Intervention” and gets an “Extreme Makeover” for the mind, body and
soul? The result is an inspiring reality series featuring riveting real-life stories of people who fell on hard times and were forced to make the
streets their home — until the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries stepped
in to help change their lives.

B. The format or hybrid format
you’ve chosen: Docu-Series

C. The real-life characters: The clients and staff of the Detroit Rescue Mission
Ministries, a faith-based nonprofit that provides shelter, substance abuse
treatment, job skills, and temporary/permanent housing for individuals who
have taken a wrong path in life and are working toward recovery.

D. The situation
these characters find themselves in: The
clients find themselves having to adhere to the rules of the Detroit
Rescue Mission as they work on their recovery. That’s often not easy for
individuals who have spent a lot of time living on the streets. The staff,
many of whom are past clients, know how to deal with the clients to lead
them to success, although it is a difficult process in many instances.

E. The setting: The
multi locations of the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, including temporary/permanent
homes of some clients.

F. And the viewer experience: The docu-series will appeal to
viewers because it tells emotional stories that the audience can relate to,
gives hope that people can change for the better, and provides gripping
insight into the many circumstances that can lead to homelessness. Viewers
will follow these individuals as they receive assistance, services and
motivation from the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries. We will visually
relive what brought them to the Mission for help. We will hear from the people in their
lives: family, friends, counselors, treatment specialists, ministers,
Detroit Rescue Mission staff, vocational instructors and others.

3. Tell us how you envision it being a SERIES that can run for one or more seasons: The people profiled in each episode will be followed and filmed over approximately 12 weeks. The season finale(s) will reveal what has happened to these individuals. The programs primarily will be told in the clients’ own words. Viewers will be rooting for them, but will they all turn their lives around? Or will some return to life on the streets?

• This reply was modified 1 year, 10 months ago by  Daphne Hughes.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 10 months ago by  Daphne Hughes.

[Daphne Hughes]

1. Daphne Hughes

2. “I agree to the terms of this release form.”

3. Please leave the entire text below to confirm what you agree to:

GROUP RELEASE FORM

As a member of this group, I agree to the following:

1. That I will keep the processes, strategies, teleconferences, communications, lessons, and models of the class confidential, and that I will NOT share any of this program either privately, with a group, posting online, writing articles, through video or computer programming, or in any other way that would make those processes, teleconferences, communications, lessons, and models of the class available to anyone who is not a member of this class.

2. That each writer’s work here is copyrighted and that writer is the sole owner of that work. That includes this program which is copyrighted by Hal Croasmun. I acknowledge that submission of an idea to this group constitutes a claim of and the recognition of ownership of that idea.

I will keep the other writer’s ideas and writing confidential and will not share this information with anyone without the express written permission of the writer/owner. I will not market or even discuss this information with anyone outside this group.

3. I also understand that many stories and ideas are similar and/or have common themes and from time to time, two or more people can independently and simultaneously generate the same concept or movie idea.

4. If I have an idea that is the same as or very similar to another group member’s idea, I’ll immediately contact Hal and present proof that I had this idea prior to the beginning of the class. If Hal deems them to be the same idea or close enough to cause harm to either party, he’ll request both parties to present another concept for the class.

5. If you don’t present proof to Hal that you have the same idea as another person, you agree that all ideas presented to this group are the sole ownership of the person who presented them and you will not write or market another group member’s ideas.

6. Finally, I agree not to bring suit against anyone in this group for any reason, unless they use a substantial portion of my copyrighted work in a manner that is public and/or that prevents me from marketing my script by shopping it to production companies, agents, managers, actors, networks, studios or any other entertainment industry organizations or people.

This completes the Group Release Form for the class.

[Daphne Hughes]

Hello everyone. I’m Daphne Hughes. Apologies on joining late! I am playing catchup. I have not written any screenplays yet, but I have worked as a television producer for all of my career, writing television news scripts and nonprofit/corporate video scripts. I am transitioning into screenwriting, and I have a docuseries idea (with sizzle reel) I am working on. I hope to get valuable information on how best to get the docuseries funded, produced and distributed. Wow. That last question is tough. LOL. I guess I have some psychic abilities. I have been able to see things before they happen … or someone will come to mind out of the blue, and then I will hear from that person or see him/her immediately afterward. Looking forward to the class!