TV show forum

O

orange

Active member
Hi everybody.
I know there are tons of filmmaking discussion forums out there, like dvxuser.
But is there any forum out there specifally about making tv shows?
 
Thanks, I checked tv tropes out, but it seems to be more from the viewer's standpoint, not the makers? What I am looking for are forums about budgeting, scheduling, distribution, concept development, camera setups, lighting etc, specifically for tv shows.
 
There are quite a few online articles on the 4-camera sitcom lighting and blocking. The 1-hr drama are generally shot like a budget film, with several crews and directors. Budgeting on network TV is handled by the studios and the networks themselves. Agents will try to get the above-the-line talent mo' money anyway. Distribution is obviously handled by the very top executives and syndicate/distribution firms. Concepts are handled by the executives and the top writers/producers, many of whom have an existing development deal with a studio/network.

PS. Ever seen the "Pitch" episode on Seinfeld? It's pretty close to the reality. Sans the witty jokes.
 
You mean the "nothing" pitch? :laugh:
Yes, I guess it's still in large a closed world somehow, yet I guess with technology development the tv studio world slowly is getting democratized...
For one, with online content there is something of a transition going on from traditional distribution by top agents into self-distribution. My notion is that online outlets (Netflix, Amazon etc) are more and more accepting toward independent producers, bypassing distribution companies.
I've done quite some googling on the topic, yet if you find articles of interest I would appreciete any tip.
Do you happen to have worked on a studio show?
 
I've posted a number of notes here on various TV series I've shot, most extensively "Key & Peele". See sticky threads on the Cinematography forum.
 
I suppose it's because film making can be a solo sport, or at least it often appears to be. individuals can make movies, hiring in the key people, but I can't imagine how any of the tV shows I've had an involvement could possibly have been done by individuals -so I suspect few people can make these kinds of programmes because of the investment in equipment and premises. I did a spell in educational TV/Media with a 4 cam quite nice studio, and when I left I invested in a portable production unit with the intention of carrying on, but in other people's buildings and it fell flat on it's face. A few music events, but before LED big screens, so just didn't work.

You can fire away with studio questions here, but I doubt there's enough traffic for a dedicated forum home.
 
orange said:
You mean the "nothing" pitch? :laugh: ...
Click to expand...

GEORGE: Everybody's doing something, we'll do nothing.

JERRY: So, we go into NBC, we tell them we've got an idea for a show about nothing.

GEORGE: Exactly.

JERRY: They say, "What's your show about?" I say, "Nothing."

GEORGE: There you go.

(A moment passes)

JERRY: (Nodding) I think you may have something there.
Click to expand...

As to Amazon, you can sign a "content creator" agreement with them and they'll pay their standard fee, which is 6-10 cents for a man-hour of viewing. It varies due to the different economic conditions across the globe - a show that's popular in India won't get the same payout as a show/program that's popular in the US. YouTube has different payout plans that is based on subscription and advertising. Netflix, the last time I checked, doesn't have this type of deals or arrangements. With them, you do have to pitch and getting to their offices is already a success.

PS. I've never worked on a show but I had friends who had. There are also a bunch of books out there, including various memoirs, as well as blogs/podcasts such as the one ran by Ken Levine (one of the 1970's-90's sitcom stalwarts with MASH, Cheers, Taxi, etc. on his writing resume) and Craig Mazin (Chernobyl, Hangover II) & John August (Charlie's Angels).
 
CharlesPapert said:
I've posted a number of notes here on various TV series I've shot, most extensively "Key & Peele". See sticky threads on the Cinematography forum.
Click to expand...


Charles, I'm struggling to recall an advantage the Sony Venice has for shooting tv shows, over other cameras. I know that isn't much information to go on, but you have any guesses?
 
JPNola said:
Charles, I'm struggling to recall an advantage the Sony Venice has for shooting tv shows, over other cameras. I know that isn't much information to go on, but you have any guesses?
Click to expand...

The major factors that would make the Venice desirable for series shooting in my mind are the dual ISO feature (less robust than the Varicam, but still more than the Alexa), the 8 stop internal ND, and full UHD recording for Netflix. Full-frame is of course the new flavor, so there's that, plus true (2:1) anamorphic compatability. I have yet to shoot a show that screamed for full-frame, but I'm sure it will come up soon.
 
Have I misunderstood the topic? Are we talking about studio multicam 'TV shows', or the more film style productions? I suspect I misunderstood totally, probably "TV show" conjuring up in my Birthday head comedy, panel games, sit coms, and not the NCIS, Netflix and other more filmic products. My fault - apologies.
 
CharlesPapert said:
I have yet to shoot a show that screamed for full-frame, but I'm sure it will come up soon.
Click to expand...

Have you seen the Netflix Original Series "Altered Carbon?" It makes extensive use of beautiful HDR and WCG, but the overuse of shallow DOF is worse than an annoyance; makes it darn near unwatchable. I hope this trend tapers off soon.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top