Discovery Channel’s Producers Portal…. Any experience?

[Peter Carr]

It’s funny. Most producers, networks & studios don’t accept unsolicited material, in other words if you aren’t represented by an agent or entertainment lawyer they wont even open the envelope. A general rule of thumb is to register your material with the WGA before submitting it. Although you can not copyright an ‘idea ‘ what this will do is establish you as the creator of the ‘idea ‘. Remember EVERYTHING has been done & there are millions of people writing ideas similar to your. As for ‘stealing’ your idea?, that practice rarely happens any more. If a network did that they soon would have a reputation that will kill themselves. I hear every so often “I submitted a property about 5 friends living together and they passed but 3 months later ‘Friends’ came out. Obviously they stol my idea” when in fact the network had been developing the series far before you submitted your idea which is why they passed.
If you are worried then ask Discovery to sign a Non-Disclosure when submitting. The form they want you to sign is standard BUT does give them the power leaving you with non. Re-write the form and note your concerns. If they are sincerely interested in your idea they will have no problem with that.
Let me know how you make out.
Peter Carr, Development Producer-Series Television
Vancouver

Peter Carr
Creative/Development Producer
Vancouver,BC

[Erin m Smith]

I also have a history documentary idea I would like to submit & see produced, ultimately on a channel watched by the general public (hopefully a relatively respected channel, but even History Channel is better than nothing).

I would naturally want to lead or at least participate in the research being filmed, as I am truly interested in the subject & somewhat qualified to do so. Not to mention the unique, yet practical theory covers a topic of universal fascination.

How do I initiate this without losing involvement, credit, & of course monetary gain? I am an Archaeologist of sorts & not a business person.

Who wants in?

Thanks sincerely 🙂

[Mark Suszko]

“but even History Channel is better than nothing”

Obviously, you have not watched their current offerings for a while.

You want to make money, pitch them “Ghost Wrestlers”, where W.W.E. wrestles try to bust ghosts, and end up wrestling inside a haunted house using night vision cameras.

[Erin m Smith]

LOL So true. HC’s quality programming was on its way out when I was on the way in. I gave up on it after high school. There’s enough wonder in my field to inspire & entertain without bringing in a ‘Squatch or a “haint”. I will wait ’til I’m closer to retirement before throwing dignity & professionalism out the window.

[Paul Thurston]

How to get your show idea off the ground.

It’s been now two years since I was here and I’d like to share some insight to all those who would like to make a show but don’t know how to make it appear on a cable network.

1. Every once in a while, needs for new shows appear on cable TV networks. The best place to learn about those needs it to visit the American Film Market convention in California. You may need to visit this event every year.
https://www.americanfilmmarket.com/

2. The needs right now are for Reality series. The definition of REALITY is bizarre at least, and so should be reviewed and understood very carefully.

Listen to these recordings and memorize all the things they say:
https://producingunscripted.com/category/podcasts/

Read this:
https://ht.ly/mQ4mF

3. Familiarize yourself with this too:

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tlc-honey-boo-boo-alana-thompson-367973

4. Then, familiarize yourself with this too:

https://www.producersguild.org/?coc_ts_3

5. While you’re at it, stuff that’s always good to know… thank me later:

https://www.twoadverbs.com/?page_id=110

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/theinsidepitch

6. IF video, editing, music, and writing is not for you, yet you want to make something because your subject matter is unique in TWO different ways, THEN you should talk to one of the folks who are here and pitch yourself to us.

Familiarize yourself to the pitch meeting, you should know this regardless:

https://goodinaroom.com/blog/the-pitch-meeting-structure-everyone-should-know/

7. ONLY if you are the subject of a possible show, (you think you can carry a show, appear in front of the cameras all the time), either because your life is unique in TWO ways or you believe your family is unique in TWO ways, you will and shall contact Michael Van Dyck, Literary & Packaging Agent at Paradigm LA.

Meet Michael:

https://www.iaemagazine.com/feed/Vol3iss16/michael-van-dyck/michael-van-dyck-literary-agent-paradigm.html

If you are not able to find contact information for Pardigm or Michael on the internet, you should be ashamed of yourself. Try this: firstletterofthefirstname+lastname(vandyck)at paradigmagency.com

-Paul

———————————————–
Paul Thurston
Producer
Chile

[Amit Chakraborty]

hi sarah
im new to this forum or even new to producers portal in discovery,im from india and have a brilliant idea about a special that i wanted to share at the portal but im yet to understand what i nd to write exactly in the project description part as ive just read that uve got ur idea passed

[Rohit Singh negi]

Today is not like 10 years ago when a Producer didn’t have the option of making content and creating a platform for its showcasing. With the advent of YouTube,Vineo, Daily Motion you have many options . Wht a Producer should be looking for is a forum which helps him sell in a revant market. For example – Nat Geo Adventure in India is irrelevant to most Indians. The content is completely “foreign”- zero India content. The moment advertisers get savvy about this the advert revenue will become nil. However You Tube/ Vimeoi/ Daily Motion are rocking. If u want to see really “awesome” content plug yr net into the TV and watch stuff in HD. So if a Producer has an idea and Discovery or Nat Geo steals it or anyone steals it, take them to court. Put a “Stay Order” on it. Copyright Law all over the world makes a producer explain the process/ development/Chronology of the idea and as we all know “lying” in court is a crime. Its a “bluff” which has worked till now because they controlled the means to broadcast….today there are many other options. In anycase, no Discovery nor anyone can enforce a line even if you have signed it, if the truth of the matter is that they stole it. Make your Pilot and Publish it on You Tube before taking to a Channel. Take it as a product in Pipe Line not just as an “idea”. Then if they come up with a similar idea “screw” them and also TALK about it. You will get “awesome” publicity for it . It may even sell your show/series/etc.

[Sandy Polin]

Discovery Channel stealing show idea
I submitted a show idea to The Discovery Channel. I received a letter from the vice president of programming stating that they did review my submission. She went on to state that it did not fit their programming and that they were already working on a show that was similar. Well a few months pass and I notice that there is a show airing with a different title then what I submitted, but everything else was exactly what I had submitted. The Discover Channel never had my sign a submission form. I did send them a query letter asking if they did accept ideas and they stated yes. After sending 3 letters asking why my idea was used I finally got a call from their legal department stating that it was just a coincidence. I think it was too much of a coincidence.

[Dave Mcneely]

I’m making my way through all of this horror, Jim, but THAT is a great idea. We are Titanium Productions in San Diego. I’m accessing this thread, it would seem, very late in the game. I have an idea for a documentary for Discovery or Nat Geo and THANK goodness I found all of your submission nightmare stories before I did.