Producing a daily TV show

[Walter Biscardi]

[Tim Frechette] “The co-host wants me to take a huge paycut just to get started as well as pay for all of the equipment but I will not get any revenue of future ad sales, only a salary. I told him I will take a paycut, provide equipment, but I want to make just as much money as the co-host since I will be selling advertising as well. “

This is the beginning of a horrible relationship. My advice is don’t bother with this project at all. My two cents.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.

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[Todd Terry]

Got to agree with Walter, as usual…

Relationships tend to get worse, not better, with time. I can’t imagine a relationship that starts out this rocky becoming smooth as silk later on.

From what little we’ve heard, this guy sounds like a control freak prima donna (or whatever the male equivalent of a prima donna is), with an over-inflated sense of self importance…. as is all-too-often seen in local television personalities.

You call him the “co-host”… obviously that means it is not his show, that he is not the sole talent. Does the show hinge on him? Can it be done with someone else?

If he is what carried the show before, his following that generated an audience, then I think you might be in trouble. If on the other hand it’s the show itself that people wanted to watch, I’d definitely consider re-casting the part and moving on.

Lots of people (herself included) thought “Live!”…” would tank without Kathy Lee… but if you’ll notice, Regis is doing just fine without her.

T2

__________________________________
Todd Terry
Creative Director
Fantastic Plastic Entertainment, Inc.
fantasticplastic.com

[Mike Cohen]

If it sounds too good to be true, it’s too good to be true.
This sounds too bad to be true. You have a good chance of getting burned.
If you want this to happen, get something in writing and pay a lawyer to look at it. It seems much of the risk is on you, so the risk management is also on you.
You may like working with the talent and want your work to be broadcast for your local market to see, but don’t forget your most important customer…YOU!

Mike Cohen

[Ron Lindeboom]

[Todd Terry] “this guy sounds like a control freak prima donna (or whatever the male equivalent of a prima donna is)”

I think that would be called a “major sports star,” Todd.

;o)

Ron Lindeboom

[Mike Smith]

Walk away.

If you are a hired hand on a (lower) salary, why would you even consider investing in kit and taking on risk for this show.

You may not have heard the full story of why the show no longer airs.

Unless you are to (try to) do everything, monthly cost will also include people for sound, lighting, props, editing, graphics, along with any outside shooting, any guests, anything “beyond the minimum” you might do to give a show spice. Oh – and of course any sales costs involved in running the ad sales operation …

If you feel like it, go into your local station to discuss possible other deals with them.

But this has “avoid” all over it ….

[Walter Biscardi]

[Ron Lindeboom] “I think that would be called a “major sports star,” Todd. “

T.O. for short.

And as a follow-up when I said this is a bad relationship from the start, I speak from very recent experience. There will be many more details and I plan to write a full article in the near future, but trust me when I say to walk away.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.

Read my Blog!

STOP STARING AND START GRADING WITH APPLE COLOR Apple Color Training DVD available now!

[Grinner Hester]

Just politely explain that your internship daze are over and state your day rate. He’ll say no thank you and you’ll find this to be the most diplomatic way of telling a grinder to kick rocks.

[Tim Kolb]

Yes…I’d have to agree with the majority here.

Success is…improbable if not impossible.

…and this client sounds like they’re pitching the deal with “You’ll have to give up a lot now BUT…down the road you’ll REALLY be hosed.”

…tempting.

TimK,
Director, Consultant
Kolb Productions,

[Alan Lloyd]

What everyone else said. Run, do not walk.

[Tim Frechette]

I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to respond, it is greatly appreciated.

Here is an update.

I can borrow the equipment needed to get the show on air. Revenue split as proposed. Half of breaks go to the tv station for them to sell.
Our share will be split like this. Who ever sells the ad gets 50%. The other 50% goes like this.

10% for infrastructure
50% to me
40% to the on air talent.
If a client needs a commercial I make it and keep all revenue to pay for my equipment.

I am getting a rate card from the station to see what the actual numbers on for commercial rates. The tv program director keeps telling us we need to hire a cameraman to run a camera live in the studio to give it a realty effect like MTV. He did it 11 years ago 4 times a month with a local rock station and it went well he said.
I said if it went so well why did it last only 3 months and I am not going to produce this show with a huge paycut just so I can pay a “new kid” to run a camera. The tv PD also told us that setting up this tv show is as simply as plugging in the fiber optic cable into his camera and letting it run.
My response was “A monkey can do that, is that the show you want to run?” They keep saying that they want a really nice looking show, yet they don’t want to pay me for it.

Another revenue stream would be to broadcast on the net but the radio station says it will hurt their online streaming. I feel like everyone is limiting my revenue stream yet everyone else is going to be making top dollar.

Give me your opinion and tell me what the idea situation would be.
Thanks