Inside Track Event Offers the Chance to Pitch Reality TV Ideas to Pros

by Jenn Hopkins

If you’ve ever watched reality television or even harbored a secret desire to be a part of or create a show, you’re about to get your opportunity to learn more from the professionals. Film Tucson, a division of Visit Tucson and The University of Arizona’s Hanson Institute, are co-presenting Inside Track: A Series of Film & TV Panels.

This is the 6^th Inside Track Panel, aptly titled Get Real: Breaking into Reality TV. Three of the panelists are UA alums and industry professionals: reality TV producer Ryane Belafsky, agent Nir Caspi, and Senior Vice President of Development Josh Murphy of Pilgrim Media Group.

They will be joined by local Tucsonan Anthony Michaels, who took first place in Spike TV’s seventh season of Ink Masters for his amazing talent in body art, and his firsthand knowledge of being on the other side of the camera.

Here is where you get to learn all the insider information you’ve been dying to know. If you’ve ever thought to yourself, “If I could just pitch my idea…”, well, this may be your lucky day, because Inside Track is holding a contest, and there are still a few days left to enter online!

Josh Murphy was kind enough to give an insider’s tip ahead of time: “Character is key, you come in with a good character and an interesting story surrounding that character, and you’ve already got a leg up on the reality TV pitch process. Whether I’m trying to pitch a travel show, or a ghost-hunting show, or a show about high-class ladies living in a specific state, I need to have good characters with compelling points of view that can carry that show.” Are you curious as to why you would need a “character” on an “unscripted” show? Attend the panel to find out.

If you’re more interested in the competition aspect of the panel, then get ready to act fast. Locals interested in pitching their reality TV ideas must enter the contest by 5:00pm Nov. 27^th; entries submitted later will not be considered. Contestants will be graded on creativity, do-ability (think about budgets), originality, and extra credit points are awarded if the show is going to be shot locally, so give the Old Pueblo some love.

The finalists will be announced at The Inside Track Panel, so be prepared to be pitch-perfect because this is where you actually get your shot to stand in front of the industry professionals—no travel necessary! For more information on how to enter, please visit Inside Track: Contest Page for specifics. Hurry, it’ll be closed before you know it. Even if your entry doesn’t make the cut, the event will be filled with useful information for anyone interested in the entertainment industry.

Event Details

Date: December 2^nd, 2016

Time: 4:00pm-5:30pm

Where: UA Center for Creative Photography: 1030 N Olive Rd

Parking: Garage at Park Ave and Speedway Blvd

Cost: FREE, first-come first-served.