Getting Your First TV Producer Credit with Marc Jackson

Marc Jackson says he feels like he’s living his dream. A retired police officer, Marc wanted to start a new career in filmmaking and TV production – but had no production experience. Like many of you, Marc discovered the Producing Unscripted podcast and this site. He trusted us with his concept, pitched it through our portal, and we developed it together. We’ve now set it up as a television pilot at a major cable network. Marc’s earning his first producer credit and jumping in the deep end of television production. Today we break down everything Marc did right, what it’s like to finally have your first TV project, and tips you can use to do the same. Marc Jackson – Turning Retirement Into a New Career We’ve said many times, like in this post, that no matter who you are, there’s a way to break into unscripted television. Marc is a great example of someone with no connections to the industry who has made all the right moves. He’s now getting his first producer credit on a TV pilot for a major cable network (stay tuned for when we can say more!) After discovering this site, Marc pitched us several show concepts. It was clear he was creative and enthusiastic about unscripted, but, for various reasons, we passed on his early projects. He did not give up. Now, nearly four years later, we’ve teamed up, collaborating, and making a TV pilot together. Listen Now to Our Conversation with Marc Jackson Hit that giant play button at the top of the page now. It’s an honest conversation about the journey from concept to pilot, what it’s really like for a new producer in this business, and what Marc did right to get our attention. Helpful and Related Links * This episode we did with Abra Chouinard in January details the pitch process from a new producer’s point of view. Excited to tell you…we’ve now set her project up as TV pilot at a major cable network. Stay tuned for more. * Our recent episode with Todd Lindsey about the TV series we made together, Unmasking a Killer. Todd trusted us with his ten year passion project, and together we turned it into a TV series for CNN and HLN. BTW, stream it free anytime on CNNgo! * Check out the official Unmasking A Killer podcast we did for CNN and HLN. The newest episode is the one we did right after the Golden State Killer was caught. Let’s Make Some TV Together Are you looking to pitch your own unscripted television project, true crime documentary series or reality TV show? Think you might want to pitch to us? Here’s what to do next:

Om Podcasten

*Named "New and Noteworthy" across all podcasts, as well as TV & Film, Arts, and Education. Subscribe now. Ready to create, pitch, and sell documentary series, unscripted TV shows or reality series and specials? From creating pitch tapes to meeting with TV networks, developing your ideas to discovering reality TV stars, this podcast features tips on working in unscripted film and television that you won't find anywhere else. Get top-industry secrets and even pitch your shows to Award-Winning Documentary Filmmakers and Unscripted Television Producers Joke Fincioen and Biagio Messina. Recently, the duo have helped both new and experienced producers bring projects to television on MTV, BIOGRAPHY CHANNEL, INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY, A&E, and CNN/HLN. Your show could be next. Subscribe now. ABOUT JOKE AND BIAGIO: With over a decade of experience in unscripted film and television, this married couple has made TV shows, specials, and pilots for CNN, HLN, A&E, The CW, Biography Channel, NBC, CBS, Discovery, Investigation Discovery, Discovery+, E!, IFC, Logo, Oxygen, Style Network, VH1 and MTV. Their feature length documentary DYING TO DO LETTERMAN played in theaters across America, was invited by the International Documentary Association to qualify for Academy Award® consideration, and named “New and Noteworthy” on iTunes alongside The Dark Knight Rises, Brave, and Beasts of the Southern Wild. Subscribers to this podcast will learn the secrets of the Unscripted TV and Film worlds, and how to apply them toward career success. Subscribe today.