Hi everyone, I’m a screenwriter based in Berlin with a strong background in scripted TV (mainly drama and dramedy), but I’m currently shifting my focus and developing a deeper interest in unscripted formats, especially character-based docu-series like Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Vanderpump Rules, or The Valley.
I’d love to understand more about how these types of shows are actually developed behind the scenes. Specifically, I’m looking for:
• Examples of pitch decks, format bibles, or treatments for reality/docu-soap series
• Any resources or links where one can find such documents (sales decks, sizzle treatments, internal development papers, etc.)
• Insight into how the concepts are typically structured and presented (narrative spine, episode arc, cast dynamic, etc.)
If anyone would be willing to share an old concept deck, sample pitch, or internal development document (strictly for educational purposes), I’d treat it 100% confidentially and won’t pass it on, publish, or reuse anything. It’s just for personal learning and understanding the craft better as I transition from fiction into the reality space.
Happy to chat via DM or email if preferred. Thanks so much in advance and all the best from Berlin! Florian
1 person likes this
Hi, Florian Von Bornstädt. Great to meet you. Stage 32 has Education for unscripted projects (www.stage32.com/education/search?term=unscripted).
Stage 32 also has a webinar called "How to Develop, Pitch and Produce a Premium Unscripted Docuseries for a Streamer or Network" (www.stage32.com/education/products/how-to-develop-pitch-and-produce-a-pr...).
I can email you the pitch deck for my Horror Comedy game show. A link to the sizzle reel is in the deck.
3 people like this
Hello Florian! Glad you're here and wow Berlin, I've always wanted to see and photograph! Sydney here from the Stage 32 Education team, and I saw you ask for resources! We have some wonderful education that also include the handouts your looking for her too. If you need any more recommendations or have any education questions, email me at edu@stage32.com ! Have a great week ahead!
-How To Map Out Your TV Seasons in Your Pitch Deck (Webinar): https://www.stage32.com/education/products/how-to-map-out-your-tv-season...
-How to Write A One-Page Synopsis For Your Television Project (Webinar): https://www.stage32.com/education/products/how-to-write-a-one-page-synop...
-How to Write a Professional TV Pitch Document / Treatment (Webinar): https://www.stage32.com/education/products/how-to-write-a-professional-t...
2 people like this
Thank you, but webinars are not really what I am looking for at the moment. I have already read plenty of books, but I am specifically looking for pitches or concepts from existing reality TV shows that have already been produced. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find anything on this subject...
1 person likes this
You're welcome, Florian Von Bornstädt. I've found pitch decks, format bibles, and treatments for scripted movies and shows, but not unscripted. Do you want to see the pitch deck for my game show?
2 people like this
And here's a post about pitch decks you might be interested in, Florian Von Bornstädt: www.stage32.com/lounge/anything_goes/Pitch-Deck-4
1 person likes this
So the first 2 points you can forget you're never going to get that info. Maybe point 3, I know someone on this website worked on one of those unscripted, scripted shows, I think it was The Hills ( could be wrong,), but I would imagine everybody who worked on those (sort of) shows, in whatever way, was told not to share any info beyond.... the question is "what ARE they allowed to share? And do they even want to share it?
1 person likes this
Here is the best place Florian Von Bornstädt for Show Bibles and more:
https://sites.google.com/site/tvwriting/bibles
1 person likes this
Thank you, Mark Deuce - I know this site, but there are just bibles and this stuff from fiction/scripted shows…