Digital Dish

I’ve been working on broadcast television projects for the past few months. When I think about how things can be produced and what TV shows can include, it’s exciting. I’ve already posted that about ancillary revenue streams and a Web/interactive element baked in, but it’s more than just that. Different camera angles, unique themes, etc. It feels like the possibilities are endless!
I’m new to the entertainment business though. I wonder: How creative will you get to be on your first projects in the eyes of development execs?

I’ve watched TV many years and it plays a part in the shows I am creating. A lot of my concepts also evolved out of feedback/chatter on and offline over the years of owning my social media company, Stylediary.net. I tried to incorporate some of the things that it seemed people wanted. For those who may be new to Digital Dish, I spent a long time in media before moving into TV (including owning Stylediary). I’ve been excited to take what I’ve learned in media into my television projects. Lots of what we’re doing has been seen on other shows, too.

It’s all very cool. But as I talk with my production partners, manager, etc., it seems that a lot of network executives play it safe and keep to what works. It’s said that there is little room to be creative.

I’m not surprised—even in the short time I’ve been directly in the market, it’s obvious that it’s difficult to know what’ll be a hit and what won’t. I know it’s also very hard to land a high-level, decision-maker role in the business.

But I have heard more than once that television suffers as a result. For every “Heroes” or “Entourage,” they say, are a half-dozen scripted and non-scripted shows that feel redundant.
But with the down market, where people might be turning to the Internet and TV more, I wonder: Could it be a good time to put TV on blast and switch things up to generate a new excitement about shows?

UK television comes out with really interesting ideas that are often replicated here. What if American TV could turn it the other way around?

I would love to see it, not just as a creator/producer but as a viewer too.

But as ad revenues are expected to go down, I wonder if it’ll make it even harder for networks to take creative risks. Only time will tell—both overall and with my projects. I’d love to hear people’s thoughts on this.