As Idris Elba promoted his Apple TV series “Hijacked” for an audience of professionals at the DGA, he mentioned “preparation is everything” when it came to filming his action-adventure series. All I could think, was that in Reality TV, pre-production or preparation is the first thing to get slashed when budgets get tight.
I’d recommend doing the opposite. The lower the budget, the MORE pre-production you should schedule. It’s crucial for ensuring the quality, safety, and financial viability of a show.
I was once hired on a Friday for a pilot that started filming the following week. I hired my team on Saturday and we were all on a plane headed to location on Sunday. We scouted on Monday and started shooting on Tuesday. We did it, but it was unnecessarily stressful and it most likely could have been a better show if we had a spare moment to think about it.
"If it’s worth creating, then it’s worth being great."
Here's why spending a little more money on the front end, will save money on the back end.
1 - PREMIUM CREATIVITY
Since the showrunner is usually brought on board AFTER a series has been cast, developed and green-lit, the more time they have to understand the cast members, locations, and potential stories, the better the show can be. Orchestrating compelling and unique overarching narratives takes time. Despite the genre's spontaneity, a showrunner must first create a season outline detailing the potential stories and how they will be woven together in a cohesive and engaging way complete with potential tent pole events, emotional climaxes and episodic cliffhangers.
2 - HIRE THE RIGHT/DIVERSE TEAM
Once a showrunner understands the story and the requirements of the show, they can hire the right producers and crew for the particular project. Not all producers, DP’s and audio sups are equal. They all have their own strengths. Also, one bad apple can ruin the experience for everyone, so having a little bit of time to vet prospective team members helps build a more cohesive unit. The last thing you want to do is replace someone once you’ve started filming.
3 - TECHNICAL PREPAREDNESS
Understanding the requirements of the show also helps with technical preparedness. Reality TV is unpredictable but it doesn’t mean the filming has to be shoddy. To achieve premium quality, it requires multiple camera setups, sound equipment, and lighting rigs to be strategically placed to capture spontaneous moments from various angles without intruding on the participants. This requires detailed planning and coordination amongst the technical crew to adapt to different environments and situations, ensuring that no pivotal moment goes unrecorded. Having thought of everything you might need in advance, does save time and money.
4 - COST EFFICIENCY
Logistics is another area that can get expensive. From locations and travel arrangements to accommodation and catering, producers can negotiate better deals and avoid costly last-minute changes by planning all this in advance, This level of financial planning ensures that the production can allocate resources effectively, enhancing the overall quality of the show without exceeding its budget.
5 - RESPONDING TO THE UNEXPECTED
Despite the best-laid plans, reality TV thrives on the unexpected, and most good producers actually want surprises. It’s usually good for the story and that’s where the fun usually comes in. But you can’t move and groove without a solid foundation and contingency plans. It’s like washing a skyscraper window without a safety line. Effective pre-production allows production to be flexible, adapt quickly and safely, and ensures the show's continuity while saving time and money.
Isn’t it time to bring back pre-production?