Advice for aspiring or working producers, directors, creators, craftspeople on working in unscripted television, feature-length documentaries, documentary and reality TV, or any factual programming. Plus industry insights and actionable advice.
TL;DR: Want a One-Time Consulting Session With Joke and Biagio?
- Not a pitch meeting (pitching to us is free)
- Just a real convo with two working producers
- Best for creators in reality TV, documentary, or unscripted film/TV who need clarity, advice, or feedback
- We only offer a few sessions each month. It’s $499 for a 60-minute Zoom call with both of us
- If you’re cool with all that…
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
Different projects. Different questions. Both described their session as having “far exceeded expectations.”
A clearer path for her show
Felicia came with a teaser and questions about developing her show. Our conversation helped her identify what to include, what to cut, where to focus on character development, and what to expect when approaching a network.
Worth the money to hear their perspectives and get concrete next steps.
— Felicia R., Emerging Producer
More confidence in telling his story
Mike wanted guidance on how to present his personal story to television producers. Asked what changed after our conversation, his answer was simple: “More confidence.” Asked what was most valuable? “Everything.”
— Mike F., Personal Story Consultation
A Consulting Experiment…
Okay, hell froze over. For years, we’ve said we wouldn’t offer consulting — but enough of you have asked (pleaded?) that we finally decided to give this a try and see if it can be helpful to many of you. So here’s what we’re doing…with some big caveats, and a little real talk from the two of us about working in documentary and reality TV. Due to time constraints spots are limited and it’s kind of expensive, so keep in mind…
First off: this is NOT a pay-to-pitch opportunity. You don’t need to book a consult to pitch to us — in fact, we don’t want you to. Pitching to us is (and has always been) free through this site. Booking a consult will NOT help your chances of teaming up with us. That’s not what this is for.
Also important: this site is packed with free help. We’ve got a decade’s worth of podcasts, articles, and two free ebooks (How to Pitch a Reality Show and Unscripted Television: 100 Tips for Breaking In and Career Success) to guide you through pitching, storytelling, and creative career-building. If money is tight, please start there.
Only schedule a consult after you’ve fully explored all of our free resources and still feel stuck or need personal clarity.
Of course, if you’re short on time and not worried about your personal budget, we can give you a jump start.
Why Book a Conversation With Us?
To talk to real, working producers — about real creative problems.
Maybe you’re stuck on a project, overwhelmed by options, or wondering if you’re even on the right path. Or thinking about breaking into the industry and not sure where to start. Could be that, like us, you’re a married or committed couple launching your own company — showbiz or not — and want some advice. We also realize there may be many things you’d like to discuss that we haven’t gone into in depth on this site or podcast. Fact is, if you’ve been around this site, you know our story. If you want our help with something that makes sense to ask us about, we’re an open book.
We’ve been at this a long time — producing shows, running our own business, and trying not to lose our minds in the process. We know how hard it can be to navigate the creative industry, a career, a personal life, and run a business… without spinning your wheels. If you’re looking for personalized guidance in documentary or unscripted television, these one-on-one consulting sessions are built for that.
How it Works
The two of us talked about it a lot. Together we decided that as an experiment we will open up a small number of one-on-one consulting sessions for people who need real feedback, clarity, or direction — from people like us who are actually doing the work — and have the gray hairs, late nights, and caffeine withdrawal to prove it.
No hype. No selling you other weird products after. Just a focused, no-BS conversation.
How to Use These Sessions
- Exploring creative career questions with no judgment
- Asking the “how does this really work?” questions safely and privately
- Getting feedback from producers still working today, still actively in the business
- Finding clarity when you’re stuck or second-guessing yourself
- Untangling a sticky project or pitch idea
How Not to Use These Sessions
Let’s call it what it is:
- These are not pitch meetings. You do not have to pay to pitch us — that’s free through this site.
- Booking time with us does not increase your chances of teaming up with us on a show.
- We’re not here to make friends (but props if you caught that reference!) Still…
Please, no strange “networking” invites. The answer is “no.” No offense — just keeping things fair and realistic for everyone.
A Real Conversation, One Time
You’ll meet with both of us (Joke and Biagio) over Zoom. It’s a one-time session. That’s it. Just a real conversation with working producers who care about creatives.
We only offer a few sessions each month or so. We’re still making film and TV, still running our production company, and not looking to build a “coaching empire” so these will be limited and rolled out as we can carve out time for them.
Pricing (as of now)
- 60 minutes, Zoom call with the two of us, Joke and Biagio: $499
Prices may change in the future, but if you’re booking now — that’s what you’ll pay.
While this one-on-one consulting is ideal for creatives in reality TV, documentary, and unscripted film or television, we’re open to helping who we can, how we can. Again, you know our story, we’re sure you’re smart enough to figure out where we can be helpful.
What Some Pros Have Said:
“I wish I could tell you how many aspiring reality pros I’ve directed to Joke and Biagio’s website and podcast. They’re a tremendous resource for anyone looking to break into reality, and I say that as someone who’s been working in the business for quite a while. Helpful, straightforward, and cool.” — Troy DeVolld, TV Producer (The Osbournes, The Surreal Life, Dancing With the Stars)
“I cannot stress enough, the greatness of Joke and Biagio, the creators and Executive Producers.” — James Gunn, Director, Screenwriter (Guardians of the Galaxy, The Suicide Squad, Superman) Quoted from MovieMaker Magazine
(Want to read more? Check out our testimonials page.)
How to Book
We keep it simple:
Choose a date and time in the calendar below, then complete your booking. The 60-minute Zoom conversation with both of us is $499, paid when you book. You’ll answer a couple of light questions so we can prep for your session.
You do not need to join a mailing list to book. If there are no suitable times, the availability waitlist below the calendar is optional. Joining it does not book or reserve a session. The optional Producing Unscripted newsletter and email course signup is separate.
You’ll also sign a short agreement, just to make sure we’re all on the same page. Remember, we develop, pitch, and are pitched hundreds of projects a year. If you want to talk specifics on a particular project of yours, it’s very likely that we’ve heard, worked on, or developed something similar at some point or already have something like that in our pipeline. We’re upfront about that. Just something to keep in mind when deciding what you want to share.
NOTE: We do not record these conversations (for your privacy and ours) and recording is strictly prohibited. But you can take all the notes you want.