Content Creation for TV

Some content creators have come to believe that ‘TV is dead’.  Not so.

The one-time king of Traditional Media may be struggling with the throne as New Media, in all its glorious and disruptive emergence battles for supremacy, but TV still stands strong and regal, gallant and dauntless, serving about 5.6 billion viewers worldwide.

‘5.6 billion viewers’ is enough motivation for creators  to share stories , ideas, brand visibility and adverts with screen-reader consumers.

So why are many content creators yet to take advantage of TV?

Sometimes, we just feel constantly inadequate to start; we wait for perfect conditions not realizing that, more often than not, the first and hardest part is showing up. Create the content. Review it. Produce it. Deliver it on TV…you might literally have a potential ‘instant hit’ content locked up in your head due to the fear of stepping out.

Some other times though, content creators do not take advantage or make progress on TV because they are not equipped with the requisite ‘know-how’ and practical steps. ‘5.6 billion viewers’ means nothing if one doesn’t know the ropes and get the fundamental things right. But here’s the good news; after reading this piece, you’d have laid hold of these ‘fundamental things’ as you ask and answer the basic questions needed to jumpstart or upscale your content creation career on TV.

HOW DO I DEFINE OR DISCOVER MY GENRE?

When we say ‘genre’, we are simply talking about any form or type of communication in any mode (written, spoken, digital, artistic etc.) with socially-agreed-upon conventions developed over time. To create a distinct show that’d glue viewers to their screen, it’s good to set out with a clear definition and choice genre you’d be consistently churning out.

Are you best fitted for TV Dramas genre (a narrative fiction or semi-fiction intended to be more serious than humorous in tone)? Or are you looking at Factual Content (such as documentaries, magazine shows, arts and culture. History, politics, science, travel and talk, nature etc.)? Is your preferred genre Entertainment (light-hearted family-friendly shows, variety programs, talk shows etc.)? Are you looking at Sports (shows that analyse, present and enlighten the viewers on sport activities and events)? News? Reality Show (according to Wikipedia, a genre of television programs that document purportedly unscripted, real-life situations often starring unfamiliar people rather than professional actors)?

There are many more genres out there, each with its peculiar challenges and perks, it helps to consider these two major things if one is really uncertain of which genre to focus on especially when such a content creator has multiple interests.

1. Consider the ‘Sustainability factor’: Rather than get excited over the success of a single production or episode of a TV content, you may want to consider which genre you can consistently deliver for the next 6-8 months. Ask yourself and your team (if there’s one); “Can I/we sustain the process required to create and produce this genre for at least 6 months?”, “Which of these potential genres offers higher possibility of creating a series of shows?” Which one holds my/our inspiration on the fastest and highest flow state?

• Consider the “Popular Demand” factor: If you are feeling confused over a number of genre options, it also helps to find out which shows or content genre are really doing well on TV. Are people raving about Sports Analysis? Or entertainment gist at the moment (while you don’t forget the first point)? A simple search, research or survey can help you find out which genre a vast number of audience find to be more engaging. Create what people are eager to watch and you are on your way to ruling over the air waves.

WHO DO YOU NEED? | SETTING UP A TEAM

If you are in this as a one-off or side hustle venture, you may not create a structure or team around your content creation for TV. You can be the writer, editor, camera man, video editor etc. of the entire creation chain from the first letter of a content to the final output of audio and visual. But if you are in this for the long game; then you might need a basic team and some structures that are skilled at handling;

1. Content Writing:  Content here might be a script or a screenplay, it might be for a News genre or a Reality show, a Sports show or a Family drama; whichever it is, remember that the foundation of every good content or show is actually how well it is written. Ensure your script, outline, gig etc. is written in an engaging, easy-to-understand and that it addressed something that is either relevant, controversial, relatable, trending or life-changing to your audience.
2. Content Production: Whether you need a team for this or not will depend on the scale, quality and volume of production you are looking at. But be it a one-man team or a 10-man production crew, the most important thing is to ensure that enough skills and expertise is put into the production work.

The Production Director and Videographer (or Camera Man) must have a clear understanding of which genre they are working on. Does this content require dramatic angles? Close shots? Tilts, Pans and Zooms or just a single Wide shot? Also, you cannot afford to start with a good content/script/idea and end with a bad video editor. Avoid touching stories of ‘What I ordered (during production) vs What I got (after editing)” by working with a professional Video Editor who understands the assignment.   

ARE WE GOOD TO GO?

Not exactly! Now that you have chosen a genre that best reflects your interest, passion and skill, and also have the right content plus an excellent production team, you are left with the next question, “What gadgets do I need for the entire content creation chain?”.

 This question will be sufficiently answered in the second part of this article.
But just before we call it a wrap, it might need to be restated that when it comes to creating content whether for TV or for any other medium, it’s not just about tools and gadgets and skills alone, it’s also about having the right mindset and ‘can-do’ attitude. Believe it when we say that the world awaits what you’ve got to offer. Smash the fear of rejection (from viewers or TV Head of Programs), procrastination, inconsistency and become a content creator king. The screens are beckoning unto you.