I realize I'm older and I've been coming to the Shot Show since 1985, the year it was in Atlanta and everyone forgot how to drive a vehicle on sheets of ice. I drove the farm's 4x4 pickup truck all the way from Indiana and engaged the 'hubs' only after I got downtown!
The show, however, was Nirvana. I had found a new home. I knew the instant I had walked onto the show floor that I was at a place where I belonged. (Invited or not, I belonged.) I still belong, but like all things, the atmosphere has changed.
Over and over in private conversations with writers I've known for years, if not decades, while resting in the Press Room this fact is brought up, and not by me, because I thought that perhaps I was just being an old fart in my attitudes and perceptions. If I am, I am not alone.
In terms of gun 'entertainment', the driving force (with real money) is television. If you ain't television, you ain't shit. Obviously, the print media has lost its big impact, but we already knew that. That was sort of the water is wet acknowledgement, but the attitude overall toward the developing media is what surprised me.
Yes, the electronic media is acknowledged, like the bloggers, for the driving force they are and they are being recognized for what they do, but the thing is they have no money, they get no money and they don't represent any force or individual power that serious money is usually attracted to. That may sound harsh and puncture more than a few balloons, but it's an observation of fact on my part because (irony of all ironies) I'm also trying to sell a television show and I'm suddenly being made aware of facts and attitudes about the current market that I was blissfully ignorant of. (poor sentence, but still a fact surrounding the current situation)
Twitter accounts are generally only acknowledged or taken into consideration IF they are related to a television show. They could care less if you're some big name writer (or in my case, a small time writer) and you have a Twitter account. Start talking about an 8:00PM time slot on Thursday night and suddenly someone like me who thought the word more aptly described some hidden aspect of the feminine gender's private parts is being asked about any Twitter accounts?
The same is true with websites. In fact during our presentations they want to know what ancillary programs we have plans for in addition to the format of the show!
Wow! This is pretty thin air, high altitude stuff for a guy who normally plants corn, soybeans and shoots guns and has been doing so for over 30 some years...?!? (As in W.T.F am I doing here?)
I'm also learning the whole television programing thing requires, NO - IT DEMANDS, a heavy load of patience and long range planning.
Hard stuff to learn for someone who is used to ideas being germinated on the screen or a piece of paper in a matter of minutes or hours maybe, or in the case of seed within a week, if not 3 or 4 days.
I can't predict if my son and I will be successful in these ventures, but I absolutely believe we must all recognize the landscape, the terrain, the variable weather patterns and other day-to-day factors in a continuously changing world and we must learn to adapt to these new conditions if we want to survive...
All The Best,
Frank W. James
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8 comments:
"I'm also learning the whole television programing thing requires, NO - IT DEMANDS, a heavy load of patience and long range planning."
Interesting that TV demands long range planning and then so often airs shows that shouldn't even get the chance to be a "flash in the pan."
Patience is not one of my sterling virtues....better you than me Brother.
Here's hoping that your show gets picked up.
I too would like to see your show. I know it would make some parts of society squeal, but welcome to reality.
I know you've hashed this out before, but webisodes seem like a way to prove your production quality, but what do I know? I just know I'd watch your show start to finish from your webpage and or Roku.
Frank,
I think of web sites, as I have for better than a decade, as the successor to the yellow pages.
In 2000 Inc. magazine did a small business presentation for UPS in Tulsa, OK. A guy I was doing a web site for, invited me along with him.
The word then, I think is true today. Don't look at a web site to generate sales, look at it as reducing the cost of keeping customers. They claimed that the average business call cost a small business $9-12 each call, and a web site that answered a couple of questions for customers -- how do I contact you, what are your hours, do you carry brand "umpty-ump" -- these can pay for the web site.
If you have your concept on a simple web page, then you have established two things. First, by registering a domain, there is someone else that has dealt with you, you aren't as unknown, now, as you thought you were (in the TV production side of the realm). Second is the content, a visual image to capture the attention, and content to explain what needs explained. There is an additional step some registrars and other provide, certifying. That is, someone trusted contacts you, establishes that you are who you claim and that you can be contacted, and then agrees to let others know you are a real person representing yourself -- which points out that there are those making false presentations.
Another venue is the 'app' for smart phones. Radio stations, small businesses, these have things you can load onto your smart phone, for those TV planners and producers that have then, that simplify contacting you and previewing what you are working on. I don't use, or want, a smart phone, so this is mostly hearsay -- and the marketing I have tripped over in the last couple of years.
The web site also covers the distinction between you and your son and your lives, and the production company that you will likely be forming to manage details, expenses, licenses, manage release forms and LEO jurisdiction contacts. A dedicated office address (rent-an-office service, for part-time facilities?) Dedicated phone, email, these can be piggy backed onto your own phone, maybe? Etc. Your attorney and accountant will likely have advice on this.
Gillette used to sponsor weekly fight TV shows. I wonder if they would consider sponsoring your program? Hopefully you get sponsors with larger appeal that (Lawrence Welk's) Geritol.
Luck!
Hope you can navigate the 'uncharted' waters Frank...
Good Luck. Helped a friend audition for a telivision show this past summer. Lots of trial video. Lots of paperwork. He sought the advice of a succesful TV personality. He was told that if choosing between a tv show and a security force job in Afghanistan, take the job in Afghanistan. It was safer, the pay better and more regular.
He was offered the part two months after he was in Afghanistan.
One problem you may face is that a lot of people are abandoning TV. I get my news on the internet, mt entertainment from Netflix and my Frank W. James from Davidson's web site.
However, I visit this blog almost every day and wish you every success in farming, writing and (hopefully) television.
I do not think even Mr. Bane understands the impact of the Oligarchy on his business.
When he got "uptiered" two or three years ago he lost a priceless number of viewers and an opportunity to expand into secondary markets-reruns, DVD etc.
Meanwhile, the "other stream media" fight to capture that audience with shows that are almost, but not quite, real gun shows- example, Top Shot.
If you cannot get automobile companies, laundry detergent and breakfast food advertisers to back your product you will remain on the fringe regardless of your viewer numbers potential or actual.
In Liberty,
JJH
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