Genius+Power+Magic

Sell your television idea

One of the Convergence sponsor partners is NATPE, the National Association of Television Program Executives; "a global nonprofit organization dedicated to the creation, development and distribution of digital video content in all forms across all mature and emerging media platforms".

NATPE continues to redefine itself, keeping members apprised of the changes occurring daily in the global media environment.

One of the ways it has kept current is through the development of the LATV Festival, a two day (July 8-9) conference based in

Los Angeles

"dedicated to bringing together creative TV and digital content producers with development executives, agents, advertising and brand executives, software solutions and technology and equipment providers".

I attended the event last year and was surprised by the wealth of information available to people in the television industry.  More important, it was an opportunity to pitch ideas for television shows to literally dozens of TV execs seeking new programming to buy.

Chicago has been home to alot of history-making television; The Jerry Springer Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Steve Wilkos Show, ER, Judge Mathis, Good Times and much more. Companies like Pixel Brothers have been working with Oprah, Springer, Wilkos for many years and continue to develop original content.

Our television shows are developed in house or in partnership with producers in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.  We have a newly formed relationship with Richard Dominick Productions (EP Springer 18 years) to create, develop and produce a series of reality programs for television.  We will also be announcing relationships on programs in Chicago and Rochester soon.

I learned alot at LATV last year and will definitely be there in July. 

What did I learn?  They have heard it all. The characters or host is everything. Think seasons 1-5. Know what you are talking about.  Know who you are talking to.  Know how to listen.

Most important, GO.  You may have little to no experience - or you may be an industry professional.  Regardless, pitching is a valuable learning experience that can not be duplicated.  Getting comfortable with it will give you an edge.

On a final note: Evie Silvers, NATPE Manager, Business Development & Sales is a Chicagoan.  She worked with Ruth Ratny (ReelChicago) many years ago and has been involved with the TV Industry for years.  She attended last years Chicago New Media Summit and loves her home town. 

John Patterson
Convergence Founder

NBC Universal TV Industry Meet Up is a Big Hit, December Date to Follow

Mark Luciano, Manager IT and New Media for NBC 5 Chicago was host to the first Television Industry meet-up last Thursday at NBC Towers in Chicago.  A capacity crowd of 60 people prompted Mark's comment that he'd "try to get the Jerry Springer Show set for our next meeting" giving us room for more attendees.

Mark embraced The Chicago Convergence concept and 'stood up' as the leader of this group (as anyone can for the area that matters to them).  His intent was to create a way for people to connect for business, television or web video projects.  He and the Convergence organizers worked together to support his vision.

Mark is now the founder of this aspect of The Chicago Convergence, bringing new opportunities for content development and collaboration to everyone involved.

The meet up was like a three-hour version of the September Chicago New Media Summit, where 8-10 people took 5-7 minutes to present their company, project or new product to the group sharing music composition, web video projects, video email or content ideas.  The NBC employees captured the event with photos and video.

In a hand-raise poll, 35 were there for networking, 25 for learning & discovery and for one courageous guest that night "I want a job!" was her call.

One of the discussions was the unique opportunity the change from analog to digital broadcast makes possible.  This switch makes more channels available to each broadcast network.  Where are they getting all that content?  You and I perhaps, but Mark shared about a new NBC program, a digital and on-air production http://www.LX.TV; a lifestyle program that started digital and migrated to one of NBC's mainstream programs.  It was started by "two guys with a camera" and showcases the fashion and nightlife of New York and Los Angeles, with Chicago to follow.

Stay tuned for the announcement of the next Television Industry meet-up in early December.  If you would like to be the founder of your own industry meet-up or event, reply to this newsletter for more information.

Presenters

Host Presentation
Mark Luciano - Manager IT and New Media for NBC 5 Chicago
http://www.nbcuni.com

Others
John Patterson - Founder of The Chicago Convergence & Pixel Brothers http://www.pixbros.com/

Mario Sanders
http://videotapingperfectionists.com

Kristian Hammond
Co-Director of the Intelligent Information Laboratory
Department of Computer Science
Northwestern University
http://www.infolab.northwestern.edu/person.asp?id=40
http://www.infolab.northwestern.edu/person.asp?id=40#projects/40---projects

Thatcher Kamin
Taste Media Group
http://www.tastemediagroup.com/
http://www.fixmyrecipe.com - coming December 2008

Derek Mathis
http://xnd1.com

Jack McInerney
InTime TV
http://www.intimetv.com

Liz Staller
Set, Costume Design
http://www.lizstaller.com

Rob Morrison
Song Writer, Producer, Composer for Video

Lynn Sanders
Park Avenue Productions
http://parkaveproductions.com

Brad Spirrison
Technology columnist for Chicago Suntimes
http://midwestbusiness.com/
http://www.Mycampfriends.com

Todd Walton
Runs Project: BaseLINE a project management firm specializing in Entertainment, Marketing, Events, & Business Program Development. Independent artist/writer/producer who develops music for Film, TV, Indie projects

Sean McMenemy
New Media Creator, filmmaker, podcaster and cg artist
http://www.SEANFX.com
http://hellolombard.united-pixels.com/

The Chicago Television Industry meet-up

The Chicago Television Industry Group from The Chicago Convergence is hosting their first meet-up. 

THIS EVENT HAS REACHED CAPACITY AND IS NOW CLOSED - 10/1/08

Mark's goal: I'd say that I would like to build a strong Chicago based professional/social networking group that shares the common interest of producing great television, whether its for network, cable or web. A community of professionals that share a passion to develop/create content. One of the outcomes is to build a database of services/skills that members can then utilize to help reach their professional goals.

When:
Thursday, October, 16th 6:30 - 9:30 PM.
NBC Tower, 454 N. Columbus Drive, Chicago

Free and Open to the public. You must RSVP, 50 Seat Capacity 

Host: Mark Luciano, The Chicago Convergence TELEVISION Group Leader.  He is the Manager of IT and Digital Media for NBC 5 Chicago

To attend, please RSVP your name and company to: "Luciano, Mark (NBC Universal, WMAQ)" <mark.luciano@nbcuni.com>  to have badges pre-made and available at the NBC security desk.

The agenda of the meeting will be a chance to meet-up, promote yourself, your business or content.  Mark will provide a projector and internet connectivity and a laptop if you would like to showcase anything you do.  We are open to any suggestions as to ways to 'collide' with each other.  Mark says "For those who can't make it, we can find a way to get your information, etc. In any case, shoot me an email if you want to attend and if there are any other topics you'd like to discuss."

One Convergence member comments:

"Hey Mark,
Excited to hear about the upcoming TV group meeting. Do you think it would be a good fit for people who want to produce a TV or web show? I currently produce and host a multimedia variety show every week and it's going well but I would like to go to meet people to see what the next step would look like in regard to broadcasting the show. Thanks! -Adam" 

I met up with Mark at The Chicago Convergence after Party, Sept 19th, hosted by Trax Record Label Diva Rachael Cain.  Mark and I talked about the future of the television industry and the digital changes happening soon.  The conversion from broadcast to digital will open many additional channels for the networks.  The questions we discussed are:

• What will the networks do with all these channels?
• Where is all this new content coming from?
• Are there enough advertising dollars to fund new content on these additional channels?
• Will all these channels saturate the market and dilute ad dollars?

While none of us have any answers, these meetings are the first opportunity to collaborate on solutions (anyone want to lease a Network Channel with me? - just a thought).