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Re: broadcasters

I was an associate producer, writer and horticultural advisor for a local gardening program -- The Heartland Garden -- which ran for 13 weeks on the local PBS station. Subsequently, it ran on PBS affiliated stations throughout Indiana.

Funding came from several sources, but primarily from the Indianapolis Museum of Art and White River Gardens, a sister institution of the Indianapolis Zoo. There was an anonymous donor, too. First year budget was about $125,000. I got paid, but it was next to nothing; however, since I come from a print background, I was grateful to get some experience behind the camera, having been in front of one dozens of times.

The Heartland Garden used an Emmy-winning television production company, Nineteenth Star, for the shooting, editing (AVID) and preparing for airing.

It was extremely well received by the public, evidenced by the viewership and market share rating tallied by the companies that do that...it was the only Saturday morning program that got a 2 share, or something like that, in the market. The suits were happy. We got dozens of e-mails from viewers throughout the state. The supporting institutions also seemed pleased; one opted to support the program a second year, but the second one didn't.

It ran in Spring 2001 and repeated that summer. I put together a business plan for Year 2 and Nineteenth Star tried to get a commercial underwriter, but couldn't make it happen. People still talk about it and ask me if there will be new programs. I ask them if they have their checkbook handy.

Thirteen episodes were not enough to take the program to HGTV or other cable outlets. They need at least 26 episodes before they are interested.

I wish I knew what it takes. That P. Allan Smith guy came out of nowhere to being the national spokesman for umpteen products. And he typifies what I think are way too many southern gardeners who have tv programs.

jems

Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
Garden writer, speaker, photographer
Director, Region III Garden Writers Association
Phone: 317.251.3261
Fax: 317.251.8545
E-mail: hoosiergardener@earthlink.net




   Do we have any members who do regular t.v. shows?  That's an area that
has been discussed very little on the list.  Things like how to write and
sell scripts.  Where and how to get shows produced, etc.  Something on the
ins and outs of the process.   At very least, there have to be some good
stories out there.  As well as some sites, books, etc. that tell how to do
it.
-Lon Rombough
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at: http://www.hort.net/lists/gwlphotos

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"Organic-Gardening" <organic-gardening@lists.ibiblio.org>

For GWL website and Wiki, go to
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