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Marc Jackson says he feels like he’s living his dream. A retired police officer, Marc wanted to start a new career in filmmaking and TV production – but had no production experience. Like many of you, Marc discovered the Producing Unscripted podcast and this site. He trusted us with his concept, pitched it through our portal, and we developed it together. We’ve now set it up as a television pilot at a major cable network. Marc’s earning his first producer credit and jumping in the deep end of television production. Today we break down everything Marc did right, what it’s like to finally have your first TV project, and tips you can use to do the same.
Marc Jackson – Turning Retirement Into a New Career
We’ve said many times, like in this post, that no matter who you are, there’s a way to break into unscripted television.
Marc is a great example of someone with no connections to the industry who has made all the right moves. He’s now getting his first producer credit on a TV pilot for a major cable network (stay tuned for when we can say more!)
Marc Jackson, retired police officier and new TV Producer. Here with the two of us at the Joke Productions offices.
After discovering this site, Marc pitched us several show concepts. It was clear he was creative and enthusiastic about unscripted, but, for various reasons, we passed on his early projects.
He did not give up.
Yes, Marc looks like an action star.
Now, nearly four years later, we’ve teamed up, collaborating, and making a TV pilot together.
Listen Now to Our Conversation with Marc Jackson
Hit that giant play button at the top of the page now. It’s an honest conversation about the journey from concept to pilot, what it’s really like for a new producer in this business, and what Marc did right to get our attention.
Helpful and Related Links
- This episode we did with Abra Chouinard in January details the pitch process from a new producer’s point of view. Excited to tell you…we’ve now set her project up as TV pilot at a major cable network. Stay tuned for more.
- Our recent episode with Todd Lindsey about the TV series we made together, Unmasking a Killer. Todd trusted us with his ten year passion project, and together we turned it into a TV series for CNN and HLN. BTW, stream it free anytime on CNNgo!
- Check out the official Unmasking A Killer podcast we did for CNN and HLN. The newest episode is the one we did right after the Golden State Killer was caught.
Let’s Make Some TV Together
Are you looking to pitch your own unscripted television project, true crime documentary series or reality TV show? Think you might want to pitch to us? Here’s what to do next:
Read our in-depth page about how to pitch us a show. It also talks about what it’s really like to work in our business, the unscripted TV and film industry.
