Here's a cool-something for those of you in Cape Town who'd love to have your own talk show...
Cape Town TV (DStv 263) is on a mission to help you achieve your goal. They're offering a free training programme that teaches people to create, host and finance their own talk show.
The workshops are happening on Saturdays at their studios in Observatory and they're currently accepting applications.
Deadline date: This Friday 10 September 2021.
What you need to know
It's called the Production Development Programme (PDP) and it's going to take participants through the steps of creating a show from start to finish using the station’s studios, crew and experienced production personnel.
This from the channel's senior producer and project director Sisanda Henda:
“The programme enables members of the community to not only get involved in producing television content but also to share the stories and issues that concern them with a television audience.
“Participants must have existing expertise in the subject areas that they address in their programmes. We help them to develop their concepts into fully-fledged TV shows that we air on the channel.
"Participants are both presenters and producers of the shows, so they plan and script the programme as well as interview the guests.
“We help them to develop the concept into an entertaining and informative format and teach them how to monetize the show by finding sponsors.”
What to expect
Each talk show concept will first be tested in CTV’s Open Studio show with a generic set.
After four sessions in Open Studio the show can get its own branded set and timeslot on the channel's schedule.
At this stage the show can be monetized through sponsorships or donor funding so that producers can get paid for their work.
The talk shows will be produced in CTV’s green-screen studio with a customized virtual set. Interviewees are limited to two per episode and there is no studio audience.
Shows can include one short insert shot locally in Cape Town, depending on available production resources.
Application details
To participate in the programme you must be able to travel to the CTV premises in Observatory on a weekly basis for workshops and production activities.
You need to have experience and expertise in the subject matter that their show deals with and be confident in front of a camera.
Participation is free of charge and acceptance into the programme depends on the originality, social relevance and potential audience appeal of the show concept.
You can apply by sending a short proposal outlining your original talk show idea to Sisanda on this address:
sisanda@capetowntv.org.
Please note:
>> CTV prefers ideas that address social development issues, but other topics will be considered on merit.
>> Shows which feature Afrikaans and isiXhosa will be favoured.
The workshops
This is what to expect from the programme:
Orientation
• Production Development Programme Overview
Developing your TV talk show
• Identifying and clarifying your programme concept
• How to do research
• Scriptwriting
Studio and Presenting Workshop
• Recording processes
• Studio procedures
• Post-production
Marketing
• Marketing plan
• Social media
• Publicity and media liaison
Monetization
• How to find sponsors for your show
• Write funding proposals
• Identify target markets
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Good luck! We hope to see your show on TV.