THE PURPOSE OF THE TRADEVINE IS TO ENCOURAGE THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY TO READ THEIR TRADES: VARIETY, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, BACK STAGE, ETC. ENJOY LEARNING ABOUT YOUR INDUSTRY.

EACH FRIDAY, THE TRADEVINE SEEKS OUT A FEW OF THE INFORMATIVE TRADE ARTICLES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED. VISIT THE TRADE, ITSELF, FOR THE ENTIRE ARTICLE.

Hello everybody, I’m Brett Walkow of the Actors Reporter and welcome to the TradeVine. Danika Quinn is on assignment. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. We, at the TradeVine, are so grateful for you, the actors, producers, directors, you name it in the entertainment industry and our fans for supporting us at Actors Reporter. The show is put together each week with you in mind. Our goal here at the TradeVine is to help you stay informed and to keep up with the trades, such as The Hollywood Reporter, Daily Variety, and Backstage.

The Hollywood Reporter, November 25th – In a report on TV development, there is an article on “How to pitch a show,” by Bill Lawrence, the creator of “Scrubs” and “Cougar Town.” He has sold three network projects during this development season. Bill Lawrence says, It comes down to confidence. Half the battle is selling yourself as a creator of a show. You must convince the powers that be that you are super passionate about your project and that you can execute it week after week. The more detailed you get, the more things there are for people to dislike. Tell them what you think makes the show interesting and who the main characters are, and then, follow up with true stories that illustrate the dynamics you expect to be in the show. It’s always a good idea if some part of the story is based at least partially on truth.

Back Stage, November 17th – 23rd – The article is entitled “Direct to Web,” by Suzy Evans, who highlights five directors of different Web series to prove that you don’t need a big budget to make quality indie TV. One such series is “Co-op of the Damned,” by Ned Ehrbar. Although Ehrbar writes the show, it relies heavily on improvisation, a skill he looks for in all of his actors. Ehrbar storyboards every episode and feels that as long as he gets his storyboard finished, then anything else that anything else that comes up during shooting is fantastic. Another such Web series is entitled “Submissions Only,” by Kate Wetherhead and Anthony Keenan-Bolger. One of their keys is they have famous actors involved with the show as guest stars, such as Chita Rivera and Rachel Dratch. Ironically, this is a show about auditioning and has so many theater actors that its second season will air exclusively on Broadway World dot com. The other highlighted Web series are “”The Guild,” by Sean Becker, and “Asylum,” by Scott Brown.

Daily Variety, Monday, November 21st, TV foodies join in hunger fight by Cynthia Littleton. There’s no hotter category on the small screen these days than food-related programs and there’s no bigger programming opportunity for TV foodies than Thanksgiving. This year the Food Network and other outlets are looking to raise awareness among viewers about the nearly 50 million Americans who don’t have enough to eat on a regular basis. The Food Network has integrated Share Our Strength programs. Google it and help if you can. Also, check out Maria Felipe’s experience on the Food Truck Race as she tells her story at www.ActorsReporter.com

Well, that’s it for the TradeVine this week. I’m Brett Walkow. Thank you very much for watching. And remember, You heard it through the Tradevine!