Pawn Stars: How to Create & Sustain a #1 Hit Reality Series. The Inside Story from the Producer, Agent and History Channel EP (Panel Video, Parts 1&2)

What does the Pawn Stars story tell us about how networks and producers develop, launch and sustain a smash hit?

That’s the broad question addressed to a top flight panel that we produced in New York last month.

• This is our first step into providing the ever-expanding DocumentaryTelevision.com audience with original video about the business of the Factual video business.
• We edited the video into 8 segments which we are sharing over 3 posts.

 The Panelists

 The key players in the rise and rise of Pawn Stars generously agreed to share their experience and expertise:

• Mary Donahue, Executive Producer, History Channel
• Brent Montgomery, Leftfield Pictures and creator of Pawn Stars
• Rob Miller, Peleton Entertainment, Leftfield’s agent

Panel Discussion

1. The Rise of Leftfield Pictures (14:37)

• What a Hit! Peter Hamilton recaps the massive ratings impact of Pawn Stars: #1 in its demo. He shares data that shows how the series is the engine that powered History into the #4 slot among all U.S. cable networks.
• The hard slog: Brent Montgomery describes how he worked his way up the production ladder.  He describes casting and talent management as the key skill sets that he refined before establishing Leftfield Productions.
• Agent Rob Miller says that ‘casting’ and ‘execution’ are the keys to Leftfield’s success.
• Here is the video (#1):

2. Talent: What Do Producers & Networks Want from Reality Talent? Compensation (4:07)

• Brent reflects on how producers find and compensate the best talent for reality shows.
• He doesn’t ‘sugar coat’ to talent how tough is the road that they are taking.
• How should talent view their opportunities for compensation?
• Mary says that the best talent is entrepreneurial.
• Rob says that appearance fees are very low at the start, and that’s across the board for all channels that develop reality series.
• Here is the video (#2):

Panel Producers

This panel discussion was created for the New York State Bar Association / Entertainment Law Section by Peter Hamilton, DocumentaryTelevision.com and Pamela Jones, Attorney (www.PamelaJonesEsq.com).

The Slides
Here is the Powerpoint that I prepared for the session.

And More…

• See the Pawn Stars sizzle reel

• Study History’s website

Extra Reading

And read our 4-part profile: The Rise and Rise of Pawn Stars and Leftfield Pictures

1. Leftfield’s hard slog to Vegas (1/4)
2. Concept, Talent, Sizzle, Pitch, Green Light and Hit (2/4)
3. After Pawn Stars: A Structure, Doors Open, Renewals, Pitches, Green Lights. What Next?
4. Pawn Stars: Leftfield Puts Casting Under a Microscope

And our feature article:

• Ten Negotiation Secrets of the Pawn Stars by management consulting guru Gary Greene