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Faculty Note: At every opportunity CableU will present some of the world’s most respected programmers and producers answering some revealing questions about their jobs, their companies, their careers and their lives. We’re honored to launch this free feature with a programmer who has worked on both sides of the desk and both sides of the Atlantic.
What programs and/or genres are you looking for in the next year?
All kinds of unscripted shows. We love anything that breaks new ground and finds new ways to tell a story – whether that’s in a single-episode format or an on-going narrative.
How important are other platforms like broadband and mobile applications in the initial pitch?
Extremely – but as important is presenting a viable and interesting approach to creating that content so that it’s additive, enhancing the overall experience for the show’s brand for fans on other platforms and cost efficient.
What’s the best way for a producer to pitch you?
if we know them and have worked recently with them, they can come to us direct – to either our New York or LA offices. Otherwise it has to be through an established agency or rep with whom we work regularly. And if they/you don’t have an agent and haven’t worked with us, you’ll need to sign a release before we can hear or see any pitch (so don’t send it in an email please).
What do you look for in a first-time producer besides a great idea?
A clear creative vision and a willingness to be paired with an experienced producer, production company, showrunner.
What mistakes do producers make when pitching you?
Not hearing no. And telling us they have many other offers on the concept already. We have a very specific niche and style and although occasionally a project will work for many outlets including Bravo, generally we succeed with shows that actually don’t feel right for other networks. PROJECT RUNWAY and QUEER EYE definitely fell into that category.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Ever given?
if you don’t love it, do something different. Life’s too short yada yada.
Who in this industry do you most admire and why?
How much space do I have here? I’ve had more than my fair share of dynamic, challenging and fun bosses.
What’s the smartest programming decision you have ever made?
Taking a chance on a show with an unsellable title, from producers who had previously given us our lowest rated show ever, and that pre-production press described as the worst form of stereotyping – QUEER EYE.
Acquiring LARRY SANDERS. It’s a brilliant series, utterly innovative, highly acclaimed and spawned many successful imitators. Yet when we brought it to Bravo it bombed in every time period we tried it in.
In all of television, which classic program should be revived?
GOLDEN GIRLS, THIS IS YOUR LIFE, PEE WEE’S PLAYHOUSE, SEINFELD
ALF
Frances Berwick, Executive Vice President, Programming & Production, Bravo
As Executive Vice President, Programming & Production, Frances Berwick supervises all programming for Bravo including original production, development, scheduling and acquisitions. Berwick was responsible for developing and producing hit series QUEER EYE and CELEBRITY POKER SHOWDOWN, and Bravo’s most recent line up of specials and series including the Emmy nominated PROJECT RUNWAY and TOP CHEF.
The Peabody, National Association of Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC), and Cable Ace Awards are among the prestigious honors Berwick has received. She has won two Primetime Emmy Awards and has been nominated 20 times. Berwick is a member of New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT), British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), Women in Cable and Telecommunications (WICT), and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (ATAS).
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