TV Talk: Reality Rocks!
Reality TV fan convention to launch in L.A.
Reality Rocks Expo is Comic-Con for unscripted television
Snooki is getting her own fan convention.
The Hollywood Reporter parent company e5 Global Media is launching the first major reality TV conference where fans can browse an exposition floor, meet their favorite reality stars and perhaps get cast in a series.
Titled the Reality Rocks Expo, the event is conceived as a sort of Comic-Con for unscripted television, and its advisory committee includes some major names: Mark Burnett Prods., Shed Media, LMNO Prods., CMT, Oxygen Media, Casting Duo, Sundance Channel, RDF USA and A. Smith & Co.
Reality Rocks is set to take place April 8-10 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
"It's the only place where they can get up close and personal with their favorite stars from reality, lifestyle, factual television as well as the producers who fill their TV screens with interesting, entertaining and informative programming," said Amy Freeman-Cohen, co-managing director of Reality Rocks. "They may even get a shot at being cast on one of their favorite shows."
Added David Eilenberg, head of development and current programming at Mark Burnett Prods.: "Reality Rocks is destined to become a signature event for reality TV. We relish the opportunity to connect with our amazing fans and give them the opportunity to connect with all the great on-camera and off-camera characters of our genre."
Although there have been modest efforts to create reality TV conferences, Reality Rocks is the most ambitious attempt yet to create an annual fandom convention aimed at the unscripted television genre.
Reality Rocks will include a show floor, live demonstrations, stage performances, celebrity panels and an online Reality TV Awards voted on by fans and held at the event.
"This is a unique opportunity for the networks and producers to connect with their fans on a whole new level, and maybe even find the next great show or personality," said Bailey Beeken, vp of the film and entertainment group at e5 Global Media. "Measuring the excitement and engagement of the fans during the expo gives the producers and networks real, experiential feedback as they head into the May sweeps and before many of the new season's shows kick off."
If you're into reality television like I am, this is an interesting event that you must attend if you are a fan of reality TV. This convention will include all reality show genres from food to just plain old "real life" reality. As someone who was responsible for printing as much press that I could get as soon as the press release occurred, I saw a lot of good and bad feedback but the best thing was the exposure and press that this event is getting [HUGE and it's only been some hours]. I've had an awesome time with the research & development of this project and will have more greater times with the production. I can only think of the things that will go on with all of those reality stars under one roof! Hit up Realityrocks.net to request certain people you wanna see at the event! :)
