Transitioning From ‘Reality TV’ to Scripted Drama | with Monica Daniel
About Episode
‘Advance Yourself’ month continues where we’re diving into the weeds talking about taking practical, boots-on-the-ground action steps to move your career forwards, or more specifically in this episode how to transition from climbing one ladder to climbing a different one, even if that means taking one step back to take several forwards in the future.
My guest today is Monica Daniel who has become somewhat of a legend on my former show. This interview was recorded a couple years ago and is the #1 most downloaded episode of my previous podcast ‘Fitness In Post’ because it answered the most common question asked out of complete and utter desperation in all of Hollywood:
“How do I get out of reality television so I can work in scripted television instead?”
Monica and I walk through the practical steps she took to decide if the transition was right for her, and then more importantly what steps she took to meet the right people and make sure she was in the right place at the right time. While the transition isn’t terribly easy, the steps are pretty simple.
(Just to give you a quick head’s up, at the end of the episode we talk briefly about a bonus document summarizing her journey and that document is no longer available. But the good news is, it inspired me to create an Ultimate Guide that’s 10 times better, my brand new ‘Ultimate Guide to Making It In Hollywood as a Creative’)
Episode Highlights
- Monica’s background editing reality television
- How Monica first approached me at a networking event and why this was the RIGHT way to cold approach someone
- Some of the WRONG ways to cold approach someone
- How Monica was ashamed to share the type of reality work she did with those who work in scripted
- How focusing on her health was one of the key factors to making the transition
- The different “phases” of her career and how each one was important to leading Monica towards working in scripted
- The conversation that Monica struck up with an editor that built the relationship that got her the job interview
- How taking a free gig helped lead Monica to getting a fantastic recommendation for her scripted job
- How Monica’s various skills in reality helped her transition to scripted and helped sell her as a unique talent
- We break down the actionable steps anyone can take to make the transition to scripted (or any field for that matter)
Useful Links
About Guest
Monica Daniel has edited various genres of television that have been broadcast worldwide over the last decade. She is known for her “sh*tting sparkles” slogan from her award show red carpet work. She recently transitioned from editing reality television into a high level scripted network show, and our conversation today breaks down her journey and how you can walk away with actionable steps to make the same transition, regardless of your situation.
Episode Credits
This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Jakin Rintelman. Special thanks to Krystle Penhall and Sarah Furie for helping to spread the love!
The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).