Today we’d like to introduce you to Talia Lawrence.
Hi Talia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I got my start in unscripted producing when my old boss asked me to call up a convicted murderer. He wanted to know if this guy was (a) out of prison, (b) open to starring in a docuseries about his life, and (c) what the show would look like based on my conversation with him. “Tell him this is his chance to set the story straight,” my boss told me.
Later that day, I was on the phone with John Doe himself, listening to all kinds of words about how he was framed, but only hearing one thing: the voice of a guy who definitely did it. THAT was the story. Not the weapons he used, not the make of the getaway car, but the intricate makeup of this complicated, sinister, and disarmingly charming man. I created a pitch deck of what the show would look, feel, and sound like for my boss: a personal profile of a man who is entirely unlike you or I. He loved it and gave me a truckload of more ideas and I.P. to develop into shows that we would then sell to streamers, network executives, and more.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Unscripted development producing is a tightrope-thin balancing act. You have to paint a portrait of an earth-shatteringly dramatic show with eccentric and riveting characters to the network execs, all the while getting the talent to trust you. The longevity for multiple seasons has to be there on both sides. Without the drama, why should the investors follow through with the show? Without trust, how can the talent show you their most vulnerable moments with the cameras rolling?
I think the thing that has gotten me this far is my deep fondness for most the talent, quirks and all. They can tell I really like spending time with them and that my interest is genuine. My care is genuine too. I cry for their hardships right along with them. I am honored that they open up to me the way they do.
On a practical level, I find that in some cases, the more nonconforming certain people are, the less likely they are to have insecurities about their dirty laundry being aired for the world to see. Thus, the perfect unscripted star is often a neatly wrapped package waiting to be unearthed by the wisest producers among us. May I be worthy to find the next Joe Exotic.
What does being a producer mean to you?
For me, being an unscripted producer doesn’t mean less storytelling; it means more… because the emotions are real. The beautiful, odd, troubled, talented, one-of-a-kind people I have the pleasure of scouting and interviewing are more vivid and complex than any character I’ve ever watched in a scripted piece. You see, in scripted work you can give the character a past, but they have no future beyond the script. These characters are living, breathing stories who are ever-changing and growing….sometimes shrinking. They remind us of our own mistakes, our own triumphs, and how no one is above making a TV-worthy mess of things.
I’ve been fortunate enough to work on everything from personal profile pieces ensemble documentaries, true crime, environmental subjects, rap, and more. One of my favorite projects was when I got to communicate with the estate of a deceased rapper and convince them to turn his unreleased music into a posthumous album to release in tandem with our documentary on him. I am currently Co-Executive Producer on a show in development about dogs so, needless to say, I am having the time of my life. I have also recently been fortunate enough to acquire the rights to an Amazon bestselling memoir and am adapting it into an unscripted audio-series.
The interview process informs everything. It consists of getting to know the person and prompting the story in them, not for them. From there, we extrapolate the arc and tone of the show. We also get some sweet shots and quotes for the sizzle reel.
What do you like and dislike about this role?
– I love being on the road. I am passionate seeing America from the driver’s seat, so this is a crafty way for me to get paid to do that.
– I don’t love it when my crew is late.
– I love that much of the job is creative writing.
– I love traveling to new places and meeting our subjects in their unique communities/dwellings/walks of life.
– I love a good pitch meeting. The thrill after giving a successful pitch feels like taking a bow onstage.
– I don’t love the new Photoshop AI settings.
