Producing A Dynamite Sizzle Reel: The Key to the Sale

Heard the buzz about how critical a sizzle reel is to a sale but not sure what it’s all about? Looking to hear the insiders’ take on how to produce the most effective reel possible? Join television/digital packaging agent Jim Arnoff who will share his insights on the ingredients of a powerful sizzle reel. He will be joined by producers, production companies and network executives who will screen sizzle reels that have been instrumental in getting a sale. Learn the process, pitfalls and power of creating reels that truly sizzle.

Panelists

Jeff Hasler is currently the EVP of Production and Development at National Geographic Studios, the production arm of National Geographic Society. He began his career as an independent filmmaker and has worked across the media landscape as a producer, director, writer and network executive. His impressive roster of credits include the production or commissioning of Emmy and Academy Award winning projects that span a wide variety of non-fiction genres, from cable hits such as Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Man v. Wild and Cash Cab, to documentary feature films including Man on Wire and Werner Herzog’s Encounters at the End of the World.

Anneka Jones is the Executive VP of Development and Current Production at Left/Right Productions. Jones is that rare mix of both development executive and showrunner. Since Left/Right’s inception, she has had a hand in virtually every pilot or series that Left/Right has produced, and she continues to play an active role in all ongoing series production. Left/Right’s latest projects include Generation X for National Geographic Channel, The Circus for Showtime, Odd Mom Out for Bravo and RIDE with Norman Reedus for AMC. Jones began her career at MTV, where she worked as a producer for the network’s News & Docs division for nearly eight years. She was particularly involved in the network’s more serious documentary fare, and worked on documentaries about drug addiction, racism and other tough subjects.

Ra Kumar is a television packaging agent at United Talent Agency (UTA) where he represents a variety of production companies, producers and on-air talent for network television, cable and syndication. Prior to joining UTA, Kumar spent the last decade working as a television packaging agent in Los Angeles. He also held various production positions with Warner Brothers Television and Fox World. In a swiftly changing media business, client service has to be the one constant. Kumar’s philosophy is ‘client first’ as we move into the new landscape.

David McKillop has served as GM/EVP of A&E. He oversaw A&E’s indie film division and was instrumental in the development and production of the Oscar nominated feature documentary Cartel Land. He developed Duck Dynasty, served as EP for Storage Wars and oversaw the production and development of Bates Motel and Longmire. McKillop was recruited to join A+E’s History Channel in 2007 as the SVP, Development and Programming. He served as EP of History’s top series (Pawn Stars, Ice Road Truckers, American Pickers, Ax Men, and Swamp People) and for History specials (the Emmy® award winners Gettysburg and 102 Minutes that Changed America). He most recently served as Chief Creative Officer and partner of the multi-platform production company Propagate. Before joining A+E Networks, McKillop was the VP of Production for Discovery Channel where he supervised Dirty Jobs, Mythbusters, and American Chopper. He served as Senior Executive Producer of Biker Build Off, Monster Garage and Deadliest Catch.

Jim Arnoff (Moderator, pictured above) is a television packaging agent who represents New York production companies that develop and sell original programming to networks. Arnoff has worked at the William Morris Agency as an in-house lawyer and packaging agent. As a certified life coach for the entertainment industry, he has led workshops for the Producers Guild of America, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, HBO, MTV Networks and the Writers Guild of America. He is also a faculty member of the School of Visual Arts and the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Produced by Jim Arnoff