A collation of my research, ideas and proposal for my pilot dating tv show. Creative Media Production TV AND FILM.

1. My Pilot Proposal:
Ideas and Research.
By Abbey Pallett

2. Genre: TV Dating Show
• The genre I have chosen to work in for my pilot is the
television dating show.
A mind map of dating show conventions
by me.

3. Research Case Study 1: Blind Date
A British dating game show produced by London Weekend
Television and hosted by Cilla Black. It ran on Saturday nights
from 30th November 1985- 31 May 2003.

4. Format
Three singles of the same sex would be introduced to the
audience. They were then questioned by a single of the opposite
sex who could hear but not see them, to choose with whom they
would go on a date with. Before the decision was announced, a
voice ‘Graham’ would give an amusing reminder of each
contestant. The single would announce the winner and the
couple picked an envelope naming the destination of their date.
The following episode would show the couple on their date with
interviews about how it went and what they thought of each
other.

5. Video- Blind Date

6. Reception
At the height of it’s popularity in the ’80s, 18.2
million people tuned in on a Saturday night. Cilla
Black (the host) with her scouse accent and
witty catchphrases became familiar nationwide.
During the show’s history 3 weddings took
place. However viewer figures did decline to 5
million by 2003 with only 2.9 million people
tuning in for the final episode.

7. Research Case Study 2: Take Me Out
Airs on ITV 2 in the UK and Ireland. Began airing
on 2nd January 2010. Pilot episode for Channel 4
in 2009. The series is produced by Thames for
ITV.

8. Video- Take Me Out

9. Reception
Hosted by Paddy McGuinness who is nationwide
reknown for his catchphrases such as “No likey, no
lighty!” and “Let the burger, see the bun!”
The show has proved generally popular with viewers
with 3-4 million tuning in per episode.

10. “The Blind Matchmaker” (working
title)
Tagline: Love is blind, but the audience isn’t.
The Blind matchmaker will be a dating show
shot in a studio with a studio audience and a
charismatic host. It will run on Saturday nights
on ITV.

11. Format
TBM’s format will be a fusion of the shows ‘Blind Date’ and ‘Take
Me Out’ mixed together to make a whole new show. The host wil
l start the show by explaining how the show works to the
audience before introducing the single person (can be either sexshows will mixed) to the audience briefly. The 5 bachelors of the
opposite sex will make their entrance with the audience
responding with applause. The single person cannot see the
bachelors and vice versa, they can however hear them. The show
will be separated into rounds which can be broken up by
advertisement breaks.

12. Round 1
VT (video tape) of the single person will be played
showing their what they do for a job, footage of where
they live and an insight into their personality. However
it will not show their face or physical appearance. The
bachelors can at any point opt out of a date with the
single person by holding up a card with a red ‘X’ on it. A
sound effect will also play. At the end of this round the
host will go and talk to the bachelors, querying them on
why they made the decision they did.

13. Round 2
The remaining bachelors are allowed to ask the
single person one question each to which
he/she may respond. The bachelors are also
able in this round to hold up their card at any
point to signal they don’t wish to go on a date

14. Round 3
If there are any bachelors left this means that
the single person will definitely have a date. At
this point the single person reveals themselves
and asks the remaining bachelors a question.
Based on their answers he or she picks one of
the remaining bachelors by holding up the losing
ones red ‘x’ cards.

15. Channel Identity Research
Please see annotated print version

16. Market Research
I created a questionnaire using survey
monkey to conduct my primary market
research and help me to determine who my
target audience was and how I could cater to
them best.

17. Crew
• Self shooting director
• Camera operators
• Lighting technicians
Cast
• Host
• Single candidates
• Studio audience

18. Location Recce
• To be shot in the Television Studio at
Amersham College for the majority.
• Video tapes will be shot at home- locations to
be announced.

19. Risk Assessment
• All cords and cables must be taped down and
marked clearly.
• Gloves must be used with any of the tungsten
lights as they get very hot.
• The nearest hospital must be clearly stated on
the call sheet.
• Ensure all fire exits are clear and accesible.
• Ensure all smoke alarms are in working order
• Make all crew and cast aware of the fire drill
protocol.

20. Equipment
• ‘X’ Cards
• Television screen or sheet we can project
video onto
• Prompt cards (?)
• Lights
• Cameras
• Tripods
• Chairs

21. Budgeting
TBM is going to be a low budget
production as many resources are
available freely or cheaply and I
plan to cover these costs myself.
E.G the cost of prompt cards and
‘X’ cards.

22. Revenue Streams
Money can be made from the production by:
• Producing merchandise- T
Shirts, mugs, mouse mats etc.
• Developing an app
• Running telephone/text competitions