Join documentarian, satirist, chat show host and online content evangelist Morgan Spurlock for a wide-ranging discussion about the Academy Award-nominated writer/director/producer's past classics, such as Super Size Me; his most recent works, including Comic Con: Episode Four - A Fan's Hope, and Mansome; his move to the Web via such series as Failure Club for Yahoo!; and his innovative take on maximizing his content's potential across platforms. Also on board for the chat are Erin McPherson, VP and Head of Video Programming & Originals at Yahoo!, and Jeffrey Tahler, SVP of Acquisitions and Development for FremantleMedia Enterprises, who will lend perspectives on their innovative partnerships with the filmmaker.  

It can be a smart business move for a new producer to align him or herself with seasoned vets of the business to get a show on air. What are realistic expectations in these partnerships? What's the payoff for each party and what are potential pitfalls to be mindful of? Listen in on the Hooking Up session and hear from those who've benefited from hooking up to offer practical advice about the process.  

We're putting the finishing touches on the Realscreen West agenda, and are thrilled to announce that some of the biggest names in the reality TV industry have recently committed to the speaker roster. Whether sharing their creative insights or grappling with business issues, you can be sure they will be imparting relevant and compelling ideas. Covering a range of subject matter from making smart partnership decisions, to network notes and knowing your pitch, our expert panellists are on-board to provide provocative discourse about the current state of the business and where it's going.  

These days, producers are spending more time - and money - on casting and finding characters that pop than on development, signaling a marked change in the evolution of unscripted production. You'll hear it from every network with reality on its schedule - "We want big characters!" So how do you find them, how do you negotiate their deals, and how do you keep everybody happy? Listen in on the Characters Count session to hear about the triumphs and challenges inherent in the talent equation.  

The content for Realscreen West is well underway! Programmers from A&E/Bio, AMC, Lifetime Networks, National Geographic, TLC and truTV have recently joined the line up for our signature "30 Minutes With..." sessions. These sessions are designed to provide unique insight into the programming strategies of some of the most prolific commissioners of unscripted programming. Make sure you are there to understand the next programming wave.

Sign up for "30 Minutes With..." opens today at 11:00AM ET. These sessions are highly coveted and informative, led by senior programmers and commissioners, and are designed to provide unique insight into their programming strategies. Since sign-up is limited to 30 delegates per session, make sure you reserve your spot quickly. Registered delegates may sign up for up to two sessions, on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign-up closes on Monday, May 28, 2012 at 5:00PM (ET).
Register today to reserve your spot. Click here to see the speakers for these sessions.

Best known as a member of the phenomenally successful group, *NSYNC, Lance Bass is the ultimate multi-hyphenate: singer-actor-producer-writer-entrepreneur-philanthropist, most recently, adding ‘host' to his credentials. In the past year, Lance has hosted Access Hollywood Live, the American Music Awards Red Carpet and has past credits that include America's Most Talented Kid, The Sharon Osbourne Show and American Music Awards' Red Carpet Party. The first round of judging is now complete! Click here to see the just-announced shortlist of contenders.

Notes can provoke numerous involuntary responses from eye twitching to furrowed brows to expletive-laden outbursts resulting in the breaking of small items of furniture... Networks and production companies work in partnership, using each other's expertise and creative input to shape the best programming possible. And often that input comes in the form of network notes. Join Tim Duffy and Eric Schotz on a panel discussion that will look at the important distinction between good notes and bad notes, with examples of both at the ready, and how good notes can foster and enhance the creative process.

We're excited to introduce to you some of the industry's most influential execs already committed to "30 Minutes With ..." slots. These intimate breakouts are designed to give you unprecedented insight into network programming strategies.

The Realscreen West team is thrilled to announce the final additions to our Advisory Board. Tim Duffy, SVP original series at Spike TV; David Lyle, CEO, National Geographic Channels U.S., and Eric Schotz, president & CEO, LMNO Productions join David McKillop, EVP Programming for A&E Network and BIO; Jonathan Murray, chairman of Bunim/Murray Productions; and Brent Montgomery, owner and executive producer at Leftfield Pictures, on the 2012 board. With the input and guidance of these industry leaders, delegates can look forward to a robust and relevant agenda. Panels will feature the most influential broadcasters and programmers in the non-fiction space, pitching opportunities, a variety of structured networking times and a dedicated delegates lounge where you can get the deals done. If you have any suggestions for content, please direct them to Event Producer Heidi Rotter at hrotter\@brunico.com.

Realscreen West, now in its fourth year, is designed to bring stakeholders in the reality TV/factual entertainment industry together for two days of inspiration, discussion about the current state of reality/factual TV and of course, networking. We are pleased to announce a few of the influencers who will be collaborating to ensure the most relevant and engaging content yet at Realscren West. More board members are to be announced soon. Stay tuned for updates on the agenda and look forward to to an impressive combination of panels featuring the most influential broadcasters and programmers operating in the space, pitching opportunities, a variety of structured networking times and a dedicated delegates lounge where you can get the deal done. If you have any suggestions for content, please direct them to Event Producer Heidi Rotter at hrotter\@brunico.com. Judges for the Factual Entertainment Awards will have their work cut out for them starting next week as the total number of entries has more than doubled last year's. Winners will be determined by juries of the industry's most highly regarded experts in these audience fields, who will also single out projects that merit special Craft Awards for editing, directing, casting, music, cinematography, hosting/presenting, most compelling character and most original concept. Click here to see our impressive judging panel.

On the heels of a hugely successful Realscreen Summit, the realscreen team is back to work planning and programming the next must-attend event for anyone involved in the production, distribution or broadcasting of reality television and factual entertainment fare - Realscreen West: The Factual Entertainment Forum. The conference takes place at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica on May 30th & 31st, 2012. Formerly known as realscreen's Factual Entertainment Forum, Realscreen West is now in its fourth year and is designed to bring stakeholders in the reality TV/factual entertainment industry together for a day and half of inspiration, discussion about the current state of reality/factual TV and where it's going, and of course, networking. We'll be maximizing the networking and learning experience, and will once again be offering Speed Pitching, 30 Minutes With and Agent One-on-One sessions to registered delegates. The conference includes the presentation of realscreen's Factual Entertainment Awards on May 30th, when we will pay tribute to outstanding content that entertains and engages audiences around the world. Submissions for the awards are now closed and entries are being prepped for judging. David McKillop, executive vice president of programming for A&E Network; Jonathan Murray, chairman of Bunim/Murray Productions; and Brent Montgomery, owner and executive producer at Leftfield Pictures, will be part of the advisory board for the 2012 edition of Realscreen West. More board members are to be announced soon.

The deadline to submit your entries for the 2012 edition of realscreen's Factual Entertainment Awards has been extended to Friday, February 10th. You don't want to miss the opportunity to ensure that your network or prodco's best work is considered in our global celebration of factual excellence.

We're accepting entries in the following categories:

COMPETITION-REALITY-NON-FICTION-LIFESTYLE

Winners will be determined by juries of the industry's most highly regarded experts in these audience fields, who will also single out projects that merit special Craft Awards for editing, directing, casting, music, cinematography, hosting/presenting, most compelling character and most original concept.

We'll also present the Award of Excellence to the program that scores highest overall and the Hall of Fame and Personality of the Year awards to trailblazers who've made their mark on the factual entertainment landscape.

Please visit http://awards.realscreen.com/ for all the information you'll need on Eligibility, Judging and Entry Guidelines. Again, the deadline is Friday, February 10th at 5pm EST. The awards ceremony will take place during the Factual Entertainment Forum on May 30th, 2012 at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel.

The 2012 edition Factual Entertainment Forum will be held on May 30th & 31st, 2012 at the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica, CA. Stay tuned for site update, exciting sessions and speaker announcements!

We are now accepting entries for the 2012 Factual Entertainment Awards! Deadline for entry is Friday, January 13, 2012 at 5pm EST.

Please submit programs in the following categories: Competition, Lifestyle, Reality and Non-Fiction. For more information on Eligibility, Entry Guidelines as well as the Judging Process and Criteria please visit http://awards.realscreen.com.

We look forward to paying tribute to the outstanding content from around the globe at the industry's first truly global celebration of factual entertainment excellence.