As I start meeting with everyone I can think of to talk about what could be next for me, I'm learning how difficult the landscape is for anyone trying to finance in-depth documentaries. I've enjoyed helping produce them these last few years, but the deal I had with Global for them runs out pretty soon. I was at dinner last night with an old friend from my ABC News days who worked closely with Peter Jennings on his award-winning docs. And she was telling me interest in them has pretty much dried up on conventional US Networks. Canada's a little better, but shrinking just as rapidly it seems. Others I've spoken with who have long experience at 60 Minutes, Frontline, and Dateline can't sell an hour for the life of them right now. The only independent production that's being green-lighted are Reality Shows of every kind. Which is a fine way to pay the bills. But what I like about docs are they expose viewers to ideas and things they hadn't considered. They're surprising and the best kind of 'Reality TV' there is. Perhaps its the way they're being produced. A little too sleepy? Lots more people to speak with.
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