By Eric Neuhaus, Executive Producer, Bitconned
From “A Deadly American Marriage” to “’#CyberSleuths: The Idaho Murders” and “Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer,” the series on the Gilgo Beach murders, the true-crime genre is incredibly popular, and audiences seem to have endless fascination with these pulled-from-the-headlines stories.
A YouGov poll found that a majority (57%) of Americans say they consume true-crime content, with a majority saying that being interested in mysteries is why many people seek out true-crime content.
With the survey finding that more Americans consume true-crime content through TV than through any other medium, it’s clear there’s high audience demand for true-crime documentaries and docu-series – a demand which streaming services like Netflix, Paramount+, Amazon Prime and more are always seeking to meet.
For aspiring producers and filmmakers, audience interest in true-crime content equates with opportunities.
As an Executive Producer who has helped secure and produce content for major networks and platforms including Hulu’s “Betrayal”, Oxygen’s “Masterminds of Murder” and “Kill or Be Killed,” and the upcoming “Dirty Rotten Scandals: America’s Next Top Model” and “The Silent Serial Killer: Gretzler,” both for Peacock, here four tips to creating true-crime documentary content:
- Select a topic that connects with your interests. The true-crime genre is expansive and diverse, so be creative when selecting a topic, and see if you can find a true story that connects with your personal interests. For example, if you are interested in food or history, see if you can relate that interest to a true-crime tale, like “Carême,” the Netflix show based on a true story about Napoleon’s pastry chef.
- Get multiple sides of the story. Your story will be more richly layered when you feature various perspectives from people who are close to the real-life events and have direct first-hand experience with your subject. For example, the Netflix documentary “A Deadly American Marriage” features interviews with Molly Martens who, along with her father Thomas, pleaded no-contest in the murder of her husband, Jason, as well as interviews with Jason’s children, offering what Netflix describes as “a rare glimpse into the conflicting perspectives of those closest to the case.”
- Identify exclusive story elements. The YouGov survey found most Americans prefer that true-crime TV and film relies on interviews, archival footage, and direct evidence. Look for story elements which no one else has seen before, such as interview subjects who have never before spoken or offer a unique point of view, or original archival material that hasn’t been seen. When creating the documentary “Bitconned,” the key element for me was when I connected with, and secured exclusive interviews with, Ray Trapani, who co-founded the cryptocurrency company Centra Tech, allowing audiences to hear directly from Ray while the company was facing federal investigation.
- Don’t be afraid to approach major streaming services. Once you have your concept, interview subjects and exclusive elements, it’s time to take your idea to a network or streaming service. Most people think places like Netflix, Hulu, and Apple are impenetrable, but that’s not true; you just have to find the right approach. One avenue is to partner with one of the larger documentary companies that might have an existing track record with a major streaming network, but cold outreach can work, too. See how you might be able to leverage contacts in your personal networks or try connecting with development executives on LinkedIn. Sometimes it might help to contact a more junior development executive with your pitch, as they might be more actively seeking new projects.
The bottom line
Whether it is Hollywood, Madison Avenue or Wall Street, it all starts with a great idea. That is what networks are looking for – something new, different and unique. You don’t need to be a famous filmmaker like Ken Burns or Steven Spielberg to create a hit documentary of your own. If you are interested in breaking into the business, with the enduring popularity of true-crime, there’s a big opportunity to bring a great idea to this genre and create an original and successful documentary or docu-series of your own.
About the Author
Eric Neuhaus is an Emmy Award-nominated television production executive with 25 years of experience creating, developing, and producing acclaimed documentary and non-fiction programming.