|
"Call 9-1-1" on Investigation Discovery – How You Can Participate
The Discovery Channel has launched a new network called Investigation Discovery. On this channel is a new series called
"Call 911" (http://investigation.discovery.com/tv/call-911/call-911.html). Investigation Discovery has purchased twenty episodes of
"Call 911." APCO International is working with the producers of the show to help identify departments that should be featured in the show.
With each episode featuring three segments and one call per segment, we will showcase 60 calls in our premiere season. That is a significant number of calls, so we're reaching out to departments all across the country in hopes of finding 60 outstanding calls.
Our first step in approaching a department is making sure that all necessary parties are aware of what we are trying to do and that we get approval from the proper channels. During that process, we try to address any concerns and clearly explain how we plan on working with the department to produce a segment that is favorable for both parties. In this letter, I will describe how we have done things in the past. Naturally, this is not set in stone and we would be happy to accommodate any requests your department might have.
Once we have established a relationship with a department, the first step is finding calls to build segments around. The process of finding calls is a two-pronged attack. First, we ask you to brief your personnel on what we're doing and ask them to mention any calls that come to mind. Oftentimes, that alone will yield a number of leads to explore. In addition to that, we research calls that would have been handled by your department.
Once we find a story that interests us, we'll ask you to provide us with a copy of the call and any additional radio chatter you might have related to the incident. In order for a call to work, it needs to meet certain criteria. There are three main things that we look for.
- First of all, the call must have a happy ending. A happy ending can mean any number of things. We define a happy ending as a call in which a caller requires assistance with a particular situation and the operator is able to dispatch units that arrive in time to help. The purpose of our show is to show what happens when things go according to plan and people are aided in their time of need.
- Second, we need to make sure that the call itself is strong enough to build a segment around. Since the crux of the show rests on us using actual 9-1-1 calls, we need to make sure that the calls are long enough and dramatic enough to hook the viewers. Whenever possible, we like to use additional radio chatter to complement the 9-1-1 call and add another dimension to the
segment.
- Finally, we need to make sure that the people involved can be identified and that they can be featured on the show. Ideally, we would interview the caller, the dispatcher, and at least one person from the responding units. If the people involved cannot be identified or interviewed, it presents a bit of a challenge.
After a call has been found and we decide to feature it
in the show, the next step is to track down the three principals - caller, dispatcher, and one person who arrived on the scene. Once they have agreed to participate, we schedule a time and location to conduct the interviews. Most departments like us to interview their personnel at their facility. Since we use the interviews as the opportunity for the caller to meet and thank the dispatcher, we try to interview them at the facility as well. Each interview usually lasts about 30 minutes.
Upon completion of the interviews, we will have everything we need from you to finish the segment. We will shoot some reenactments to edit into the show, but we would not require your department's assistance for those. Should we do the interviews at your facility, we might ask to shoot some b-roll while we're there, but it's not integral to the process.
This is just an outline of how we have done things in the past. We understand that each department is different and has their own protocol, so we are more than happy to tailor our process to your needs. We would be happy to answer any questions you might have and address any concerns. For more information, contact Hani Shafi at
hani@tomjenningsproductions.com.
Top 10 Call 9-1-1 Tips Developed
for InvestigationDiscovery.com
|
