WORKING TITLE ‘THIS OLD SHACK’. This show is currently self-published and is
viewed on the internet.
The popularity is ‘decent’; the advertising is very minimal but receives
positive response from audiences.
Concept: Think Red-Green meet Bob Vila and Tim Allen.
Currently,
there have been three episodes taped and “in the can” that are available on the
internet. The show structure is as follows and flows nicely as is. The host
delivers his orations in a deadpan style at first and begins to have more and
more emotion as the show progresses. Here is the flow of the show:
1. The host, Bill Xam, introduces himself and talks
about the episode. The introductions are followed by some improbable event that
usually ends in disaster. Example: 1)
On a trip to a solar powered cabin, the host is led to believe that it
will be warm and sunny. It’s actually cold and rainy with humorous results as
the host blames his agent. 2) The host sets out to tape an introduction so his
family can watch. However, constant interruptions end the effort with a dull
thud. And a phone call from Al Gore.
2. Numerous disclaimers regarding the potential
dangers of working with high amperage systems.
3. Show credits. The production company is “A Man With
Too Much Time On His Hands”.
4. Actual show begins with host showing how some
system or another works.
5. Show ends with a review and demonstrations.
6. Show end credits with bloopers and music.
Typical show duration is between 17 and 20 minutes to allow for
commercial interruptions. The show runs on the fake television network “Saline
Entertainment Television” and includes descriptions of dummy shows that are on
the network.
Premise:
An
educational / humor show involving alternative energy including:
·
Solar produced
electricity
·
Solar heating
·
Wind produced
electricity
·
Water produced
electricity
This
includes the following bullet points:
·
Its uses
·
Commercial/government
installations
·
Interviews.
·
How the power is
used.
·
Costs and returns on
the investment.
·
Residential
installations
·
Interviews with
homeowners – should (am tempted to say MUST) be entertaining individuals.
·
Details of
installations.
·
Legalities,
inspections and how to do work properly.
·
Unusual
installations:
·
Wind turbines.
·
Solar shingles.
·
Large photovoltaic
arrays.
·
Water driven turbines.
·
Solar heating (both
passive and active)
·
Commercial production
·
Plant tours.
·
Factory details.
·
Interviews with
manufacturers.
The show also features segments with actual “hands on”
video instruction about alternative energy installations including the
following topics – some of which are planned for future episodes and are in
development.
·
How to make battery
cables for a battery bank.
·
How to set up and use
a battery bank
·
How to connect solar
arrays/wind turbines/water turbines to a battery bank using a charging
regulator.
·
How to wire an
inverter (DC to AC) to a battery bank.
·
Testing a battery
bank using real world loads.
·
Installing a small
residential generator properly.
·
How to charge a
battery bank properly from a generator.
·
How to wire the
inverter to household circuits.
·
How to wire and use
low voltage items from a low voltage system.
Production
costs:
Productions costs for “This Old Shack” are minimal. The highest current cost is travel. Secondary are time and talent involved in production. The show is currently set up as a high profit margin venture.