REALITY TV CASE STUDY

LANGLEY PRODUCTIONS & Its Long-Running Success, “COPS”

compiled by GREG RHEM

[Reality TV Dossier Group, Producer’s Craft, Spring 2010]

REALITY TV CASE STUDY: LANGLEY PRODUCTIONS & Its Long-Running Success, “COPS”

By GREG RHEM [Reality TV Dossier Group, Producer’s Craft, Spring 2010]

2

“How are you going to do a show with no narration, no host, no script? You’re mad. It’ll never work.” That was what

John Langley heard over and over when he originally presented the idea for COPS to network executives.

“COPS is an American documentary television series that follows police officers, constables, and sheriff's deputies during patrols

and other police activities. It is one of the longest-running television programs in the United States and the second longest-

running show on Fox and, along with America's Most Wanted, the first of the longest unchanged nightly schedule (Fox's Saturday

night) currently on American broadcast television. Created by John Langley and Malcolm Barbour, it premiered on March 11,

1989, and has aired 750 episodes as of March 21, 2009. It won the American Television Award in 1993 and has earned four

Emmy nominations. [1] COPS began its 22nd season on September 12, 2009. The series is currently one of only three remaining

first-run primetime programs airing on Saturday nights on the four major U.S. broadcast television networks, along with

America's Most Wanted, and CBS' 48 Hours Mystery.”

[source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COPS_(TV_series)]

That March 11, 1989. Twenty-one years later, that show made a television and motion success story…

Langley Productions, Inc.

1111 Broadway Santa Monica, CA 90401

(310) 449-5300

[http://www.langleyproductions.com/]

Staff

Elie Cohn, Producer, Features

Karen Hori, Executive VP, TV Production

John Langley, Executive, President

Morgan Langley, Film & TV Development

Douglas Waterman, Producer, Supervising Producer

[source: http://pro.imdb.com/company/co0070684/roster]

REALITY TV CASE STUDY: LANGLEY PRODUCTIONS & Its Long-Running Success, “COPS”

By GREG RHEM [Reality TV Dossier Group, Producer’s Craft, Spring 2010]

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COMPANY HISTORY:

[from http://www.langleyproductions.com/about.html]

Best known as the production house behind the long running reality program COPS, Langley Productions is one of

the U.S.‟s premiere independent non-fiction production companies.

Originally founded in 1983 as Barbour-Langley Productions, the company produced the award-winning documentary

feature COCAINE BLUES. The critical success of Cocaine Blues lead to a series of highly rated specials for network

and first-run syndication, including the live Geraldo Rivera programs AMERICAN VICE, INNOCENCE LOST, SONS

OF SCARFACE, DEVIL WORSHIP, MURDER: LIVE FROM DEATH ROW and MODERN LOVE and the AMERICAN

EXPOSE series of specials with Jack Anderson, including WHO KILLED JFK? and TARGET USA, an inside look at

terrorism.

In 1988, after years of rejection, Langley finally found a home for COPS on the newly launched Fox Broadcasting

network. The long-running “reality” program was truly groundbreaking at the time, and pioneered the often-emulated

video verite technique. Other documentary-style projects soon followed including improv comedy series NIGHT

PROWLERS and real life rescue series CODE 3.

Following his partner‟s retirement in 1995, John Langley quickly expanded the company into multiple media

enterprises:

• Langley Productions would continue creating and producing non-fiction and scripted television series and specials,

including true crime series COP FILES hosted by Richard Roundtree, 26 documentaries under the ANATOMY OF

CRIME umbrella, clip-driven series VIDEO JUSTICE, and the verite style JAIL.

• Langley Films was established to produce independent theatrical motion pictures. Films produced include

TIPTOES, starring Matthew McConaughey, Kate Beckinsale, Gary Oldman and Patricia Arquette; WILD SIDE, with

Anne Heche, Christopher Walken and Joan Chen; SEARCH & DESTROY with Martin Scorcese as executive

producer and DOGWATCH, starring Sam Elliott, Esai Morales and Paul Sorvino, directed by John Langley.

• Real Entertainment was launched as a new media company and direct-to-video producer and distributor. The

company was a pioneer in the early days of “transactional” television and released over 40 home video titles including

the successful “Too Hot for TV” series.

In 1999, taking his relationships with law enforcement to the next level, Langley created and launched the pro-active

internet destination www.crime.com, which offered users interactive crime-related information, news and

entertainment. Crime.com also featured the world's first live video feed from prison: “jail-cam,” which allowed viewers

to view the activity from the booking area and holding cells in the Phoenix, Arizona jail. The company was sold to the

USA Network.

Presently, Langley Productions continues to develop and produce original, independent projects, particularly in the

crime genre. COPS is about to launch an unprecedented 22nd season on Fox, and the company has two other series

currently airing – INSIDE AMERICAN JAIL (aka JAIL,) and STREET PATROL, as well as numerous projects in

development. Langley Films has two features due out this year, BROOKLYN‟S FINEST starring Don Cheadle, Ethan

Hawke and Richard Gere, and LEAVES OF GRASS starring Ed Norton. In addition to both non-fiction and scripted

projects, the company is also expanding into the mobile and video game markets.

REALITY TV CASE STUDY: LANGLEY PRODUCTIONS & Its Long-Running Success, “COPS”

By GREG RHEM [Reality TV Dossier Group, Producer’s Craft, Spring 2010]

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NATURE OF THEIR WORK:

ci·ne·ma ve·ri·té: The art or technique of filming so as to convey candid realism.

As a television company with strong roots in documentary filmmaking, Langley Productions has had a history of

transforming the ethos and aesthetics of so-called “cinema verite” into TV fare for a wider audience.

That tradition continues today, with all of our TV programming being reality-based but also driven by strong stories

and characters. While our goal has always been first and foremost to entertain as wide an audience as possible, we

also remain true to the documentarian‟s ideal of informing the public about the world around us. At the root of our

mandate is the idea that truth is not only stranger, but often more compelling than fiction, and also that the most

inspiring stories and characters can often be found in real-world situations. Whether it‟s COPS, JAIL/Inside American

Jail, Video Justice, or one of our upcoming releases, Langley Productions thrives on offering vivid portrayals of raw

reality and of human beings in extremis.

The success of COPS has propelled Langley Productions into the entertainment stratosphere, allowing the company

to produce a wide range of reality fare for network and cable TV, as well as distinctive feature films and new media

projects. With three network prime time series currently airing (COPS, JAIL, and Street Patrol) and several films

slated for upcoming release (Brooklyn's Finest, Leaves of Grass, and others) as well as a COPS video game in the

works along with other new-media ventures, and, of course, feature documentaries -- the company is poised to

remain a dominant force in the entertainment industry for many years to come.

REALITY TV CASE STUDY: LANGLEY PRODUCTIONS & Its Long-Running Success, “COPS”

By GREG RHEM [Reality TV Dossier Group, Producer’s Craft, Spring 2010]

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SAMPLE PROJECTS:

LANGLEY TELEVISION

REALITY TV CASE STUDY: LANGLEY PRODUCTIONS & Its Long-Running Success, “COPS”

By GREG RHEM [Reality TV Dossier Group, Producer’s Craft, Spring 2010]

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LANGLEY FILMS

Domestic Total as of May. 13, 2010: $27,138,854 “SPOTLIGHT PREMIERE” SXSW 2010 [www.boxofficemojo.com] [www.sxsw.com]

REALITY TV CASE STUDY: LANGLEY PRODUCTIONS & Its Long-Running Success, “COPS”

By GREG RHEM [Reality TV Dossier Group, Producer’s Craft, Spring 2010]

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& THEIR CLIENTS:

REALITY TV CASE STUDY: LANGLEY PRODUCTIONS & Its Long-Running Success, “COPS”

By GREG RHEM [Reality TV Dossier Group, Producer’s Craft, Spring 2010]

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JOB OPPORTUNITIES:

Langley Productions maintains an ongoing search for qualified applicants in the following positions:

CAMERA OPERATOR

EMAIL YOUR RESUME FOR THE CAMERA OPERATOR POSITION HERE: lpjobs@langleyproductions.com?subject=CAMERA

OPERATOR

We are looking for seasoned applicants with experience shooting in the high intensity, adrenaline-pumping, run-and-gun „Cinéma-vérité‟ style

of COPS. Applicants must possess both technical expertise with current High Definition technology as well the ability to tell a powerful and

compelling visual story with no field director calling the shots. Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to work in high stress,

unpredictable situations with no hand holding required.

REALITY TV CASE STUDY: LANGLEY PRODUCTIONS & Its Long-Running Success, “COPS”

By GREG RHEM [Reality TV Dossier Group, Producer’s Craft, Spring 2010]

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Must have a minimum of three years experience shooting breaking news and/or nationally broadcast unscripted/documentary series.

Previous experience on unscripted/documentary series working with law enforcement or military personnel a plus. Must be willing to travel for

extended periods of time. Experience shooting with the Sony XDCAM also a plus.

Applicants will be required to pass background checks and/or drug tests prior to and during employment.

To apply: Please submit a resume and reel containing relevant examples of your work. Reels with raw footage given special consideration.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

Interviews will be conducted in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Applicants must be able to travel to the interview location on your

own.

FIELD SOUND MIXER

EMAIL YOUR RESUME FOR THE EMAIL YOUR RESUME FOR THE SOUND MIXER POSITION HERE:

lpjobs@langleyproductions.com?subject=FIELD SOUND MIXER

We are looking for seasoned applicants with experience working in the high intensity, adrenaline-pumping, run-and-gun „Cinéma-vérité‟ style

of COPS. Must be able to mix boom mike and lav on the fly in various environments and situations – from inside a police car to outside on

urban streets to running down a suspect.

Must have a minimum of three years experience in breaking news and/or nationally broadcast unscripted/documentary series with handheld

cameras. Experience working directly with law enforcement a plus. Must be willing to travel for extended periods of time.

Applicants will be required to pass background checks and/or drug tests prior to and during employment.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

Interviews will be conducted in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Applicants must be able to travel to the interview location on your

own.

SUBMISSION POLICY:

Langley Productions cannot accept any unsolicited project submissions unless accompanied by a signed Submission Agreement.

Please review the restrictions below before submitting any project.

TELEVISION (Non-fiction or scripted) :

We ONLY accept submission of television proposals for:

1. Projects based on underlying sub-rights (e.g., format rights, life rights, or material from another medium), OR

2. Projects with talent already attached (e.g., performer, writer, director)

If we accept your submission for consideration, proof that you have secured the underlying sub-rights to the material will be required.

WE DO NOT ACCEPT PROPOSALS FOR REALITY "CONCEPTS" WITHOUT UNDERLYING SUBRIGHTS AND/OR TALENT

ATTACHED.

FEATURE FILMS

For original material, we accept only completed screenplays for consideration. Treatments or synopses for original stories will not be

considered.

REALITY TV CASE STUDY: LANGLEY PRODUCTIONS & Its Long-Running Success, “COPS”

By GREG RHEM [Reality TV Dossier Group, Producer’s Craft, Spring 2010]

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Treatments or synopses may be submitted for projects based on rights from another medium (i.e., books, articles, life rights, etc.). If we

accept your submission for consideration, proof that you have secured the underlying sub-rights to the material will be required.

DOCUMENTARIES -- Feature or Television

Treatments or footage for documentaries may be submitted along with a completed Submission Agreement. If possible, please include an

estimated total budget figure. Please note, we do not provide finishing funds.

TO SUBMIT

If you wish to submit a project, please include a completed and signed Submission Agreement along with your synopsis, treatment or other

materials. Projects submitted without a signed Submission Agreement will not be opened or considered.

Written materials may be sent as a pdf attachment to submissions@langleyproductions.com. Note "Submission Agreement Attached" in the

subject line.

Reels may be sent via USPS or Federal Express. Note "Submission Agreement Enclosed" on the outside of the package.

NO PHONE CALLS OR FAXES PLEASE!

WHO TO CONTACT:

LANGLEY PRODUCTIONS, INC.

1111 BROADWAY

SANTA MONICA, CA 90401

[(310) 449-5300; [http://www.langleyproductions.com/]

Elie Cohn, Producer, Features

Karen Hori, Executive VP, TV Production

John Langley, Executive, President

Morgan Langley, Film & TV Development

Douglas Waterman, Producer, Supervising Producer