“Great films are made in their every detail according to the visions of one man and through supporting that one man, I have learnt that nothing matters but the final picture.” (David Selznick, Executive Producer , Gone With The Wind).
Dean Weily has always strived to follow the sentiments of the David Selznick quote, and that an absolute belief in a creative project is paramount for successful professional practice.
Dean has spent 20 years in Los Angeles making reality television for a variety of networks including Fox, MTV, Playboy and History channels. Dean has always had a goal of absolute excellence which has been based on his personal experience, stating, “if you don't have absolute belief in a project and a strong view that the audience will want to see the story your creating on the screen, then disaster will follow. The crew will lose faith (which will be reflected in their lacklustre output and enthusiasm), the talent will get bored (creating resistance to scheduling and production demands) and most importantly the network will waver in support, (which at its worst will halt production and at best, cause a producer to no longer have a networks’ confidence). People know when I am making a project I believe in its success, I don’t work just for a payout.”
Reality television is often derided as a weak form of creative expression, Dean’s view is that reality television in its true form is the ultimate expression of Cinéma vérité. Dean notes,” The key to great realty television has always been casting, I am renowned for the perfect casting of talent, I know (in particular for a younger viewer ,demographic 18 – 35) which talent to employ to ensure a flow of story, and that story will be a perfect representation of the content that the network requires for a particular series.”
The authenticity of content is often questioned in realty television, the intensity of emotions shown between cast members often leads to accusations of producer interference and Fake production techniques. Dean states, “I have always held a strong ethically belief that once you create scenes with deliberate dialog you are making a drama not reality television. I have held this view in my practice and often this has created conflict with network executives, but ethical standards are important and must be maintained. “
Dean is renowned for completing production timelines, he says, “ you need to understand every persons job, you don’t have to be a great editor, but you better know how to edit, creative technical staff often exaggerate problems to cover their mistakes. I know how to gently guide staff and talent with support and knowledge. Staff learn to respect such knowledge.” On dealing with post production problems Dean says, “I have an expression I tell segment producers, in reality television if you need a voice over narrator to fill in the story gaps, somebody screwed up the shoot.”
Dean’s eagerness to use innovative production techniques, such as breaking the fourth wall in the series “The Travel Girls” has revitalised reality television. Dean Weily brings experience and professional ethics to the world of media communication and by maintaining high production and ethical standards, his productions present to the viewer, viewpoints that are entertaining and truthful.
