WGSA Online Session: Developing and selling unscripted formats

Join South African born, Los Angeles–based writer and producer Dylan Ben-Israel as he shares insights from developing and selling unscripted formats in the world’s most competitive television market. In this webinar, Dylan explores how ideas are formed, pitch decks are built, and what networks and streamers are really looking for in new concepts. From understanding show mandates and development trends to crafting formats that travel internationally, this session offers a practical roadmap for creators aiming to break into the global unscripted space. Drawing on his experience with companies like Lionsgate, Sony, and Back Roads Entertainment, Dylan provides real-world advice on how to turn an idea into a format, a format into a pitch, and a pitch into a deal.

Webinar details

Date: Wednesday, 12 November 2025
Time: 19:00 to 20:00 SAST

Location: Online (Zoom link sent by 12pm, 11 November 2025 – Please add communications@writersguildsa.org to your contact list)

NB: Registration is essential. WGSA members may attend free of charge. We also invite members of our sister organisations Safrea and DFA to attend free of charge. Non-members pay R 75.00.

Meet your speaker

Dylan Ben-Israel is a South African-born writer and producer based in Los Angeles, where he has lived for the past six years. A produced film and television writer, Dylan pivoted into unscripted formats after COVID and has since created and owns over 100 original unscripted IPs. He has closed multiple deals with industry powerhouses including Renegade 83/Lionsgate (Naked and Afraid), Back Roads Entertainment (Pawn Stars, Joking Off), Sony Pictures Television (Jeopardy!, Wheel of Fortune), and others. Several of his shows are currently in negotiation with major showrunners and networks globally.

His first U.S. unscripted project, Marked Military—a tattoo docuseries exploring military stories—was developed and licensed by his company Storyteller Entertainment before production began, later picked up by Media Ranch, one of the world’s leading format distributors. This success led to representation with Buchwald Agency and subsequent format sales to major showrunners. Dylan is represented by entertainment law firm Frankfurt, Kurnit, Klein & Selz. A second season of Marked has been completed and is now out for international sale.

In scripted work, Dylan has written the feature thriller The Dead Sea for producer Sam Feuer (Big Boy Films), starring Radha Mitchell, and penned The Odds for producer Air Taub. He also wrote the horror-thriller Pinky Pinky for Mona Scott-Young (Love & Hip Hop), created the six-episode military drama Breaking Boots (sold to a streaming platform), and wrote Reconcile, based on the life stories of decorated U.S. pilot Dan Cherry, who served in Vietnam. He is currently packaging a young adult spy series with notable talent attached.