Rowdy Family Business: A Journey Through Our Reality Show Dreams
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Chapter 1: A Blast from the Past
While rummaging through some old emails, I stumbled upon a message from two and a half years ago. It captured a moment when my wonderful daughters and I were brainstorming about a reality series. Picture a mix of Duck Dynasty and Silicon Valley, featuring some fascinating real-life CEOs.
The initial group chat among the Rousey-Ortiz-DeMars-Taylor clan unfolds:
Mom: "I'm in North Dakota, freezing."
Ronda: "I'm doing a Sports Illustrated shoot on a private island. Someone's painting my behind."
Maria: "In Salt Lake City pitching to investors. No comments on behinds—this is why I’m the CEO."
Julia: "I’m in what feels like purgatory, otherwise known as high school."
Jenn: "In 20 minutes, I'm back to teaching middle schoolers about the Constitution. Why is everyone bothering me?"
The series revolves around Maria Burns Ortiz and her mother, AnnMaria De Mars, who are the CEO and president of a startup focused on educational video games. Their younger sisters, Ronda Rousey, a professional athlete and actress, and Julia De Mars, an aspiring college student and actress, frequently join the conversation.
Maria juggles life with three children aged 1 to 8 and a husband running his journalism startup, all while navigating the dynamics of her non-traditional family. Mom handed over the CEO role to Maria, stating, "Someone needs to wear a suit and not tell potential investors to go away if they say something foolish. That’s not my style."
Episode 1 features Maria and Ronda trying to persuade the family that a reality show could benefit their business. Their challenge becomes evident with the sign on Mom's office door, declaring, "First of all, no. Second of all, no." When they enter, Mom immediately responds with a firm, "No."
They point out that they haven't even made their pitch yet, to which she retorts that every time they approach her with that look, it’s always some outlandish idea. Ronda once suggested getting a monkey, while Maria thought about getting her own apartment during high school because her sisters were bothersome.
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They turn to Dennis, their stepfather and CTO, who has a sympathetic backstory after coming into their lives following Ron's passing. However, he won't even open the office door unless they promise not to film him. One daughter cheekily suggests, "What if we just record you from behind the door?"
The sisters then move to a coffee shop to strategize, culminating in a game design meeting at their office with a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean. AnnMaria, joined by Dennis via Google Hangout, reviews artwork, game mechanics, and coding nuances while Maria discusses storylines and characters. As the meeting wraps up, AnnMaria inquires if there’s any new business, and Ronda seizes the moment to bring up the reality show idea. Instantly, half the developers find an excuse to leave.
Maria and Ronda deliver a compelling two-minute pitch on how this show could not only elevate their company but also enhance educational access for children everywhere. Reluctantly, AnnMaria consents, and the scene concludes with her muttering to the computer, "I’m going to regret this, aren't I?" To which Dennis replies, "Probably."
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So, what became of the reality show? While we had some talks with producers, the rest of the tale will be revealed in the next blog post.
Chapter 2: Family Dynamics and Business Ventures
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Chapter 3: The Pitch and Its Challenges
In "Gil Green & Spiff TV - Drink Champs (Full Video)," the challenges of pitching creative ideas are explored, offering insights into the entertainment industry.