Originally our previous pitches stated that we wanted "Rewerked" to be a Channel 4 production however after looking more into aired content from that channel I decided that this would no longer be the case.
Our target audience is 18-40 year old, men and women. We're targeting this demographic as they are less likely to know about the Drag community then others, as well as this genre of Drag is very popular with examples like RuPaul's Drag Race "with the show becoming the number one non-sports cable program among the coveted 18- to 49-year-old demographic" (Rupaul's made Drag mainstream, VICE) indicating an interest in the subject matter.
Knowing what our audience is and what we're setting out to achieve with it I looked into three other channel remits:
BBC 3
BBC Three is the BBC's online output for content targeted at 16-34 year olds. We back original voices and unique ideas to provoke reaction and stimulate emotion (BBC 3 commissioning.) Since going online on February 16th 2016 they've doubled their reach. Since moving online they've organised their content around two editorial pillars- 'Make me laugh' and 'Make me think'. Their remit has been expanded to included focusing on factual entertainment and entertainment formats.
BBC Three is a badge of quality - we pride ourselves with delivering content that has purpose, that stimulates emotions and provokes reactions. BBC Three is Bold and Creative. On Three we are freed from the constraints of linear TV so no longer bound by time slot and can make content appropriate to the platform and the needs of the idea and our audience. (BBC 3 commissioning)
They publish their content where an audiences are most likely to find it, these include; BBC 3 website, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Whatsapp, Snapchat and others. Most of these will be accessible globally.
These ideas come in a variety of forms:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our documentary would be suited to being aired on BBC 3, this is because they have content that is short form like our doc. It online presence means our target audience can be reached as an online video can be shared a lot more via social media. They specifically tailor where they post their content so that the target audience can see it.
The Factual Entertainment team commissions for ITV primetime and for ITV's digital channels. They look for premium, aspirational, optimistic, entertaining, dramatic, bold, exciting, big-hearted programming with broad appeal. (ITV Factual Drama commissioning)
The priority is the 9pm slot where the team are looking for a variety of ambitious, scaled-up and schedule bursting events, strips, access-docs, returnable series and singles. They're interested in privileged-access documentaries about well-known institutions, brands and individuals.
Big talent, diversity are really important to the team. They're not interested in niche subject matters and are keen to reinvent and innovate within the mainstream and within established genres like travel, crime, health etc.
The team welcomes pitches that speak to the priorities above and ask producers to consider how programmes will make the audience 'feel', as well as 'think'.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Itv wouldn't be the best platform for our doc, our subject matter and format can't come back for a returning series. As our doc is about a niche topic like drag they won't be interested in commissioning it.
Channel 5
Channel 5 commissioners are looking for:
- Returnable 8pm series', some access or lightly formatted in broad subject areas that reflect who we are and how we live.
- 10pm entertaining documentary series or one-offs.
- Younger skewing entertaining ideas for the 10pm slot. Not necessarily studio based or your typical “shiny floor” show and not necessarily long runs. Could be an observational documentary or a soft format. Celebrity Wedding Planner, The Bachelor and Celebrity Super-Spa have all performed well in this slot. (Channel 5 commissioning)
- A witty and intelligent talent-led passion project for 9pm.
- Returnable documentary series.
- Repetitional one-offs which reinforce our commitment with first class talent.
- Presenter-led series which allows us to explore big ideas and new territories in a Channel 5 way such as ‘Secrets Of The National Trust with Alan Titchmarsh’ or Ruth and Eamonn’s upcoming series on marriage. (Channel 5 commissioning)
- Intelligent, controversial and innovative series ideas which can punch above their weight in terms of reputation and ratings.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Our doc could work for channel four due to their ability to adapt to what ever format it is in, how ever they are looking for a presenter-led series, as well as this they have had an increase in viewings from our target audience age, 4 per cent increase amongst 16-34s (Channel 5, revamp "The Drum")
Because I decided that our documentary would be aired on BBC 3 I looked into commissioning guidelines that would help us along the way of filming. The responsibility for commissioning the majority of independent network television programmes rests with BBC Television. It commissions programmes both from in-house producers and from independent producers.(BBC Code of Practice)
we are also interested in singles with a distinctive voice or personal story at their heart. We get lots of singles pitched and the best demonstrate a clear directorial vision, genuine passion for their story and have a real purpose. These could be authored by the director or feature new onscreen talent but we need distinctive pieces that provoke and challenge our audience and feel genuine to them (they can smell inauthenticity from a mile away).
We’ll work closely with the channel to develop new talent through short-form commissions. We want new voices that take us into the heart of surprising territories and stories. We’ll be talking to you about short-form that could accompany longform commissions.
We want to focus on domestic issues that dominate young minds - work, drugs and alcohol, relationships, identity... how can we reflect their experiences?
We want brave and ambitious access allied to a strong sense of what it is the director wants to discover/explore/reveal. Life and Death Row and Love and Hate Crime continue to bring large audiences to question the issues of justice, retribution and punishment. Where are the next access pieces that take the audience into challenging stories which question our ethical assumptions? (BBC 3 commissioning)
Our subject matter is one that BBC 3 would want because, it is a new and generally unheard voice of a subject that has been mainstream for many years. It follows a personal story with an important message behind it of acceptance and understanding, it causes audience's to question what they know as well as enquire about it. These are issues that are around for young people as it's these young people breaking and pushing the boundaries.
No comments:
Post a Comment