Commissioning

Channels to go through, how to present your ideas.

If you are aiming to be a film or programme maker or a producer, you will be wanting the opportunity to get your programme ideas away, and also to be employed as the producer or director on the project. There are various channels to go through, and if you have good ideas and can express them clearly and effectively in an appropriate manner, then you will stand a better chance of seeing you idea come to fruition. Most TV channels will only accept ideas that come through a production company, so you will need to build relationships and contacts (even if you have your own company, relationships and contacts are vital). You will need to build a track-record. And ideally your idea will be one that nobody else can offer, for example because you have access to people or situations that are unique and that only you can provide. This section gives examples of ways to approach the commissioning process. At the end of the section you will find an assignment that will require you to produce a proposal in the appropriate format for submission to a broadcaster, or an application to a funding body.

Interview Material

Our Media Professionals discuss their experiences with getting work commissioned.

	6.1 Victoria Noble On how she works on getting her ideas commissioned.
	6.2 Sarah Beecham and Graham Howard On the process leading to a contract.
	6.3 Kate Broome On the differences between commissioning for the BBC and Independents.
	6.4 Vin Arthey On commissioning ideas for the BBC, ITV and C4, and how going through another company is sometimes necessary.

Web Research

The following links provide detailed information and guidelines for writing and submitting proposals. Use them to complete Research Project 2 below. 4Producing Channel Four's extremely useful and thorough guidelines to the Proposal Process and their requirements for commissioning. BBC Guide to Commissioning The BBC's guide for programme makers, encompassing structure, strategy, programming needs, pitching an idea and who to contact. PACT The PACT Directory of Independent Producers is available from the website. The rest ... Anglia Television Border Television Carlton Television Central Television Discovery Channel HTV ITN ITV Meridian Television S4C Scottish Television Sky Television

	Research Project 2 - Writing and Presenting Your Ideas
This Research Project asks you to develop an idea for a funding application or for a company presentation, and to use the links above to research the organisation best suited to your idea. Download and print out the Research Project 2 instruction sheet.